Is there any difference between the 870 and 870 Express, besides cosmetically? I have an 870, but don't like the appearance of the Express as well, and wondered if there were performance/workmanship differences. trying to decide on gun for son.

I'd definitely buy the better gun.....I don't believe Quality assurance is practiced on the express model....it's a price model.

The old 870 with walnut stock with 3" chamber is pretty good yet I think.

St. I can only relay what I was told by a Remington rep back several years ago (when Remington was still a DuPont company I believe). He said the then new "Express" guns were built after normal "production allotments/quotas" were already built and instead of changing all the tooling out for newer equipment the Express guns were run which had less critical tolerances and more "slop" in them as the maching was by then dulled and tolerances were off somewhat. This allowed Remington to offer the guns somewhat cheaper than they did normal guns. This was coincided with the boom of Wal-Mart and all of the sudden the Express guns were everywhere (whens the last time you saw a new/like new Wingmaster in the field?).

Now do I believe that? Not really, althought possible at the time (this would've been in the late 80s if I remember correctly) it does'nt make sense that a gunmaker would build "subpar" equipment for sale to the masses. But then again who knows, that was when beancounters from DuPont and Wal-Mart were in cahoots. I think mainly the "cheap" parts of the Express guns can be found in the finish as they wear-out and rust terribly quick. The wood stocks have practically NO finish on them and soak up moisture like a sponge. And remember that the Express guns come with only one choke tube as that cust costs considerably until you realize you need to spend $50-$100 more bucks for all necessary tubes. Some of the guns also come without sling studs. As far as I know the synthetic stocks are the same as the syn stocks used on anyother Remington (save for the ones with true Kevlar stocks).

Get a 870 SuperMag in MaxIV and be done with it!
RA

I agree with REDALLISON about the 870 express rusting up but I just keep mine oiled and I have no problem. I love my gun (870 Express combo).The slug barrel was dead on at 100 yards right out of the box and it came with extra chokes. I love using the full choke insert with 00 buck. I have dropped deer in excess of 70 yards right in thier tracks.I don't use the slug barrel too much because I like hunting thicker /low cover areas and this gun has done the job far exceeding my expectations.I know it isnt a pretty gun but, I want a gun for funtionality not asthetics.I don't want to worry about scratching the stock of a gun while I'm in the woods.

I bought my son a 870 Exp. Mag. in black and have never had a problem with rust or function of this gun. I have two 870 16s one Wingmaster and one Syn. Exp. and cannot tell a difference when shooting these guns.