My 3" express was an early 90's model and the reciever said 870 Express Magnum, if you are gonna waterfowl hunt a lot I would pick up a 3 1/2" gun such as a Benelli Nova, or another resonably priced gun in which YOU LIKE, that is the most important thing!

thank you all so much im pretty sure all your suggestions will come in handy !!!

i sont think im to the point were i can purchase a beneli !! maybe wingmaster ?
or synthitic 870 super mag ?

Actually you can get a Nova for under $400, IMO it is the best pump out there!!!

under 400 used or new ? well i gueess ill just have to try and find a job then !

If your serial number ends with an "M", it is a magnum receiver. Some Expresses say "Remington Express Magnum" and others are just "Remington Express" although both can be magnum receivers. The older ones usually just say "Express". I have four 870s (from 20 yrs. old to 5) and none have a shell length stamped on the receiver, just the barrel.

I have always known this to be the way to identify receivers but to remove any doubt, contact Remington's customer support @ www.remington.com. They should be glad to assist.

If you got it at a Gander Mnt why not just bring it back there and let their gunsmith take a look at it and give you a definate answer. I don't think anyone on here would be too comfortable giving you an answer without seeing the gun themselves.

Don't go buying a new gun. There seems to be nothing wrong with the one you've got , you just need to know what you can shoot out of it. If you find it only shoots 2 3/4 , so what. You are a new hunter, it may acctualy help you. Having the lighter load will force you to wait a little longer for a good shot and not push bad shots relying on the extra power of the larger shells.

i jsut bought my new benelli nove for 380its an awsome gun not to heavy nor to light i love it!