I am looking to buy a new shotgun and can't decide between these two. I have heard good and bad about the 887. Should I just stick with the 870?

It's up to you, but I would definitely stick with the 870. I have also heard bad reports about the 887, especially the coating. IMO, the only reason Remington introduced it is so Benelli couldn't corner the ugly gun market.
Are you sure you want a 3-1/2" pump? They tend to bite rather severely, and this is coming from a guy who used to shoot a specially lightened 10 gauge BPS with the heaviest loads he could buy or build.

Yeah I just really like pump shotguns. I have always just had good luck out of them.

I am partial to the 870 but I just like pump guns as they have never let me down. My 870 is still going strong with over 10K rounds through hit.


I have a Mossberg 835 and after one session of patterning 3.5" loads for turkey hunting I have no desire to do so again any time soon. They throw a lot of shot down range but the definitely punish you at the same time, even with a recoil reducing stock.

Welcome to the Remington Owners Forum Mountainman94 !!

MikeD wrote:I have a Mossberg 835 and after one session of patterning 3.5" loads for turkey hunting I have no desire to do so again any time soon. They throw a lot of shot down range but the definitely punish you at the same time, even with a recoil reducing stock.

Before tungsten came out I was considering a 3-1/2" 12 gauge. Shot a bunch of them. Yes an 835 or a 535 will knock the sleep out of your eyes. I tried a buddy's Super Black Eagle One, imported by H&K. Fit well, looked good with the wood furniture. Heavy 2-3/4" and 3" shells, no big problem. Then I shot some 3-1/2" fodder. Holy cow, that was THE worst kicking shotgun I have ever shot, bar none. They didn't develop that two piece stock for nothing.

Most of my shotguns are 2 3/4" 12 gauges...with one 3".

I really don't see any reason to beat my self up with a 3 1/2" magnum when the others drop the game with the same authority.

Just me...your mileage may vary !

I prefer 3" and shorter myself. However, if you can stand them, the 3.5" shells do improve upon the capabilities of the 12ga, and a 3.5"-chambered pump gun can always shoot shorter shells as well. You can save the teeth-rattling 3.5" stuff for when you really feel like you need the heavier payloads - long-range pass-shooting, perhaps - and shoot 3" or 2.75" shells the rest of the time.

Getting back to the original question though; the nice thing about the 870 SuperMag is that it can accept other standard 870 barrels (even those without 3.5" chambers, so long as you stick to appropriate ammo), as well as most of the million or so 12ga 870 accessories out there. So if you want one shotgun that you can customize and reconfigure for a lot of different applications, the 870 would probably be the better platform.

Just make sure to upgrade the recoil pad if you buy an 870 that comes with one of those horrid chunks of tire rubber. I think Remington's getting better about putting on SuperCell pads at the factory these days, but mine came with one of those solid rubber numbers, and even a couple 3" shells left me sore for days. The SuperCell pad was the best $20 I ever spent on my shotgun.