Cruising the pawn shops like an old shark can have its payoffs. While cruising one of them last week, I noticed a black scattergun on the ‘Used’ rack that looked a tad different than your typical riot gun. I made out the profile of a short 870, with a vent rib. ‘Chop Job” I said to myself as I asked to look it over. I just hoped it was cheap- and they hadn’t cut the poor thing off in the middle of a vent.
I was wrong; what I held was a near-new, synthetic-stocked 870 Remington Express 'Special Purpose' Magnum with a 21 inch barrel tapped for Rem Chokes. The bolt showed no exterior finish wear and the breech face didn’t look like it had seen ten live rounds.
The price was more than fair considering the 'extras' which included was a spare 30” Rem Choke barrel, a decent case, an assortment of choke tubes, their wrench and a sling. Its ability to employ Rem Chokes means I can also bird hunt with it- and there is no better way to get really close your fighting shotgun. This choke system is among my favorites for its versatility, the nice patterns it produces, and that fact that it sits flush with the muzzle.
Actually this shotgun had a little quirk or two which, once identified, were easily corrected. Take a look here for the full 4-1-1 on all that.