The Norinco 982 Tactical vs the Express 870 HD. Norinco 870 $189 retail most places. Remington 870 Express HD $299 retail when not on special.
The Norinco 870 shotguns have been imported into the US for almost 10 years now.
In my opinion of the Norinco 870 is a step above the Express 870 HD at a much better price. It is a improved version of the 870 for tactical purposes. The reasons why is laid out in a list below. I would like to hear your opinions on the two guns. Please leave "The China argument" out of the discussion. Please state at the beginning of your post if you have ever owned one of the Norinco 870 shotguns. That includes the Marlin NEF Pardner Pump which is also made by Norinco and imported by Hawk Ind. I and others would like to hear your thoughts. Feel free to post your own pictures of your Norinco 870.
My Review of the Norinco 870 it's advantages over 870 Express HD:
The 870 Express cost about twice as much and three time if it came with GRS and metal trigger guard.
A smooth action on my gun from the get go. I did some more minor polishing to smooth it more. The action on most Express are rough.
It has a machined extractor and ejector compared to the MIM parts on the Express
It has an metal trigger guard. Plastic on the Express
The ghost ring sights are excellent, much better than a bead in my opinion and much better GRS than you find on a 870. A good set of GRS will cost you almost as much as the Norinco 870.
The shell carrier/lifter is non slotted but if a shell is released between the lifter and the bolt, it will still feed smoothly without smacking the butt on the ground. This might be due to a slightly different lifter shape (?).
It is parkerized, not "rough" blued like the Express. It is a good looking SG. Fit is about the same on both guns.
It is very reliable it will feed cheap ammo that some Express won't
The barrel locking lug is in a better location. Being higher up it allows for a mount to be added above the fore end to mount accessories. When you add a mount on the tube extension of a Express it has the be removed each time you break down the shotgun, which is a pain. If you add a magazine tube extension like the one in the picture it is a stronger setup because it is shorter.
With a magazine tube extension on the Norinco 18.5" barrel you get 7+1 capacity, 5+1 without. With a 18" barrel Remington 870 you get 6+1 with tube ext and 4+1 without.
Both shotguns have mag tube dimples that have to be drilled out before a extension can be used.
All Remington 870 accessories will fit it and there are plenty available. Some may need to be modified a little to fit.
Quality steel on both guns. The steel on the Norinco does seem to rust easier. I believe it's because of the high carbon content.
This shotgun has a 14" LOP, Cylinder Choke measures 0.725", 18.5" barrel OD @ muzzle 0.860", wall thickness @ muzzle 0.067", 7+1 capacity with mag tube extension. Rounds put through the review gun around 3000 over 4 years not a single FTF with all types of ammo.
My conclusion is, I believe the Norinco 870 is a improved version of the Remington 870 for tactical purposes. This is the best deal to be had in a Tactical shotgun anywhere.
Here is a picture of my Norinco 870 limited tactical model. It came with GRS, heat shield and a tactical speed fore end. I added a Vang tactical big head speed safety, a mag tube extension that I make for these shotguns, Laserlyte Tri-Rail mount, replaced the flat head screws that hold the rear GRS with better hex head screws and coated the shotgun with non rust ceramic paint which is very durable, more durable than a parkerize finish. I have owned it for 4 years and put it through Hell. It is a great gun.
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GC
The Norinco 870 shotguns have been imported into the US for almost 10 years now.
In my opinion of the Norinco 870 is a step above the Express 870 HD at a much better price. It is a improved version of the 870 for tactical purposes. The reasons why is laid out in a list below. I would like to hear your opinions on the two guns. Please leave "The China argument" out of the discussion. Please state at the beginning of your post if you have ever owned one of the Norinco 870 shotguns. That includes the Marlin NEF Pardner Pump which is also made by Norinco and imported by Hawk Ind. I and others would like to hear your thoughts. Feel free to post your own pictures of your Norinco 870.
My Review of the Norinco 870 it's advantages over 870 Express HD:
The 870 Express cost about twice as much and three time if it came with GRS and metal trigger guard.
A smooth action on my gun from the get go. I did some more minor polishing to smooth it more. The action on most Express are rough.
It has a machined extractor and ejector compared to the MIM parts on the Express
It has an metal trigger guard. Plastic on the Express
The ghost ring sights are excellent, much better than a bead in my opinion and much better GRS than you find on a 870. A good set of GRS will cost you almost as much as the Norinco 870.
The shell carrier/lifter is non slotted but if a shell is released between the lifter and the bolt, it will still feed smoothly without smacking the butt on the ground. This might be due to a slightly different lifter shape (?).
It is parkerized, not "rough" blued like the Express. It is a good looking SG. Fit is about the same on both guns.
It is very reliable it will feed cheap ammo that some Express won't
The barrel locking lug is in a better location. Being higher up it allows for a mount to be added above the fore end to mount accessories. When you add a mount on the tube extension of a Express it has the be removed each time you break down the shotgun, which is a pain. If you add a magazine tube extension like the one in the picture it is a stronger setup because it is shorter.
With a magazine tube extension on the Norinco 18.5" barrel you get 7+1 capacity, 5+1 without. With a 18" barrel Remington 870 you get 6+1 with tube ext and 4+1 without.
Both shotguns have mag tube dimples that have to be drilled out before a extension can be used.
All Remington 870 accessories will fit it and there are plenty available. Some may need to be modified a little to fit.
Quality steel on both guns. The steel on the Norinco does seem to rust easier. I believe it's because of the high carbon content.
This shotgun has a 14" LOP, Cylinder Choke measures 0.725", 18.5" barrel OD @ muzzle 0.860", wall thickness @ muzzle 0.067", 7+1 capacity with mag tube extension. Rounds put through the review gun around 3000 over 4 years not a single FTF with all types of ammo.
My conclusion is, I believe the Norinco 870 is a improved version of the Remington 870 for tactical purposes. This is the best deal to be had in a Tactical shotgun anywhere.
Here is a picture of my Norinco 870 limited tactical model. It came with GRS, heat shield and a tactical speed fore end. I added a Vang tactical big head speed safety, a mag tube extension that I make for these shotguns, Laserlyte Tri-Rail mount, replaced the flat head screws that hold the rear GRS with better hex head screws and coated the shotgun with non rust ceramic paint which is very durable, more durable than a parkerize finish. I have owned it for 4 years and put it through Hell. It is a great gun.
GC
