29-Jul-2026
Ask any shooter to name a pump-action shotgun and the odds are the first words out of their mouth will be “Remington 870”. Since its introduction in 1950, the 870 has become one of the best-selling shotguns ever made, with production running into the millions. It has served hunters, clay grounds, police forces and militaries across the world, and it remains a fixture on the UK second-hand market. If you have been searching for a Remington 870 for sale in the UK, this guide covers what makes the gun special, which variants you are likely to encounter, and what to look for before you buy.
Why the 870 earned its reputation
The 870’s success comes down to a simple recipe: a receiver machined from a solid billet of steel, twin action bars for a smooth and bind-free pump stroke, and a design so straightforward that there is very little on the gun that can go wrong. Where many firearms are praised for refinement or innovation, the 870 is praised for the opposite reason: it simply works, in rain, mud, cold and neglect, decade after decade.
That durability matters when buying used. A well-kept 870 from the 1970s can still be a perfectly serviceable working gun today, which is why examples of all ages continue to change hands on the UK market. Parts availability is excellent, gunsmiths know the platform inside out, and the modular design means stocks, barrels and furniture can be swapped without specialist tooling.
The main variants you will see in the UK
Over seventy-plus years, Remington produced a bewildering number of 870 configurations, but most guns on the UK market fall into a few families. The Wingmaster is the classic sporting version, with a polished blued finish and walnut furniture, the most collectable and usually the best made. The Express, introduced later as a budget line, uses a matte finish and hardwood or synthetic stocks; it is functionally the same gun but with less cosmetic finishing. You will also see Magnum versions chambered for 3-inch shells, and various security or field configurations with shorter barrels and extended magazines.
For most UK buyers, the Wingmaster is the one to hunt down. The fit and finish are a step above the Express, and prices on the second-hand market remain reasonable for what you get. Left-handed versions exist too, which is a rarity in pump guns and worth noting if you shoot off the left shoulder.
UK licensing: What you need to know
Pump-action shotguns occupy a specific place in UK law, and it pays to understand it before you start shopping. In broad terms, a pump-action shotgun with a limited magazine capacity can be held on a standard shotgun certificate, while higher-capacity versions fall under Section 1 and require a firearm certificate. Many 870s imported or sold in the UK have been configured accordingly, but capacity and configuration vary from gun to gun, so always confirm the certification status of the individual gun with the seller before agreeing a purchase. Our guide to Section 1 firearms in the UK explains the distinction in more detail.
Buying a used Remington 870: What to check
The 870’s reputation for toughness means most used examples are in good order, but there are still sensible checks to make. Work the action several times with the gun empty; the pump stroke should be smooth with no grinding or catching, and the action bars should show no signs of bending. Check the chamber and bore for pitting, particularly on older guns that may have fired corrosive-primed ammunition or been stored poorly. Examine the magazine tube for dents, which can stop followers moving freely.
On Express models, surface rust is the most common complaint; the matte finish is less protective than the Wingmaster’s polished bluing, so look carefully around the receiver edges and barrel. None of this should put you off; it is simply the difference between a fair price and a good one. For a broader checklist, our article on good practice when buying a firearm or shotgun from an RFD is worth a read.
What should you expect to pay?
Prices for used 870s in the UK vary widely with age, variant and condition. Express models in working order sit at the affordable end of the pump-action market, while clean Wingmasters command a premium, and unusual variants or left-handed guns can attract collector interest. As with any used gun, condition is everything; a cared-for older gun is almost always a better buy than a neglected newer one. Browse the current Remington 870 listings on Rightgun.uk to get a feel for what the market is asking today.
How the 870 compares to the alternatives
The 870’s great rival has always been the Mossberg 500 family, which uses an aluminium receiver and tang-mounted safety; some shooters prefer one layout, some the other, and both are proven designs. Within the Remington stable, buyers sometimes weigh the 870 against the semi-automatic 1100, which offers softer recoil at the cost of more maintenance. And if you are torn between Remington’s shotgun and rifle lines, our comparison of the Remington 870 vs 700 looks at the two most famous guns the company ever made.
In the UK, where driven game and clay shooting are dominated by over-and-unders, the 870 occupies a more specialist niche: pigeon decoying, wildfowling, rough shooting and practical shotgun disciplines. For those jobs, its weather resistance and reliability are hard to beat at the price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Remington 870 legal in the UK? Yes. The 870 can be owned in the UK provided the individual gun’s configuration matches the certificate you hold: limited-capacity versions on a shotgun certificate, higher-capacity versions on a firearm certificate. Always confirm the certification status of the specific gun with the seller or RFD.
Is the Remington 870 still being made? The 870 remains in production under RemArms, which took over Remington’s firearms business in 2020. New examples still reach the UK, though the second-hand market is where most British buyers find their guns.
Which is better, the Wingmaster or the Express? Mechanically, they are the same gun. The Wingmaster has superior fit and finish, polished bluing and walnut, while the Express was built to a price. Buy the best-condition Wingmaster you can afford; buy an Express as an honest working tool.
What is the Remington 870 used for in the UK? Mostly pigeon shooting, wildfowling, rough shooting, vermin control and practical shotgun competition. Its tolerance of harsh conditions makes it a favourite foreshore gun.
Find your Remington 870 on Rightgun.uk
Few guns offer as much service per pound as a good 870. Whether you are after a collectable Wingmaster or a workhorse Express for the foreshore, browse the latest Remington 870 shotguns for sale on Rightgun.uk, the UK’s dedicated marketplace for shooting and field sports, or explore the full range of shotguns for sale from sellers across the country.
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