The author with the Remington 870 DM.
When something as different as the Remington 870 Detachable Magazine comes up for review, we have to change out tactics a bit. There is just no way to cram enough rounds through one in the time given to ensure it will hold up. So I have retained our original 870 DM, and I am back today with a follow-up report. The original review is here, and I am happy to say I can stand behind this one. The 870 DM remains the best change to shotguns since the original model 870 was introduced back in 1951.
The first question we got from readers was “ are the magazines durable?”, which is the obvious one to ask on a system like this. I am happy to report, yes. Just running a bunch of rounds through one isn’t the same as a life test, so we needed to do both. The 870 DM has ridden in my truck every test day for the last four months, both for the round count and the rattle test. At a round count North of 1000 now, we can say the magazines are definitely durable.
The magazines seem to be plenty tough and have held up just fine for the author.
The second question we had with magazines, how do they perform if left loaded? This is a good one too, as many people leave a home defense shotgun in cruiser ready configuration, and we don’t all cycle the tube every week. The old tube style magazines would hold up to this, so we needed to make sure the detachable box would as well. It’s not the longest test we’ve ever done, the shotguns haven’t existed for that kind of time frame. But I did load one of my magazines on December 15th, and on March 17th it cycled just fine. Time will tell if that holds true on a scale like 6 months or a year, but so far so good.
The third question was also important. Many of us have an old 870, and therefore old 870 parts laying about. I have had my 870 Super Magnum for over 20 years, and it has worn a lot of different stocks and barrels. I happen to like the Magpul furniture my 870 DM tactical came in, but I also like the original wood stock. Will the old stuff work? Yes, no problem. The same holds true for barrels. I have a 24 inch barrel I use for 3 Gun Heavy Metal and an 18 inch home defense special. They fit on the new 870 DM, there is zero design change. So if you also have a closet full of extras, you’re in business.
If you’ve got 870 barrels for different applications they’ll all work on the 870 DM.
Fourth is less of a question, more of an observation. The 870 DM has really grown on me over the last few months. The balance is a bit different when you start using it, but after a short time, you don’t even notice anymore. A box type detachable magazine is a step away from tradition, but everything has to evolve. Remington has really hit one out of the park here, and I think the 870 DM is with us to stay.
The accessories and furniture are all still interchangeable from your old 870 to the new 870 DM.
Same problem as someone else presented. NO EXTRA MAGAZINES TO BE HAD FROM THE SIX ONLINE MAGAZINE SUPPLIERS I CHECKED ON. Without extra magazines the shotgun is pretty limited.
So…. What’s the use if I can’t buy extra mags? Need to get on it Green….
Mossberg makes a mag fed 500 now. It’s a much better design in my opinion. That’s the one I would buy.
Is this a ‘conversion’ that can be done to existing 870’s..?
Would it also be possible to convert my 887 Magnum..?
Also, is it ‘oriented’ only for right-handed shooters? I am a Lefty, and some of the buttons are very awkward for a left-hander.
I definitely like the idea of having loaded reserve magazines in a self-defense situation…and even in a hunting situation — such as wild hogs — that can turn into a ‘self-defense situation’ … (smile)
Leaving a tube fed shotgun in cruiser ready inside a vehicle in hot weather can cause problems especially with extended tubes. The rounds actually deform from the combination of heat and the magazine spring pressure to the point they won’t chamber. I discovered this problem when checking shotguns for my PD, half the shotguns wouldn’t chamber a round. It probably wasn’t a problem with old paper shotgun hulls I don’t know but it certainly is with the plastic hull ammo of today. The DM version would at least take care of that.
I know Wingmaster variants fit the 870. Will they also fit the 870 DM?
The fact that it has a detachable mag makes it a good choice, assuming it is not used as and every day truck gun. The ten round magazine would act as a hindrance in side my truck cabin. So one would find the mag setting on the seat? Where as my tube fed with extension would make for a sleek package and always stay loaded. For me a truck gun needs to be loaded with safety on and ready for action.
Assuming Remington stays in business, give me a 20guage and the magazine would shrink accordingly, then you got a deal…..
Have a number of 870’s, set up for defense and several hunting applications (Snow Goose, Dove, etc-) I’ve given both sons 870’s years ago, so have plenty parts just in case, various stock and forearms laying around and a arm load of barrels gathered over the years, so it was good to see Clay’s done some footwork to help me decide if I want one or not. Thanks Clay, good data to know, especially the magazines.
How about an 11-87 dm! Wouldn’t that be great!!
I’m waiting. Next 870 should be able to function with DM and tubes if Remington can keep its head above water.