Remington 870

Remington 870
Name	Remington 870
Origin	United States
Type	Shotgun
Service	1950–present
Designer	Roy Weatherby
Manufacturer	Remington Arms
Production date	1950–present
Number	~11,000,000
Variants	See Variants
Cartridge	12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, .410 bore
Action	Pump-action
Feed	Tubular magazine

Remington 870 is a pump-action shotgun introduced in 1950 and produced by Remington Arms. It quickly became a dominant platform in American law enforcement, United States Armed Forces support roles, and civilian hunting and sporting communities. The model's longevity and adaptability have linked it to major manufacturers, police departments, and international armed forces.

History

The shotgun was developed in the post-World War II era amid shifts in small arms adoption influenced by figures such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and industrial leaders in the American manufacturing sector. Early commercial success positioned the model alongside contemporaries like designs from Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Browning, while procurement by municipal agencies connected it with organizations including the FBI and the New York Police Department. Cold War procurement patterns and domestic firearms markets in the 1950s and 1960s put the shotgun into service in roles paralleling those of weapons used in conflicts referenced at the Korean War and Vietnam War, and later law enforcement responses related to events involving the Civil Rights Movement.

Design and Development

The design team refined tube-magazine, slide-action mechanics informed by earlier designs associated with inventors and firms such as John Moses Browning and Oliver Winchester; engineering work occurred within the corporate context of Remington Arms Company, LLC and its industrial partners. Development emphasized reliability, ease of maintenance, and modularity, affecting adoption by agencies like the United States Marine Corps and civilian markets linked to manufacturers supplying hunting seasons overseen in states such as Pennsylvania and Texas. Manufacturing and tooling investments reflected the influence of industrial suppliers in regions tied to Salisbury, North Carolina and production shifts that later involved corporate events between Cerberus Capital Management and other stakeholders.

Variants

Multiple factory and aftermarket variants expanded the platform into roles found in municipal policing and sporting franchises. Tactical and law-enforcement styles paralleled configurations adopted by units such as the Los Angeles Police Department, New York City Police Department, and federal agencies including the United States Secret Service; hunting and competition models were favored by users present at events hosted by organizations like the National Rifle Association and the Safari Club International. Military patterns and export versions appeared in inventories alongside small arms used by forces influenced by treaties and procurements involving countries tied to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and regional defense arrangements.

Specifications

Typical specifications for widely produced models included chamberings in 12, 16, 20, 28 gauge, and .410 bore, tubular magazine capacities that varied by gauge and barrel length, and slide-action operation derived from earlier pump-action genealogies associated with inventors and firms recognized by museums such as the Smithsonian Institution. Weight and barrel length options placed the shotgun in catalogs alongside products marketed by retail chains and distributors linked to commerce in states like Ohio and California; finish options and accessory compatibility encouraged third-party support from companies exhibiting at trade shows like the SHOT Show.

Usage and Users

The shotgun found extensive use with municipal and federal law enforcement agencies including the New York City Police Department, Los Angeles Police Department, FBI, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and with military and security forces in countries engaged with alliances like NATO. Sporting shooters, hunters, and competitive shooters affiliated with organizations such as the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the National Sporting Clays Association also adopted the platform. Training programs at academies and institutions such as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers and state police academies incorporated the shotgun into curricula addressing scenarios contextualized by incidents involving public safety organizations.

Cultural Impact

The shotgun achieved iconic status in film, literature, and television portrayals alongside props and arsenals appearing in works associated with filmmakers such as John Carpenter, Quentin Tarantino, and Clint Eastwood productions; depictions linked it to scenes reminiscent of historical events publicized by media outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. Collectors and museums focused on American industrial heritage, such as the National Firearms Museum and exhibitions at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution, have highlighted the platform's role in postwar material culture. Its presence in debates involving legislative bodies and high-profile legal cases brought it into public policy discussions cited in state capitols and courtrooms involving organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union.

Category:Shotguns Category:Firearms of the United States