Remington 870 Tactical Side-Lever PCP Air Rifle

The Remington 870 Tactical is a compact, budget PCP air rifle inspired by the famous Remington 870 Tactical shotgun, but this is not a mechanically accurate replica. Think of it in much the same way as other firearm-inspired air rifles such as the Diana Mauser K98: familiar styling, but an entirely different airgun platform underneath.
 
And there is a slightly interesting story behind this one.
 
The 870 is actually based on the JTS AirStryke Carbine, a JTS design that has not yet become widely available in the UK. The Remington version therefore uses JTS Airacuda magazines, rather than a Remington-specific magazine system. It also brings the AirStryke design into .177 calibre, which makes this version particularly interesting for the UK market where .177 is a very popular choice for general-purpose and target shooting.
 
A Budget PCP With the Basics Covered
The 870 sits below the Remington T-Rex in both specification and price. That does mean some compromises, but they are fairly sensible ones.
 
It uses a side-lever action, a regulated 85cc air cylinder and a 200 bar maximum fill pressure, producing approximately 40 shots per fill.
 
The action is straightforward and feeds from a self-indexing multi-shot magazine. The side lever is fixed for right-handed use rather than being reversible.
 
There is a Picatinny optics rail for mounting a scope or other compatible optic, although there is no separate lower accessory rail.
 
The 1/2" UNF threaded muzzle is a particularly useful feature, allowing a compatible moderator to be fitted.
 
Tactical Stock
Where the 870 really starts to separate itself from the basic sporter models is the stock.
 
The rifle uses an AR-style sliding stock with an adjustable cheekpiece, giving you an adjustable length of pull from 290mm to 370mm. This provides considerably more flexibility than a fixed budget sporter stock.
 
The use of an AR-style stock system is also interesting from a practical point of view. As airgun manufacturers increasingly adopt modular components and interfaces already common in the firearm and airsoft worlds, it becomes easier to find compatible aftermarket components rather than relying entirely on proprietary airgun parts.
 
At just 2.7kg, the 870 is also considerably lighter than the full-size Remington T-Rex.
 
Why Choose the 870?
The 870 makes some fairly obvious compromises to reach its lower price. The smaller 85cc cylinder means fewer shots, the side lever isn't reversible and there is no lower accessory rail.
 
In return, you get a compact regulated PCP with a side lever, Picatinny optics rail, threaded muzzle and highly adjustable AR-style stock, all at a price point considerably below the T-Rex.
 
And, of course, it looks like a Remington 870.
 
That is probably the biggest selling point. If you simply want the most sophisticated PCP for the money, there are other places to look. If you want a basic, usable PCP that has genuine firearm-inspired styling without spending a fortune, the Remington 870 is a rather interesting proposition.
 
Specifications
Weight: 2.7kg
Total Length: 78-85cm
Length of Pull: 290-370mm
Trigger Weight: Approx. 1.3kg
Barrel: 380mm CN Steel, Choked, 12-Groove Rifled
Muzzle Thread: 1/2" UNF
Action: Side Lever
Feed System: Multi-Shot Self-Indexing Magazine
Magazine Capacity: .177 - 12 Shots / .22 - 10 Shots
Air Cylinder: 85cc
Regulator: Yes
Maximum Fill Pressure: 200 bar
Approx. Shots per Fill: 40
Fill Connector: Foster QD
Optics Rail: Picatinny
Sights: Fibre-Optic Iron Sights
Safety: Manual, In-Trigger
 
Includes
Remington 870 Tactical PCP Air Rifle
2x Multi-Shot Magazines