Rifleman Review: Remington Model 870 DM Shotgun

by
posted on May 19, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Originally introduced in 1950 and with around 11 million produced, the Remington Model 870 is one of the most successful pump-action shotgun designs in American history. Most version of the Remington 870 have traditionally fed from a tube magazine instead of a detachable box magazine, except for the Remington Model 870 DM.

The Remington Model 870 DM magazine-fed, pump-action shotgun.
The Remington Model 870 DM magazine-fed, pump-action shotgun.

The Model 870 DM feeds from a detachable box magazine that can hold six shells. The magazine attaches to an extended aluminum magazine-well housing attached on the underside of the receiver, where shells would normally feed into the tube. The use of a box magazine instead of the traditional tube magazine gives the Model 870 DM the ability to reload faster, as well as change between shell loads in different magazines with ease.

A view of a magazine feeding into the magazine well of the Model 870 DM.
A view of a magazine feeding into the magazine well of the Model 870 DM.

The single-stack magazines are detached with the use of a release paddle located on the front of the magazine well. Other than the additional magazine well, the controls on the Model 870 DM are the same as those found on standard versions of the Model 870. Despite there being some changed to the internals of the Model 870 DM, The tube magazine is still present and serves as a guide for the for-end. 

Cycling the Model 870 DM action.
Cycling the Model 870 DM action.

The Remington Model 870 DM is chambered for 12-ga. with an 18.5" barrel, and can take 3" shells. It weighs in at 7 lbs. 4 oz. with an unloaded magazine. The standard furniture is made from black polymer, though camouflaged options were made available for hunters. Currently, the 870 DM lineup has ceased production, following Remington Outdoors' bankruptcy. The Remington facility in Ilion, NY, has restarted production of the 870 shotgun line, but there's no word on the relaunch of the DM models.

To watch complete segments of past episodes of American Rifleman TV, go to americanrifleman.org/artv. For all-new episodes of ARTV, tune in Wednesday nights to Outdoor Channel 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. EST.

Latest

W3645 AFF 8419+
W3645 AFF 8419+

The Armed Citizen® Aug. 7, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Gun of the Week: Zev Technologies x Magpul FDP-C

One of the most anticipated firearm releases of 2026 was the Zev Technologies FDP, a folding pistol-caliber design that the company produced in conjunction with Magpul Industries.

Review: Taurus 22TUC

Taurus USA's 22TUC is a little, polymer-framed .22 pocket pistol with a tip-up barrel design that, unlike many of the company's guns, is made entirely in the United States.

Korea Coast Guard Increases KelTec KSG Tactical Shotgun Inventory

KelTec recently announced that the Korea Coast Guard has ordered more KSG shotguns to join those already in service aboard the branch's patrol vessel fleet.

Rifleman Review: Mossberg 990 Aftershock

In 2025, Mossberg added to the non-NFA, shotshell-firing firearm category with its 990 Aftershock, which uses a semi-automatic operating mechanism while still maintaining a compact form factor.

Next-Gen Micro Red-Dot: The Steiner MPS 2.0

Steiner Optics has introduced the next-generation version of its Micro Pistol Sight, a red-dot optic that first hit the market in 2021.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.