

Legacy Escort M-87 Pump Shotgun right side

Does anybody buy brand name anything anymore? I don’t know about you, but I haven’t bought an actual bottle of Heinz ketchup since I found out that the “great value” store brand is literally packaged in the same facility. The analgesics in my medicine cabinet read ibuprofen and acetaminophen rather than Advil or Tylenol. So, the question is, why not guns? If I were to ask you to guess the all-time, best-selling sporting arm ever produced, would you know it? Hint: It actually gives the number one most manufactured firearm (of any type) in the world a run for its money. Of course, the number two highest selling firearm in the world is the Remington 870 Shotgun.

Remington Model 870 Wingmaster ad The Model 870 is only number two because there are a lot more people that use the dozens of manufacturing locations, variants, and sources of Mr. Kalashnikov’s venerable AK-47—the all-time top manufactured firearm. As a side note, I encourage the purchase of any of the AK variants as well; you certainly want to have something of historical value in your safe, if and when, the next round of regulations comes.

However, I digress.

First stocked on dealers’ shelves in 1951, the 870 pump has been a standard addition to thousands of gun cabinets everywhere. Known for its bullet-proof reliability, economy, and generally low maintenance requirements, it was rated a best buy for decades. Remington came out with a value line of the Model 870 in 1987 and labeled it the Express model. For years, the Model 870 reigned as the the low-cost alternative for taking game or breaking clays. However, there is a new contender for the crown.

Like many things, once the patent protection expires, new offerings pop up with all of the benefits, longevity, reliability, and economic value, for an even better value. Today, that value is the Legacy Sports International Escort M87 Pump Shotgun.

That’s right; you can now get a Remington 870 clone for about $100 less than the already tremendous value of a Remington 870 shotgun. And, if you are interested in a shotgun with a Tactical flavor—extended magazine, short barrel, ghost ring sight, you can save even more. Perhaps as much as $200—and it is all because of the availability of additional labor, manufacturing facilities, and the expiration of patents that you, the consumer, can benefit.

Legacy Escort M-87 Pump Shotgun right side
Legacy Escort M-87 Pump Shotgun
Many people do not realize the quality of craftsmanship that has been coming out of countries such as Turkey or Japan. Ironically, many of the firearms produced in other countries have finer pieces of walnut attached to them then you would find with your typical “American made” flavor. Likewise, there is a story in the gun world about one large manufacturer that actually traveled to Turkey to enforce a patent infringement and liked what it saw so much that it actually bought the factory and started using it to produce their own firearms line.

Having handled the Escort M87 pump-action 12 gauge, I can tell you that the fit and finish, while not on par with a high-end Rizzini or Perazzi double, is more than acceptable, and the reliability and durability of its action and interchangeable parts are already proven and time-tested. Additionally, it is offered in 12 and 20 gauge, with both youth and adult versions in the sporting lines and numerous tactical configurations to suit your needs.

Yes, quality competition has come to the gun world, and that’s a good thing. As time goes on, look for more and even better rebrandings of your favorite old-school firearm—with many improvements as well.

Competition is  good for the consumer in greater availability at a lower price, but also for the manufacturer to force innovation, modernization, and general improvement.

How does the Legacy Escort M87 stack up in your estimation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section, and be sure to mention your favorite clone.



Comments (19)

  1. Well, the review here says that parts are interchangeable. Does this mean it’s interchangeable with it’s own barrels and such OR can it accept Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 parts or accessories??? If that is the case, then this M87 would be a dram. My 870 20ga is only 5 shot. I like the ideal of having 7 shot. Why, ’cause raccoons travel in packs.

  2. Looks like an interesting shotgun. I am sure that this affordable product will find its place among gun enthusiasts. The competition is good for end users.

  3. Made in Turkey. Hmmm. Turks not such good allies lately, regards terrorists. True, we can’t always choose where we source products, some stuff just isn’t made in USA, and sometimes we just can’t afford USA. I’ll always look for USA first, then branch out.


    You lost me right there as I never tasted any ketchup that was as good as Heinz. I grew up eating ketchup sandwiches. From my cold dead hands.

  5. Competition is good to keep the American manufactures honest, but no crying please when your job goes to China, Turkey or Mexico. Spend the extra $100, get someting that you will be proud to hand down to your son or grandson. Heck, most of us have no problem wasting $100 a month on something foolish or unneeded! I know it’s not always possible, but I buy American as much as I can.

    1. Mossberg’s Maverick brand of shotguns may be the answer to your question. I have a Maverick Over/Under that works just fine, although it doesn’t have all the fancy finish of my Browning Superposed. That said, it is a fine field gun.

    2. My grandson has a Maverick 88, and has no problems. He was given it by his mom on his 16th birthday, he is now approaching 22.
      I expect My GREAT grandson/daughter will have it in their collection.

  6. Got one,used but little with all ac essories, and it does match Remington in all but finish.
    Removed as much ascould be a d used Fornbys lilasit will replace Remi gton for Washinton State rainy duck and grouse seasons.
    Good buy at store price but dam good buy used.

  7. Uh-huh…..I have a Norinco (Made in China) clone of the Remington M870 tactical with ghost ring sights. It looks just like the M870; it shoots like the M870, and it feels like the M870. If I didn’t know it was a Norinco clone of the M870, I wouldn’t know the difference. And… cost me $150.00.

  8. I also have an 870 Wingmaster, 870 Express, AND a clone “H&R Pardner in 3” chamber 12 Ga. 18.5″barrel. to rack one is the same as the other I can’t tell a lot of difference in fit and function

  9. I picked one of these up at a local Runnings on sale for $250ish. You can probably find them cheaper, but I live in the great (lol) state of NY and guns seem to be more expensive than in my home state.

    Anyhow, I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the gun. I bought the one with the 3″ chamber and 26 inch barrel, and it came with 3 chokes and a wrench for them. Everything on mine fits quite well, and there is no undue rattling or movement. The finish isn’t anything special, but it is certainly more than acceptable for such a cheap firearm. I’ve shot clays with it and it performed very well, but I haven’t had a chance to pattern out buckshot or run any slugs through it. Like I said, everything fits well and there is a nifty little fiber optic bead on the front so I’m looking forward to seeing how it does with slugs. The gun feels good and solid and points very well. The only little gripe that I have is that when I opened mine up I found a line drawn in what appeared to be silver magic marker on the foregrip. I don’t know how or why it got there but it came off easily enough.

    Overall I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. It handles well, it cycles well, and it was punching clays just as well as my buddy’s $1100 Browning. What more do you want?

    TL;DR: I saw it, I bought it, I liked it.

  10. As a matter of fact, in the great marketplace of firearms, we have seen a number of so called “generic” brands of firearms. When I think back to the 1950s, Sears had it’s JC Higgins and Ted Williams brands, Western Auto had it’s Revelation brand, Ward’s had it’s Sport King and of course, dear old Herter’s also had it’s own brand of weaponry. There are other examples, but I cannot recall them at this time. All of these were manufactured by well known makers of quality firearms, but the only way one could ascertain who actually made those store branded pieces was through a code that was stamped someplace on the pieces.

    1. No, “Dragon”, this isn’t the same thing. An Ithaca shotgun sold at Ward’s under their own store brand was still made by Ithaca, by an American worker. Your Chinese Norinco or this Legacy are inferior offshore versions of widely available American products. Purchasing a Norinco means you are supporting the communist Chinese government since Norinco is state owned.

      Purchasing a Turkish made copy of an 870 for just $100 less than the real thing means it only takes $100 for you to sell out your countrymen. That extra $100 would have gotten you a superior firearm and it would have put food in the mouths of an American worker’s children.

      Neither are very patriotic. Always try to BUY AMERICAN when you can. We only vote on a ballot every so often but we vote with our dollars every day.

    2. $100 isn’t just pocket change to some people. Before we go preaching about buying all American and condemning someone for saving $100 on a shotgun, maybe we should take a look at where the rest of our things come from. I’d be willing to bet that you’ve spent a lot more than $100 on foreign goods when you could have bought American. Cars, clothes, and food come to mind. I agree with buying American as much as possible, but sometimes you just don’t have $100 to spend on that “Made in Ilion, New York” stamp.

    3. We aren’t talking about some people. We’re talking about you and “Dragon”. Sure, if you’re scraping together your money for a home defense gun, buy whatever you can afford.

      I own goods made all over the world. Most people do. Like I said, try to buy American when you can. Learn where the things you buy are made.

    4. I knew where the Legacy was made when I bought it. I bought it for a purpose, much like Dragon did.

      All I’m saying is that accusing us of selling out our countrymen for $100 to support a Turkish company, while having done the same with many of your own positions, is a little hypocritical. Obviously you can’t beat a fine American firearm, and as a rule I do try to buy American where possible. I was simply stating that buying a cheap foreign gun is little different than buying a cheap foreign car or shirt or any other product.

    5. Oh…..I understand your comments and concerns, Matt. You seem to have confused my comment about US store brands with my comment of 11 September as pertains to the Norinco M870 clone that I figured would be a good boat or truck gun for $150.00. In my comment about store brands such as those of Sears, Wards, and Western Auto, the pieces I have picked up at gun shows under those store brands were all US made firearms…..usually made by Mossberg, High Standard, and/or Marlin. That one Norinco M870 clone just seemed like such a good deal for it’s intended purpose of banging around in less than well cared for settings, that I didn’t mind that it had been birthed in the PRC.

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