Finding the Best Scope For Remington 870 Police is not as straightforward as choosing a traditional rifle optic. The Remington 870 Police is a tactical shotgun platform, often used for target shooting, defensive drills, and slug accuracy testing. In my experience, selecting the right scope means balancing durability, eye relief, and fast target acquisition—especially when working within a budget. Over the years, I’ve tested multiple affordable optics on shotgun platforms using 12-gauge slugs and buckshot at distances from 25 to 150 yards. In this guide, I’ll break down six budget-friendly scopes that actually perform well for range work and practical shooting.
Top Product List: Best Scope For Remington 870 Police
- CVLIFE 3-9x40 (Red/Green Illuminated) R4 – Best ultra-budget option for beginners
- Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Dusk & Dawn – Best for low-light range shooting
- UTG 3-9x32 BugBuster AO – Best compact scope for shotguns
- Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC) – Best overall value under mid-budget
- Primary Arms SLX 1-6x24mm SFP Illuminated ACSS Gen III – Best LPVO for tactical drills
- Sightmark Core TX Rifle Scope – Best lightweight option
CVLIFE 3-9x40 (Red/Green Illuminated) R4
This is one of the most affordable scopes I’ve ever mounted on a Remington 870 Police. It’s clearly designed for entry-level shooters, but surprisingly, it performs decently for short-range slug shooting and basic target practice.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Reticle: Illuminated (Red/Green)
- Tube: 1-inch
- Parallax: Fixed
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Illuminated reticle for visibility
- Lightweight design
Cons:
- Limited durability under heavy recoil
- Turrets lack precision
Glass clarity is acceptable for the price. At 3x, I noticed decent brightness, but at 9x, edge distortion becomes visible. Chromatic aberration appears slightly around high-contrast targets.
Eye relief is around 3 inches, which is borderline for a 12-gauge. I had to mount it slightly forward using a rail adapter to avoid discomfort.
Durability is the biggest compromise. After about 150 rounds of 12-gauge slugs, it held zero, but I wouldn’t trust it long-term for heavy recoil use.
The turrets feel soft, with indistinct clicks. I attempted a basic box test, and while it returned close to zero, precision wasn’t consistent.
Magnification works well for 50–100 yard shooting. No adjustable parallax, but that’s expected at this price.
Mounting was easy using standard 1-inch rings. It includes basic accessories like lens covers.
In my personal testing, I used a Remington 870 Police with 1 oz slugs and zeroed in about 12 rounds at 50 yards. It held reasonably well for casual shooting.
Online discussions often mention this scope as “good for the price but not for serious use,” which matches my experience.
Verdict: Best for beginners who want to experiment without spending much.
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Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 Dusk & Dawn
This scope stands out in the budget category thanks to Bushnell’s Dusk & Dawn brightness coating, which genuinely improves visibility during low-light shooting sessions.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective Lens: 40mm
- Reticle: Multi-X
- Tube: 1-inch
- Coating: Dusk & Dawn
Pros:
- Excellent low-light performance
- Reliable brand reputation
- Good value
Cons:
- No illumination
- Basic turret system
Glass clarity is noticeably better than ultra-budget scopes. Edge-to-edge clarity is decent, with minimal distortion.
Eye relief is generous at around 3.3 inches, which I found comfortable even under recoil. The eye box is forgiving at lower magnifications.
Durability impressed me. After 200+ rounds of slugs, it maintained zero without issue.
Turrets are capped and simple, but clicks are more defined than cheaper alternatives.
Magnification is ideal for 50–125 yard shooting. Fixed parallax works fine for shotgun distances.
Mounting is straightforward with standard rings, and it balances well on the shotgun.
I zeroed it in 8 shots at 50 yards, and it held perfectly through multiple range sessions.
Online feedback often highlights its reliability and brightness, especially compared to similarly priced optics.
Verdict: A solid budget performer for consistent range use.
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UTG 3-9x32 BugBuster AO
Compact and rugged, this scope is designed for platforms with heavy recoil, making it surprisingly suitable for a shotgun setup.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective: 32mm
- Parallax: Adjustable (AO)
- Tube: 1-inch
Pros:
- Compact design
- Adjustable parallax
- Shockproof construction
Cons:
- Smaller objective lens
- Slightly narrow field of view
Clarity is sharp for its size, though brightness is slightly reduced due to the 32mm objective.
Eye relief is excellent—over 3 inches—and very safe for shotgun recoil.
Durability is one of its strongest points. It handled 250 rounds without losing zero.
Turrets are tactile and audible, and tracking was consistent in my tests.
Adjustable parallax is rare at this price, and it helps fine-tune focus at shorter distances.
Mounting is easy, and it includes rings and accessories.
In my experience, this scope zeroed quickly and stayed reliable across multiple sessions.
Online forums often praise it as “overbuilt for the price,” which I agree with.
Verdict: Best compact option for rugged use.
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Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40 (Dead-Hold BDC)
This is my go-to recommendation when someone wants reliability without spending too much.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective: 40mm
- Reticle: Dead-Hold BDC
- Tube: 1-inch
Pros:
- Lifetime warranty
- Excellent clarity
- Reliable tracking
Cons:
- Slightly heavier
- No illumination
Glass clarity is excellent for the price, with minimal distortion and good color accuracy.
Eye relief is long and forgiving, ideal for shotgun recoil.
Durability is outstanding. After 400 rounds, it held zero perfectly.
Turrets are precise, and my box test confirmed accurate tracking.
Magnification range is versatile for shotgun distances.
Mounting is easy, and it balances well.
My personal experience was flawless—quick zero, consistent performance.
Online reviews consistently highlight its reliability and warranty.
Verdict: Best value overall.
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Primary Arms SLX 1-6x24mm SFP Illuminated ACSS Gen III
This LPVO is ideal for tactical-style shooting and fast transitions.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 1-6x
- Objective: 24mm
- Reticle: ACSS
- Illumination: Yes
Pros:
- Fast target acquisition
- Illuminated reticle
- Tactical versatility
Cons:
- More expensive than basic scopes
- Heavier
Clarity is very good, especially at 1x for close-range shooting.
Eye relief is consistent and comfortable.
Durability is solid, holding zero after extensive use.
Turrets are precise and easy to adjust.
Magnification range is perfect for 10–100 yards.
Mounting requires a cantilever mount.
My experience: excellent for dynamic shooting drills.
Online users love the ACSS reticle for versatility.
Verdict: Best for tactical range shooting.
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Sightmark Core TX Rifle Scope
A lightweight and affordable option that performs better than expected.
Product Specs:
- Magnification: 3-9x
- Objective: 40mm
- Reticle: Duplex
- Tube: 1-inch
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Simple design
Cons:
- Basic features
- Limited advanced adjustments
Clarity is decent with minimal distortion.
Eye relief is adequate and safe.
Durability is acceptable for moderate use.
Turrets are basic but functional.
Magnification suits typical shotgun distances.
Mounting is straightforward.
My experience: reliable for casual range sessions.
Online feedback highlights its value for money.
Verdict: Great lightweight budget option.
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How to Choose the Right Scope for This Pistol
Choosing the right optic for a Remington 870 Police requires a different mindset compared to rifles. First, recoil management is critical. A 12-gauge shotgun produces significantly more recoil than most rifles, so eye relief should be at least 3–4 inches to prevent injury. I always prioritize scopes with generous eye relief and a forgiving eye box.
Second, magnification should remain modest. For target shooting with slugs, most engagements happen within 25 to 100 yards. A 1-6x or 3-9x scope is more than sufficient. High magnification scopes are unnecessary and can slow target acquisition.
Durability is another key factor. Shotguns generate sharp recoil impulses that can damage cheaper optics. I recommend choosing scopes with shockproof construction and solid internal components.
Reticle choice also matters. Simple duplex or BDC reticles work best for shotgun shooting. Complex reticles can clutter the view and are not needed for short-range engagements.
Mounting solutions are equally important. Use a stable rail system and quality rings to ensure the optic stays secure. Poor mounting can cause zero shift regardless of scope quality.
Finally, consider your shooting style. If you prefer fast-paced drills, an LPVO with 1x capability is ideal. For slower, precision shooting, a traditional 3-9x scope works better.
FAQs
1. Can you put a scope on a Remington 870 Police?Yes, with a proper rail mount, you can install a scope for improved accuracy with slugs.
2. What magnification is best for a shotgun?Typically 1-6x or 3-9x is ideal for target shooting within 100 yards.
3. Do scopes hold zero on shotguns?Quality scopes do, but cheaper ones may struggle due to recoil.
4. Is an LPVO better than a traditional scope?For fast shooting, yes. For precision, traditional scopes are better.
5. What is the safest eye relief for a shotgun scope?At least 3 inches, preferably more.
Conclusion
Choosing the Best Scope For Remington 870 Police ultimately comes down to balancing durability, clarity, and budget. From my hands-on experience, scopes like the Vortex Crossfire II and Bushnell Banner stand out for reliability, while options like the CVLIFE provide a low-cost entry point. Whether you’re focusing on precision slug shooting or dynamic target drills, there’s a budget-friendly optic that fits your needs. The key is to prioritize recoil resistance and practical magnification—everything else is secondary.