The 887 offers several improvements over the 870's design, usually in the name of user-friendliness. However, besides this, the 887 actually differs fairly significantly from the 870, and is not designed to replace the 870. These make up the steel 'core' of the 887. The core design, specifically, the action, the receiver, and the barrel, is based upon that of the famous Remington 870.

It also gives the gun a unique look, which is often criticized. The surface of the barrel, receiver, and synthetic fore-end has a tire-tread pattern to make a non-slip surface. Noted on several sites are issues with the fore end tube assembly having rust directly from the factory. Several key parts of the weapon are not treated with the ArmorLokt process. Smaller tests have been conducted by reviewers which somewhat verify these results. A second test was conducted, where over 10,000 rounds were discharged through a single 887 barrel, and the barrel's coating showed no signs of separation. Company engineers subjected the 887 to salt-corrosion and submersion tests and checked for leaks and separation in the polymer, and none were found. Remington claims that the ArmorLokt finish is impenetrable, and has several tests to help back up this claim. Manufacturers have come up with several ways to help protect a gun's metal surface, but overmolding the gun with a polymer is a unique concept. In this way, the steel provides the strength for the gun while the polymer protects the inner workings from the elements, including inclement weather and resulting corrosion.

The entire receiver and barrel of the 887 is coated with a glass-filled nylon material which protects the steel interior of the gun. The 887's most striking feature is the ArmorLokt finish. The Remington 887's brochure confirms this by comparing itself to the Mossberg 835 and the Benelli Nova. The look of the 887 is also frequently compared to that of the Benelli Nova. In this way, it competes with the Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag, which is designed specifically for firing 3 ВЅвЂі magnum shells. As the name suggests, the 887 Nitro Mag can chamber 3 ВЅвЂі magnum shells.

887 nitro mag problems