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Posted: 6/13/2006 7:09:33 PM EDT
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Hello to all and thank you in in advance... I have a 870 Wingmaster that I have had stored away since the mid 1980's. I do remember paying $125.00 for it used...LOL. I know...don't ask...:) LONG story... It has a "V" code at the start of the SN and ends with a "V". I believe this dates it to 1979. It is orginal in all parts. It has a Teflon finish on all components including the factory folding stock which is marked.."For Law Enforcement Use Only". It has a factory 6 round mag extension and the 18" barrel has a bead sight and is marked for 2 3/4" shells. I would like to modernize it for home defense use...Speedfeed stock, Surefire forend, Mesa Tactical side saddle. The exterior finish in excellent shape but I can readily see at the receiver end that the bore inside has some moderate rust and pitting. I would like to replace the barrel but was told that I need to get the correct barrel since it is a older 870 and the new express barrels don't all fit. So...Is it worth it for me to hot rod it into a modern tactical scattergun or put it away for nostalgia? Would it be worth converting to 3" shells? What would be the correct replacement barrel ...? |
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i have a old wingmaster i got from my grandfather, and its serial ends with a V i have noidea about its age. i found a 18.5in aftermarket barrel at a local gun shop that has a 3in chamber but it says if the gun is not made for 3in shells use 2 3/4 i would love to know what i need to do to convert it for use of 3in shells. also if you want to get rid of the folding stock let me know a price. |
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I believe the WingMaster will accept any other 870 barrel except the "Special Purpose" I will try to explain the 3" shell situation. If the serial number ends with an "M" it is a magnum and is able to handle 3" shells as long as the barrel is also rated for 3" shells. If the reciever is not a magnum (no "M" at the end of serial number) even if you put a barrel that has a 3' chamber on the reciever you can not shoot 3" shells out of it. The barrels will fit on magnum and non magnum recievers but you only fire 3" shells in a magnum reciever that has a barrel chambered for 3" shells attached. If your shotgun have a "V" at the end I am thinking it is not a magnum (3") reciever so do not fire 3" shells even with 3" chambered barrel on the shotgun. |
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To add to that, the only difference between a non-Magnum receiver and a Magnum receiver is the ejector assembly. You can have the ejector assembly replaced by a good gunsmith WITH the special tools needed. Once the shorter non-Magnum ejector is replaced with the longer Magnum ejector assembly, you can shoot any shells up to the 3" Magnum, as long as you also have a 3" chambered barrel. The job can be done by Remington or gunsmiths like Wilson. In truth, few shotgunners shoot enough 3" Magnum shells to make it worth it. Magnum shells have too much recoil and actually slow the gun down, and reduce the magazine capacity. If it was my gun I'd first try polishing out the bore with a synthetic pad or 0000 steel wool chucked in a drill to see how much of the rust and pitting will polish out. Unless it's really deep, most shotgun bores can be polished out. |
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Thanks for the feedback. I was told by some since is a old vintage Police model not to mess with it but I don't remember any factory shotguns in a Teflon coating so slight alterations may be mute as far as value. True...the whole gun inside and out does have the teflon finish including the Remington folding stock. I put a Speedfeed 1 stock on it some time ago and put the folding stock away. I was possibly thinking if keeping it all complete was the way to go, maybe I could have the original barrel back bored to clean it up professionaly? I don't plan on shooting 3" shells as I primarily use #4 shells for home defense. It will be strictly a home defense weapon with possibly a couple of shotgun courses thru it. Mechanically it functions perfect and I have been told that the old Wingmaster quality is superior to the new Express models.... |
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The Express has the plastic trigger plate, magazine tube with the "dimples", plastic magazine retention system, and uses some MIM parts like the extractor. In addition, the Express has burrs that are left in place, machine marks that are not polished out, a less well finished bore, a barrel that MAY be a two piece design with the barrel tube and rear extension being separate pieces, and a bead blasted blued finish. The wood is hardwood with a cheap varnish type finish. |
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