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Posted: 11/29/2007 8:12:31 PM EDT
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I am switching to an 870 from the 590 (for sale by the way) and I want to configure one a certain way. I can't decide to build on an Express magnum receiver or a wingmaster receiver. I want to shoot 3" mags but I am afraid that I will destroy a mag tube with a dremel in doing the mod. I want a 870 with an 18" barrel with rifle sights and a two shot extension. This gun is impossible to find, especially for a decent price so I am building my own. Any recommendations? |
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Don't sweat it, I just built one similar to what you want for about $250 Found a later model wingmaster for $140 in the pawn shop. Chopped the barrel to 18.5, drilled the dimples and assembled with synthetic stocks and mag extention from Brownells. It was easy it was actually a little boring until I got to do some shooting with her. Ran great in a tactical practice and surprisingly good job on the skeet range. You could also just order the rifle sighted barrel keeping the old one for skeet or resale as nessassary. |
Wingmasters don't have dimples in the mag tube. |
The wingmaster has a lot more smoother parts. Most express look like Remy machined the parts with a chain saw. Lots of clean up for a glass smooth pump. Older wingmaster have the cleaner stampings on the side and barrel. So if you leave it in blue, looks nicer. They do a better job cutting the channels for the action bars on the wing but the express clean up just as nice. I prefer the plastic finger guard. When the metal ones takes a nick, the alloy under the anodizing shows bad. I have a 3" express that I spent a long time fitting the parts. The dimples in the tube are one the easiest mod to a 870. Small pilot drill the dimple, follow up with a step drill bit. You can lower the bit until you drill just enough of the dimple out. Light touch up on the inside with the dremel and a 120 sand tube. Rough areas, Action bars, I clean up the channels with a old set of action bars and 400 grit W/D sand paper. Break all the sharp edges. Smooth any rough areas inside the receiver. Deburr the rails. Bolt group, Slight bevel on the end of the bolt carrier and bolt; helps the ride on the hammer on the backstroke. Anywhere the bolt or the carrier slides over something, it's gets a bevel. Some believe that these parts have some kind of case hardening. I If they do or don't, I haven't seen any extra wear on fitting parts. I engine turn the hammer and the bolt. The forearm tube, Clean up the inside using a bit of green scotchbrite pad, pinched in a coat hanger, turn by cordless drill. Use some WD-40 as lube and run the pad up and down the tube. The high spots will take a polish. You can also use this method to clean up the mag tube as well. The only drag I have on my action is the ejector spring. I bent it out just a little to really throw the shells. I see no difference in the durability of a cast of forged ejector base. But watch the rivets on the ejector. I have another 870 wingmaster and the rivets came loose from lots and lots of shells. You can see the looseness of the heads on the outside of the receiver. Brownell sell replacements all day long. Still a simple fix. |
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