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Posted: 9/16/2011 10:45:49 AM EDT
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After having a semi auto for a while I decided I wanted to get back to a pump, kind of like having a manual and going to an automatic transmission and missing the manual. For this project I was looking for a multipurpose shotgun. This gun would be used for HD, Hog hunting, varmint hunting and range toy including on a rare occasion skeet w/ friends.
After looking around I happen to come across GT Distributors in Dallas. They had one 870 but it was in Austin. It sounded like what I was looking for and they transferred it to the Dallas store for pickup. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1715.jpg It is a 870 Wingmaster that looks to have been converted for police use. The gun had a 20" barrel that was cylinder bore and a factory +3 magazine extension. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1716.jpg I wasn't too excited about that as I had other plans for the barrel and extension, but what I was excited about was the fact it was a Wingmaster with the police wood stock and foregrip. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1717.jpg http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1718.jpg I wanted the police wood furniture for this build. I have had several black plastic tacticool stocks in the past but wanted the wood this time. The wood is in pretty good shape. I will probably strip it and refinish it to take out some of the scratches and dings. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1721.jpg http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1720Edit.jpg After I get everything the way I want it I am probably going to be duracoating it. Still haven't decided if I want to go with a black or a parkerized look. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1719.jpg Overall I am very happy with my first 870, after all I only paid $205 out the door for it. *My barrel and shot extension came in today so once I get those installed I can take some pictures and update the thread. 308 |
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I received a couple of packages, one from Brownells and the other from AI&P Tactical.
From Brownells I received a Wilson Combat +2 extension w/ swivel stud. A spring and hi-viz follower came with the extension. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1723.jpg http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1724.jpg It took me a while to decide on a barrel mainly because of the sights. Length wasn't a big deal because I new I wanted a short barrel. Since this gun was going to be used for hog hunting I wanted the ability to accurately and quickly shot slugs. The plain bead just was not accurate enough for me but was fast. Rifle sights were were accurate but slower than a bead. I looked at ghost ring sights and they were accurate and fairly fast but I didn't like the idea of the rear sight in my face when trying to shoot a clay or a small moving target (varmint). The barrel I finally found is a 18.5" Imp. Cylinder with XS Low Profile Sights, these are not the sights that replace the rifle sights. The sights are just like what can be found on a pistol. The rear sight is attached to the rear of the barrel right in front of the receiver. This was exactly what I was looking for, it was fast and more accurate than a bead. The rear sight sets low enough that if you need to make a quick shot you can just over look it completely. This setup really made since to me. A shotgun is generally used at the same distance as a pistol why wouldn't you put a pistol type sight on there instead of a rifle sight. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1729.jpg http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1728.jpg This barrel is offered in several lengths mainly shorter, because Remington only sells these to LE only. This is where AI&P Tactical came in. After talking to J.D. he told me he could sell the barrel to me and it was in stock. My next question was what payment type do you take! If you haven't had the opportunity to talk with him your missing out. His knowledge and customer service are top notch. http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1727.jpg http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1730.jpg I also ordered a Carrier dog follower spring replacement. The Carrier Dog Follower replacement spring was the black police spring and not the standard metallic spring that comes with commercial models. The police spring was a little bit longer but that made a lot of difference in the tension and force on the carrier. I also had order a magazine replacement spring from AI&P. After installing the this spring with the extension I was only able to load +1 instead of +2 to into the extension. I then tried the spring that came with the Wilson extension, it was bigger in diameter but shorter. It worked but the spring felt weak as you got to the last rounds in the tube. I then tried the spring that came with the gun and it's +3 extension. It was big in diameter like the Wilson but longer and still shorter than the police spring from AI&P. The spring out of the +3 extension worked great. There was almost as much force with the last round as the first. On an interesting note I was able to get +3 in a +2 shot extension along with an extended follower? Top: Wilson +2 Middle: Original +3 Bottom: Police for +2 & +3 http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1731.jpg Overall I am happy with the way this project is going. I think after seeing what it looks like with the matte finish and the wood I will probably be duracoating it in a matte black finish. I also picked up an over sized Wilson safety in the classifieds to replace the factory one. I will update when that comes in. I am planning on taking it out this weekend and see how it goes. On another side note: I am debating about adding a shell carrier to it. Any thoughts or suggestions on that would be welcome. What do you think? Before http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1715.jpg After http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1722.jpg 308 |
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Aye. You and I think alike. I've got a Wingmaster coming some time next week that has a 28" modified barrel that will get pulled and sold as soon as it gets here to fund a new barrel.
Let us know how you like the sights after running some slugs through it. I've been taking hogs with my express with a 20" slug barrel with rifle sights, looking for something a little different for this season and your setup has me tempted. |
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I got to take the 870 out for some range time yesterday and overall came home very happy. The only complaint I have is my shoulder hurts! hahaha. I put a little over 75 shells through it yesterday. I got the chance to pattern a variety of shells, 7 1/2, 6, #4bk, 00bk, 1oz slugs and even 3" #2.
I put a lot of slugs through it because I wanted to test out those sights. The slugs I used for testing were just the bulk Win. 1oz slug from Wal-mart. 50 yrds. Standing Unsupported 5 Shot Group http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1732.jpg 25 yrds. Standing Unsupported 5 Shot Group http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1733.jpg Each group is a five shot group shot standing unsupported. I was pretty pleased with my results especially at 25ydrs. I think with some more time behind the trigger I will be able to tighten up those 50yrd. groups. After using the sights I can honestly say that I don't think there is a better choice for me out there. Slug shooting was fast and accurate. I also did some run n gun while I was out to test the speed and liked the fact that I could completely overlook the rear sight, so it was just like running a standard bead up front. I did have to remember that the bead is raised but that was easy to overcome with a six o'clock hold. I learned several things: Winchester Universal shells are unreliable in this gun, of course they were unreliable in my last gun too. Seems like I couldn't put a full tube of them through the gun without having at least one get stuck. They would lock up the pump and I would have to tap the butt on the ground while holding onto the pump. This worked every time it got stuck but was annoying. The Winchester shells were the only ones that I had any kind of problem with so I can obviously say I will use up what I have and won't be buying anymore of those. If nothing else I did get some practice with failure to eject situations. The buttstock is too long. I have shouldered it with out the recoil pad and it still seems like it could stand to loose another inch. I know that there are some 12" LOP stocks on the market but I want to keep my wood stock. Any suggestions on cutting this down? Is there anyone in the DFW area that has done this and would like to help? Regardless of what I do with my stock the recoil pad has got to go. That thing is just too stiff for my liking. Any suggestions for an new recoil pad? I need a shell carrier and a sling. That is pretty much where I am at with this project as of today. I look forward to everyones thoughts and suggestions. As this project moves forward I will keep updating the thread. 308 |
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I have a small update. The Wilson Combat Jumbo Safety that I picked up in another forum's classifieds showed up today. Took 2 minutes to install.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p268/justin_cantrell/870/DSCN1740.jpg I think my next step is going to be shortening the stock for a 12" LOP, if I can come up with the courage to get the saw out. I think I am more concerned with getting a recoil pad installed afterward than actually cutting the stock itself. Any thoughts or suggestions on the stock work would be appreciated. On a side note, if my research is correct my 870 Wingmaster was born in 1974. 308 |
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