[dpote]

Ok, all this talk recently about 870's has had my interest piqued. I went to a dealer and found an 870 Wingmaster with a 30" barrel marked 2 3/4 only and a fixed full choke. There is no vent rib, but the skid marks like on a rib are on the barrel. Single bead sight, and smooth action. The bluing is nothing to write home about, it's not really dark and inky. There are two cracks on each side of the wrist, but they don't appear "too" bad. Serial number is 320** V, I don't remember the barrel stamp indicating the date. It has a butt pad, marked with a gun shop in Washington, so I don't think that part is original. My first thought when I handled it was "Ruark". Maybe I have been reading "The Old Man and the Boy" a bit too much.
I have recently taken up skeet and trap shooting, and this is what I would want to use it for.
I kind of like this gun, but I'm worried a bit about the wrist cracks.
What do you all think about this for $180?

Dave

[Oldnamvet]

With a fixed full choke, it would be fine for trap but not for skeet. You would have to buy an extra barrel with a more open choke for skeet. That runs the price up a bit. Cracks around the wrist always scare me off. I think I would pass. There are better 870s out there for just a few $$ more. And they would have no cracks in the wood, a vent rib barrel, and the capability of using choke tubes so one barrel would do for both trap and skeet.

[Dave McCracken]

Dave, $180 is a tad on the high side for what you have here. $150 is closer.

Those cracks are probably caused by an overtightening of the stock bolt. New wood is the answer there.

Old time 870 Full choke barrels are quite tight. Good for trap, terrible for skeet.

Offer $150 and see what happens.

[dpote]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try to haggle the price down. If I can get it for $100 or so, I'll do it. Barring that, I'll just keep looking. One is bound to turn up sometime. I would like to get an older one, this one is a 1951 model.
It's not like I'm hurting for a shotgun right now. I have two Mossbergs a .410 and a 12ga 835. Neither are the best for trap and skeet, but I do what I can.

Dave

[Starter52]

If it was me, I would keep looking. I don't think those cracks are from overtightening. I'm guessing someone drove his truck over the gun.

Remington 870s are common enough. You'll find a better one.

I've never seen a 30" barrel without a vent rib.

[Oldnamvet]

Take a look at the auction sites. There are loads of 870s and 1300s out there for reasonable prices. I got a 1300 there for $160 that is turning out to be a really good deal after I cleaned it up and did some minor cosmetic work.

[dpote]

Oldnamvet, I have looked at some of the auction sites, and you are right, there are some nice looking Wingmasters out there.
Maybe I over emphasized the cracks. They sort of look like the wrist cracks in this (http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2653248&postcount=4) post. Not all the way around, and not deep. But this stock dosen't have the fleur de lis checkering.
I really appreciate everyone helping me listen to that voice of reason I seem to ignore at times.

Dave

[IDriveB5]

"The Old Man and the Boy"


great book!

[Dave McCracken]

52, early 870s rarely had vent rib barrels. My first didn't, and Number Six came with one also. Still have that in original condition.f