[philpost]

1) Is $179.00 a good price?
2) Is it a significant improvement over my 870 Express?

[Leadhead]

It's a good price.
Is it a 2 3/4" or 3 "
If you only shoot 2 3/4" it doesn't matter.... if not you might need a new ejector if it's an older wingmaster.
Hard to go wrong at that price because if you don't like it someone else will take it off your hands...

[Dave McCracken]

1, heck yes.

2, maybe.

[Tim the student]

Yeah, its a good price if it is in halfway decent condition. Not so much if the action is rusted shut and pitted all over with initials carved into the wood etc.

[Leadhead]

That's true, if it is not functional it is less of a "good price"

[batex]

If the wingmaster is in decent condition, it will be one of the better deals you get this year!

[philpost]

It seems functional, in used but good condition, no pitting or rust, and all wood carving is there. The shop owner is a reputable guy; if it didn't work, I'm sure I could return it. I guess I should hop on it.

[JNewell]

Depending on your intended uses, you might want to check whether it's got the Flexitab (anti-jam) carrier and bolt.

[ArmedBear]

"Wingmaster" is the receiver.

There are Trap, Police, fixed, Rem-choke, ribbed, plain, slug, etc. versions.

We'd need more details to answer the question. A current-model Wingmaster Light Contour 12 Gauge is a huge improvement over a similar-looking Express, since the LC barrel is night-and-day better than the pipe on the Express. However, there have been so many variants of the Wingmaster, the question can only lead to more questions.:)

[Old Shooter]

Post a picture.

Generally $179 for a Wingmaster in any sort of decent condition is a good deal. could be a very good deal.

I've had several and can't say a bad word about any of them.

[Tim the student]

If it is in good condition, I would be buying it first thing tomorrow. Not the deal of all deals, but it is a good price. I haven't heard of too many for less.

[Hunterdad]

Around here $175 is an insane deal on a Wingmaster. No matter what configuration it was, it would be in my safe.

[Black Knight]

I have two Wingmasters and that is just a hair over half of what I spent for my first one. My first one was bought at the estate sale of a man that I knew the reputation of. He was a distinguished gentleman by all appearance, but was a Green Beret (known to be the real deal) during the Viet Nam War. I reasoned that he would have taken extrememly good care of his weapons. I was slightly surprised in that it looked brand new even though the gun was 20+ years old. If the one you found is in good shape I would grab it in a heartbeat.

[Rshooter]

It is a better deal than I have seen the past two years if it is in good condition, a reasonable deal if it is not 80%. IMHO

[Mr. T]

I'd give you $200 for it; depending on condition of course.

[philpost]

So my wife convinced me to get it by considering it an early Fathers Day present. Manufacturing code says it was made in November of 1974. The blueing on a few spots on the reciever by the trigger could be touched up, but the chamber and the barrel look immaculate, as if it was stored in a damp Florida closet for 35 years, and rarely fired. The wood carving also looks pretty good. BTW, it's 2 3/4. Looking forward to taking it to the range, and I'll try to post some photos later on.

[JNewell]

That would be the barrel date code, which may or may not match the gun - call Remington customer service with the serial number to check the gun's actual date.

[Dave McCracken]

I'd be strongly tempted to buy any decent WM I saw for $179.

Enjoy,and see it gets exercised frequently.

[jbkebert]

I own 9 wingmasters and would take another one at that price in a heart beat. Given that it was a 1974 manufacture date it is a fixed choke. It is a modified, full what? IMHO the wingmaster version is leaps and bounds better than the express. The fit, feel, finish all command more money but I think its worth the extra $$. The 2 3/4" chamber is probably fine. 90% of all of the game I hunt including Turkey is taken with 2 3/4" shells. Also you can replace that barrel with a updated one that has removable chokes just make sure that if you go that route. If the reciever is not marked M on the end of the serial # it can't handle a magnum round so no 3" shells even if the barrel will allow them.

[philpost]

I took JNewell's advice and called Remington, and I'm glad I did. Turns out it's a 1951 with a '74 barrel, which would explain the difference in wear patterns. Unfortunately, I'm not too knowledgeable about chokes, so if anyone could tell me what to look for, I'd be much obliged. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to shoot it soon.

[Hunterdad]

It should say right on the barrel what kind of choke it has.

[JTH]

I have a Remington 870 Law Enforcement model(it has the name Wingmaster on rifle). The shotgun was a present and since I don't bird hunt. My question is the choke adjustable and how would the choke work ?

[Leadhead]

Your barrel for the most part will either be fixed ( no adjustment), have screw in chokes ( screw one out and replace with another) or possibly some sort of aftermarket dial a choke setup like a poly choke...

I'm guessing yours is fixed at what ever is stamped on the barrel.

You could have it threaded for chokes by a smith.

[JNewell]

I took JNewell's advice and called Remington, and I'm glad I did. Turns out it's a 1951 with a '74 barrel, which would explain the difference in wear patterns. Unfortunately, I'm not too knowledgeable about chokes, so if anyone could tell me what to look for, I'd be much obliged. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to shoot it soon.

We should get together. ;) The reason I made the suggestion is that I have a WM that also has a 1974 barrel but in my case, after making almost half a dozen calls to Remington (great customer service but lousy records), it turns out the WM is a 1987 gun! So I know that mis-matches are easy and not necessarily immediately obvious.

[Leadhead]

I wouldn't worry about a matching barrel on a sub $200 Wingmaster...

[JNewell]

No, agreed, I think it is merely a question of interest about DOM.

[Leadhead]

Phil post a picture of your new lead launcher already!

[philpost]

Sorry for the delay, here's a pic:

[jbkebert]

Hey for sub $200 you got a deal. The wood looks great but receiver could use some blueing. Other than that put that shotgun on safe and enjoy.;)

[philpost]

I was considering a blueing project on this, but I'd like to shoot it a bit first before I get involved.
Leadhead - I'm not concerned about the barrel mismatch, I'm glad the reciever/stock is from first year of issue. I dig vintage, although I would have been just as stoked if it was all '74.

[Leadhead]

Looks nice Phil!
I like the rifle sights but they don't look like the typical Remington sights I have.... must be a vintage thing.
The good thing about refinishing your receiver is you can replace the ejector at the same time and then file the rivets flush and refinish. If you replace the ejector you will be able to eject 3 inch shells if you want ( need a 3 inch barrel of course) Usually replacing the ejector requires a bit of touch up or complete re-finish so it's not worth it but if you are re-finishing it anyways it's something to consider...... 2 3/4 is more then adequate for my needs!

I bought an old Police gun a while back that was well worn and it cleaned up real nice an actually looks pretty good with just Brownells Oxoho cold blueing!
I put it on as a temporary finish till I got some parkerizing solution but it's actually held up pretty good and I haven't bothered parkerizing it....
Enjoy!

[Leadhead]

Here's some pictures of my quick re-finish,
The gun had already had a new ejector put in and you can see how the rivets were a little high and unfinished,
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/870beforewide.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/870Before_3657.jpg
I took the metal down with a large diamond stone but a file would work just as well maybe better, you can see some low spots here and there.... once I got rid of most of the bigger scratches etc I stated using some open weave abrasive strips that I had on hand and evened it out and worked the contours.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/870dmtstone.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/870openmeshabrasivecloth.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/White870.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/OxphoBlue870receiver.jpg
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/Candown/870re-blued.jpg

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // The stock and forearm appear to be from a 1974.


Nice find, hope it works out for you.

My 1960 WM 12 and 20 gauges still function fine.

[philpost]

Leadhead - in the 1960 catalog, Remington referred to the barrel with rifle sights as the "rifled slug special"; in 1982, it was a "deer barrel, with rifle sights". Very nice work on the blueing, but way more work than I would have the time or space to do right now. I might go as far as a touch-up pen in the near future :o
Content - you are probably right, and I wouldn't be surprised if it's a Frankenstein build, or the lady at Remington made a mistake. Either way, it has the right vibe, in a way that my all-black 870 Express just doesn't.

[content]

Yep, the feel is the most important.

I prefer my 1976 WM because of the VR.

My Nov. 1960 20ga is actually half 1961.:D

[AcceptableUserName]

1 - yes
2 - yes



buy it, sell express. Nothing compares to a Wingmaster in fit and finish these days. They're pretty much the prototypical pump shotgun.

[philpost]

For the pittance I'd probably get selling it, I might just throw the Express in the back of the car and leave it there.

[Dave McCracken]

Phil, nice shotgun. That grade of wood was called the ADL when it was new. Matches that on Number Six here, made in 1955.

You did well. Enjoy.....

[philpost]

Just got back from a small indoor range, and all I can say is WOW! Silky smooth action, and it felt broken in like an old glove. Rifle sights are handy; started off with slugs on a blue man-size silhouette (aka Smurf) and first shots at 15 yrds were directly through center of body mass and head; same at 25 yrds. At 15 yrds all pellets from 00 buck stayed in CBM; at 25yrds, it spread to include head & elbow, with a couple going over the shoulder. But enough damage was done to take the fight out of anything.
Normally, when people say something was "like butter", I want to punch them in the face. But this really was. Even the manager commented on the action when he picked it up. The only downside is that I feel a little sick thinking I paid twice as much for an 870 Express. Maybe in 60 years that'll be just as smooth?

[JNewell]

The old Wingmasters took the world by storm for a reason - quite a few, actually. Remember, this is the gun that de-throned the Model 12 as the classic American pump repeater. It's still a great gun but as with so many things, the level of materials and workmanship has fallen victim to increasing costs. The older ones are a real joy.

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Now that you know SHHHH:D

They are getting harder and harder to find, glad you like yours.

I found a nice 870 Express Magnum 20ga. that someone was nice enough to slick up. Now to find some 3" magnum 00buck.

[Leadhead]

Just got back from a small indoor range, and all I can say is WOW! Silky smooth action, and it felt broken in like an old glove. Rifle sights are handy; started off with slugs on a blue man-size silhouette (aka Smurf) and first shots at 15 yrds were directly through center of body mass and head; same at 25 yrds. At 15 yrds all pellets from 00 buck stayed in CBM; at 25yrds, it spread to include head & elbow, with a couple going over the shoulder. But enough damage was done to take the fight out of anything.
Normally, when people say something was "like butter", I want to punch them in the face. But this really was. Even the manager commented on the action when he picked it up. The only downside is that I feel a little sick thinking I paid twice as much for an 870 Express. Maybe in 60 years that'll be just as smooth?

Sounds good Phil!
You could smooth out the express with a little elbow grease and polishing here and there....

[philpost]

You could smooth out the express with a little elbow grease and polishing here and there....
Leadhead, by elbow grease, do you mean just racking the slide repeatedly, or could you give me a more specific idea of what parts to polish? I've heard that there are burrs left on some parts, so where to start?

[Leadhead]

Mine are all old and smooth, but I'd start with the action bars, make sure they are straight and check for sharp edges or burrs.
You can detune the sharp edges and remove any burrs with some emery cloth, 400-600 will smooth out sharp edges and you can use a small file if you find real bad burr.
Make sure you clean all the grit off when you are done and then lightly lubricate with your oil of choice... I use Break Free CLP but I hear good things about Gunzilla, it's supposed to leave a film of lubricant but doesnt attract dirt!
http://www.exploreproducts.com/gunzilla-gun-cleaner-clp-5oz.htm?utm_source=VersaFeed&utm_medium=VersaFeed&utm_content=Gunzilla+16+oz+Worlds+Best+CLP+Gun+Cleaner&utm_campaign=base&v_traceback=c0517_0611_f0517_0613

[EMC45]

Philpost....You got that gun for 175? You should feel guilty....Now go shoot the cr@p out of it!!!!

[EMC45]

I have 3 870s...A wingmaster of 1960s vintage and 2 Express guns. My wingmaster started life with a 28in. mod VR barrel. Also had the nice Wingmaster wood on it. Traded the WM wood for something (forget now) and replaced it with some older Express wood. Cut down the forend so it would not cover the receiver when pumped. Sanded all the wood down and Tru Oiled it. Had the gun blasted and Parkerized (Zinc Phosphate that turned out like crap!!!! Would have prefered Manganese Phosphate due to being darker.) Before getting it parked I swapped to a 20in. Rifle sighted barrel like your so everything would be parked together. I put a Scattergun Tech sling swivel on it and an M16 sling on it and it is my slug gun. I also was given a 20in. Cyl Bore barrel that I shortened to 18in. and sweated a bead onto it. It gets swapped out back and forth with the deer barrel.