[Red Label]

This is a question I have had for quite awhile and being a Remington shotgun fan I should know this but I don't. What is the difference between TA, TB, TC and maybe whatever other Wingmaster trap guns. I am admitting my ignorance here so go easy on me. I fully expect a complete tutorial here from Dave;) I really think that I will need to add one of these to the stable at some point so whats the difference:confused:

Steve

[Dave McCracken]

Dunno about a full tutorial,Steve,but here's a little something...

The first trap grade 870 was called the Grand American.Discontinued in the 60s, it was replaced by the letter grades, which were discontinued before 1980, if memory serves.

The TA had a bit nicer wood than the field models, the TB better yet. The TC had very nice wood, and briefly, slightly overbored barrels.

This led to the practice of a trap shooter buying both a TB and TC, swapping barrels, selling the TC with the standard bore TB barrel substituted for TC prices, and keeping the TB with the overbored TC barrel. My TB is probably one of those.

There were also TD,TE and TF grades, with factory engraving and exhibition grade wood. Some inlay work was done by the Remington Custom Shop.

Skeet 870s were also available, in SA, SB etc, grades. These had mostly 26" barrels and skeet chokes.

Both of these had otherwise standard parts, including triggers. Since most 870s of the time had decent triggers, these rarely required tweaking.

HTH....

[RussB]

...And then there's my 870 "Competition" Trap. Very nice wood, straight stock (non-monte carlo) and a gas-operated recoil reduction system built into the magazine tube (my gun is a single shot). 30" fixed full choke barrel (with gas port).

There is a large cylindrical weight that moves rearward under gas pressure when the gun is fired. A spring returns it. It does a great job at reducing recoil.

The word "Competition" is stamped between the trigger assembly pins on the right side of the reciever. Left side has the Ser. No. V641084V

Anyone? (did I just hi-jack a thread...sorry)
:)

[Dave McCracken]

No hijack,Russ and thanks for the fillin. The Competition model had some probs and the gas system never caught on.

Folks I know with one say that kick is minimal.

[Red Label]

Thanks Dave, I knew I could count on you to shed some light on this subject. Russ also, I like finding out the little historical tidbits and the little known facts that make gun collecting so much fun. Anyone else?

Steve

[mikey357]

...'course, SOME "B"-grade wood is nicer than SOME "C"-grade wood...I've got a "Trap C" with okay wood, and a "Skeet B" with knock-your-socks-off wood...go figure...
BTW, the "F"-grade guns are usually referred to as "F Premier" grade...they have 100% engraving and several gold inlays...the "D"-grade guns usually had about 50-75% engraving, but only the original owner's name was engraved/inlaid in gold, and only if ordered that way...FWIW....mikey357

[Dave McCracken]

Glad to help, Steve.

Mikey, the wood on this TB is past TC grade. Dunno if it's original. It sure is pretty. Maybe I'll get Son to fire up his digital cam and post a pic.