How did I do on my new old 870?

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You did good. Call 1-800-243-9700 with the SN and they'll date it for ya. I just gave $275 for one, though it isn't quite as worn, and I'm happy. :)
 
Looks like all it needs is a good wipe down with an oily rag and some fresh air and exercise. Good deal for $140 if it works well. I wouldn't bubbfy it! Hard to find that grain on new shotguns these days! I'll give you a bit of profit on it!
 
Looks like a winner to me!:) beutiful wood too. Personally I would get it reblued and try to find a shorter barrel for HD; but, thats just me.
 
Looks good, great deal at $140. But PLEASE don't muck it up. Leave it alone and shoot it. Just enjoy it like it is.
 
I think ya did fan-freakin'-tastic:)

Why can't I find a deal like that?:confused:

keep her like she is....my 2 cents
 
I'd happily pay $140 for a Wingmaster in any serviceable condition. Looks like yours just has a bit of finish wear...

Great deal - mine's an Express, and I paid $190.
 
Wow! Friggin' bargain! Bet that baby is slicker than snot, too. I agree with the "keep the wood" sentiment. I'd pick up a short barrel for social work, and be proud of it!
 
So it sounds like I'd be committing a sin with the refinish, I'll consider that. Maybe some of you experts out there could help me with something: What's the reason this thing has a Winchester buttplate on it? Did Winchester supply stocks to Remington or did somebody change the stock (or at least the buttplate) on this thing already?

870d.jpg
 
Someone changed the buttplate. It should have a remington recoil pad on it. My guess is they removed the pad to shorten the length of pull a bit.

That appears to be a 26" or 28" barrel. If it's 26", it should have a skeet choke or possibly improved cylinder. If it's 28", it will be a modified. On the odd chance it's a 30", it's a full choke. Also, it appears that you have a newer model gun since the shell lifter is blued.

You got a good deal. I paid $150 for the last wingmaster I bought and it's an older magnum with 30" plain full choke barrel. I paid ~$220 for the older magnum with 30" full choke vent rib barrel before that, which is about average price around here. I'm kicking myself for passing up one with a 26" skeet barrel.

If I were you, and contemplating sending it off for rework, I'd remove the wood and the barrel before doing so. If you can be persuaded to change your mind, I'd suggest finding one that is a little more beat up/abused for that purpose. If that's a skeet barrel and you decide to sell it, let me know. ;)
 
For what you have, $140 is a screamin' deal. A couple things...

First, while Wilson does decent work, 870s are so designed and made that they come apart and go together like Lego sets.

A couple here made in the 50s accept 2000 plus barrels with no glitches and other parts interchange freely.

So, you can mix and match parts to fit the mission.

Adding a 20" RS barrel gives you slug capability up the wazoo and a good barrel for when things go bump in the night. It WILL cost more than the shotgun.

I'd conserve those wear marks, replace that vintage plate with a newer Rempad and add a sling. Keep that barrel for wingshooting and clays, put on the short barrel at will and you have a versatile and effective goto for a pittance.

BTW, that Winchester plate is worth a few bucks to collectors. I beleive the grip cap is a replacement also.

Also, that wood furniture is what they termed the ADL model when it was introduced in 1950. My guess is yours is dated from before 1965. Let me know if I'm right. Thanks.

IMO, that's a 28" barrel and most likely choked Modified. Using a dime, see if it slides into the barrel. Most but not all 870 barrels of that period will not accept the dime if they are Full chokes.

Full of the period with barrels running .725 to .729" is about .690". A dime runs about .703-5", making it fit in the.710-715" Modified chokes of the time.

Note how the wear marks fall on the balance point. This was carried a lot and cherished by a prior custodian.

How do I know it was cherished?

No rust, no bangups from neglectful handling.

Take good care of this. It deserves it.....

HTH....
 
I stand fully chastised. The gun will probably not see the Wilson factory, but it will get an 18" barrel. I don't hunt birds but I do shoot skeet so I'll keep the 28" ventilated modified barrel for that. The stock must have been replaced because Remington says I have a July 1976 manufactured shotgun. I like the feel of wood so it will stay.
 
WOW! Do you now see how much more wisdom was bestowed upon you from THR in just one day? :)

Enjoy your new treasure and take it out for exercise regularly.

btw...I like the house slippers in the picture too! I bet you need them in your latitude!
 
Very good deal. In my area the old guns seem to hold their value. The 870's are normally in the 275 to 350 range depending on the shape it's in. It is a shame that our kids will never see any 1975 and older. Around here they chop most of the old guns up for HD. I picked up a beautiful, like new, Fox 12ga side by side (Dbl Barrel) at a yard sale for 150 but the barrel had be cut down to 18.5". Son uses it for HD
 
Very good deal. In my area the old guns seem to hold their value. The 870's are normally in the 275 to 350 range depending on the shape it's in. It is a shame that our kids will never see any 1975 and older. Around here they chop most of the old guns up for HD. I picked up a beautiful, like new, Fox 12ga side by side (Dbl Barrel) at a yard sale for 150 but the barrel had be cut down to 18.5". Son uses it for HD
Click to expand...

Original wingmasters generally sell in the $180-$240 range here, don't see a lot of chopped ones. I paid ~$240 OTD for a near mint 20 gauge light contour magnum with vent rib barrel not too long ago. Only one of mine I've checked the date on is a 16 gauge, made in 1958.
 
You gun looks like it is post 1974, when they had the chrome lifter, but pre 1979, when they changed the checkering style. You can go to www.Remingtonsociety.com and try to check the age for sure. That grip cap is pure Remington. My guess from the worn bluing and cherry stock is someone had a synthetic stock on it, or they replaced the wood. In any event, I think you got a very good deal. I probably would have it professionally reblued, but no way would I Bubbafy that beauty - get an Express for that. I don't much like wear, especially when someone else did it. And with that wood and a new recoil pad, she would look like new with a reblue. If I am right about the age, I think you got one of the second best series guns available - just a hair behind the chrome lifter models, but that's just me. I have a 3" gun from 1976, and I love it.
 
I paid ~$240 OTD for a near mint 20 gauge light contour magnum with vent rib barrel not too long ago.
Click to expand...

I have never heard of a 20 ga Light Contour... Are you sure about that?
 
I would never reblue it. I like the seasoned look of normal wear, not rust, on a shotgun. I have a seventy year old "very seasoned" 10 gauge hanging in my family room draws more comments then any other gun I have.
 
It looks beautiful like it is, I wouldn't have it redone in my opinion. I would just rub it with some oil. I wish my 870 was nice worn old wingmaster. Great find!
 
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