Remington 870 Riot vs Wingmaster

[czhen]

Hi, guys
Apologize in advance for my questions if were done before. Lately, I'm itching for a shotgun. Some HD or hunting with my son will be the main reasons. Which are the differences between Remington 870 Riot vs Wingmaster Riot (12cal. police trade) can change the barrel to shot 20 cal.? The search did not put so much light on me.

Thanks, in advance.
Henry, FL

 

[rcmodel]

If you are asking if you can change the barrel and make a 20 GA (not cal) out of a 12 GA?
The answer is no, you cannot.

IMO: The older Wingmasters were slicker then owl dodo.
The new Express guns, not so much.

rc

 

[tkopp]

Nothing comes to mind. Wingmasters were used for police weapons before the police version was made up, and a police trade will typically be an older part with more care input than you'd find in a modern wingmaster -- heavier springs put in by the police armorer. It will be blued instead of parkerized. Either weapon will be about he equivalent of the other. I'd go with the police trade since it's likely seen little practical use and steady maintenance by someone who knows what they're doing.

Edit:

If that new riot shotgun is based off the express and doesn't say 'Police Magnum' down the side, it will have corners cut to reduce cost and hand-finishing time. The older police trade in will be the superior weapon, wear on the blueing or not.

 

[Gryffydd]

The bad thing about computer searches is that they only return what you ask for, not what you wanted to find. It helps getting all the finer details right.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliber#Firearms
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gauge_(bore_diameter)

 

[Fred Fuller]

The original 870 Police gun was a Wingmaster with an 18" long bead sight barrel and plain uncheckered walnut furniture, featuring a 'corncob' forearm. The original Riot gun was the same, but with a 20" barrel.

I don't know when the 870 POLICE marking began to appear, but a Wingmaster marked Police or Riot gun will do fine.

Barrels in 870s can be generally interchanged in the same gauge (there are some exceptions), but you can't switch gauges by changing barrels- if I understand your question correctly.

hth,

lpl

 

[czhen]

Hi, RC
You are correct I meant ga not cal. (it denotes my lack of knowledge on this matter). I like the idea of a $230/250. old police trade, what about parts are they abundant on the market.

Thanks
Henry in SFL

 

[rcmodel]

There are more 870 factory parts & accessories available then for any other shotgun.

Only the Mossberg 500 comes close to having as much stuff available.

rc

 

[RSVP2RIP]

In reference to Police specific parts like extensions and certain barrels, Remington has deemed these military/police sales only. Brownels and Midway have them at inflated prices. If you do alittle searching though, it is possible to find the 2 shot extensions for under $60 if you must have the Remington part. Triggergroups and the like are common parts between all the 870 12 gauge line with the exception of finish and lightweight barrels. They made 10 million 870 shotguns so yeah, parts are abundant.

 

[czhen]

Wow, the replys were faster than my typing.
Thanks, all i wil go the for the Wingmasters so. I will keep you informed.

Henry, FL

 

[Slamfire]

Local gunstore had racks of M870 shotguns that came from the Toledo Ohio Police Department . These 12 GA shotguns all had the short riot barrels with rifle sights.

Several were in such good metal condition that the shop put new walnut on them. Most of the riot guns were beat up. Lots of scratches, dings, finish worn off stocks and actions.

I purchased one of the nice 870's. I think it is a Wingmaster receiver.

I was able to purchase a used 870 28" barrel and everything works.

Now.

I found out why my shotgun had been hardly used. The first shell out of the magazine tube would hang up on the carrier. Effectively making this shotgun a single shot shotgun. The jam took fiddling to clear. Not something I would want to do in a high stress situation.

Turns out there was a deep burr on the carrier. The cartridge rim would dive into this burr, leaving half of the shell still in the magazine tube.

A little stoning to remove the burr, and the shotgun feeds like a champ.