New short barrel for old Rem 870 Wingmaster

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Amateur D

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I would like to buy a new home-defense barrel for my old 870 Wingmaster (2.75"). There is no date on the gun (that I can see), but there is a number (404009V). I believe my dad bought this gun in the 1960's. Can I just buy any 870 barrel for it, or do I need to know the year?
 
They’re harder to find and a bit pricy right now, if all you can find is a longer one you can always have it cut down to the kength you want and a new bead installed.

Stay safe.
 
Don't know what the market is like, but you may consider an old smooth-bore slug barrel. A couple years ago you could pick them up dirt cheap because everyone wanted rifled barrels.
 
Amateur D said:
I would like to buy a new home-defense barrel for my old 870 Wingmaster (2.75"). There is no date on the gun (that I can see), but there is a number (404009V). I believe my dad bought this gun in the 1960's. Can I just buy any 870 barrel for it, or do I need to know the year?
Click to expand...

Got a new Mossberg 870 blued 18.5" CYL Bbl w/ bead for my ole 12 ga. 2-3/4" 870 meat-gitter...

Picture_002_1024_cropped.jpg
​
Fit/finish is a perfect match.

$86...?

The new house broom.



GR
 
At one time finding barrels for 870's was relatively easy and inexpensive enough to be worth the effort. But you may find it just as easy to buy another gun today. You're more likely to find a deal on a longer barrel then cut it shorter. I've done several. If you cut right on the vent rib post you can choose 21", or 19". Any shorter and you get 17" which isn't legal. I used a front sight that just clamps onto the rib. Virtually no cost other than the barrel.

There is a date code on the barrel. If the barrel is the same one that came on the gun from the factory you can look up the date it was made here. There is a 2 letter code on the left side of the barrel near the receiver. For example AK would be March 1963 according to this chart.

Remington Manufacture Dates (oldguns.net)
 
I just put payment down in an 870 express magnum (2009) pre owned in good condition at scheels for $199. It has a rifled barrel which would sell for more than that on its own on the yellow auction site.

Lot of times its cheaper to buy another gun weirdly
 
I chopped down an old smooth barrel (with no vented rib) with a Pipe Cutter to 18-3/4" It worked perfectly. Chamfered/de burred the inner bore.
Its a permanent open choke. Was going to install a bead, even dimpled where its to go....never got around to that yet and its been decades.

The reason i did this, was because the availability of long barrels to short barrels was infinity to none back then, and i improvised. These days, the availability of shorter barrels is probably a bit more ample, so thats good for you. Having the shorter Slug barrel with rifle sights was another great option, id also look at that.
 
You can but bvb they bring a small fortune currently and the polished blued ones are even harder to find. Mossberg makes a blued one in 18.5" cylinder bore with bead sight that works well and is less expensive. But hard to find in today's times. Previously abt $100+/-.
 
I have looked there but I'm not much on bidding and the buy now prices are crazy. I'll just be patient, eventually somebody will sell one at a price we'll both be satisfied with. Thank you
 
12.5" for when in Bear Country and backpacking. I think 14" with a +1 ext would be better, but this serves its purpose. Forward hand stop is necessary for safety. I'd like to pick up a 20" rifle sight smoothbore barrel as the all round camp gun/slug gun. 28" for birds.
 

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dak0ta said:
12.5" for when in Bear Country and backpacking. I think 14" with a +1 ext would be better, but this serves its purpose. Forward hand stop is necessary for safety. I'd like to pick up a 20" rifle sight smoothbore barrel as the all round camp gun/slug gun. 28" for birds.
Click to expand...

I have 2 - 20" like new very hard to find polished blue smoothbore rifle sighted 870 barrels. Both shoot 3in or better 5shot 50yd slug groups with Brenneke 1-1/8oz or Federal Truball slugs. Hand sized buckshot patterns at 25yds with the Federal LE127 00 9pellet 00 buckshot w/flight control wad loads. Find a rifled barrel and I'll trade you one.
 
jmr40 said:
At one time finding barrels for 870's was relatively easy and inexpensive enough to be worth the effort. But you may find it just as easy to buy another gun today. You're more likely to find a deal on a longer barrel then cut it shorter. I've done several. If you cut right on the vent rib post you can choose 21", or 19". Any shorter and you get 17" which isn't legal. I used a front sight that just clamps onto the rib. Virtually no cost other than the barrel.

There is a date code on the barrel. If the barrel is the same one that came on the gun from the factory you can look up the date it was made here. There is a 2 letter code on the left side of the barrel near the receiver. For example AK would be March 1963 according to this chart.

Remington Manufacture Dates (oldguns.net)
Click to expand...
Thanks, JMR40!
 
With a new ejector [2 parts] you can eject 3" shells. So don't rule out a 3" barrel. My 1966 Wingmaster works great with the new ejector.
 
A few years ago I was looking for an 870 slug barrel. Cheaper to buy a new Mossberg slug gun. Never regretted it.
 
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