870 barrel question

[Ron Brooks]

I understand that the 870 Wingmaster barrels have a "spring loaded plunger" to keep the magazine cap tight so that it doesn't come loose and allow the barrel to come off, which would be really bad. .

So the question. I got a 20 inch barrel the other day, it looks to be a Wingmaster barrel where the plunger has come out. Can I just order and put the plunger back in, or should I send it in and get it done.

Thanks,

Ron

 

[dfariswheel]

That MAY not actually be a Wingmaster barrel.
The early Express barrels had the hole for the plunger, but the plunger wasn't installed.

If it is an Express in which no plunger was installed, there will be no stake marks around the hole.

If you're reasonably handy with tools, you can install the plunger assembly.
Brownell's sells a special staking tool that makes the job MUCH easier.
It holds and positions the spring and plunger in place, WHILE it stakes it.

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=18749&title=SHOTGUN+TOOLS

Look down the page to 080-870-205. Trust me, it's worth the money in reduced aggravation.

 

[Ron Brooks]

Thanks, I'll bet it's an earlier Express,. I'll get the tool and install the assembly myself.

Appreciate the help.

Ron

 

[Fred Fuller]

Ron,

The earliest Express guns used the detent in the barrel ring to keep the magazine cap in place, in the same fashion as Wingmaster and Police guns. All those barrels are interchangeable with no problem.

When the design of the Express guns was changed over to use the new plastic magazine spring retainer as the magazine cap detent as well, the infamous magazine tube dimples appeared on the scene. There was no need for the magazine cap detent and spring in the barrel ring at that point, so the parts were not installed. For a few years the holes were present however.

With the newest Express guns, not even the empty holes are present in the barrel rings. Anything to save money, apparently...

You can indeed order the detent and spring and install them yourself. There is a specific tool that is used to punch a ring of retaining metal of the barrel ring into place at the mouth of the hole to keep the detent and spring in place. It might be better to let a 'smith do that, unless you want to buy the tool or you have someone you can borrow it from.

lpl/nc