870 dilema

[Bemo]

O.k. I have a problem. I have a friend who runs a pawnshop. When I decided to do the 870 HD thing I talked to him about a deal on a used 870. Told him I wanted a beater to turn into a HD. Well he said no problem, get them all the time. Well I stopped over there today. Yes he does have a couple 870's. Both are wingmaster's, one is a 2 3/4 from the 70's maybe older in good shape. Most of the bluing intact and the wood in very good shape. The other is a wingmaster magnum with some surface rust in spots but overall in good shape. The dilema is that I'm not sure I could cut either down; these are too pretty. But if you were to recommend one to modify, which would it be? And before you guys ask, price is $130 -140. And no, I can't get both.

Thanks

 

[Das Pferd]

Is that the tag price or your deal price? Either way its too much in my humble opinion from what you describe.

 

[TrapperReady]

I'd probably get whichever one seemed to be in better shape. If you see surface rust, then I'd be careful to strip the gun down and look at the guts pretty carefully, with a good flashlight.

Especially for HD, I don't view 2 3/4" chambers as a liability. I've yet to find a 3" shell that I enjoy shooting.

Oh yeah... I wish I was near Das Pferd's neck of the woods. Around here, used Wingmasters in the condition you are describing are more like $200 - $250.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Bemo,

Around here, used Wingmasters as you describe would bring $100 more than the prices you mentioned, no problem. Either one IMHO is a good deal, your friend is doing right by you as far as I can tell. Either of the guns you describe would do fine.

No reason you HAVE to cut down the barrel you get with the gun. One of the major advantages of the 870 is its modularity- barrels are interchangeable in the same gauge, with some differences like the Special Field guns. No doubt a suitable 18- 20" smoothbore barrel will turn up, given a little time. And the longer barrel will come in handy for claybird games, fowling or small game hunting and pest control. I definitely wouldn't go shortening an older barrel until I had patterened it thoroughly with a variety of field loads- you might be destroying a real gem without knowing it.

If waterfowling or turkey hunting is in your future, or if the versatility of handling a larger variety of ammo appeals to you, get the magnum receiver gun. NOT if it's the 3 1/2" magnum, tho- that's way too much lead to try and push out a 12 bore. You should be able to do everything that needs doing with the 2 3/4 inch loads available today, if you like that gun better.

You're lucky to have such a dilemma- and you know the denizens here far too well, with that 'can't get'em both' line!

Best wishes,

lpl/nc

 

[Bemo]

sorry, that's not the tag price.

Lee, yes lurking has it's benefits; I've been fortunate to learn alot from you folks. And some of the lessons are things you all have been trying to teach

I keep forgetting that I can change out the barrell and the stocks so that they remain in good condition and I can still have my HD gun.

Actually, turkey is doing really well here in Idaho. The longer magnum barrell might just be the ticket.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Dave McCracken]

The older model will do the trick, so it boils down to personal choice.

I'd get at least one, and instead of bobbing the barrel, look for a used short barrel. Still see a few for less than $75.

 

[Domino]

3 1/2" magnum

I believe the 870 Super Express Magnum takes the 3 1/2" shells but you are going to have a serious problem changing the barrel. I went with the 870 Express Magnum that takes 2 3/4 and 3" shells. I bought mine NIB for about $220 and have since but a mag extension ($40) and an 18 1/2" barrel ($90). Soon I will be getting a surefire foregrip ($170) a Hogue stock ($30) and a HI-Viz front sight ($15). Man my 870 has turned into a $500 gun, better not tell my girfriend.