870 express vs. 870 Wingmaster

[SSN Vet]

My apologies if this question beats a long dead horse....I tried several searches, but either got no matches or hundreds of unrelated ones.

Can someone please explain to me the differences in physical construction, materials, quality, etc... between the Remmington 870 Express and the 870 Wingmaster?

If you start with an 870 Express, can you "dress it up" at a later date and essentually have a Wingmaster? or do the differences go beyond cosmetic?

Thanks for your help.

 

[ArmedBear]

If you start with an 870 Express, can you "dress it up" at a later date and essentually have a Wingmaster?

Absolutely. I've polished steel, and with the right equipment it's not too hard.

What you'd need:

A new Light Contour barrel.
New bolt assembly.
Spring retainer.
Aluminum trigger assembly, complete.
New walnut stock and foreend.
(Total cost of parts, significantly more than a NIB Wingmaster, but you could sell of the old parts on eBay to recoup some of the cost)

Polisher, wheels, rouge, etc.
Sander, vibrating, with progressively smaller grit paper.
Dremel or flexible shaft tool.
Blueing kit.
Torch.

Requisite skills.
Time.

I have an Express. I think it's a great deal in a knockaround, very durable shotgun that will even work fine for trapshooting. But I sure like my hunting buddy's Wingmaster and my similar 1100, which is built and finished to the same standards as the Wingmaster. The Wingmaster is lighter (LC barrel matters), smoother and tighter. But I wouldn't throw the Wingmaster in a boat, even though it's durable. Too pretty.

There are a few different parts (barrel and mag spring are both retained differently, extractor is machined vs. MIM, stock is different wood and shape, trigger group is aluminum rather than plastic, etc.). But the other difference is internal and external finish.

If you want a good forever shotgun for $250 new (right now, a local retailer is selling them for $240 with rebate), the Express is a great choice. No matter what other expensive gun you buy in the future, it will always be a great "backup" gun to keep along on a hunting trip, loaner for a buddy or new shooter, HD gun, nasty-conditions hunting gun, etc. It's a GREAT shotgun, especially for the price. It's unbeatable for the price.

But it won't be a Wingmaster unless you're a crazed machinist with nothing to do during a long, cold Winter.

The Express is a deal for under $300. The Wingmaster LC is WELL WORTH its $600 price tag, as well.

 

[farscott]

Rather than "dress up" an Express, I would recommend buying a used Wingmaster. I just bought an older Wingmaster with a Poly Choke for $225, so it can be done.

Once you have the Wingmaster, you can always buy a new barrel if you get a fixed choke barrel or need/want another barrel.

 

[ArmedBear]

It'll cost $200-230 to put a new, current LC barrel on that old gun. However, there are people who will buy PolyChoke barrels on eBay, for reasons known only to them. So you can get some of the money back.

You can also pick up replacement wood on eBay, sometimes in top condition.

All told, it's hardly worth doing, though, if you want the new model, which is awfully nice, at 7 lb. for a 28" or a hair less if you get a 26". The parts will run up a bill.

Depends what you find, and in what condition.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Here's dfariswheel's list, from numerous previous threads:

"The Express Model has:
A plastic trigger group.
The dimples in the mag tube and the new style plastic magazine retention system, EXCEPT on the extended magazine version, which does NOT have the dimples.
A rougher finish inside and outside, with machine marks and some burrs left.
A rougher, bead blasted blue job.
A less polished bore.
A two piece barrel. (not 100% sure about this)
Hardwood or synthetic stock, with a sporting-length fore end and pressed-in checkering.
The Defense version has 18", Cylinder bore barrel, with a bead sight.
Some Metal Injection Molded (MIM) parts, like the extractor.
Has the locking safety button, although Remington MAY have discontinued it.

The Wingmaster has:
An aluminum trigger group.
The old style magazine retention system.
A much smoother finish inside and out, no machine marks or burrs.
The Wingmaster gun receives a higher level of inspection and finishing.
A fine, commercial polished blue finish.
A polished bore.
A one piece barrel.
Walnut stocks with the famous "Bowling Pin" finish in gloss or satin. and better checkering.
Wide choices in barrel lengths and choke options.
No use of MIM parts, the extractor is milled.
The Wingmaster is the full top-of-the-line commercial Remington pump gun, and is priced accordingly."

My suggestion? Buy a good used Wingmaster, or a good used older Express model (pre- magazine tube dimples, pre plastic trigger plate), use the savings on ammo or an extra barrel (short or long, depending on which your purchase comes with) if you need one, and be happy.

lpl/nc

 

[The Deer Hunter]

i never saw the need of plastic in a shotgun. Well besides the mag. follower

 

[SSN Vet]

thanks all

and especially thank you Lee, that's exactly the info I'm looking for.

My next gun purchase will most likely be an 870 Express from Wally World (two stores keeping their firearms in my area) for $240 as soon as I can scrape up the change. This should scratch my itch for now.....and if I'm ever in a better finacial position, I'll get the "real deal" and have a loaner/beater gun.

 

[Eat Beef]

Why not find a pawn shop with a used Wingmaster?

I see beaters for 150-175 and really nice ones for 250-300 quite frequently.

I'll take a used but not abused Wingmaster over a new Express for the same money any day. Come to think of it, I'll take an abused WM over an Express.