870 HD gun....

[Jst1mr]

I have a dusty old 870 Wingmaster (circa 1972) in the back of the safe that I have decided to set up for HD use. I have followed the forum enough to discount the pistol-grip setup, and believe I will stick with the familiar stock rather than go with a folder. That leaves me with a barrel mod, mag tube extension, and sights. It is currently a 28in non-vent rib model and has a 2 3/4 chamber. Any recommendations on the barrel: Is a 20" better than an 18" or vice-versa? Should I have the present barrel cut down or buy a different one? Rifled and/or with any choke? Will a new 870 barrel still fit this36yr old gun? With an 18 or 20" barrel, how much of a mag extension should be used? And finally, is a ghost ring setup the way to go for sights? Many thanks for your opinions

 

[MAX100]

Buy a new Mossberg 870 18.5" barrel, $99 and put a Choate +2 extension on it $45, maybe a flashlight and a Vang oversize safety, $12. I like GRS but you don't need them, a bead is a little faster. The GRS are good, if you shoot slugs, for putting them right where you want them.


GC

 

[MAKster]

Does anyone know if all the Remington 18.5'' Express barrels use the old style Wingmaster ball detent on the ring to retain the magazine cap or do they use the mag cap retainer system found on the 28" Expresses. I would think that the HD model with the installed extended magazine would have to use the wingmaster style but what about the 18.5" version with the standard length mag tube?

 

[GigaBuist]

I slapped an 185" Mossberg barrel on my 870 Wingmaster some time back when I decided to go with a shotgun as my "bedroom" gun. It patterns at about an 7-8" spread at 15 yards with Federal 00 Buck "Reduced Recoil" loads and that's just fine by me.

After running some simple drills around the house, moving from the bedroom just enough to cover the various entrances, I'm glad I went with as short a barrel as I did. Ain't easy swinging a shotgun through door frames.

Then again, I am a bit clumsy.

Don't cut down the old barrel. That'll be useful if you ever shoot trap. Good excuse to load one, mount gun, fire, and repeat.

 

[Sunray]

"...Will a new 870 barrel still fit this 36yr old gun?..." Yep. Mine's at least that old and a new 20" rifle sighted, smooth bore, barrel dropped right in. Actually cost me less than I paid for the shotgun too.
A mag extension doesn't matter one way or the other. Without the plug you get 5 rounds with an 870. That's enough.
You will have to practice with and pattern the shorter barrel though.

 

[jmr40]

A few thoughts to consider. If you think you may shoot slugs very much consider getting a 20" barrel with rifle sights. Ghost rings may be a little better, but buying a barrel with sights already installed is cheaper. Other wise just stay with the bead.

Getting the barrel to fit an older gun is not a problem but if the new barrel does not have the ball detent locking system it may cause some problems. There are ways to overcome them however. I have magazins extensions but do not use them because it messes up the balance of the gun and it is not worth 2 more rounds to me. Using an extension along with a barrel clamp is one way to lock the barrel to the receiver if you do not have the ball detent system on the new barrel.

 

[sparkyguy]

This has been revisited many times, but here goes.
I bought an old wingmaster awhile back and HD'd it up for my bedside duty. I sold the 28" barrel on ebay for $60 and bought the mossberg 18.5" 870 barrel. Put a 8-shot mag ext on it, barrel clamp, and new green follower plug on and I was done. Total cost including buying gun/selling barrel= $235

 

[Jst1mr]

sparkyguy -
Can you provide sources on the mag ext (is that +3?), barrel clamp, and green follower plug? Thanks

 

[Dave McCracken]

If open sights work for you, the 20" barrel with rifle sights is a good idea. I've one on the 870 I use for deer during the season and that serves as backup HD the rest of the time.

This one has the rear sight removed and a peep on the receiver, but the barrel itself is a good'un.

Being Remchoked, I can swap chokes to tune patterns. I use a rifled tube with slugs.

I doubt the extra 1.5" causes anyone grief.

As for extensions, a 20" barreled 870 can handle a 3 shot extension. IMO, and I have both here, the 2 shot extension lends itself to good shooting more than the 3. Only so much weight can be added towards the muzzle before fatigue becomes a factor during shooting longer strings.

In fact, see if you can try out an 870 with extension before committing to one. They're not beneficial to some shooters.

And, cutting down an old long barrel is not usually a great idea. New short ones are plentiful and inexpensive.

HTH.....