870 purchased today

[batex]

There's been several threads lately about the quality and late model 870's and prices for old ones. You may also have noticed I frequently recommend to buy used if possible (I'm a pawn shop fan myself). We'll I followed my own advice today and added another 870. This one is an older 870 12 gauge with a 28" modified choke vent rib barrel. Serial number is 11540xxV (don't know what year that is but I'm guessing at least 30 years old). All in all, it was in pretty good condition. It certainly has some wear marks, but overall looks good. It was extremely dirty so I gave it a thorough cleaning tonight. I was able to get it for $240 out the door. They also had an older model express right beside it that could be have been taken for $210 otd, but alas, it had a rust spot on about the size of a quarter on the receiver (I guess the previous owner didn't oil it down). I'm posting this message to give others hope that you don't have to buy new...Older is better and cheaper! Here's a pic.

 

[xm21]

Nice gun and good deal batex.Looking up the bbl.code in Kuhnhausens shop manual indicates 1979 as year of manufacture.

 

[Virginian]

That gun is 1975 or earlier just based on the chrome carrier; it's is a dead giveaway. That serial number puts it pre-1968 when they added a letter prefix - 'S'. In my opinion those were the best of the best of all the 870s, but there isn't much deifference between any of the Wingmasters to be honest. I picked up a 1976 3" Magnum version in 97+% condition last Summer for $245, and I'm real happy. My sixth 870. I would say you did excellent, too.

 

[throdgrain]

Mine has a chrome carrier -and the same chequering- and was dated 1976 if I recall correctly

 

[xm21]

Virginian that V after batex's serial # is not the barrel code correct?I looked in the book when I first read this post and saw two different years that bbl code V was used(1927 and 1979)and thought that was the year of manufacture.What does the V after the serial # signify?Thanks.

 

[Fred Fuller]

The V at the end of the serial number is the receiver code, it indicates a 12 gauge 870 built on a full size frame and made for 2 3/4" shells.

Barrel codes are OK for dating barrels, but since barrels on 870s are notoriously easy to swap, it is a bad idea to date guns just by barrel codes IMHO. All it takes for a reliable date of manufacture is a call to Remington at 1-800-243-9700 (yes, I have it memorized) during business hours in NC (Eastern time zone), and give them your model and serial number. They'll look it up for you.

hth,

lpl

 

[Virginian]

Lee, a word of caution. I have run across more than a few individuals who have supposedly received erroneous information via the phone call route. I didn't make the phone call, so I do not absolutely know this to be true. I would not be surprised if they don't get tired of answering calls from owners of some of the well over 15 million totally non descript quite modern firearms they have floating around out there. I have not yet seen anyone with erroneous info on a Remington letterhead letter, however.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I have a '68 and a '72 ... look just like that!

 

[jlv08]

I worked at a hardware store in Anderson, SC behind the gun counter.

I sold a slew of Wingmasters just like that and NEVER saw one come back in for quality gaffs.

That run of shotguns made in that time were some of the nicest i've seen and shot.

The store also sold Mossbergs out on the "bargain" rack and they never came back in either.


Good on ya and a great find!

Do a google search and I think you'll find a site that will date your 870.

 

[Rshooter]

Beautiful gun there batex. I am with you about used 870's. I have a couple pre-70's myself.

 

[Virginian]

I bought a brand new Wingmaster back in 1974. I looked at 3 still in the box at the store, and I picked the one with the wood I liked best. I took it home, wiped it off, put it together, and went goose hunting the next morning. Killed 2 geese with the first 3 shots. It never even occurred to me to check anything out. Heck, it was a Wingmaster.