870 Wingmaster

[Fat Boy]

I bought a used 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster today. When i was examining it in the shop i noticed that if i operated the slide (no shell involved- slid the slide forward to the maximum available point) and then raised the muzzle up the slide would slide back towards the receiver. Is this because there is no shell in the firing position? Or is there possibly something wrong with the gun?
Thank You,

 

[Hillbilly Hydrographics]

Shell or no shell if you work the pump action as if you where loading and ready to fire then the slide should lock up and only be released by firing or using the slide release. Deffently seems like something isnt workin right. On a good note the old wingmasters in my opinion are some of the best pump shotties ever made. I had one in 12ga years ago and its one of few firearms i really regret trading off.

 

[Steve in NC]

Is the hammer down at this point? Meaning... did you dry fire it when the slide was all the way forward? If so, that is normal for a broke in used 870.

If you did not dry fire it, then define precisely how much the slide "slid backwards". There is some play in all actions even when locked up in full battery.

Steve

 

[Big7]

Excellent Firearms.

The Wingmaster is up there with the best pump shotguns ever made and probably just shotguns including all of them period.

Hard for me to follow by your description. A picture or diagram would help.

At any rate, there ain't a whole lot going on in that stage of the action and a little "play" is normal on any pump.

The up- side is, like I said, there ain't much going on there so it won't cost much to fix.

Make sure you take it to a qualified Gunsmith and not a Bubba. It would be a tragedy to ruin that shotgun. They are getting scarce.

If you ever want to sell it, PM me.

 

[Riomouse911]

I bought a used 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster today. When i was examining it in the shop i noticed that if i operated the slide (no shell involved- slid the slide forward to the maximum available point) and then raised the muzzle up the slide would slide back towards the receiver. Is this because there is no shell in the firing position? Or is there possibly something wrong with the gun?
Thank You,

I grabbed my well-used 40 year old Wingmaster 12 ga HD gun and an unfired, new production 870 20 ga Fieldmaster.

On both guns, when the action was all the way forward and the trigger was pulled so it was uncocked, the slide would move back roughly 1/2” before it hit resistance and started moving the bolt backwards to open the action. (Poor angle, sorry about that.)





When the action was locked firmly forward and unfired, on both guns the slide would move back roughly 1/16”. (Slide was slightly in front of 4” line, it moved back to the 4” line) The forearm does have some play side to side as well, so it feels “loose” compared to a semi auto or O/U shotgun.




The slide on a nice used 870 can move back a half inch from gravity alone if uncocked. If it was fully forward and cocked and still slid back 1/2”, then I would think something isn’t quite right with the gun.

If it does move a lot when cocked, there may be an issue with the bolt not locking up correctly or maybe the areas where the action bars-bolt fit together could be worn.

I recommend a good breakdown and complete cleaning first, paying close attention to the parts in the bolt. (You Tube is your friend here!) If it still does that after being fully checked, cleaned and lubed, have a good gunsmith check it out before you fire it, like @Big7 posted above.

Stay safe.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Rio's post above is a very good one. It made me go check my 1975 870 Wingmaster in 20ga. It does exactly what Rio mentions.
OP, what did you come up with?

 

[Steve in NC]

I grabbed my well-used 40 year old Wingmaster 12 ga HD gun and an unfired, new production 870 20 ga Fieldmaster.

On both guns, when the action was all the way forward and the trigger was pulled so it was uncocked, the slide would move back roughly 1/2” before it hit resistance and started moving the bolt backwards to open the action. (Poor angle, sorry about that.)

View attachment 1172311

View attachment 1172310

When the action was locked firmly forward and unfired, on both guns the slide would move back roughly 1/16”. (Slide was slightly in front of 4” line, it moved back to the 4” line) The forearm does have some play side to side as well, so it feels “loose” compared to a semi auto or O/U shotgun.

View attachment 1172312
View attachment 1172313

The slide on a nice used 870 can move back a half inch from gravity alone if uncocked. If it was fully forward and cocked and still slid back 1/2”, then I would think something isn’t quite right with the gun.

If it does move a lot when cocked, there may be an issue with the bolt not locking up correctly or maybe the areas where the action bars-bolt fit together could be worn.

I recommend a good breakdown and complete cleaning first, paying close attention to the parts in the bolt. (You Tube is your friend here!) If it still does that after being fully checked, cleaned and lubed, have a good gunsmith check it out before you fire it, like @Big7 posted above.

Stay safe.

exactly what I was referring to if it was dry fired or not dictates how much "play" you have. But better explaination Rio!

Big7 is right. Great gun and near the top of the list of all times greats. Because it is so simple in design, and so rugged. There isn't much to go wrong really.

Need feedback from OP. @Fat Boy you listening?

Would love to have an older 20ga 870. Had one years ago, but its long gone. But so far my newly manufactured RemArms HD 870 is running without any issues shooting buck and slugs through it.

Steve

 

[Fat Boy]

Thank you all for the comments- i will be following up in a day or two and will post the results here

 

[Riomouse911]

Good luck! Those older Wingmaster shotguns are great ones .

Stay safe.

 

[PapaG]

A well broken in 870 will, pointed upwards with the action closed, let the slide move down to the open position when the slide release is pushed. Not all, but most. Pulling the trigger isn't exactly the same.
My boys and I have around as dozen 870s in various models from an older Express to a virtually new Classic Trap. My TB and a 60s Wingmaster will both open all the way upon pushing the release. Others move a fraction of an inch. I have ways of clicking them up if they are balky.

 

[DaleD]

Thank you all for the comments- i will be following up in a day or two and will post the results here

No need to follow up with this..

I will give you 250 crisp one dollar bills to end your misery of worry.

P.M. Me if we have a deal.. Please hurry these offers do not last long....

 

[whatnickname]

When I was in college I took a job painting the trim on a guy’s house to earn the extra money to buy a better shotgun. I bought an 870 Wingmaster in 12 gauge, walnut stock, polished blue finish, with a 28 inch modified choke barrel at a big box store for $130.00 out the door. That was 49 years ago. I still own that gun, although it wears a 26” target barrel with screw in chokes ( still have the original barrel. ) I’ve fired thousands of rounds through that gun without any hiccups. She’s in about 97% condition. Just sitting here holding that gun tonight…it really brings back some memories. That 870 has been miles and miles with me. Couldn’t even guess how many hundreds of doves, quail. Wilson’s Snipe and pheasants have been taken with that gun. Whatever the task, I knew I could always count on that gun to get the job done. The 870…a true American icon!