disappointed in 870 Wingmaster

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

wooly bugger

Member
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
98
I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster that's had less that 500 rounds through it.
Today, I took it to the range, and it would lock up after most shots. It turns out the the ejector tip broke off!

I shot a bunch of Copper Solids through a Hastings barrel, so maybe that's what did it.

Anyway, for double the cost of an Express, I would have hoped the Wingmaster wouldn't have this kind of problem.

Have others had this problem?
 
wooly bugger said:
I have a Remington 870 Wingmaster that's had less that 500 rounds through it.
Today, I took it to the range, and it would lock up after most shots...
Have others had this problem?
Click to expand...
Are you kidding? VERY common problem on Rem 870 Expresses for many years now -- don't know why new WingMaster would be any better quality (though rumors abound of better parts in them and the Police models -- yeah, sure). It's a darned shame. Check the threads...
 
Did the ejector (Spring steel part riveted inside the receiver) break or did the extractor (Claw shaped spring loaded piece at the front of the bolt assembly) break?

If the extractor broke, it is a 14 dollar part that takes approximately 10 seconds to install.

If the ejector broke, send it to the factory or a Remington Authorized Gunsmith. I would recommend THR member AI&P Tactical. He also has a YouTube video on how to replace the extractor.

At one time, shooting Remington Copper Solids through a Hastings barrel would void the warranty. You might wanna check on that.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr
 
Ejector.

Did I say copper solids through a Hastings barrel? :D:D

I'll call Remington and see what they say. In any case, I'll be looking elsewhere if I ever want to build a HD shotgun. This kind of misfunction could get a body killed.

Sad thing is, I sold an Express to buy this Wingmaster, thinking the supposed superior build quality would be something I'd be willing to pay for over a lifetime.
 
Have you done a chamber scrub? Each time you fire a plastic hull a thin layer of plastic sticks to the inside of the chamber, over time enough builds up that when you fire the shell is sort of hot glued into the chamber. It depends on how rough the inside of the chamber walls are as to how many rounds a gun will go between chamber scrubs. The best way that I've found is to chuck a cleaning rod with a next size brass cleaning brush (10 ga for a 12 ga etc) in a drill and really work over the chamber real good then clean as usual. Or you can wrap some 0000 steel wool around a brush and do the same drill trick. We have to do a buddy of mine's citori every year to get him thru a dove season. Hope this helps.
 
Which part of the ejector is the "tip?"

Also, what is meant by "lock up after most shots?"

I think wooly bugger may have his parts mixed up, sounds more like an extractor problem. Broken ejectors result in stovepipe, failure to eject type malfunctions. Ejectors are what push the shell out of the ejection port, after the pump has been pulled rearward. Extractors hold on to the rim and extract the shell from the chamber, and hold the shell in place against the bolt for the ejector to do its work.

A new extractor is cheap and easy to install.
 
I've done some searching, and I found a thread that exactly describes my problem. See the picture on the 3rd to bottom post on this page.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=233723

The projecting part (marked 12) is broken off.

When I get this replaced, is there a superior aftermarket part I can install? I can't imagine that our military trusts the lives of its soldiers to that little fragile sliver of metal.

I am having a failure to eject. After the shot, I can't open that action.
 
I would contact Remington. They sent me parts to get my 870 Express running right. I recently sent a .22 back to S&W for repair, and am sending a RIA 1911 back to it's maker for repairs, all postage paid by all companies.

It can be frustrating, but try giving the maker a call.

Sorry, did not see this:
I'll call Remington and see what they say. In any case, I'll be looking elsewhere if I ever want to build a HD shotgun. This kind of misfunction could get a body killed.

Sad thing is, I sold an Express to buy this Wingmaster, thinking the supposed superior build quality would be something I'd be willing to pay for over a lifetime.
Click to expand...

Remington has not impressed me with their work lately compared to the 870 Express I have. It shipped with the wrong magazine spring in it... I have been very happy so far with my Remington 1911 I got a few weeks ago.

But for HD, if you are not confident in it, look elsewhere! I have my Express in good shape ready to go. But, I think it is smart to get a gun you are confident in.

I hope Remington gets their act together.
 
Last edited:
I was wrong to have doubted your parts identification, wooly bugger. It sounds like whatever barrel was in there was ill-fitting, I would guess.
 
Virginian said:
The military doesn't install Hastings barrels on Remington shotguns and then shoot unapproved ammo thru them.
Click to expand...
How are Remington Copper Solids not approved in a Remington 870???

You're right about the Hastings. Unfortunately, they're much better than the Remington rifled barrels. Given the number of postings I've seen complaining of this problem, I suspect that this may not be entirely the fault of the Hastings.

How would you suggest I hunt deer in the future to prevent this sort of thing happening? Other than buying a dedicated slug gun.
 
Make sure you install a forged Remington extractor, and make sure it doesn't hit the Hastings barrel. I have read several threads where someone had to take a file to the notch in those barrels because the extractor was hitting.
 
Virginian said:
Make sure you install a forged Remington extractor, and make sure it doesn't hit the Hastings barrel. I have read several threads where someone had to take a file to the notch in those barrels because the extractor was hitting.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, everyone.
How do I specify a forged extractor? Can Remington send me one, or is it aftermarket.

Looks like I'll be selling my Hastings and buying a dedicated slug gun. Should have done more research before mounting it. :mad:
 
Yes, Remington has them.
Part #F16176 870 EXTRACTOR 12-16-20 GA $14.00
The MIM extractor is $7.80. For a reason.
You may have to file the outside of the extractor to shape a little after you install it so it does not hit the receiver on the back stroke. I think Midway and Brownells also have them.
Good luck.
 
I replaced the barrel on one of my classic Remington WingMaster Traps with a Hastings straight-rifled 34" Wadlock barrel -- no problem. In fact, it may well be superior to the factory original and actually has the reputation in many circles of being the equal of custom competitive barrels. Sorry.
 
Last edited:
The Hastings rifled barrels do have a good reputation for shooting accuracy, but they have had at least a few issues with interference between the extractor and the barrel slot. I saw one with a misaligned barrel ring, and they replaced it, no problem. Lots of folks seem to like Wadlocks, but I don't think I have any experience other than to say I have seen a couple at the range.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

dak0ta
  • Locked
Older era 870 Wingmaster/Police parts in 870 Express
Replies
2
Views
689
1-cavediver
1-cavediver
2
  • Locked
Wingmaster for HD?
Replies
16
Views
1K
Brian Dale
B
9
  • Locked
Used 870's at CDNN
Replies
5
Views
862
ocharry
O
SSN Vet
  • Locked
870 express vs. 870 Wingmaster
Replies
7
Views
1K
Eat Beef
E
D
  • Locked
Help with value of 870 Wingmaster ?Semi-Auto?
Replies
9
Views
2K
dafitch
D
Back
Top