First Shotgun(Do's and Don'ts)

[GreenMTNLife]

Yesterday I bought my first a shotgun, an 1989 870 Wingmaster 12ga with 3inch chamber and 28" VR barrel(with remchokes). Took me a while to find her, plenty of 2 3/4" chambers around these parts but decided I needed the 3 inch for waterfowl. And I think I did alright, I paid $375, a bit more then I wanted to. But the gun seems to be in very good shape. No wear on the bluing, except under the mag tube from pumping and even there hardly any. And the wood is in solid shape, except for a few small surface dings/scratches. Cleaned her out last night and everything seems perfect inside. So I either got a gun that was fired very little, or very well taken care of.

Now my actual question, Do's and Don'ts? What are some things you all recomend to help both the shotgun and for me to get farmiliar with it? And what should I not do? To get started, after reading around here I've read that its a good Idea to rack the action, but a bad Idea to dry fire. So to do this I assume I should use the action bar lock and avoid pulling the trigger?

Got some work to take care of, but after that Im gonna pick up some shells and give her a try. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[jdm1986]

I really like the sturdy wood from the older 870's. Mine is a mess but I know it's not going to fall apart (seems that way with some newer ones). The barrel is only half blued (more or less), but I know I'm holding a sturdy gun.

I would recommend cleaning it first (if you haven't already). Pump guns can take a lot of crud, especially an 870, but cleaning it helps you get to know the gun. It helps me each time I do it.

It'd be nice if you had some open property you can plink on, as opposed to a range. I'm not putting a range down, especially if they have trap shooting and all, but I've always had more fun by myself shooting around, learning the groups with different loads from different distances, etc. (I might add, I have never shot a shotgun at a range, it could be a blast)

I know it sounds strange to some folk, but I'd also recommend crow hunting.

I like all guns, but the shotgun seems like the most versatile, useful gun. I would just recommend having fun with it. I'm by no means an expert, but a shotgun is a good, easygoing gun in my opinion. No need to worry about minute groups, easy to shoot, etc.

I only wish I had bought a 3" instead of 2 3/4", but oh well. I still won't get rid of it. It was the first gun I bought. Enjoy yourself, the 870's are very good guns.

 

[Fred Fuller]

First of all, welcome to THR.

Second, congratulations on the new acquisition. Magnum Wingmasters aren't exactly scarce as hen's teeth but they seem to stay home with the original owners a lot- I see very few of them on the used racks. Last one I got was a 1976 vintage. First thing to do (if it didn't come with one) is to call Remington for a copy of the owners manual, or download it from Remington's site on the internet. Get familiar with the basic fieldstripping process (dead easy once you get used to it).

You didn't mention having a plug for it- if you're going to do the migratory bird thing, you have to limit magazine capacity to two shells in order to stay legal. If you are going to go the DIY route for a plug, get a section of dowel of a diameter that will just fit inside the magazine spring, and make sure it's of a length that only two 2 3/4" shells will go in the magazine. The game warden WILL check...

Be sure the gun fits you well. If you need to make permanent adjustments/alterations to the stock, don't worry- fitting the gun to you is the more important thing. Any good gunsmith can help you with it, or if you're good at wodworking it might be a DIY project for you. The vintage of your gun pre-dates the introduction of the R3 recoil pad- if you alter the length of pull, consider investing in an R3 pad. It's worth it to have a premium pad, especially if you plan on launching heavy payloads.

Once you get those issues settled, then go shoot it! A lot. Clays, for starters. Taking a class at a local club might be worth your while, there are some good instructors out there who can cut down on the time between shooting at clays and smoking them. Or you might luck out on the informal approach, you might find someone like Dave McC to show you the initial ropes. However you decide to do it, best of luck to you.

lpl/nc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard, both to the BB and to shotgunning.

An 870 is close to optimum for a first shotgun. Yours will last several lifetimes, so take good care of it.

Go shoot it, use light loads until your form is gelled.

Enjoy.....

 

[GreenMTNLife]

thanks for the replies and welcomes,
Jdm, i actually have about 10acres out behind my house, mostly woods but some clear meadows as well. Think I might pick up a foot activated clay thrower so I don't have to go to the range every time I feel like breakin some clay.
Lee, I think I will take your advice and get a lesson or two at a range, and see if a gunsmith can help fit the gun for me. Seems like those are the two best things to lesson felt recoil. And I do have a plug, found out while cleaning her last night.

I just got back in from doin some shooting. Lightest load I could find were 1 and 1/8oz. Only was able to get about 10rounds off before thunderstorms started rolling in. I'll admit it, even after only those 10 rounds I can feel it in my shoulder. From searchin online, the lightest 12ga loads I could find were 1oz. Will that 1/8th of an oz. make a difference? Anyone got a good online source for lighter?

 

[The Deer Hunter]

What are some things you all recomend to help both the shotgun and for me to get farmiliar with it?

Like Dave and Lee said, go shoot it. 1 1/8th oz. loads are the most common trap loads around. I wouldn't worry about finding 1 oz. loads, just get light or featherlight loads.

 

[sm]

Congrats.

Shotgunning : The Art & Science by Bob Brister.

Get this book, it will answer most questions asked.
New Shooters and Seasoned Shooters alike read this book.

Including, but not limited to, gun fit, patterning, chokes and loads.

Owner's Manual: if have read it, if not one can be had from Remington.

Shooting glasses need to ride higher on the brow, the reason being, a shotgun is pointed, not aimed.
MANY of the shooting glasses today ride w-a-y too low, therefore one raises the head to see "past" the top of frames.

We be shotgunners, not posing in a part in a Kewl Flick.

Decot, Beretta, Range and Zeiss are good choices.
Aviator style in custom made are really good too.

One cannot hit what they cannot see. Misseldine

Stay away from Winchester Promo loads and any other Promo Loads with a cheesy white metal base head.
These are problems waiting for a chance to happen.

Stay away from Win Reduced Recoil, there is a rubber ball that will bounce back from a hard surface and hurt you.

Most Problems with Shotguns are due to Chamber being dirty and gritty, Extraction being dirty and poor ammunition.

Learn on a bone stock gun.
Know that bone stock like a body part.
With seasoned assistance on gun fit, getting gun fitted, and installation of THE only recoil pad - Pachmayr Decelarator - get to where the gun is an extension of you.


If you are spending more for 2ozs of gun oil, solvent, or anything to maintain this gun, than a box of shells cost, you are wasting your money.

8 million 870s have been maintained since the 50's before marketing hype got the best of folks.

One pound (16 ozs) of Johnson's Paste wax will last a family for a long long long time keeping a 870 or any other firearm protected for example from
Hot, Humid, Freezing or Wet...


Some folks got more pictures took of shotguns than shells run through 'em - Lee Lapin