Inheriting a 20 Gauge, First Shotgun Questions

[CmdrSlander]

I'm a fairly experienced shooter and know my way around a shotgun (I've got a friend who shoots a lot of trap) but the Remington 870 Wingmaster 20 Gauge that my uncle has left for me will be my first shotgun and will fill a home defense and target shooting role (I don't hunt, not yet anyway ). It is at least 30 years old and hasn't been fired in probably 20 years, what should I look for to make sure it is safe to fire? What are some good HD and practice loads?

Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

what should I look for to make sure it is safe to fire?

With an 870?

A Mud Dauber nest in the barrel would be the only thing that I can think of to look for.

Remington didn't introduce the 870 Express model until 1987.
So it can't be 30 years old.

And one even 25 years old hasn't got the packing grease rubbed off in a few places yet.
For all practical purposes, it is a new shotgun.

870 Owners Manual here:
http://www.remington.com/pages/news-and-resources/downloads/owners-manuals.aspx

rc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Condolences on your bereavement, congrats on your shotgun.

It's an 870. Make sure it's unloaded, there's no barrel obstructions, and oil it a little.

These run light, recoil with buck and slugs is emphatic. Use light loads of birdshot for practice, 2 or 3 buck for HD.

Shoot it lots...

 

[CmdrSlander]

I know my father used it as a kid and he wasn't a kid 25 years ago. Must be a different model.

 

[CmdrSlander]

@Dave I know what empathetic means in the dictionary sense, what does it mean when discussing recoil?

 

[rcmodel]

Well, it is an 870 Wingmaster then.

Even better!!

Still the same deal.
If you don't have a bore obstruction, and if it is an 870 without any obvous barrel defects like bulges or something?

It is safe to fire.

rc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Emphatic, not empathetic. In this case, used to mean powerful.

 

[CmdrSlander]

Oops, sorry...