New Gun.....comments please

[Texas Newbie]

My father in-law just gave me a shotgun. I am new to the world of shotguns, and guns in general. I'm from big city California, now in Texas, and I bought a Marlin 60 .22 when I was 18......and haven't shot much since.

He gave me a Remington 870TC Wingmaster 12 ga. Not sure from what year, but it has removable chokes on it. He gave it to me as an all around shotgun, trap shooting, and general use (not HD). It has a 25 inch barrel with vented Ribs, and a center sight ball (or something to that affect).

Can anyone tell me anything about this model. Of course I have read all the 870 vs 500 posts, but I don't think this is the express model. Do I have a quality gun, and what is it best suited for, with gauge and barrel length? What kind of ammo should I be shooting and for what.

From what I have read, people here are very knowledgeble and friendly, so please don't bash me for being so undereducated on these subjects.

Thank you,

Texas

 

[Fred Fuller]

Nope, not an Express. It's a VERY nice pumpgun.

Target, skeet or trap loads should do fine in it, you'll want more open chokes for skeet and tighter chokes for trap. Enjoy it- and be sure to say thanks!

lpl

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome, Tex.

What you have is one of the best shotguns ever made. A trap grade 870 is pretty, versatile, durable as a crowbar, and will feed, protect and provide recreation to your family for generations.

Chances are that's a 28" barrel.

What it's suited for is shooting moving objects and animals. The objects are clay pigeons, the critters are darn near anything that's edible or a nuisance.

Schlep your 870 out to the trap range. Betcha someone will try to buy it.

The archives have lots of input on what you can do with an 870.

HTH....

 

[Texas Newbie]

Dave, from what I have read you are a wealth of information, and a validation from you puts a smile on my face. I measured the barrel from the the top to the point of connection and it is 25 inch for sure. Father in law said it was trap, but modified somehow. Is this possible, and why is this?

Thanks,

Tex

 

[N.WoodsGuy]

Beautiful shotgun !
like has been said, made for moving targets.......especially those tasty flying creatures!

Don't know why anyone would modify one though...............??
Your best bet is to ask the F-I-L why it was modified.

Either way.............shoot it well and shoot it often!

 

[Leaky Waders]

It's definately not an express...and you must be taking good care of his daughter - because your father in law obviously likes you alot for gifting such a nice gun.

Enjoy it. You'll be able to give it to your son in law someday

 

[hometheaterman]

I do not like the 870 expresses at all as you can probably tell from my posts. However, the 870 Wingmasters like what you have are pretty darn nice. I wouldn't hesitate to own one if the price was right. Sounds like you got yourself a nice gun and if he gave it to you you can't beat the price.

 

[Virginian]

You have a 26" barrel - it is measured from the back of the chamber, not just where it comes out of the receiver. They are quite popular and work fine. The screw in choke tube in the end of the barrel will have what choke it is written on it. You say he told you it is modified. That is a good middle of the road choke. You can get about any other degree of choke you want; then all you have to do is swap those choke tubes. Don't shoot it without a tube in place, and keep the one that is in it snug.
Download an owners manual if you didn't get one with it.
www.remington.com

 

[Dirty Bob]

Congratulations on a great gun. Love the Wingmaster!

I concur that this shotgun is suitable for just about anything, with the purchase of a few choke tubes. Go out and shoot some trap!

Regards,
Dirty Bob

 

[hometheaterman]

And don't let some of the folks here scare you about the Express. Most people who own them think they're great guns. It's like anything else. The squeaky wheel gets the most attention. One person with a bad experience doesn't make an entire line bad. My Express works perfectly.

You have said in other threads your Express jams on Federal shells so that's not working perfectly sorry. Most other pump shot guns on the market will shoot just about any shell and not be soo picky. If anything is picky it should be the semi auto's.

Then on your other gun you had a problem with it when it was brand new that had to be fixed. Sure it got fixed pretty easily by the store but you still had a problem. What's to say you wont have this same thing break in 2 years and you have to pay for it?

I can't see how you can say they are great guns when you have had problems with both of them. One with jamming on certain shells and the other one having a problem right out of the box.



As said though this is all irrelevant as you have a Wingmaster which is not the same as the crappy Express model. You have a quality gun on your hands.