New (to me) Wingmaster

[strangebrew]

I just received an old Wingmaster shotgun from my grandfather. It currently has a 30" vent barrel but I would like to get an extra 18, or 20" barrel to use. Do i need to buy a Wingmaster barrel or will any 870 barrel fit?

 

[RemingtonFreak870]

Your grandfather is a smart man. I am nearly 100% sure that all the barrels are interchangeable, all my 870's have interchangeable barrels. One is a regular and one is a wingmaster. Also the companies who make barrels don't specify years, which says to me that they all fit.

 

[Fred Fuller]

You'll want to avoid the 870 Special Field barrels- the barrel ring is in a different place. Other than that any 870 barrel of the proper gauge should fit OK. You will want to be sure you get a barrel with the same magazine cap retaining system used on the Wingmaster- a spring-loaded detent set into the barrel ring that engages dimples around the inside rim of the magazine cap. Older Express guns used this same system.

Newer ones use a plastic magazine spring retainer held in place by dimples in the magazine tube, with 'teeth' that engage nubs in the inside of the magazine cap. Some 'mid-term' models have the holes in the barrel ring for the detent with no detent installed, the newest ones don't even have the holes.

Best bet is not to buy one sight unseen unless you can verify with the seller you're getting a barrel with the magazine cap detent in the barrel ring.

hth,

lpl/nc

 

[strangebrew]

I found this barrel
http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-b...955QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220067692657

It looks old enough to have the dimples but the guy says it can shoot 2 3/4". I thought all barrels could shoot 3"


Also the receiver has lost almost all its bluing. Unfortunatly it was sitting in a guncase, unoiled for probably 15 years. Could anyone recommend an affordable place to have it reblued. I am in college so I am somewhat poor right now, and I was originally going to get a home reblue kit from Cabelas but some people told me they do not do a good job.

Edit: I also found this : http://cgi.ebay.com/Remington-870-b...955QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item220067696832

It says it can shoot 3" shells but it has a different finish then on my receiver.

 

[kentucky_smith]

you can do a decent reblue using Brownell's Oxpho Blue

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/productdetail.aspx?p=1072

 

[Fred Fuller]

Older Remington 870s were mostly set up for 2 3/4" shells only. More newer guns (including Express guns) are built on Magnum receivers, and those can be determined easily- the serial numbers of 12 ga. 870s with magnum (3") receivers end in an M. Standard receiver (2 3/4") 12 ga. 870s have serial numbers ending in V.

You can put barrels with 2.75" chambers on Magnum receivers, but it isn't really a good idea to shoot 3" shells in them since the chamber isn't long enough to accomodate the mouth of the shell as it uncrimps. You can put barrels with 3" chambers on standard receivers, but the receiver isn't set up to handle 3" shells- the ejector is mounted too far forward.

You really don't need to do any more than a 2.75" shell will do for home defense, and unless you are a serious waterfowler or turkey hunter or you need an Alaskan bear gun, the shorter shells will handle better than 99% of your needs.

If you have any doubts about how a barrel you are considering for purchase retains the magazine cap, ask the seller...

hth,

lpl/nc