Purchase - Wingmaster Police vs. Police Magnum

[pezzulli]

Hi All,

I am going to purchase a shotgun for home defense and to take some training classes to learn the discipline. I own and have trained with custom 1911's for many years as well as the ubiquitous Glock 19, but I am not that familar with shotguns.

I have narrowed the choice to two: an older 95%+ Wingmaster Police 18" , Bead Sight (always civilian owned) and a new Police Magnum 18.5", Bead Sight, Blue, Wood Furniture. Price is not a consideration. No accessories other than an XS Big Dot Front Sight and cutting the stock to the proper LOP. Flashlight not necessary in my location. Flexitab on the newer model 870's not a consideration for me.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Regards,
John

 

[Gordon]

Since quality control is not an issue with Police 870s, I'd just as soon go new. They learned a few things over the years. Where do you live that has 24 hour sun 365 days and no dark spaces?

 

[DaleCooper51]

Of the ones I've used, I generally like the trigger better on the wingmasters, and like the slightly heavier heft of the police magnum. The police magnum comes with a heavy 8 lb or so trigger. It can be changed if desired.

Both are good guns. If you can handle them, see which one feels better.

 

[pezzulli]

Gordon wrote:
"Since quality control is not an issue with Police 870s, I'd just as soon go new. They learned a few things over the years. Where do you live that has 24 hour sun 365 days and no dark spaces?"

New York City. Plenty of ambiant light coming in through the large picture windows and the lights in the two bathrooms are always on.

Thanks for your informative response.

Regards,
John

 

[pezzulli]

Good point Dale, in all likelihood I'll change out the police duty trigger spring to a lighter pull.

Regards,
John

 

[earlthegoat2]

I like the wood furniture of the older wingmaster police versions but other than that I guess form does follow function.

 

[Youngster]

Since quality control is not an issue with Police 870s, I'd just as soon go new.

QC *is* an issue with newer 870s, Police or no, if Remington's learned anything over the years it's on how to cut corners. If i had to do it again I'd choose an older model in heartbeat.

 

[RatDrall]

If I had an option between an old Wingmaster with 18" bead barrel, and a new Police model with 18" bead barrel..... I'd buy both of them.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Get an older 870 they are better built.

 

[Gordon]

Does one of the guys like Ferris wheel or other Remington personnel have to tell you that police guns are made on a separate assembly line in a different area of the plant with different QC standards from selected parts by more experienced personnel? Seems Remington knows about litigation on a product used for emergency non sporting use!

 

[Rshooter]

I have both old and new police guns. I would definitely go with the Wingmaster, even if it is only in 2 3/4. The flexitab makes no difference unless you make a mistake in your loading drill.

 

[pezzulli]

Rshooter wrote:
"I have both old and new police guns. I would definitely go with the Wingmaster, even if it is only in 2 3/4..... The flexitab makes no difference unless you make a mistake in your loading drill."

Hi Rshooter,

Thanks for your response. Could you be a little more specific as to why you so strongly prefer the Wingmaster over the Police Magnum?

I agree that 2 3/4 shells are all that is necessary, and that the flexitab is a non-issue with proper technique and regular practice.

Regards,
John

 

[Rshooter]

The stock on my Police cracked after ten years. I know that this is rare but come on, where is the quality control. My Police is fully parkerized with 18 inch barrel, three inch chamber and bead sights. It is a nice gun but it is a working gun designed to do a job.

My first Wingmaster Police is a full factory gun blued with 20 inch barrel, 2 3/4 inch chamber and rifle sights with factory extension. It also has the factory folding stock. When I bought it it was 98%. I rescued it from an online auction site where it had been sitting for over a year. Several years ago people were not so hot over older Wingmaster Police guns. It is not only beautiful it is fun to use. I can shoot three inch groups at fifty yards offhand.

My second Wingmaster is almost identical to the one I had tagged for you. It is a 20 inched blued gun with bead sight and wood all around. The action breaks like glass. I also rescued this from an auction for pennies. When I picked it up the gun store owner asked if we could go downstairs and pattern it. It also is not a working gun but a work of art.

I do not have a picture of my second Wingmaster but as I said it is identical to the one I tagged.



http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=129032232

 

[pezzulli]

Rshooter,

Thanks again for your informative input, it's appreciated.

BTW, the Wingmaster Police that you tagged is the one that I was considering.

Regards,
John

 

[lipadj46]

With Remington 870's I would always buy older but that's just me.

 

[pezzulli]

lipadj46 wrote:

With Remington 870's I would always buy older but that's just me.

But why? What is your basis for always buying older when it comes to Remington 870's? How are the older ones better - Nostalgia, sentiment, metallurgy, fit and finish, more reliable, better skilled workers back in the day?

Thanks.

Regards,
John

 

[lipadj46]

But why? What is your basis for always buying older when it comes to Remington 870's? How are the older ones better - Nostalgia, sentiment, metallurgy, fit and finish, more reliable, better skilled workers back in the day?

Fit and finish, Nostalgia, sentiment, and price (I was actually just given an older 870 wingmaster that just needs the hammer replaced).