Remington 870 Wingmaster police?

[ABTOMAT]

Found what's supposedly a 870 Wingmaster Police for sale. Blued receiver, parked 18" barrel with sights, plain wood furniture, stock 6-round mag, probably '80s production. Also has a sidesaddle. Finish has scratches but no rust.

How can I tell it was originally a police model and not a wood/barrel swap? After fees I'd be looking at about $235. Decent deal?

 

[PJR]

I'd guess this one is a barrel swap. Remington made blued Police 870s, some were marked Police others just say Remington Magnum on them. The blued models however had both blued receivers and barrels.

 

[Youngster]

Even it were really "just" a Wingmaster and not a Police that's still a good deal, all a Police amounts to IMO is a Wingmaster with needlessly heavy springs and barrel anyway.

 

[tkopp]

Sounds like a good deal. Just bear in mind on those older wingmasters that the carrier may not have a u-cut like on the newer models, and when short-stroked can double-feed such that the weapon cannot be unjammed without disassembly.

Also note that with that aftermarket barrel, just because the receiver can handle a 3" shell doesn't necessarily mean it will chamber. Double-check the barrel as well.

 

[roo_ster]

ABTOMAT:

I would have bought it already, at that price.

For used police/riot guns, the important detail is the "Wingmaster" bit, IMO., and proper function. IOW, a smooth, well-polished action. Many of the older 870s in LEO depts have been parted about depending on the need of the dept or user. Personally, I don't care if one part is polished blue, one is parked, one is matte blue. It is a HD/SD/working gun, not a wall-hanger.

If you are backing off the shotgun in your OP, I wouldn't mind moving on in and picking it up. Feel free to PM me a POC if you decide to pass it up. I have developed a thing for used 870 Wingmasters with 18" bbls and looks are of little consequence.

 

[ABTOMAT]

Thanks guys. I'm not backing off, I'm just curious as to what I'm looking at. The seller says it was used for less-than-lethal purposes and that somehow ties into the parked barrel.

If I understand things correctly, older police models (pre "Police Magnum" or whatever) have no special markings and 2-3/4" chambers.

 

[Rshooter]

You understand correctly.

 

[PJR]

If I understand things correctly, older police models (pre "Police Magnum" or whatever) have no special markings and 2-3/4" chambers.

Depends on the age of the gun. Some are 3" chambers and no "Police" markings while others have "Police Magnum" on the side.

 

[Black_Talon]

Call Remington at their 800 number and give them the serial number. They can tell you if it was shipped as a Police model.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // This^^^^^^

1-800-243-9700////// prompt 7//////prompt 1


Taking a pic of the barrel code dates from the Remington site, to keep in your cell phone/memory card, helps to check matching barrel receiver dates before purchase.
Handy at gun stores, pawn shops, yard sales and times Remington is not open.

 

[Black Knight]

I agree with Black Talon give Remington a call. If you give them the model name and serial number they will be able to tell you when it was made, if it actually is a police model instead of being a Wingmaster that has been modified, and if the 3" shells will chamber in it. Like tkopp said the barrel chamber and the reciever may not match so check them. A couple of years ago I bought a used Wingmaster at my LGS. The 20" barrel said 3" chamber, but the ejection port looked wrong. I called Remington and the gun was made in 1972 and the receiver is for 2 3/4" shells, so the barrel was a replacement from a much later year. It doesn't bother me because the 2 3/4" shells are fine for my use. Both of my Wingmasters are 20" barrels with rifle sights. Except for the checkering and the shell elevator on one being chrome, both are nearly identical. For $235 I would say you got a good deal. The two I bought were $375 (for a 1982 model) and $275 (for a 1972 model). I know I may have paid too much for the 1982 model but I knew the gentleman who owned it and it was in an estate sale selling his belongings his family didn't want. The gentleman was a Green Beret during Viet Nam and from my experience a real gentleman at work.