Remington Wingmaster or express for first shotgun?

[slash415]

So I plan on getting my first shot gun, my budget is 1000$; but I only want to go that high if it's absolutely necessary. I have done some research and really like Remington's 870 series.(I am wanting a pumpaction) My question is, is it really worth paying a few hundred extra $ for the wingmaster? Or will the express work just fine?...BTW, if there are any alturnitive pump action guns you think I should know about, feel free to share them.............thanks.

 

[Mick_W]

I love my 870express w/ 18" barrel and 6rd mag tube. Works flawlessly and feels good. Another good shotgun is the Mossberg 500/590. They are all priced in the $300-$400 range new.

 

[Armed012002]

The Benelli SuperNova is very nice if you can get past the looks. The SuperNova has a lot of upgrades over the Nova like the Comfortech stock, stock shims, better forearm, etc.

It's priced under $500.

The other $500 can be used for lessons, ammo, or maybe both.

You can also look into finding a used Wingmaster. They're everywhere.

Benelli, Browning, and Remington all make very good pump shotguns. Best thing to do is buy the shotgun that fits you the best.

 

[Armed012002]

Good stock fit, lessons, and ammo are the best shotgun accessories money can buy.

 

[SWAMPUS]

Get the best

You say you can spend $1000.Bypass all these cheapies and get the best-ITHACA Model 37.$700-$800.Fella in Ohio has bought the rights and patents and is making them like they were originaly made-American and Excellant!Spend the rest of the grand at a trap and skeet range!If you want more info on 37's,search this forum.I ever get a $windfall$ I'll buy one in every gauge+the new o/u!

 

[shootr]

+1 on the Ithaca.

Re the 870 - go Wingmaster. They're a beautifully finished gun - just perfect for your first!

 

[george d dennis]

ithaca 37, i have a new one.

 

[RickMD]

With guns, probably more than any other product I can think of, the phrase "you get what you pay for" rings true. Buy the Wingmaster with genuine walnut, checkering, blued steel, and hand fitting and never look back.

 

[whalerman]

BPS, Mossberg, Nova, 870. In that order, in my opinion. An older 37 would be nice too.

 

[Rottweiler]

Get the Wingmaster. You'll never regret buying quality. The old saying works here "buy once, cry once"

 

[BigN]

wingmaster

 

[farscott]

Get a used Wingmaster for $300, get the cleaning supplies for $100, and spend the rest on ammo. A used Wingmaster is a better deal and a better gun that a new Wingmaster or Express.

 

[jmr40]

With a $1,000 budget I'd buy an auto, even if i had to find a way to put another $200 or so with it.

If I were buying a pump I'd save the money and get the Experss. The Wingmasters are a little nicer looking, but won't perform a bit better.

 

[Finprof]

Wingmaster

+1 for used Wingmaster. The older Wingmasers from the 60s and 70s are built much better than the new ones and cost half as much. There are records of people putting a million rounds through them on the trap field.

 

[RickMD]

A used Wingmaster is a better deal and a better gun that a new Wingmaster or Express.

I'll agree that the Wingmaster is a better gun than the Express but beg to differ with you regarding old versus new Wingmasters. I currently own six Wingmasters dating from the mid 60's to the latest manufactured in 2009. When comparing them I find the new one to be equally as well made as the older ones and the 2009 vintage doesn't have that repulsive, useless pressed checkering. All I can assume is that those who claim that the older Wingmasters were superior simply don't own a newer model.

 

[Virginian]

I'd get a used Wingmaster in excellent condition, and get an extra barrel with RemChokes if it had a fixed choke, and never look back. You can get both for less than a new one, and I just prefer the style of the older guns - and the magazine spring retainer system.
A Browning BPS is an excellent gun with robust design, but the feel and ergonomics and loading are quite different. Ithacas are only worth what they are asking for them to Ithaca lovers in my opinion, and they are not as robust as an 870 or a BPS, but they do handle well. My mother taught me that if you can say something nice, don't say anything, so I won't say anything about the Benelli.

 

[RightCoastBiased]

Another vote for a used wingmaster. Far better then a new wingmaster or express. I got my self a used wingmaster in very good condition for $300 and change out the door. I point, it hits.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

My used Wingmaster from the 80's is awesome, would rather have it any day than a new shotty. Find used if possible.

 

[farscott]

All I can assume is that those who claim that the older Wingmasters were superior simply don't own a newer model.

My newest 870 is a Classic Trap from the 2000s. It is a good gun, but the metal finish is not as good as my 1972 870TB. It also came with the J-lock, something I replaced after it was activated during a round of trap when the keys were fifty miles away. In Remington's defense, the Classic Trap has a fair amount of wear from being set in stands between rounds, and the action is as smooth as any of my older guns.

The Classic Trap also has the advantage of being equipped with a barrel with choke tubes as well wearing a gorgeous piece walnut. However, it has an MSRP to close to $1000 when compared to the $200 price tag for my latest 1960s Wingmaster.

 

[flaman]

I faced the same decision many years ago... I went with the Remington 870 Express and never looked back. Go with the Express and save your money for ammo! I still have my 870 Express today; it still looks and shoots great!! No need for the magnum, it will just beat your shoulder up.

I may pick up a wingmaster some day...

 

[MAKster]

One negative with an older Wingmaster is that the barrel will likely be fixed choke. I see lots of used Wingmasters with fixed full chokes.

 

[FruitCake]

Wingmaster.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Wingmaster I had mine since I was 16 and I turned 45 last year. They are like a timex they take a licking and keep on ticking.

 

[Capstick1]

The Express's aren't as smooth or well finished as the the wingmasters but they do get smoother the more they're shot. I have a couple of express's and a wingmaster. After shooting a few thousand rounds through the express's at the trap range they work every bit as smooth as the wingmaster. I don't have problems with either of them.

 

[bushmaster1313]

Used Wingmaster