Remington Wingmaster worth the extra dough?

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I've owned a Remmy 870 express magnum for years and years, but was thinking of picking up an 870 wingmaster. I've heard that their actions are smoother, blueing is nice and bright, and the wood is top notch.

Any experience with this classic shotgun, and is it worth the extra couple hundred for the upgrade?

 

[ColeK]

I think they are worth it!!!

My first shotgun, back in 1963, was a new in the box 12 gauge Wing Master. The slides were smooth then and they are smoother now.

I also have a 20 gauge Wing Master that I bought new in the '80 and the slides as smooth.

 

[HexHead]

Depends on whether you like nice things or not.

 

[bannockburn]

I think they're worth the upgrade. Would love to have both of my old Wingmasters back. Great bluing, a smooth, nearly effortless pump action, and finely finished wood really set these two (12 and 20 gauge), apart from the less expensive Express line of shotguns.

 

[rbernie]

I have a collection of used Wingmasters, all of which are so much nicer in action than the Express. None were more markedly expensive in lightly used condition than a new Express.

Why would anyone buy a new Express when they could have a used Wingmaster?

 

[Inebriated]

I love mine. I also love my Express. I bought both new. I have had no problems out of either. I don't really want to bang the Wingmaster around. I couldn't care less about beating up the Express though.

 

[natman]

With a Wingmaster you'll get polished blue instead of matte finish on the metal.
You'll get gloss finished walnut instead of matte finished birch / synthetic.
Some of the internal parts are machined steel instead of metal injection molding (MIM).

A Wingmaster costs roughly $300 more than an Express. From a purely functional standpoint it's not worth it. From an esthetic standpoint it's a bargain.

 

[Inebriated]

Some of the internal parts are machined steel instead of metal injection molding (MIM).

The only differences between the smaller components in the Express and Wingmaster is the compressed aluminum trigger guard. Same extractors, same springs (the Wingmaster might have their "competition" sear spring, I'd have to check), and same trigger components. At least as of 2013.

 

[DM~]

The BEST part is, where I live, if I look around a bit, I can buy really nice used Wingmasters for less that the price of a new Express!

I don't even own an Express and the above reason is why!

DM

 

[MCgunner]

I hated my Wingmaster, but it was a matter of ergos, not the gun in general. I prefer the 500 and the BPS far as cheap pumps go and the 870 is a cheap pump, let's face it. But, one thing I can say about the Wingmaster, it isn't the rust magnet that the Express is. Most folks that hunt the salt marshes around here just paint their Express. A little paste wax will help the Wingmaster, waste of money on the Express. A camo dip is money well spend in that environment.

 

[eastbank]

you just don,t like rem 870,s and like mossbergs and BPS, i can understand that. but how can you compare a mossberg with a BPS. i think you just like the safties location and if i glued a top safety on top of the 870 you would like it. eastbank.

 

[Sunray]

A Wingmaster is an Express with a prettier finish. It's not an upgrade.
I bought mine in the early 80's, when Wingmasters were not Remington's higher priced shotgun. Nothing particularly special about it. Doesn't have that daft polyurethane on the stock or the cheap pressed checkering and works just fine. Wouldn't spend more for a plastic finish myself.

 

[mgmorden]

Depends on how much you value aesthetics. I like pretty guns, but for me it wasn't worth the price increase when I was buying so I got the Express and have been happy with that for around 10 years now. The wood finish on it was cheap enough that the insect repellant on my hands took it off around the grips when hunting, but I eventually put Ram-line synthetic stocks on it.

My brother also has an Express - my dad has a Wingmaster. When it comes to actually shooting they're pretty much the same.

 

[PapaG]

Have three at present, Wingmasters that is. Always smoother than the Expresses (have had a few). My TB I got in 1972 has digested over 250,000 trap loads along with slugs, steel, and hunting loads for upland birds (it was my only gun for years). I've replaced, in order, one firing pin, one trigger group, and finally, a few years back, the receiver. Original wood, bolt, slide, barrel (.001" larger at the choke than when new).
I used an express for years for deer and ducks but quit the ducks and bought a Savage 210 for deer so the expresses and Mossys are gone.
Bought my boys each a Wingmaster and they love them.
Lots of aftermarket stuff available if you want. I'm going for one of the Timney trigger kits soon.

 

[jmr40]

Not to me. A new Wingmaster is pushing $800. When you get into that price range I'll start looking at semi's. I've had Wingmasters in the past and never felt they offered a single advantage over the Express's I've owned. In fact as a hunting tool I prefer the dull finish of the Express to the bright shiny finish on most of the Wingmasters.

 

[jr_watkins]

1954 wingmaster 16 ga

I can't comment on the current crop, but my 1954 manufactured 16ga is a great gun, still 100% stock and used every dove season. The bluing has held up fantastic, but I have worn through to bear wood on the stock where my fingers rub.

 

[Sniper66]

Just 2 days ago I found a Remington Wingmaster 20 ga with a great finish on the wood and barrel with a vent rib for $450. Now that to me is a good deal and way better than the Express, at least to me.

 

[Virginian]

I don't do plastic or flat black if I can help it. I painted the stock on a BPS Stalker 10 gauge to look like wood. I actually prefer pressed checkering and the style of the 1963 to 1979 Wingmasters and 1100s, so I am quite happy with my 1976 Wingmaster Magnum with a RemChoke equipped Light Contour barrel. If I liked the looks of the new ones better, I'd get one. I had an Express and it worked fine, but sitting there looking at the flat finish and uber plain hardwood stock I'd start getting nauseous.

 

[MCgunner]

you just don,t like rem 870,s and like mossbergs and BPS, i can understand that. but how can you compare a mossberg with a BPS. i think you just like the safties location and if i glued a top safety on top of the 870 you would like it. eastbank.

I'm not comparing. But, they're very similar in ergos, very similar. Both have shell elevators out of the way for loading which is especially nice with neoprene gloves. And, of course, there's the safety.

The Mossy has one thing I prefer, it's lighter with it's alloy receiver and comes to the shoulder quick on those early morning, low flying teal that come out of nowhere just after shooting time, 30 minutes before sunrise. It's a bit faster handling than the rather heavy BPS, but I may have a BPS someday, though it'll likely be a 10 gauge for goose hunting. I'd better hurry, though, cause I ain't gettin' any younger.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

My camo-ed 870 Express Super Mag has to be one of the best values out there for $367.

Every Wingmaster of RECENT manufacture that I've looked at had too many flaws to justify the high price----I think they have even went to the plastic trigger guard IIRC.

 

[tactikel]

It's all in your point of view, a Wingmaster is a beautiful shotgun, that your grandkids will cherish, the Express is a tool, much like a Mossberg 500, a great gun which is reliable, but will not bring a tear to your eye if it gets dinged up or scratched. Your call.

 

[Inebriated]

I've dinged up my Wingmaster's stock. Can confirm, tears happened.

My Express, on the other hand, I've literally used as a hammer.

 

[PapaG]

Of the five my sons and I own and use, only one was bought new, and that was in 1972. It is not hard to find clean, used Wingmasters for about the same price as as new Express. None of the used ones cost over $350 and were all quite clean with little wear or dings.

 

[Virginian]

How many beautiful old used ones come with RemChoke barrels? I am a choke tube nut. I have at least one choke tubed barrel for every shotgun I own, so if you are like me that would matter, although you can certainly can do like I did and buy an extra barrel, they ain't cheap either. If you are one of those who is happy with a modified choked barrel and believes the "steel patterns Full out of a Modified" line, you will likely be happy with one as is.
I must be living a charmed life because I haven't seen all the new Wingmasters and 1100 Sportings with all this poor workmanship and flaws. But, then I don't dislike Remingtons. I don't even hate Cerebrus and sometimes even shop at Albertsons.

 

[eastbank]

mike orlen will thread your barrel for tru-choke tubes, standard thread for 75.00 including return postage for the barrel. i had this early large framed 20ga 1100 rem. barrel done to make it more versible and i,m pleased with it. eastbank.