Remington Wingmaster worth the extra dough?

Status
Not open for further replies.
Inebriated said:
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.
Click to expand...

So are you saying both have milled parts or both have MIM now?
 
So are you saying both have milled parts or both have MIM now?
Click to expand...
Both MIM. Mine both have MIM extractors, and the trigger components are identical. I don't know what's milled and what's MIM in the trigger components, but it's the same in both. I know the Wingmasters USED to have milled extractors, but as of the last few years, it's MIM.

Really, which 870 you choose just depends on finish, at this point. If you want blued, get the Wingmaster. If you want Parkerized, get the Police. If you don't care, get the Express.

There's such a small difference in builds, the finish is really the only thing you're paying for.

EDIT - for reference:

Both the Wingmaster and Police use cast aluminum trigger guards. They're apparently less durable than polymer, but feel nicer.
Both the Wingmaster and Express use the exact same internals now, sans trigger guard obviously.
The Police has a stronger CDF spring ($6 to upgrade in non-Police model) and a milled extractor ($17 to upgrade in non-Police model). The upgraded CDF spring is a must for any 870 in my opinion, the milled extractor, not so much. Never had a problem with a MIM 870 extractor.
The Police and Wingmaster supposedly get more attention to detail at the factory.
 
Last edited:
My first 870 was a Wingmaster, early 80's and it is really nice. Mry second 870 was the bottom of the barrel Rem. Special 12, still an 870, wood stock and blued, but none of the bells and whistles of a WM, but no less reliable or smooth functioning really.

Since those first two 870's I have bought various grades and gauges, and a couple more WM's, oldies from the 60's and 70's, both really nice looking and still just as reliable and functional as anything today. And IMHO, the newer one's are rougher, but that can be easily taken care of with a little bit of time, elbow grease, and some polishing compound.

GS
 
I love my 1991 vintage express magnum, smooth as any wingmaster now! Been hunting every year since then, in the rain, snow whatever never a fleck of rust.
Just recently switched to RIG for wet weather hunts, for the first decade of it's life...Rem oil was it. Yeah sure the finish is worn on the bolt a little, and a little on the mag tube from schucking thousands of shells thru her. She also wears a new set of nutmeg laminate stocks, but thats not because there was anything wrong with the old well worn birch ones. The milled extractor has never failed to grab, and the metal trigger group is still as the same. Yeah she may not be as refined as the 870, but she's slick as snot and someday she'll be downing birds in my son's hand when I'm no longer here.
 
BudsGuns has a Wingmaster for $635...$650 out the door. I'm tempted to wait for something used from the 80's to pop up, but the price for a new one sounds pretty good.
 
Not a bad price at all. I think I paid something like that locally last year, but had to add tax.
 
BudsGuns has a Wingmaster for $635...$650 out the door. I'm tempted to wait for something used from the 80's to pop up, but the price for a new one sounds pretty good.
Click to expand...

Seriously? :rolleyes: Pump guns are tools. If I liked the 870, I'd go for the express and paint it black before every season to keep the rust off. If I want some eye candy, I'll buy something like a Superposed or Cynergy or something and get it with engraving. I'll spend a bundle, but hey, fine art ain't cheap. At least the checkering would be by hand, not stamped.
 
Good thing it ain't your money, MC.

Too bad you didn't read his OP where he said he already has an Express....
 
He wants to know if the WM is worth the extra stash. IMHO, it isn't. YMMV
Click to expand...
Depends on what you want from it. If he wants a tool, then it isn't. If he wants something that is more than a tool, then only he can say whether or not it's worth it.
 
OP'er here. I'm in my late 20's, and I've owned my 870 express since I was 13. It's the only shotgun I've ever owned. Well, besides the single shot 410 from my 9th birthday. Don't you miss good parenting? Anyways, I'm finding myself with a little more money to push around, and I wouldn't mind owning another shotgun. There's no gun on earth I'm comfortable with than an 870, so I thought my money would be well spent on a better version of what I already know and love.

Anyone wanna part with a wingmaster in 20 gauge? Don't be afraid to offend me with a price :)
 
200Apples, love the picture of your two Wingmasters. The top one looks just like the one I use for home defense. A 20 inch barrel, rifle sights, and 4 round magazine is plenty in a small city setting.
 
.
Thanks! Yea, I love these things. Both are 1980 and as such are 30th Anniversary editions; check the stock checkering against a late-'70s version.

It's the cellphone camera's wide-angle lens giving the impression of different barrel lengths (or are you just telling me that your shotgun wears a 20-incher...). Both guns are wearing 18.5-inch barrels. One is a blued cylinder bore bead sight from Mossberg made-for-870, the other a Fred Fuller Special (really just a heads-up from Lee) - a Remington parkerized MOD choke smoothbore w/ rifle sights. Badda-BING. Bitchin barrel.




Anyways, I'm finding myself with a little more money to push around, and I wouldn't mind owning another shotgun. There's no gun on earth I'm comfortable with than an 870, so I thought my money would be well spent on a better version of what I already know and love.
Click to expand...

By all means, sir! Have at it.

You know what I did today after work? I made the mistake of walking into my lgs after two months of abstinence... hahaha... "for ammo". d'oh!

Couldn't help myself: I've wanted an older 1100, and there it was. Now it's on layaway... that, and a pre-ReMarlingTon Marlin Model '92 lever! chambered in .357! wo0t!

Too much fun.


:)
 
I prefer the Wingmaster. I think guns should look good as well as function.

I've read that some small internal parts on Express guns are more likely to break, too.
 
Yup!

I so regret selling my 410 Wingmaster. So much sweeter than standard but I figured I'd just dick it up so, off it went.


Wish I had it back.
 
Lone Star said:
I've read that some small internal parts on Express guns are more likely to break, too.
Click to expand...

All parts are the same between the Express and Wingmaster now. Only difference is finish, furniture, and the Wingmaster's metal trigger guard. The metal trigger guard isn't a nice machined block of steel, either... it's compressed aluminum. You can see Ruger's test on their cast aluminum trigger guard vs. the polymer.. The aluminum broke in a drop test, the polymer didn't.
 
Last edited:
OP'er here. I'm in my late 20's, and I've owned my 870 express since I was 13. It's the only shotgun I've ever owned. Well, besides the single shot 410 from my 9th birthday. Don't you miss good parenting? Anyways, I'm finding myself with a little more money to push around, and I wouldn't mind owning another shotgun. There's no gun on earth I'm comfortable with than an 870, so I thought my money would be well spent on a better version of what I already know and love.

Anyone wanna part with a wingmaster in 20 gauge? Don't be afraid to offend me with a price
Click to expand...


LOL, I sold my Wingmaster in College (was always broke) for 50 bucks. But, that was 50 of 1974 bucks, more valuable than 2014 bucks. :D 15 hours tuition was only 60 dollars at a state university back then. That sale almost paid my tuition that semester. They weren't all that special back then, just a "tool". There was no "express" model. Mine, a 20 gauge, had a corn cob forearm and I don't recall it even having checkering on the butt stock. I do recall a little scroll work on the receiver, about it for fancy.

You say you love the 870, but I bet you've never fired a gas gun? Sounds like you don't have much to compare the 870 with. You can find used 1100s all over the place for under 400 bucks, at least in 12 gauge. Down here in waterfowl country, 12s are far more common than 20s. You should try a gas gun. If you like the 870, try an 1100. They're SO soft on the shoulder, it's awesome. :D It's a little heavier than the 1100, but the 11-87 will fire 3".

My uncle drove over to a town 70 miles away in about 1966 when the first ever discount store, a "Bottom Dollar", had its grand opening. We had five and dimes, but nothing like this place, precursor to Walmart. He bought a 20 gauge 1100, his first gas gun. He was a quail hunter. He LOVED that gun. :D That's kinda why I've been looking for a 20 gauge 1100 and the fact that I've been told a left hand safety is available. But, I'd go for another brand like a Winchester in 20 gauge, so long as it's a gas gun.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
Remington 870 - used Wingmaster or new Express?
2
Replies
25
Views
4K
Cactus Jack Arizona
C
S
  • Locked
Remington Wingmaster or express for first shotgun?
2
Replies
38
Views
1K
Jeff F
J
ErictheRed
  • Locked
870's: Wingmaster vs Express vs Used
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
Heavy Metal
H
Arkansas Paul
  • Locked
How to date an 870 Wingmaster
Replies
8
Views
1K
Arkansas Paul
Arkansas Paul
N
  • Locked
Wingmaster vs Bps Hunter - the differences
Replies
13
Views
2K
ARTiger
A
Back
Top