Remmy 870 Varieties

[JStordahl]

Hi Guys: I've read here or elsewhere that Remington 870 Wingmasters and Police models get the extra attention to detail ie; action work, etc. while the 870 Express is usually sort of rough. My question....what about the Special Purpose models? Do they get the extra quality treatment, or must I buy a Wingmaster and add a synthetic stock and matte finish to duplicate the SP, while still getting all of the extra assembly care?

Input appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Special Purpose guns are nothing LESS than the top of the line Wingmaster, that's been "Hardened" for harsh environment use.

Some sportsmen want the quality of the Wingmaster, but need a gun with a tougher finish that can take the elements in a duck blind or on a tree stand.

Essentially, they're a Wingmaster with a tougher parkerized finish.

 

[9mmMike]

OK, what about Special Field?

 

[dfariswheel]

As far as I know (note the qualifier) all guns like the Special Purpose and Special Field are built on the top of the line Wingmaster.

These are special purpose guns built for sportsmen who want the Wingmaster but who have special needs, like a more durable, less "pretty" finish.

All Express based guns are specifically marked Express, because Remington doesn't want anyone confusing the "budget" Express with the Wingmaster.

So, if it's marked something like Special Purpose or Field, it's a Wingmaster.

If it's based on the Express, no matter what it's named, it will still be prominently marked as an Express.

 

[Ala Dan]

Special Purpose Remington 870 Wingmaster

is better known as the

870 Marine Magnum


Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[9mmMike]

Along the same lines....

I have an old 12 ga. Express that is more like a Wingmaster. This gun has blueing over polished metal and also has the receiver's spine machined so it is flat with a few razor-straight ridges running to what would be the beginning (or end) if the barrel's vent rib.
If it did not actually say Express on the receiver, I would have thought it was a Wingmaster.
Oddly, this gun also does not have an ejector spring. The base for it is there but there is no evidence of it ever actually having the ejector installed. It ejects just fine.

A transition gun?

Mike

 

[JStordahl]

Thanks to all for the information. That is exactly what I wanted to know, Mr. dfariswheel. I will investigate further now as to what Special Purpose models will meet my wants. Thanks again.

 

[dfariswheel]

9mmMike:

For a time Remington put the "matted" groove on all shotguns, including the Express. This too was deleted to save costs, and my recent 870 Police has a smooth groove also. Apparently, this is now a Wingmaster-only feature. In truth, because of the parkerized and rough black finishes used on the non-Wingmaster guns, the matting really isn't necessary.

A visit to the Remington web site, indicates that they may no longer be using the "special purpose" designation.

In past years you could buy a standard gun like the Deer Gun in a Wingmaster, with gloss blue and your choice of gloss or satin stock finish, OR a Wingmaster Special Purpose with a parkerized finish and dull wood.

The Special Purpose was made in a variety of guns for a variety of hunting purposes, primarily duck and goose, or deer hunting.

I'd suspect your gun is simply missing the ejector spring, as it's unlikely it would have made it out of the factory without one.

What is possible, is somebody needed/wanted to replace the ejector for some reason, only to find out that the Remington's require a special tool to re-rivet the double-headed rivets. They would have, of course, found this out AFTER removing the old one.

Unable to fix it, they passed it on. This is what usually happens to guns that somebody has had a "misadventure" with.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Special feield models had straight stocks instead of pistol grips.

The express models use cast alloy trigger housings, the wingmasters is steel.

Before the express model, there was a Remington "Sportsman12" model, this is the same as an express but is blued instead of pakerized. I have one of these, dad has an original 60's 870 wingmaster, and an express model.

All parts interchange.

 

[dfariswheel]

AHHHHH, sorry, the Express uses a plastic trigger group, the Police and Wingmaster use aluminum, not steel.

I seem to remember Remington once made a budget gun years ago as the "Mohawk" series???? Do I remember this right?
I think they were sold in discount houses.

 

[9mmMike]

My very old Express has an aluminum trigger group. My new ones have the plastic but they are so new as to have the dratted trigger lock. My old one is so worn, the hammer is actually peened over slightly. It has a lot of miles on it.
I sure wish I could snap a picture of the inside of the receiver for you to look at the lack of ejector. I will see if I can get a friend swing by with a fancy digital camera.
Mike

 

[JStordahl]

Yikes! Trigger locks? If they are on NEW Special Purpose and Wingmasters, I don't want one. Can anybody clue me in on these trigger lock devices? I assume the Police Models won't have them. Thanks.

 

[dfariswheel]

The controversial Remington shotgun lock, is actually a mechanism that locks the gun's safety button.

In order to operate it, a blade-like "key" is required.
The only outward sight the gun is equipped with the device is a slot in the safety button.

Some people report that it's possible to manipulate the safety so that it unintentionally locks the trigger.

Unfortunately, this seems to be the coming thing in the gun business.

In fairness, some people like the idea of a built-in safety device, and most Remington shotguns are used by sportsmen.

The safety is installed on all Remington guns including rifles and shotguns.
The Wingmaster and Express have the locking safety, the Police does not.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Well it took a magnet to prove me wrong, guess dad's old one is aluminum, but so are the sportsman 12 and the express.