Restoring the internals on an older Wingmaster 870

[Mark-Smith]

I recently picked up a Wingmaster 870, exterior good, action great. Only thing is, it's an older model (1960 ish?) and the carrier dog follower spring isn't as snappy as it should be. It's a $3.20 part, but while I'm in there, is there anything else that should be replaced on a gun that age? Magazine spring is on the list as well.

 

[jbkebert]

The shell latches there is both a right and left hand. Over time these can take a bend. Once they start to fall out when the trigger group is pulled they should be replaced. New ones stay in place and don't need to be removed for cleaning. But trying to get old bent ones to hold in place to replace the trigger group is a major PIA. $25 for the pair and your back in business.

 

[Virginian]

Clean it and shoot it. Coil springs very, very rarely wear out. If you replace parts it probably won't hurt anything and it's your money. I have a 1976 Wingmaster, and have had 5 others, and have yet to replace a single part. I have seen lots of 1950s guns still going strong. Until something quits working right, replacing parts is a crap shoot. Say there's a 1 in 1,000,000 failure rate on all parts. All the parts in your gun have already been tested out. New part may be one of those ones.
If a shell latch comes loose you can save yourself the trouble of going to a gunsmith by just glueing it back in with a little dab of two part epoxy between the holes. Only needed when cleaning anyway because the trigger groups holds it in place in use. Browning leaves theirs loose and just says don't take it apart.

 

[Rshooter]

I have to agree with Virginian. I have a 1955 and a 1960 and both operate very smoothly, nothing has been replaced including the magazine springs which are still strong.

 

[EMC45]

I have a shell latch that was falling out of my Wingmaster (60s vintage) and I just did a couple taps with a self centering punch on the area that was originally staked in and it is good to go. I say don't fool with it. I have a 1914 Remington model 11. Still going strong...

 

[Mark-Smith]

Even in the best of guns though, things wear out over time, springs usually being the first to go. Considering its intended use is for home defense, I want to be absolutely as certain as possible that there's never going to be a problem with it, thus some basic maintenance.

"Don't touch it" is ok as long as your life isn't dependent upon it. And if my basic mechanical aptitude isn't enough, no shame in going by a gunsmith to have them take a look at it.

 

[AndyJ]

IMHO you are addressing a problem that you are not sure is even an issue. I have had scores of 870's apart and as mentioned shell latches can be a irritating problem but do not affect function. I had had to replace an extractor once. Many want to replace the internals to replicate a police model. The springs are available for that and the resulting product will have a trigger pull north of 8lbs-- deemed advantageous in high stress situations that LEOs might face. Not for me.

If I was wanting an ultra reliable HD gun to protect my family, I would get an older model Wingmaster (as you have), put a 20" BS barrel on it and proceed to run 250 rounds of OO buck, #4 buck and 1oz slugs through it. If it fed and dispatched all 250 rounds with 100% efficiency, I would call it good and sleep well at night.

The problem with replacing parts is the newer parts may be of lesser quality than you have now. The other problem is your high quality, zenith of manufacturing ability Wingmaster has worn in with the current parts installed. No way I would monkey with it if it works. I don't see how the stamped metal and piano wire and roll keys that appear lightweight and fragile work like they do in an 870. OTOH, I can look at an Ithaca 37 with its' massive hunks of solid steel millwork and recognize it is built like a Sherman tank. The fact of the matter is the seemingly flimsy construction of the 870 action is proven by many to last thousands if not tens of thousands of rounds with no problems whatsoever. Makes no logical sense to me but it works.

I have a little tackle box that is full of teeny Brownell's envelopes with all manner of 870 replacement parts. It gathers dust in the back of the closet.

 

[Mark8252]

Old 870's

I have a 2010 model 870 20ga. I do not understand how the date of manufacture has much to do with the useability of the gun. My 2010 has been used as a skeet gun and has thousands of shells thru it. It would take 30-40 years to put that much use on it as a shotgun used only in the field. Its likely my shotgun has more use than a 1970-80 version.
Still works great too.
I am just saying how its used is more important than its age. At least to me anyway.

 

[Virginian]

Flat springs did wear out, but modern coil springs will be among the last parts to fail. Parts that rub are much more prone to wear.

 

[Mark-Smith]

I thought I had a FTF when testing it, may have short stroked it, not certain. Will definitely try the 250 rounds test before putting it on the operating table (my shoulder is not going to like me for that...)

 

[Fred Fuller]

Pull the trigger plate assembly out of the gun.

Soak it for a while in HOT soapy water. Dawn dishwashing liquid works well as a degreaser IMHO. Brush it out with an old toothbrush, either keep the safety ON or be careful to restrain the hammer fall if you don't keep the safety on.

Rinse it well in HOT running water. Carefully shake out excess water and let it air dry the rest of the way from residual heat. If it isn't drying fast enough to suit you, a blow dryer will speed things up.

Re-lube with your favorite slickum.

Try your 250 round endurance test with light birdshot loads. Your shoulder will thank you. So will your wallet. Run enough of your chosen HD loads to be sure the gun functions well with them, patterns as you prefer, etc.

lpl