outerlimit
Member
I think it's a minor issue as well, but someone who was once selling a short barrel 870 barrel told me this was the reason they were doing it. I guess it annoys some people more than others.
Should I set up my minty 870 wingmaster for HD?
- Thread starter WutUpGeez
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jlv08
Member
Wingmasters are the best shotguns made, especially the older models as well as the older Express models.
For the price of a new Wingmaster barrel, you can pawnshop a Mossberg, or an Express, or buy a new NEF Pardner Protecter, and be in the ball park for a dedicated home defense shotgun.
Wingmasters are a different animal in fit and finish and are gonna dry up with folks beating the bushes to add them to their gun safes.
Think real hard before you buy a new Express as they are getting some bad publicity with rust and feeding issues.
For the price of a new Wingmaster barrel, you can pawnshop a Mossberg, or an Express, or buy a new NEF Pardner Protecter, and be in the ball park for a dedicated home defense shotgun.
Wingmasters are a different animal in fit and finish and are gonna dry up with folks beating the bushes to add them to their gun safes.
Think real hard before you buy a new Express as they are getting some bad publicity with rust and feeding issues.
ThomasT
Member
I don't know where you live but the pawn shops around me are packed with shotguns. Most can be had for way less than $200. The long barreled guns are always cheaper than the shorties. A few minutes work with a hacksaw and file and you have a nice HD shotgun.
I also just bought a barrel off GB for a winchester 1200 for $70 IIRC. The blueing was a little thin and it was already cut to 19.5". The other barrel for that SG is a 26" VR with a factory installed Poly Choke. I have no plans to sell it either.
I also just bought a barrel off GB for a winchester 1200 for $70 IIRC. The blueing was a little thin and it was already cut to 19.5". The other barrel for that SG is a 26" VR with a factory installed Poly Choke. I have no plans to sell it either.
LoadedDrum
Member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2004
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- 612
One of the greatest features of the 870 is that it easily converts between a hunting gun and a HD gun. I would suggest getting a short barrel for it such as the Mossberg 18.5" 870 barrel that Midway sells.
I must warn you that HD shotguns are addictive. I have three 870's that are formally HD guns. I have a fourth that I bought for sporting clays but it keeps finding it self dressed with take off parts from the three HD guns as I upgrade those.
I must warn you that HD shotguns are addictive. I have three 870's that are formally HD guns. I have a fourth that I bought for sporting clays but it keeps finding it self dressed with take off parts from the three HD guns as I upgrade those.
sheephearder
Member
My HD shotgun is a Wingmaster with an 28" barrel. My idea is to use it as a barricade gun if need be and a handgun for primary use. This is the same gun that I use for trap (20 or 30 rounds a year). But if you want to modify your gun I would suggest just getting an 18 or 20" barrel. Good luck : Bill
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
My HD 870s are WMs, but not Mint. Both show honorable use.
A note, few HD guns see much abuse, we're not in the trenches with them or crawling through mud much.
A nice looking HD 870 WM can be kept that way even if fired frequently with some care.
Me, I'd get a 20" Remchoked barrel with open sights, stick it on, and after some patterning and sighting in be ready to repel boarders.
A note, few HD guns see much abuse, we're not in the trenches with them or crawling through mud much.
A nice looking HD 870 WM can be kept that way even if fired frequently with some care.
Me, I'd get a 20" Remchoked barrel with open sights, stick it on, and after some patterning and sighting in be ready to repel boarders.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
In the last couple years, I guess I've handled and shot maybe a dozen newer Expresses and brand new WMs.
I recall one with some light rust, a few minutes conversation with the idiot owner showed me the problem could not be laid rightfully at Big Green's corporate feet.
One of the real problems with the Age of Information is the lack of Bozo Filters.
Any clown can post an opinion, and oh so many do exactly that.
Real world info shows no more rusted up Expresses than rusty ol' Benellis. Maybe less.
Ammo issues, in the world where the bottom line rules, are more common that in days of yore.
One of the reasons I urge folks to drop the mouse and hit the range is that only shooting Shell A in Shotgun B will determine if the combination cycles at the launch point and hits at the terminus.
Number Six eats anything in 2 3/4" but Gun Clubs with its usual LC barrel. With the original 1955 barrel, the problem lessens but does not vanish.
Stick either barrel ( With 4 12 gauge 870s here there's some serious Mix/Matching at times) on Frankenstein, the glitch goes away 95%.
Reloading those GC empties sees the problem worse in either gun and barrel. That steelbase must not be right on spec to size down to same well.
I have seen Expresses with non concentric boring, choke threading and one crooked mag tube.
All went bang on command and made their owners happy.
The Net huhu about serious rusting probs should be taken with a grain of NaCl.
I recall one with some light rust, a few minutes conversation with the idiot owner showed me the problem could not be laid rightfully at Big Green's corporate feet.
One of the real problems with the Age of Information is the lack of Bozo Filters.
Any clown can post an opinion, and oh so many do exactly that.
Real world info shows no more rusted up Expresses than rusty ol' Benellis. Maybe less.
Ammo issues, in the world where the bottom line rules, are more common that in days of yore.
One of the reasons I urge folks to drop the mouse and hit the range is that only shooting Shell A in Shotgun B will determine if the combination cycles at the launch point and hits at the terminus.
Number Six eats anything in 2 3/4" but Gun Clubs with its usual LC barrel. With the original 1955 barrel, the problem lessens but does not vanish.
Stick either barrel ( With 4 12 gauge 870s here there's some serious Mix/Matching at times) on Frankenstein, the glitch goes away 95%.
Reloading those GC empties sees the problem worse in either gun and barrel. That steelbase must not be right on spec to size down to same well.
I have seen Expresses with non concentric boring, choke threading and one crooked mag tube.
All went bang on command and made their owners happy.
The Net huhu about serious rusting probs should be taken with a grain of NaCl.
10-Ring
Member
The the right barrel for your needs & keep what you've got!
inSight-NEO
Member
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- 842
New barrel for HD (keeping the current one in good shape...no cutting) and/or purchase a used Express, 500, 590...whatever your flavor, for home defense purposes and "preserving" the gun you currently have. Thats my vote anyway.
Sauer Grapes
Member
I'll trade you your 870 for mine. Mine is a 3" mag. 
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