Thinking of modifying my Rem Wingmaster 870 20 gauge for SD

[dcdub]

I've been thinking about modifying my shotgun to make it a little more suitable for home defense. Its a Remington Magnum Wingmaster 870 20 gauge LW.

Its current overall length is about 48 inches, making it somewhat unwieldy in my modest abode of 1400 sq ft. So the biggest change I would want to make is taking a few inches off the barrel, and by a few I mean 9", bringing it from a 27" barrel down to 18". Any tips on how to do this nicely?

I would also like to put a light on it, any nice rigs that you guys like to use?

 

[Black Knight]

Instead of cutting the barrel try to find out if anyone makes an 18 - 20 inch replacement barrel that will fit your 20 ga. 870. I have been been thinking of doing the same to an 870 Express so my wife could have a decent shotgun for defense in addition to my two 12 ga. 870 Wingmasters. If you have the Express instead of the Wingmaster there is a dimple in the magazine tube that must be dealt with in order to use a magazine extension even if one is offered for the 20 gauge.

 

[Frozen North]

I would just go buy an 870 express for around $300 and leave that Wingmaster for the birds. A Wingmaster is a pretty nice shotgun to start sawing on. You may be able to trade it even up for a shotgun that better suits your needs

That is walnut and nice bluing you have there......

Unless it is real rough, then hack away.

 

[7mmsavage]

I'm with these guys. At least buy a second barrel to cut down. I did the same thing with my Mossberg 500, which is an easy barrel swap. I bought an old barrel which had lost most of the blueing, and cut it down myself. I just put mine in a cheap platic miter box with the front slightly elevated to compensate for the way the barrel narrows from chamber to muzzle. Honestly I eyeballed it at this stage to get a square cut. I cut it with a hacksaw, then used a square and file to true the cut. Cleaned it up with a fine file and some sandpaper then blued the whole thing. I still have to attach a bead sight, it got away from me at my workbench and is still M.I.A. Works for what I want.

 

[rbernie]

a Remington Magnum Wingmaster 870 20 gauge LW.

I second the notion of buying a second barrel used - you'll find that 20ga LW Wingmaster barrels are kinda spendy to replace when you decide that you want to put the gun back into sporting guise. The sticker shock may be a nasty surprise.

I would also suggest that you look at the available ammo loadings for 20ga before making any decisions; you may find that you cannot buy what you like (e.g., there are no 00 buck loads for 20ga) and that you'd be better off with a 12ga HD gun instead.

A replacement 12ga 870 Express would cost you about the same as a replacement 870 LW Wingmaster 20ga barrel.

 

[earlthegoat2]

A 12 gauge with low recoil rounds would probably be a better defensive combination with recoil and blast levels similar to the 20 gauge.

12 gauges are cheaper than 20s as well on the used market.

 

[foghornl]

PLEASE put down that hacksaw and step away from the gun.....

Look around some and see if you can find the shorter barrel you want..

OR

Look for a used but still serviceable 12-Ga 870..any version. Mossberg sells barrels for the Rem 870's, too. a plain blue bead sight 18-1/2" for the 870 lists for $103 direct from Mossberg.

OR

Call Remington and see if this fits your 20-Ga Wingmaster:

24578 Wingmaster Deer Barrel w/ Rifle Sights, LW-20 20 20" RS Imp. Cyl.

 

[kev778]

Please don't destroy a Wingmaster. At the very least buy another barrel, but don't mess with the original barrel.

I have a 12ga Wingmaster and it is absolutely beautiful!!! It would make me sick if you cut the barrel and worse made it non functional due to a mistake.:banghead:

You can buy 870 Expresses for cheap and some already are designed for HD. Barrels cost about $200 so you might as well take the extra mile and get a new gun that you can "trick out" over time

Keep the Wingmaster for the birds and clays. PLEASE

 

[GigaBuist]

Personally I'd love to get one of these:

http://www.remington.com/products/f...ns/model-870/model-870-compact-pink-camo.aspx

.. then see if I can run it any faster than my 870 Wingmaster.

 

[451 Detonics]

Why give up tube capacity by cutting the barrel? Length really doesn't matter as a shotguns role is defensive, if you feel you need to clear the house a shotgun is a bad choice, use a handgun.

 

[DoubleTapDrew]

I'd go with something like this Rem 870 Express 7 shot
And then throw something like this on it: Surefire Foreend

Keep your wingmaster for birds.

 

[MarkDozier]

right now Big 5 is having a sale on tact lite for shotguns for 29.00. normal 99

 

[451 Detonics]

This will give you 10+1 capacity with the 27 inch barrel....

https://secure.riflestock.com/catal...oductCode=2&ProductSubCodeID=244&NewProduct=0

 

[linksrds]

I agree not to cut it off. I would suggest buying a 20" bbl. that is made for their 870 Youth model. It is nice and has the option of screw in chokes. I have one for the Mrs.

 

[Nerostarr]

I've got an 870 model # 81100 and it would be perfect for you needs. 20ga and a factory mag extension, it's a very good home defense gun.

 

[ms6852]

Dude I gotta agree with everyone do not destroy the wingmaster, If anything buy or trade it for what your specific needs will be.

I have a 20 gauge 870 pump that I use for home defense. My wife likes it too because of less recoil and I'm happy with it. The 20 gauge delivers the same energy as a 357 magnum without damaging your ear drums when it goes off inside your house.

 

[nathan]

For home defense, nothing beats a good handgun, semi or revolver whichever suits you. A shotgun is just too much power but is quite deadly if used outside the house.

 

[BBroadside]

I agree about the short barrel with rifle sights (adjustable open rear and a suitable front). Slugs aren't cheap in general; 20-gauge Foster slugs are probably pretty expensive, but it is really nice to have the option of practicing in the paper-target-and-no-nonsense-berm environment of a rifle range. Get used to the weapon pointing differently than it will in its original configuration with the nice, long bird barrel. The recoil you'll get from a slug will probably be greater than anything you'd use in home defense, though. Really serious home defense training probably takes that into account.