Whats considered the best years for 870's ?

[spiroxlii]

I have one of those old corncob forend 870s. A police/riot model, I think. It is definitely a fine weapon, but it feels light to me. My idea of "light" is rather skewed, though. I'm a Cruffler, so after lugging around a couple of SMLEs at the range, my other long guns are always pleasantly light.

 

[moi_self26]

I wish I could tell you about the new ones When I got mine, I brought it home, only to realize it had a broken ejector, so I had to take it back to the shop, who sent it back to be fixed. The dealer JUST got the tag to send it back a few days ago, so I venture it will be at least a few more weeks before I can fire it..... but from what I have been told it is VERY rare.... and they are excellent guns.

 

[outerlimit]

The older 870 wingmasters, made about 20 to 30 years ago were machined and fitted much better. The finish was much better also, on both wood and steel. Look for one with a chrome carrier, they are the good ones. The new 870's are pretty sad compared to the older ones.

I have a 28" vented rib Magnum Wingmaster that was made in 1979. I went looking at some new ones just for the heck of it awhile back, and I would have to agree, they were very unimpressive. Some of them looked almost slapped together, stock not quite flush with the frame, stuff like that.. I don't like the new recoil pad either. Mine is way better!

I've never heard of the chrome carrier before, what is that?

 

[Capstick1]

M870 quality

I own two 3" chambered express's. I've noticed that they don't cycle quite as smooth as my old wingmaster. I'm thinking about getting some valve grinding compound from the autoparts store and putting some on the the bolt carrier and sliderails of the express's and just racking the slides back and fourth a bunch of times to help get rid of the burrs and hopefully make them work smoother. Has anybody tried this trick before? Is it a good idea? Of course I'd give these guns a good cleaning once they smoothed out.

 

[Gordon]

WilsonCombat does that to the Expresses they sell!

 

[Txhillbilly]

I have always prefered the older ones. I have a 870TB from 1978 and it has some of the nicest wood of any gun I have,and is a great,smooth shooting gun.

 

[sbarkowski]

With yours? Apparently nothing, be thankful for it.

 

[JohnBT]

I don't know that they're "so much better", but comparing my uncle's old Wingmaster to his newer Express (circa 1988) and to my 1993 Express, the Wingmaster is certainly a prettier and better put together gun - and it's supposed to be.

Functionally, after the Expresses get a lot of use they're about the same to use as a WM, but they'll never feel or look like walnut and polished steel.

John

 

[hovbuild]

I bought a 870 wing-master in 1966 and it is in excellent condition. I don't think I put more than a few hundred rounds through it. Cycles real smooth and the finish on both the wood and metal is super. I am glad I hung on to it.