Wingmaster for home defense?

[Ocaptainmycaptain]

I had originally been looking at the Benelli Super Nova Tactical for a dedicated home defense gun. I had also considered the Mossberg 500 and 590, as well as the 870. But after trying my buddy’s 20 gauge Wingmaster a couple of weeks ago I fell in love with it, and now I think I’d prefer to acquire a used Wingmaster that could double for both HD and also something I could use for clay targets on the range.

I see plenty of used WM’s on places like Gunbroker but very few have shorter barrels (18.5 or 20) that would be more appropriate for HD. My question is, would all I need to do is swap out barrels, say from a 28-inch to a 20-inch, and if so, is the shorter barrel something that I would get directly from Remington?

I figure that for the cost of a decent used Wingmaster and an extra barrel I’d be as good off if not better than getting the Benelli SNT. I’m also undecided as to whether I want a 12 or 20 gauge. Anybody have their Wingmaster set up for HD with a shorter barrel?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[honkeoki]

Let me be the first to say it -- get a Wingmaster. Not only is it an exceptional firearm, it will hold onto its resale value well.

I have an 870 I use for trapshooting. When I get home I swap barrels and put it next to the bed. I'm not a handy guy but it takes approximately 90 seconds to change barrels for me.

If you're going to buy a Wingmaster on Gunbroker, I would recommend getting one that has the longer barrel. Aftermarket 18.5" barrels are a lot cheaper than longer, VR barrels.

I completely love my Wingmaster and I'm happy to tell anyone about it. Whatever you choose, let us know how it works out for you, and good luck!

 

[Rio Laxas]

I don't like the current 870s, but the older wingmasters are nice. I haven't handled a current wingmaster.

 

[DKA]

Have an 870 Wing Master for HD, has an 18 1/2" Barrel, a 28" barrel and a 21 " Barrel with Rifled Choke. Can use this gun for HD, Clay Targets, Slugs for Deer. Can't beat an 870 Wing Master.

 

[jlv08]

+ 1 on the Wingmaster.

Excellent firearm and hopefully you can find one for a reasonable price.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Welcome aboard, cap'n!

It's hard to see how you could go wrong with a good used Wingmaster and a 26-28" barrel for wingshooting, small game and clays, and an 18- 21" barrel for HD or big game as needed.

If you get a 20 ga. WM, remember that older 20 ga. guns were made on 12 ga. frames, and spare barrels for them are harder to come by. See http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-268616.html for more...

hth,

lpl

 

[Ocaptainmycaptain]

Thanks everyone for the responses and welcome. It looks like I'm on the right path here with my choice. I've not purchased anything online yet so I'll have to figure that out. There are some local dealers that I will check out as well. I'll be sure to post back when I pick something up. It seems like looking for a good deal on a nice used gun is half the fun.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I have one in 12 with a 10 shot tube ext. I love it .

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Yea Lee I had forgot that those 20's were like tanks built on those 12 gauge frames.

 

[Floppy_D]

I bought a used 1970 Wingmaster for less than $300, and I can't imagine what the same gun would cost new, today. The action is slicker than whale snot, the wood is purdy, and the finish has withstood 39 years of life, so I doubt it's about to go downhill right now. If I used the word "plastic" around that Wingmaster, it would head for a dictionary. Bust clays with it to get the knack, buy a shorter barrel for around the home, practice movement with it (unloaded) in the home (so you know what your limitations, positions, ranges and hazards are) and be done with it. Holding an old 870 is sorta like riding in an old musclecar; you know it can deliver, you know they don't make 'em like this any more, and for all the new stuff on the market, people still love the old models for a darn good reason.

 

[jojo200517]

Say this got my thinking, the wingmaster I inherited from my dad was used for skeet and has a 2 3/4 inch chamber with a fixed choke (its a pretty old gun). If I got a new barrel for it either long or short could I get one with a 3 inch chamber? I'd assume the new barrels at least the long ones would have screw in chokes standard?

Sorry to derail the thread, not really wanting to use my pretty gun for home defense myself, thats what the ugly and evil black mossberg is for.

 

[DaleCooper51]

You could buy and use a barrel with a 3" chamber, but don't shoot 3" shells on a non magnum receiver.

 

[Virginian]

You are about to buy an example of the most popular shotgun in the history of the world, and it sounds like you have the good sense to get one of the finer examples. Remington also started making the Lightweight Wingmasters in 20 gauge back in the early '70s, so 'old' is a relative term. I looked at a new Wingmaster the other day, and it appears that model is still a pretty fair firearm.
The following is a good read -
http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870

 

[Virginian]

The receivers on the 3" and 2-3/4" guns are the same, except for the rollmarking, but the ejector and ejector spring are different.

 

[Sunray]

"...something that I would get directly from Remington?..." Yep, but there are lots of less expensive, aftermarket, 870 barrels available. Go with a 12 guage.

 

[Ocaptainmycaptain]

Thanks again to all for the enthusiastic replies.

Like I said in my original post, my friend and I were shooting clays with our autoloaders (my first time out with my Beretta AL391 - great gun as well), and he happened to bring along his 20 year-old 20 gauge Wingmaster that he hadn't shot in years (a shame if you ask me). I gave it a try and it just felt so good in my hands and was a pleasure to shoot. I was hitting most of the clays with it, so I'm sure there was an element of positive reinforcement at play. The action was so smooth. If you've shot one, you know what I'm talking about.

Virginian, thanks for that article. I'm going to print it out and enjoy it with my coffee tomorrow morning.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

I would also recommend an older Wingmaster. Very smooth actions and very durable.

Stay away from newer base 870's, imho.

 

[mokin]

Nothing says "Leave Now!" like the sound of a smooth 870 action sliding a shell into the chamber.

 

[rolandx]

When someone says "get an older Wingmaster", what exactly does that mean? 1970's 1980's 1990's? Is there some special cut off date when quality went downhill?

 

[DaleCooper51]

When someone says "get an older Wingmaster", what exactly does that mean? 1970's 1980's 1990's? Is there some special cut off date when quality went downhill?

Currently I have 3 wingmasters and 7 barrels. Two are early 70's 12ga guns and I bought a new 20 ga one last winter. I like the early 70's guns, aside from the pressed checkering. They are good guns, can normally be had for a song, and are already well on the way to breaking in.

The new gun is a 28" 20ga. The wood is not as fancy as my older ones, but it has cut checkering. I much prefer the cut checkering. It is very well fit and finished and is every bit as good as an older gun. I have about 3500 rounds through the 20ga and it is just starting to break in. The one thing I am not overly fond of with the new gun is that it uses the plastic ratcheting magazine cap retention system as found on the express. It works as advertised, but I would prefer the older style detent.

There are millions of 870's out there. Take you time and search the used racks for a nice looking used version. Don't be afraid of honest wear. Unless hunting waterfowl, a 2 3/4" chamber will do all you need.

 

[oneounceload]

I have about 3500 rounds through the 20ga and it is just starting to break in.

JUST starting to break in?....YIKES, why so long?

 

[DaleCooper51]

JUST starting to break in?....YIKES, why so long?

I should have said slick up rather than break in. It is broken in and fairly smooth but when cycling it next to my older guns, it definitely isn't nearly as smooth. My one gun is a 1973 TB that was my uncle's trap gun for about 10 yrs, then he gave me to me as my first gun. I've had it over 20 yrs, hunted deer with it for 10 yrs and then learned to shoot trap and skeet with it. A realistic estimate would be 60-70k rounds through it and it is very smooth.