870 questions

[mk2dave]

I am the proud owner of a 870 Wingmaster from the 70's with Im guessing a 28" barrel. I'd like to have a HD shotgun, too. And since the 18" barrels I've seen cost around $200, might as well get a separate shotgun. Enter the 870 Express.

I've read the modern Express barrel will work with my Wingmaster receiver, and vice versa. Can someone confirm this? IDK why Id need to do this, but it would be helpful to know.

In Stock prices I'm finding are around 450 +/-. Is this price reasonable?

TIA

[AAShooter]

There are some issues with a 870 Wingmaster that you might want to upgrade if you are going to use it for a HD shotgun. So getting a new shotgun maybe a cheaper alternative.

I am pretty impressed with the 870 with Magpul furniture.



I would check around for an old 870 Police Magnum on the secondary market.

Thought this might be of interest: https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-...dels-upgrades/

[AAShooter]

Another article: https://www.rem870.com/2012/10/17/10...870-shotgun-2/

Here is article on the flexitab change to 870's made in the 80's, I think.

https://rifleshooter.com/2015/03/remington-870-flexitab-system-and-parts-identification/

[mk2dave]

And what are the issues with the Wingmaster? I cant say I've heard of any, and my experience says it's been 100% reliable. Expresses, yes. In the early 2000s I worked at a range, and I know the Express wasn't the best though of.

[AAShooter]

And what are the issues with the Wingmaster? I cant say I've heard of any, and my experience says it's been 100% reliable. Expresses, yes. In the early 2000s I worked at a range, and I know the Express wasn't the best though of.

Many of the mods needed to make a solid HD gun are discussed above.

[L-2]

The "Express" models appear to be discontinued. See current Remarms webpages:

https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/tactical/

Buying a pre-Remarms 870 may probably not be supported by the current Remarms company, just so you know.

Ensure the 870 barrel is made for the same mag tube capacity and gauge as the existing Wingmaster, e.g., a 4-round mag tube in 12 gauge. Although the finish may not match, the barrel should work fine. Also ensure the shell length matches what ammo is being used with the barrel.

I suppose there may be some left-handed 870 versions out there, too, so just be aware to not buy a LH 870 which won't have many parts which will work with a RH 870.

Most folks would also want to ensure the 870 receiver matches the ammo, too, although most folks are using 2.75" 12 gauge rounds for home-defense use anyway.
(I believe an "M" denotes a magnum-rated receiver.)

OP, let us know what you end up buying and how it works for you

[mk2dave]

That's why I'm asking. So far, I can identify 2 things that might be an issue. Flexitab - which has already been changed. Metal follower - which it has stock.

I am looking at a new 870 Express. It will have the 'tab, and the follower is easy enough. Do you know if the barrels swap?

[deckhandmike]

Good luck finding a short barrel in stock. You’d be better off getting their new version of the 870. Your older wing master is very possibly only chambered for 2 3/4” which isn’t a big deal but something to consider.

I guess the best question is do you want two 870’s or are you trying to end up with one hd one. I’d definitely opt for two 870’s, one with the 28” for clays and birds and one 20” for hd.

If you just want one I’d probably sell the wingmaster and get a newer one for hd. The older wingmasters shouldn’t be hacked apart and are worth some money.

I like to have two since everything should be interchangeable but building out a hd gun might cost close to the price of a new hd 870. The Remington 870 barrels have been almost impossible to find.

[mk2dave]

The "Express" models appear to be discontinued. See current Remarms webpages:

https://www.remarms.com/shotguns/tactical/

Buying a pre-Remarms 870 may probably not be supported by the current Remarms company, just so you know.

THIS might be why half the placing selling the Express don't have them in stock. I might try and see what their LE/Defense offerings are.

I only shoot 2.75 shells. Easy to find, easy to shoot, and my receiver says no 3".

I did see Brownells has Carlson barrels avail for 170ish. I'm open to hearing if anyone has experience with these.

[mk2dave]

Good luck finding a short barrel in stock. You?d be better off getting their new version of the 870. Your older wing master is very possibly only chambered for 2 3/4? which isn?t a big deal but something to consider.

I guess the best question is do you want two 870?s or are you trying to end up with one hd one. I?d definitely opt for two 870?s, one with the 28? for clays and birds and one 20? for hd.

If you just want one I?d probably sell the wingmaster and get a newer one for hd. The older wingmasters shouldn?t be hacked apart and are worth some money.

I like to have two since everything should be interchangeable but building out a hd gun might cost close to the price of a new hd 870. The Remington 870 barrels have been almost impossible to find.

2 shotguns is the desired conclusion. IF the barrels don't swap, then I don't need to have a second 870; and I could go Mossberg, Winchester, or even Norinco.

I have no desire to only have a HD option and no long barrel. If I do end up with a 18-20" barrel, I'll keep the longer barrel and switch them when appropriate. But selling the Wingmaster for something HD aint gonna happen.

[L-2]

As reliable as many shotguns are, occasionally one does break.
In other words, it could be a good idea to have two shotguns, as many individual folks own several shotguns.

With that in mind, owning another 870 is nice, but a 2nd shotgun opens up the possibilities. Another pump can be nice, but a semiauto would now be an option.

OP, let us know what you decide and get when that happens.

[hermosabeach]

So... to keep prices down, things change.
Milled parts can become stamped parts or MIM - powder metal - parts

Steel trigger guards become aluminum or polymer

Parts that held the mossberg 500 pump to the action bars get consolidated


If you have a 1960s wing master setting on the but pad and press the action release, gravity opens the action 100%. On a 1995 and later, gravity moves the action 1"-2".

Things are not as smooth.


If you can find a used police model, they have all sorts of old parts and reliability!

[RayPDA]

Mk2dave,

I’ll start with the ymmv caveat, but I’ve got a couple of express grades, a couple of trap grades and a couple of wingmasters, along with 20”,23”,26”28”,30”,34” Bbls and can confirm that I’ve had and shot express barrels on wm and vice versa.

Note: express variants with the single one piece extended mag tube wont work with regular barrels as they use specific barrels with a lug closer to the muzzle.

There’s a thread on here somewhere where the guy came up with a spacer solution though.

[jyo]

OK, I have considerable experience with 870s---currently have three older 870s---two older Wingmaster pre-Flextab 2 3/4" polished blue 12 ga, and one older Police model with Flextab and 3" chamber, also polished blue. All are set-up with shorter HD barrels (also polished blue) as they are in different locations. All three function perfectly and are very smooth---the pre-Flextab guns were purchased used, but mint---the Police gun was bought new by me. All are wood stocked and modifications are absolutely minimal---short barrels (one 18.5" bead sight, one 21" with bead sight and one 21" with rifle sights and tubes) plus Limbsaver recoil pads (a must!). I only have a stash of various 2 3/4" ammo, no others. I don't see any need to change over to Flextab as the two older guns function 100% with zero issues... Remington 870s are known for almost never needing repairs and mine have never needed any replacement parts.
OK, now lets talk about 870 Express models---these guns have many MIM parts, a really thin finish that's known for rusting at the slightest bit of moisture and also well-known for rough chambers that often cause ejection problems (chamber must be polished inside). Express models were built to a low retail price point and it shows! I used to manage several gun stores and we had many issues with Express shotguns!
Regarding barrels---I have several polished blue barrels of various lengths for hunting and clays---they all interchange perfectly---many were purchased used, but mint. There are literally tens of thousands 870 barrels out there and can be bought used (after inspection) and you just must look for them...
Sorry this reply is so long, but I have a great love for older 870s---my two pre-Flextab guns must be 40-50 years old and look brand new as I'm very easy on gear... Good luck with your project!

[Russian Bot]

Man, this thread has me wanting to go down and check out the 870 WM I bought from a fellow member on here. It's got a police department stamped on it, but I wonder if they changed things or not.