1st Post: 870 Classic Trap or Wingmaster?

[DennisC]

Long time lurker (via old TFL), first time poster. Let me thank those of you who post here often for sharing your shotgunning experiences (and memories of times past). I did not “come up†around guns and hunting so your perspectives are invaluable to me. I have owned and reloaded for rifles and pistols but I'm new to shotguns.

Want to buy a shotgun and try my hand at trap. Pretty much decided on a new Wingmaster 12ga w/ a 30†bbl or the Classic Trap.

I know the Classic Trap has only a 2.75†chamber compared to the Wingmaster's 3†(fine with me), that the CT's nominal bore, at .727, may be a touch narrower (fine with me) and, of course, the CT weighs a bit more (good) and has the Monte Carlo comb (don't know). Other than that, are there other material (non aesthetic) differences between the two?

Without having shouldered either. I'm leaning toward the CT (even though gilded receiver and glossy finish look a little tarted up for my taste). If it feels like it may need a lot of shimming, sanding, mole skinning and Morgan-izing to fit though, I may just get the Wingmaster (if its essentially the same gun) since I would not feel as nervous about altering that wood.

Oh, I also heard from a third party that Rem. customer service wrote him in response to a query that the CT is configured to print 50/50 (flat) while the older trap 870s were set up to print 60/40 (higher).

Thanks for any insights or opinions. - Dennis

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard,Dennis. Be warned that while 870s do not breed or reproduce, they do tend to multiply.

Either 870 will do the job, so will older letter grade 870s like my TB. BTW, all 870s shoot kinda flat as trap guns go. Some fine purpose built trap guns are 100/0. I get about 60-40 with mine, some shimming was in order to get that.60/40 works for me in the field and for other games too.

870s are versatile enough that they are oft amenable to mission creep. You may want 3" capability later, but another 870 is cheap enough if a duck gun becomes necessary.

I'd not regard the CT's shorter chamber as a handicap, nor important.

The Monte Carlo stocks work well for me. The extra weight moves the balance point back a bit and renders an 8 lb shotgun a touch more nimble. For pre mounted games, they aid consistency and diminish head lifting.

I use a Morgan because I'm oversized with lots of neck. Try yours as is first.

As to which one to buy, it's a Win/Win situation. Lots of field models do yeoman service on the range. Pick the one that speaks to you.....

 

[ilmonster]

Before buying, try and learn a bit about shotgun fit. I think most here would agree to buy the one that "fits" you best, since pretty much all else is equal if you are going to use it primarily for clay games.

 

[WhiteKnight]

WingMaster

 

[DennisC]

I appreciate your responses. It appears then that the differences between the models are all readily apparent.

Dave, I'll get the one that speaks to me.

ilmonster, I'll bone up on fit.

WhiteKnight, that's a beautiful photo – I see your point.

Thanks again.

 

[Matthew Gross]

A good book on shotgun fit is "Stock Fitting Secrets" by Rollin Oswald. You can pick it up for around 15$ from www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com

Alot cheaper than visiting a stock fitter (i'm told)

 

[WhiteKnight]

Sounds great. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Bill B.]

You will be more happy if shooting regular trap to get the Classic Trap. It will simply lead to more hits due to the higher comb on the stock. If you had a urge just to try hand thrown clays, sporting clays, or skeet I would go with the regular 870. Though they say some shotguns will do it all there is a reason some do things better than others ...... .