A Note About "Classic" Wingmasters....

[Dave McCracken]

"It's a trap model, all right" said the gun shop employee as he handed me the 870.

I had stopped in to pick up something and had spotted this one at the back of a rack as I entered. The Monte Carlo stock caught my eye even before I noted it was an 870.

The trouble was, it wasn't a Trap model. The serial number ended with the letter M, a sure sign of it being a magnum. The word Magnum was on the receiver also. The barrel was marked for 2 3/4 and 3" shells, fixed Full choke. The Monte Carlo stock was aftermarket,possibly homemade. A midbead was on the rib, and also added after,IMO.The triggers was clean and light enough to feel good to me.

While it wasn't a Trap grade, it certainly could be used for trap. And that stock fit me well, though a bit short. It was a nice 870. Somebody went and set up their goose gun for trap.

The whole thing was near new condition, a nice shotgun but no collector's item. Trouble was, they had it for sale at Trap Grade prices.$400 is a bit higher than it should be for a field grade gun,even one this nice.

I doubt there was any attempt to hoodwink the public here. I've done business here for decades, knew the employee for most of that, and it's not his style. He's a retired cop, and a straight up kind of guy. So's the shop.

After I picked up the small items I needed, I browsed through the used gun racks. There were 2 more older WMs there. Both were in great condition, probably 60's guns. One had a Full choke, ribbed barrel. The other wore a Modified tube, also ribbed and had a butt plate, not a pad. $300 each.

I'd call that a tad high for here and now. These were in better shape than average, but the wood was ordinary and the finishes a little dinged here and there.If I was looking for a field gun and they spoke to me, I might have picked up one.

FWIW, I picked up my TB for less than $400 three years ago, in great shape.

Number 6, bought last spring, is a field gun with plain barrel, fixed full and in not quite as pristine shape, and cost less than $200. I had to wait for that bargain a while, though.

So what are nice WMs going for in YOUR area?

 

[Correia]

Unfortunatly nice used ones are running around $300. The uglier you get, the cheaper you get. Cheapest I have found have been around $200.

 

[Edward429451]

I got mine for 212. out the door. Pawnshop.

 

[TrapperReady]

At the local shops, a nice WM will have a hang-tag from maybe $250-$350. There's a TB for $375 (I think) that doesn't seem to be moving, probably because the wood isn't anything special. I've seen a number of 2-barrel sets going for around $425 or so.

In general, it seems that Ithacas go for a little higher, with Mossbergs a little lower. The Winchester 1200/1300s are similar in pricing to the Mossbergs, while the Winchester Model 12s START around the Ithaca pricing (and then go MUCH higher for good condition).

FWIW, it seems that the Express models are usually either a couple bucks below or a couple bucks above $200.

 

[Rupestris]

I haven't looked for used WM's in this area in a while. I wasn't looking for a WM when I found one. I happened across a 1961 20ga WM with 2 bbls and hand checkered furniture just over a year ago. The wood was restored and finished with a semi gloss urethane at one point. I picked it up for my son for $175.
There are scratches and the bluing is worn around the edges. the factory bbl is a non-vent rib with a full choke and bead sight(28"). The bluing on that barrel is almost gone but there is no rust. The other bbl is a 26" vent rib with fixed IC and a bead as well. The chrome lifter is starting to peel from years of use but the chrome bolt is as shiney as you could ask for. The action is smooth. Even with all the "character marks" its well worth what we paid for it.

 

[HSMITH]

Ditto Correia, can't touch one in good shape under $300 and a VG one will approach $400. Even RAT express models are in the high $ 190's. VG condition 835's cost HALF what a VG 870 WM does here. I would rather roll out with 2 835's any day....

The last TB I saw was $450, the last heavily used TC I saw was $650.

 

[riverdog]

My first 870 was a WM Magnum which I bought in '81 for $249 IIRC.

Last year I found an 870 field grade for a bit over $200, $238 OTD IIRC.

This past Sep I found an 870 TB which was written up here and went for $300. This was a deal, but it needed some TLC.

 

[Sulaco]

My local shop has an "older" WM for sale. I thought about picking it up for my Dad as he has shown an interest in blasting clay pigeons lately.

I admit, I know nothing about WM's but this one seemed pretty nice. I think the sticker said around 3.

How can I tell if it is worth the asking price?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Sulaco,factors that affect asking price include...

The normal supply and demand stuff.

Presence or absence of pads, vent ribs, choke tubes, 3" Maggie Numb capability,
stock material, looks,condition and fit.

General condition. Rust on the exterior may indicate complete neglect inside.
The bore should be mirror bright and clean of dark areas and pits. Be wary of dinged muzzles and wood.

Gauge. ie, some folks will pay more for a 16 gauge, some less.

Model. Trap and Skeet grades go for more, high grades go for more.Rare variants like the Sunray(Blonde finished wood) in top shape go for more.Police models go for less and are often bunged up outside, and good as new inside. Carried much, shot little.

HTH....

 

[JShirley]

$200 for rifle-sighted 870 with pretty good bluing left and not too many nicks in the rather attractive wood.

Front sight blade needs to be replaced, but this 870 is the slickest pump I've handled.

Now, to tart it up with a SureFire Fore-end and an M4 stock!

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks for the info Dave. I have enjoyed reading your posts regarding scatterguns since the Firing Line days.

This gun is a 12 guage non-ventilated rib barrel. It either has a 26" or 28" length, I am not sure. It has a single front bead sight and is chambered for 2 3/4 only. The wood and metal look great with little to no dings or scratches. The finish is fine with no visible rust. The bolt is chromed (I guess all WM's are?) and it has a nice, slick action. I did not dry fire it and have not disassembled it. I am not sure if it has screw-in chokes or not, but I think it did. I was wrong on the asking price, it is actually $239.00.

If this gun is in good shape where I haven't looked, is the price ok? Also, how can I tell how old it is? Lastly, will the barrel not having a VR affect performance in any aspect of shooting?

Thanks for the help.

 

[farscott]

In the Atlanta area, a 28-gauge 870 in excellent condition with two barrels, modified and IC, is going for $485. The 12-gauge versions in the same condition (with one barrel) are just below $300. I have seen well-worn samples for around $150 to $200.

 

[PJR]

So what are nice WMs going for in YOUR area?

I don't know. The nice ones don't stay in the stores very long.

About $250 to $500 depending on gauge and configuration with an excellent condition 28 gauge skeet gun with nice wood commanding the later price.

Paul

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're welcome, Sulaco. Most common barrel length is 28", and few plain barrels come with choke tubes.

VRs make sense for high volume shooting in warm weather. Heat mirage can affect how the target is seen. For general shooting, it's not essential. And, the rib adds a few oz, so a plain barrel is a touch lighter and moves the balance back a little.

What you have with the 2 3/4" chamber and plain barrel sounds like an early WM. No prob. It's at a fair if not overly cheap price.

JShirley, please shoot some fast COFs before tarting, then after. Thanks...