Ideas for '81 Rem Wingmaster Police

[Texasrpbrock]

Was bored today and had some time to kill. Went to one of the local pawn shops to look around and picked up a older Rem Wingmaster in really good condition for less than $300. Got home and called Remington for history and found out it was a '81 Police version. Had a gun smith friend of mine break it down and check it out tonight and from his findings it has had very little wear over the years and didn't look to have been shot much. His thought was it was a really nice shotgun. No rust, no pitting, nice wood a just a few scratches. Action is incredibly smooth. A little bit of the blueing in one area is rubbed off the top of the receiver which led me to believe it might have spent some time riding in a LEO car? It also came with an unused mid-length Rem ribbed barrel that the last owner must have bought for it before he lost it to the pawn shop. My gun smith thinks the extra barrel is mid to late eighties stock because of construction. Right now it's got the original non-ribbed police barrel with bead sight.

Anyway, was wondering if any of you had any suggestions to trick it out or leave as is. Will make a nice home defense shotgun. Anyway, any suggestions, upgrades you guys want to offer. Upgrade the shell count? Just looking for ideas.

Thanks,
Texasrpbrock

 

[TurtlePhish]

If anything at all, recoil pad, light, magazine extension, in that order. A good recoil pad will ensure it's comfortable to shoot, which is essential to good shotgunning. The light is only useful if it's to be used for HD, for obvious reasons. The magazine extension isn't really critical, but a couple extra shells never hurt anyone.

Congrats on your new 870.

ETA: The best upgrade of all would be a few cases of shells to put through it.

 

[Devonai]

I'd say leave it as is. My '60's something Wingmaster is slicker than goose snot, I just added an extension. Just keep in mind that you may need to remove a detent from the mag tube in order to install an extension. I used a semi-circular file, took about ten minutes. I'm not sure if Remington used the detent back then.

 

[rswartsell]

Good snag Texas,

IMHO it doesn't NEED anything. Every man must suit himself though. The only thing I would add is a buttstock ammo carrier or a "side saddle". If the stock fits you nothing that you do will make a real utilitarian improvement in my eyes.

 

[Texasrpbrock]

All sounds good. Definitely running a box of shells though it. Right now I'm 3.5 weeks out of a neck fusion so I won't be shooting it for months.

Can you nice folks point me in the direction of the best mag extension. One from Remy or third party if I go that way. Will definitely add extra recoil pad and side saddle.

Thanks for the advice.
Texasrpbrock

 

[TurtlePhish]

For good extensions, look at Remington factory, Choate, or Nordic Components. They all run around $45.

 

[Texasrpbrock]

I have a Hogue overmolded stock on my Ruger 10-22. I love being able to grip and grab. Does anyone use one on your shotguns. If so, do you like them? Do they do any more for recoil over a good pad on the wooden stock? In other words are they worth the trouble?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Black Knight]

While I like original condition 870s and would probably leave it the way it is there are some changes you may wish to consider. If you are going to change the stock a Speed Feed stock would be a good choice. The Speed Feed offers 2 slots that will hold two 2 3/4" shells each. One slot is on each side. No need for a Side Saddle. For a flashlight check out SureFire. They had a forend with a built in flashlight for the 870. Combined with the Speed Feed shoulder stock you're almost there. The next might be a magazine extension. There are many good ones out there so picking one should not be difficult.

 

[Drail]

Most police shotguns will have very low use on them, they just ride around in squad cars most of their life and maybe get to go on the range once a year. Definitely replace the magazine spring, it WILL be weak from being kept loaded for years and years. Buy a couple of spares if you plan to leave it loaded to capacity. If you install a new mag extension put a barrel clamp on it. It can save you a bunch of money if the mag tube gets bent from a drop or a bump. Lots of guys have found this out the hard way. Personally I have gone back to the factory magazine tube. The extended ones add a bunch of weight when loaded and I would rather have a faster, easier handling pumpgun in tight quarters than a couple of extra rounds in the magazine. Shoot it as is for a while and see what you think. I am also a huge fan of the Hogue overmolded stock. Been using one for about 10 years on my 870 and it is holding up very well. Very easy to grip and hold onto. They run a little bit long in the stock for most people. I wish I had bought the short version now. Good luck on your neck fusion.

 

[heeler]

I agree with others and leave it alone.
Fwiw I snagged a 1989 built 870 Police on a GB auction from an FFL up in Minnesota that had bought several during a FFL only auction that the Minnesota Hwy Patrol was ridding themselves of.
I dont think the one I bought has had many,if any shots put through it and has near perfect blueing.
These types of guns will get harder and harder to find in really clean original condition as time goes by and I certainly am not saying it should be reserved as a trophy safe queen at all...Keep it and shoot the hell out of it!!

 

[Hapworth]

Keep it simple.

In order of importance:

Quality recoil pad. Plenty to choose from. Research. Most important: have a qualified shotgun fitter help you determine the best length of pull for your build before shaving the stock and grinding the pad to fit.

Plenty of quality defensive ammo and time spent shooting it. (I favor reduced recoil loads from Remington, Federal and Winchester).

A hands-on defensive shotgun course from an experienced, competent instructor.

Remington flexitab conversion: http://www.brownells.com/shotgun-pa...-conversion-kit-flexitab-black-prod10934.aspx

Wolff extra power magazine spring: http://www.gunsprings.com/Rifles & ... 11-48, SPT-48, SPT-58/cID2/mID108/dID216#606

Heavy carrier dog spring: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/129237/remington-carrier-latch-spring-1100

Neoprene slip-on shell holder: http://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Mikes-N...700555&sr=8-1&keywords=uncle+mike's+shotshell

Simple, dependable, mountable flashlight if HD use.

Optional...magazine extension, depending on whether you prefer lighter and more maneuverable but fewer rounds, or two extra in the pipe but a touch more cumbersome; I say buy it and keep it at hand, you can always switch back and forth as you please: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/99...ion-remington-870-12-gauge-2-round-steel-blue