Old wingmasters?

[FunGunner]

Hey gents, just wanted to do a price check on a couple of Wingmasters I found at a local gunshop. Both are $225 each and looked well used, both 12ga Full choke bead barrels in only 2 ¾ inch chambers, one with a 28inch barrel and the other with a 30incher. Finish (50%-60%) and wood pretty dinged up, action was pretty good but not super slick, and the bolt was gummed up with what looks like dried grease.

Get em, pass on or try to dicker?

 

[riverdog]

That's what I paid for the field grade WM I upgraded for Trap use. Excellent shotgun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Buy them both. You may try to see if they'll take $400 for the pair. A good cleaning and fresh lube will do wonders for the shuck.

These are Cinderella 870s. Some TLC and exercise will pay off nicely. Look around for used barrels. A shorter slug style smoothbore barrel is great for HD/CD as well as venison acquisition.

Take good care of them, your great grandchildren will thank you for it.

 

[1557]

I have an old 870 wingmaster in 16 ga. that my Dad purchased at Sears i n the early fifties. I'ts the gun I learned to winshoot with. With the double slide bars,its still got the smoothest action I've ever see on a pump shotgun.
It's in 95-97% condition and is certainly a family heirloom.I've seen Pop get three birds on a covey rise many a time with that old gun

 

[Fred Fuller]

Sounds a bit pricey to me, but I'm a notorious cheapskate 8^). A few weeks ago I bought an older Wingmaster Magnum for $150 at a local pawn shop that was in sort of rough shape, it had a bad case of 'freckles' from rust on the exterior finish, the barrel had been swapped out with a 2 3/4" only chambered barrel, and a previous owner had scrawled his name and social security number in the side of the receiver with an electric engraver. But the action seemed OK, though filthy, and that was all I wanted of the gun anyway. It built up into a pretty nice riot gun, with a factory 18" bright blued barrel I had on hand, and some old style police gun furniture.

Around here a 'nice' used Wingmaster- that would be 75- 80% or so- will bring about $250, with like-new guns bringing more. Used gun prices seem to be a regional thing, it pays to shop around.

lpl/nc

 

[TrapperReady]

The prices I see around here are more like what Lee describes. Now, at $225 each, they are not a rip-off or a screaming deal. If you want one, get one. If you want two, get both. My bet is that a good cleaning will make them both work great.

BTW, it is exceedingly rare when I think about price AFTER I've got the gun. Even ones I've spent "too much" on have been well worth it once I start shooting them.

 

[grimjaw]

I agree with Dave McCracken's suggestions of trying to make a deal on the pair. I picked up a 870 like you found w/21" barrel for $250 in excellent condition and figure I got an excellent deal. $400 for the pair would be fair if they are mechanically sound, IMO.

jmm

 

[ArmedBear]

I'd say that it depends on what you want to do with them.

A quick look at a site like http://www.auctionarms.com reveals that you can get a Wingmaster in better condition for that money, or for a price close enough so that you don't want to throw away your $225/gun. And the guns don't sound collectible, since there are a lot of old Wingmasters out there in 90% condition or better. I've shot a couple.

However, if you can haggle the guy down to $350-400 for the pair, and you plan to refinish them, put on some new stocks, and end up with some REALLY nice working shotguns, and you don't care about using 3" shells, they'd be some good guns to get.

 

[mnrivrat]

I admittedly live in shotgun country where used shotguns are likely as cheap as anyplace in lower 48 .

These would be $150 to $175 guns in this neck of the woods. I think even a little dealing and $200 or less should buy choice , and $350 to $375 the pair.

Either way, and even if you paid $225 you realy wouldn't be getting screwed as long as they are in good shooting condition.

 

[ATAShooter]

I got an old wingmaster that was Grandad's... It is in 20ga. What I found real interesting was that his 20ga. used a 12ga. magazine tube, so the barrel support is larger in diameter than modern day 20 ga.

 

[STiTkacik]

I'd pick up both, clean 'em up and proceed to shoot hundreds of clays with them.

But, that's just me.

 

[FunGunner]

You may try to see if they'll take $400 for the pair.

This is what I was thinking, also.

 

[Lawyerman]

Here's one I just won yesterday.....

http://www.auctionarms.com/Closed/DisplayItem.cfm?ItemNum=7387497.0

Like I need anymore 870's! But then, I am a sucker for 50's vintage models and anything with a short tube.

In my part of the world I can buy all the 870's I want for $175 or so. The scruffy ones for $125 or less, Expresses for $150 and nice Wingmaster for $200 or less-a Magnum or riot gun might be a little more-less if you are patient. Buy most of mine at the pawn shops, have bought a few rough ones for $80 or so. They clean up well and I have lots of extra stocks and parts, a trip through the bead blast cabinet and some moly kote and they are born again-ready to give another lifetime of good service.

I just wish decent buckshot loads weren't .50 a pop.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Ahh, another deserving Cinderella finds a home. Thanks for opening your heart and your wallet, Lawyerman, that's another one I won't have to adopt 8^). It looks a lot like the Bicentennial Wingmaster Magnum I bought recently does now, with old style Police wood and an 18" bead sighted barrel.

lpl/nc

 

[Dave McCracken]

Another kindred soul for PETP!! Rescue all those poor, neglected 870s you can. It's good karma and good shotgunning all in one.

 

[Dan Morris]

I never had a 870 that didn't shoot well. I get em and enjoy them! They are a lot more trouble free than the early 1100's I used on skeet!
JMT
Dan