Remington 870 Wingmaster.

[sch84]

I came across a brand new Wingmaster today and it looked very nice, but I've heard that Remington's quality is not what it used to be. Is this the case with the Wingmaster? Are they still a good shotgun? Oh and before anyone says buy a used one I would much rather buy new.

 

[Philippe]

What about the Wingmaster appeals to you?

 

[sch84]

It just dose. I've wanted a 26" barrel shotgun for awhile and the 870 I saw appears to be just as nice and well built as anything I have seen when it comes to shotguns with a 26" barrel. I like the new Ithaca 37 but they cost way to much and they are impossible to come by where I live. I can get a good deal on the Wingmaster as well. I'm just wondering if anyone has had any quality issues with the newer Wingmasters and if Remington has really gone down hill like I've been reading on some of the forums.

 

[heeler]

It's still a very good shotgun.
My bet is you will be absolutely satisfied.
And I would buy one without hesitation.
Even a brand spanking new one.

 

[sch84]

Yeah I mean the one I saw looked great. I had a brand new 870P that I bought a year ago and the barrel had a lot of play in the receiver even when it was tightened down with the mag cap and I know that it shouldn't have done that. I ended up having to sell it because I needed the money for an emergency. I never got a chance to have it looked at and fixed. I'm just worried that I'll buy a Wingmaster and have the same trouble. If I did I would hope it could be fixed.

 

[jbkebert]

I own 16 870 Wingmaster shotguns. All but one of mine were made between 1957 and 1973. I have one that is newer made in the late 90's. While the 1996 model I have in 28ga is a great gun I do not think its that same gun made 40 years ago.

My first shotgun was a wingmaster 28ga I got used when I was 10 years old. Made in 1978 according to the serial #. I don't know how many rounds I have fired through that gun. I would say somewhere around 2K. This gun now belongs to my oldest son. I bought another 28ga for my youngest son. While it has never failed it just doesn't feel the same in some way. Still a beautiful gun but I will always be more interested in the older models.

Around here I can walk into three or four pawn shops and pick one up in very good condition for around $275 for a fixed choke, vent rib, 3" magnum chamber. Given the cost for a new one these days. I can buy two and have money left over for shells. Just my opinion.

 

[Black Knight]

I believe the quality issue was people comparing the Express to the Wingmaster. The Wingmaster is one of the finest pump guns out there. I have 2 Wingmasters that I got used a few years ago. One was made in 1972 and the other in 1982. They have the smoothest actions I have ever tried in any shotgun.

 

[The-Reaver]

They just don't make guns like the old Wingmasters anymore.
I also have two of them one a " Tacticool " version with 18.5 3" cylinder bore and Knoxx
The other a 30" Full choke 3" Birdgun.

Wingmaster=Never leave the house without her.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Buy it.

I've handled and shot a few new ones.

Guess what? They feel and work just like the two here older than my spouse of 34 years....

 

[Smokey in PHX]

I have several 870's and two of them are Wingmasters. Even though I hear a lot of quality talk about Remington I wouldn't hesitate to buy a new Wingmaster.

I just bought a new Rem 700 in 300WM and it shoots better than any rifle I have. Very pleased with everything about it.

 

[janobles14]

the wingmasters are still wingmasters...just much more expensive so i understand. if you cant find a good used one then grab the new one.

 

[hdbiker]

I own a Wingmaster,bought in the 70's sometine,with cyl bore,rifle sights slug barrell,and a 28 inch mod. choke vr barrell,beautifull blueing with nice walnut stocks,smoothest pump action there ever was. biker

 

[Rshooter]

I have two Wingmasters pre 1961. Both are used but in great shape. If you know what to look for and have the time you can save a lot of money on a used one even though that is not your first choice. If you are worried about quality you usually cannot go wrong with a used one.

Otherwise buy new with confidence.

 

[mike288190]

i bought an 870 express used from a buddy for a hundred bucks... it functioned fine but the guy sprayed it camo and that really didnt sit well with me so i blasted it and blued it with oxpho blue and put a pistol grip on it... never had any function issues with but the one complaint i do have is that the mag tube gets shiny after rackin it a few times... if and when i get a stainless vat to parkerize the gun in is that gonna fix the whole wear issue im having? maybe im just being too anal about it... the action is smooth enough that when the gun is pointed muzzle up and i push the action release button it fully opens with no motivation on the forend...

 

[Dave McCracken]

MIke,those wear marks on the mag tube are inevitable. They also indicate you're USING your shotgun and not just taking pretty pics and posting them on the Net.

Call Brownells and talk to the techies. They have a messa refinishes there and can direct you to one better for a particular mission....

 

[oldguy870]

I own four 870 Express 12g Shotguns. I just bought a new Wingmaster and took it out for the first time last weekend.

It is a great gun. I love the finish and workmanship on this gun. But, I have to be honest though. The Express does everything the Wingmaster does at half the price. They are both equally as smooth to operate. There is no functional difference. I am still glad I got the Wingmaster.

I think the hype about Wingmasters being a league above the Express is false. They are both top notch.

 

[btg3]

^^^^This.

My express is what I'm shooting these days.

The good ol' Wingmaster I brought home was a beauty in all respects save one... the highly acclaimed metal trigger body has a crack in it.

 

[mike288190]

i have to recant the post i made earlier... i did have a function problem one night with some dummie rounds practicing loading techniques... somehow a shell got past the shell latch and wedged between the carrier and the ramp and totally locked the gun up... i disassembled it and come to find out the shell latches werent properly staked and came loose from the receiver... i made the corrections and works like a champ... no more issues...

 

[gatorjames85]

I have a (relatively) new Wingmaster. It is a great gun, but it is definitely not as well built as the old ones.

 

[sch84]

gator, how do you mean their not built as well as the old ones? I heard a number of people say this, but aside from them using MIM parts all they seem to say is that the finish and wood grade aren't as good as they used to be. What else makes the newer Wingmaster not as good as the older ones?

 

[Ret.CWO]

I have ten 870's from all years 1970-2006 I wouldn't sale or trade one of them. 2 3/4 to 3 " Magnum chambers. some fancy grade some working grade. My only comment is that they do kick like a mule when compared to my Mossberg's and Winchesters(which are the poorest quality)

 

[gatorjames85]

They don't cycle as smoothly, and they just don't feel as solid as the old ones. FWIW, the finish and wood grade are better (fancier) on the new ones.

 

[Walkalong]

I only have three shotguns, a pre-war Winchester model 24, a pistol grip Mossberg, and a Wingmaster. It is an old Sheriffs Dept gun and works great. I am certainly no expert, and have no idea of the quality of new vs old, but I really like mine.

 

[ifit]

came across this thread, wondering if anybody could identify the year of my remington wingmaster magnum? i love this shotgun, action is butter smooth, some pics

 

[Virginian]

Probably late 1974 or early 1975. I have T4661**M, and it's 1976. If you have the chromed follower, I'd say you got among the last of the best, but that's just my opinion.