Remington 870 Witness Protection

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I recently shot a Mossberg 500 and to save my shoulder because it was just fun shooting, I didn't put the buttstock in my shoulder but held it out like a 870 Witness Protection and it didn't hurt at all. So now I would like to build my own Witness Protection 870 and would like to know what 870 I should use as a base for it. Since I'm not 21 yet i'm gonna have to build my own. I've heard that a police model is what I should look at but I don't know exactly what to look for. Anyone have any advice? Anyone have their own that they could post a picture of it?

 

[CoRoMo]

I would start with a Pawnshop Special in the form of good ol' used 20ga. Wingmaster. It if comes with a ribbed barrel, you could sell that on Gunbroker or trade it for one that ain't, and then chop. Just keep an eye out on Gunbroker and AuctionArms and you could end up with an old bird gun for less than the tax stamp will cost.

I had a bid on this one, but it got away from me now.
http://www.auctionarms.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=9837858&oh=216543

 

[PTK]

The bottom one.


FWIW, it's a pretty ordinary Express 870 model, 12ga.

 

[Nick5182]

Just thinking about an 870 like that makes me sad we can't own Class III/ NFA in my state

 

[JTH]

Unaltered L.E. Remingtom 870

I just thought I'd throw this pic out of my unaltered L.E. Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 ga.
JT

 

[rfurtkamp]

I recently shot a Mossberg 500 and to save my shoulder because it was just fun shooting, I didn't put the buttstock in my shoulder but held it out like a 870 Witness Protection and it didn't hurt at all.

To be blunt (and I love NFA toys more than I should), you need to invest in some training on how to shoot a shotgun if you're having issues with hurting your shoulder with standard loads on a Mossberg 500 before you look at tax stamps.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

It didn't really hurt that bad just that it was something I have never tried it before and I was thinking it would be similar to a witness protection.

I heard that it was best to use a police 870, whats the difference between a Express and a Police?

 

[rfurtkamp]

Express is the el-cheapo of the Remington line, older ones it's mostly cosmetic, new ones it's cast parts, plastic, etc.

Police has generally better parts (or you can cannibalize an older Wingmaster).

Since you're destroying the resale value of the gun, and it's not going to get run through a lot of courses of fire (and well, 870 parts aren't exactly hard to replace), might as well gut an Express or a used model.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

How much to you think it would cost to replace the internals? What parts should I replace?

@PTK is that magazine on your express shorter than normal?

 

[PTK]

Nope, it's a 4+1, with a 12.5" barrel.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Do some 870's have different intergrated mag sizes or the same? Some seem bigger. Not counting the +'s

 

[CoRoMo]

You mean capacity? Yes, they have different tubes that hold anywhere from 3,4 on up to about 8 rounds.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Found this barrel for $75

Had a PGO on a Mossberg combo 12ga. once but prefer this set up.

1976, Remington Wingmaster, 12ga. 7+1 ,with 18 3/4" VR, large brass bead barrel


The Witness Protection set up would be the perfect truck/motel gun.
Good luck finding what works for you.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

well i'm talking about the part of the magazine that is attached to the reciever, not the extensions that can be screwed off.

I found it more comfortable to shoot a shotgun by holding it out away from my shoulder. It'll be more of a novelty than anything but i'll still use it as a bedside shotgun. I plan on having it set up similar to PTK's.

 

[CoRoMo]

Well it's really simple then.

• You buy a used WM like this one: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=181990091
• Acquire the $200 tax stamp.
• Chop the barrel off at the end of the magazine cap.
• Cut the stock down to a bird's head grip.
• Enjoy. Paint it if you like.

It shouldn't cost more than $400-$500 to make one; gun, tax stamp, hacksaw, and all.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Are there any parts that I should replace with some more durable ones? Are there any I should get for replacements?

 

[PTK]

Nothing comes to mind. I strongly suggest you get the bird's head grip - way better than any other kind I've tried.

FWIW, I have less than $450 into that gun, furniture, used 870, stamp and all the sling bits and pieces, also a rifled 12.5" rifle sighted barrel and the original stock...

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

The bird's head grip is a must, be easier on my wrists and alot better looking.

EDIT: Oh yeah you should make more videos with that 870.

 

[PTK]

I don't have access to my firearms, currently. Certain living situations have drawbacks.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Is it a SBR or a AOW? Do you have a direct link to a Synthetic Birds Head?

 

[PTK]

SBS, and no. Just search MidwayUSA.com, I'm not your personal Google.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

Alright, I always hope everyone is haha.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

you need to worry more about the process before you worry about how to do it. however my suggestion is :

pawnshop special 12 ga wingmaster
a hogue tamer pistol grip and hogue rubber forend
barrel cut to magazine tube and recrowned
pattern reduced recoil loads and decide which is best

the end

The birdshead speedfeeds probably feel good - but the Hogue feels good to me and if I want to lean it up against a nightstand I still can.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

One thing I thought of is that a AOW doesn't need the ATF to know what state it is in. Would it be possible to by a stripped virgin reciever?

 

[CoRoMo]

That's one way to go, yes. The problem will be finding one that is truly Factory New. You will have far fewer options to choose from. They are out there, and you'd probably spend the same for it as you would a used WM gun, but you'd then save $195 on the stamp, but you'd spend that money on all the other parts you'd need.

This one, for example, is $135 shipped, plus transfer. The seller says this receiver cannot legally be made into an AOW, but I have no idea why not if it is "new from the factory" as he's claiming. Anyway, you'd then have to get all the internals, stocks, barrel, etc. You might be able to do it for about the same cost when all said and done, and the only thing you'd gain is the AOW flexibility over SBS status that you mentioned. Well, that and you'd have a brand new firearm that you built rather than a used one.