Two 35-yr-old 870 Wingmasters and a S&W 3000

[200Apples]

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Modifications are:



Flex-tab conversion, Supercell recoil pad, original 28" barrel swapped out for a Mossberg-made-for-870 18.5" blued, bead sight barrel. Uncle Mike's sling swivels. This one has an Andy's Leather 'Rhodesian' loop sling ready to hang on it.





Flex-tab conversion, but instead of a chrome bolt, we went with a nickel bolt. 26" Skeet barrel was swapped for a "Fred Fuller Special"; a parkerized Remington 18.5" MOD-choke, Tritium-insert rifle sights barrel and a Wilson Combat 1-shot mag extension. Limbsaver recoil pad.





The Smith & Wesson Model 3000 is an 870 clone made by Howa in the '70s. No parts interchange. No need for any flex-tab conversion modifications on these because they have the capability to clear a double-feed already. The 30" full choke vent rib barrel was swapped for an 18.0" Smith & Wesson Police Cylinder barrel. Both the receiver and barrel are deeply blued. This is a very fine gun. Might put a modern recoil pad on it, might not.

 

[Kilrain]

Yes, yes and yes. Fine shotguns, one and all.

 

[Kilrain]

A Remington Model 10 Riot on top, a Remington 31 Kansas City PD gun in the middle and a Remington 870 Wingmaster(circa 1954 or so) cut down to riot length on the bottom.



My S&W 3000 Riot model.

 

[Virginian]

I will not ask why you want multiple short barreled shotguns, because I have multiple long barreled ones. My Wingmaster is 4 years older than yours and I hope to shoot a duck with it tomorrow. Excellent guns.

 

[200Apples]

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Kilrain

A Remington Model 10 Riot on top, a Remington 31 Kansas City PD gun in the middle and a Remington 870 Wingmaster(circa 1954 or so) cut down to riot length... [and] My S&W 3000 Riot model.

Yes, yes, and yes! I suppose those great ol' girls were the ones I wanted mine to emulate... thanks for the pics.

Virginian

I will not ask why you want multiple short barreled shotguns...

But I will reply, my good man, to say that I've kept the original barrels (I suppose I might have placed them alongside in each image) and have used the Skeet pump for a skeet clinic (before I acquired an 1100).

It is simply the mode they are in presently; a bare-bones combat shotgun. I do prefer shorter barrels where I can for their handiness.

 

[sage5907]

The two 870's that you show have been my shotgun of choice since I got my first one in 1958. I have taken hundreds of quails, ducks and turkeys with them. I currently have 2 of them and I prefer the old Wingmaster with 2 3/4 inch chamber over the ones that shoot longer ammo. I have a whole assortment of barrels and when I get ready to use one I install the barrel that fits the task. For pest, snake and varmint control I usually use a improved cylinder barrel. I wouldn't be afraid to take on any task with a Winchester XX magnum load of #4 copper plated shot.

 

[Virginian]

I wish I still could use WW Double X Magnums for waterfowl. I still have 2 boxes.

 

[sage5907]

Virginian, it was a big disappointment when we had to start using steel shot for waterfowl. The original Winchester XX Magnum ammo with the smooth plastic sleeve were some of the best long range rounds that have ever been manufactured. I still have some to them and use them sparingly for turkey hunting. The later rounds with the ribbed plastic case are not nearly as good but they do work.

 

[200Apples]

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I failed to add that I purchased my Flex-tab conversion kits from J.D. Maguire at AI&P Tactical. He's one of the more knowledgeable Remington shotgun armorers in business today. Check out his webpages.

http://www.aiptactical.com/

In case anyone new to defensive shotgunning is curious to know "what's a Flex-tab conversion?" for the 870?

In the extremely rare instance a shotshell escapes the magazine when it otherwise should not, a non-flex tab 870 would become incapable of cycling through the action of chambering a round.

What I understand a flex-tab conversion does with it's beveled breechbolt and new carrier, is allow the shotgun to be cycled, clearing the jammed shotshell and putting one in the chamber where it belongs so the shooter may continue to fight. Newer model year Remington 870s are built with the flex tab kit, but my two 1980 Wingmasters were original and did not have this feature.

There's not much in the way of accessories or add-ons necessary for an 870 shotgun... but when you really need one (may you never), it better have the ability to clear a double feed. A Flex-tab conversion to an older 870 (along with the new-design firing pin spring) should make any 870 an invincible fighting or defensive weapon.

 

[PapaG]

Still shooting every week an 870 TB I bought in 1972 which makes it 43 years old. Killed my first duck, deer, coyote with it. About to give it "early" retirement as there aren't many original parts left (buttstock, barrel, recoil pad and bolt assy.). I've replaced the receiver (cracked at about 250,000) two firing pins, trigger group, and most recently the pump tube (right arm broke off during a prestige shoot).
Going to have to learn to shoot my late brother's 870 TC bought at the same time but which has only about 50K rounds through it.
Mine would probably have lasted lots longer if I had only shot trap with it.

 

[1KPerDay]

Wow papa! You got your money's worth out of that one! OP: gorgeous pump guns. Exactly my taste.

 

[PapaG]

Mine, the TB, was $172, my brother's, about $210, from Jack-Sons Guns. Our dad's store.

 

[W.E.G.]

Very nice scatterguns!

I've got one of those old 3000's.
Looks like it spent a lot of time locked in the ready-rack.





Right on the money at 50 yards.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

I wish I still could use WW Double X Magnums for waterfowl. I still have 2 boxes.

I got 150 Rounds of that ammo. Good stuff for swamp rabbits and cypress tree squirrels.

 

[bannockburn]

200Apples

Three very nice looking scatterguns, set up properly for some very serious work. Thanks for sharing.