Went to buy a new wingmaster, but,

[perrytrails]

came home with an old one and a new express! All I could find were 28 inch wingmasters, and I really didn't want the longer barrel. Stopped in a local store to look around, I had seen several used 870's in this store a month or so ago (when I didn't have any extra cash) and had eye balled a particular one. It was still there.

I looked this gun over very hard because it was too nice. At first I though it must be reblued, and refinished wood, I could find only the slightest little nicks here and there. From what I could tell, its original. The checkering is sharp, no wear on the slides, and no wear above the bolt inside the reciever. The checkering doesn't appear to be pressed, maybe I'm wrong?

I think I've found a gem, it does have a 28 in modified barrel. The express I bought has a 26, and will do a nice job of fill in turkey gun and more.

Can someone date this beauty for me? The serial number is S34xxxxV. Also could I put a 26 inch light contour barrel on this?

Two guns for the price of one, couldn't be happier. Picked up some clay's and some light loads, ready to break in the old and the new!!!!

 

[Brian Dale]

Congratulations! You've got twins!

{quoting from an old note of mine in another THR thread:} I don't have a way to find the year of manufacture using the serial number. However, Remington stamped "date codes" on a lot of barrels.

You might find a two- or three-letter code on the left side of the barrel, just in front of the receiver. These codes indicated the month and year of manufacture. If the barrel is original, then you can use this site (for years 1921 to 1972), or this thread at rimfirecentral (for years 1930 to 2002).

There is some duplication: Remington used letters A through L (leaving out the letter I) for the years 1932 to 1942, then used A through L again (leaving out the letter I again) for 1954 to 1964. They also used A through L for 1980 to 1991, but with letter I for 1988. (that's a lot of verbiage from me, but now you've got the links.

It might give you a quick guesstimate. Wiser heads will be along soon -- I'll be in the back of the group, listening closely.

And enjoy your double date tomorrow.

 

[perrytrails]

Looks like the letters on the left side are L , U, and what looks like a Q. These letters are staggered. There is another stamp that looks like a spade?

I gotta goto bed, don't want to be late for my date!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the reply Bob.

 

[Dave McCracken]

During normal business hours on the East Coast,call Remington at 800-243-9700 and give them the serial number. They'll date it to the month in most cases.

Barrel date codes are unreliable. Some barrels made it through sans stamping and barrels get swapped off all the time.

V is for 12 gauge,2 3/4" receivers,M for Maggie Numbs. That checkering pattern is often found on target models.

In any case, this looks new. Wear usually shows on the action bars and mag tube first.

You can install a LC barrel easily and I recommend them. Number 6 here, made in 55, wears a 26" LC, and a 30" LC moves from my TB to Frankenstein depending on mission and whim.

Note that while the LC barrels have 3" chambers, this will not handle 3" shells.

No major prob, the Express will. Use that for when mags are called for.

Your WM is a gem. Your Express is a fine tool without the looks but with the stamina, reliability and utility. Enjoy them both.

And going on MD prices, if you paid less than $300 for the WM, you have some braggin' rights to boot.

 

[Gunsnrovers]

It's funny. From the shops I have seen around here, the long barreled 870's (not the Express models) are SO much cheaper then 18" & 20" "tactical", that you can actually pick one up and get a replacement 18" or 20" barrel off eBay for the difference.

Example from yesterday, I saw a 18" Wingmaster for $350. A similiar condition 28" Wingmaster in the same shop is $235. Any day of the week you can get a decent riot or deer barrel on eBay for under $100 delivered.

Go figure.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Note that while the LC barrels have 3" chambers, this will not handle 3" shells.

Huh?

 

[Fred Fuller]

WK,

The Wingmaster perrytrails got (the lucky dog!) is a 2 3/4" gun (told by the serial number, it ends in V). It is possible to install a 3" chambered barrel on a 2 3/4" receiver, but the receiver can't handle 3" shells though the barrel can... a matter of the ejector being in the wrong place for the longer hulls.

pt, ya did good- hope you live long enough to wear 'em both out.

lpl/nc

 

[perrytrails]

My son and I did some breaking in today, had a great time. Both guns were great, and the express action smoothed out pretty good after 100 rds or so.I plan on giving remington a call. I noticed on the price tag that it said early model, but He didn't have his book there to help me date it.

I looked at several wingmasters in my area (SE, Ohio) most were priced around $350, this one being the best as far as condition. He let me have it for $319 with tax. Most of the wingmasters I looked at under $300 had alot of use, so I figured I'd just buy new. I glad I came across this one I'm very happy with it, and also the express.

 

[KarbineKrazy]

Is it a 2 3/4 or a 3 inch model? The Wingmaster that is...

 

[perrytrails]

Its a 2 3/4 model, from everyting that I have read, if it has a M at the end of the serial number, its a 3 inch magnum reciever. This one has a V making it a 2 3/4 reciever.

I questioned on whether I could put a light contour ( the lightweight barrels that are currently on new production wingmasters ) on this older reciever. Dave and others mentioned that I can put it on there, it will fit and function. These light contour barrels are made to accept 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells. They will fit and work fine on my old reciever as long as I use 2 3/4 shells that this reciever was designed for.

This gun came with a non vent rib barrel 28 inchs long with a fixed mod. choke. I just want to add the light contour vent rib with screw in chokes for a more practial, usable gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Even for $315, Perrytrails, you got a good deal.

Number 6 came with a 30" plain barrel with 40 POC of choke.

A 28" Mod barrel comes close to the perfect All Arounder.

I substituted a 26" LC barrel and....

Brought the weight down to about 7 lbs, 4 oz.

Made it a fast handler still with enough weight forward to keep a swing going.

Changed the balance to match that of the TB with 30" LC barrel and longer stock.

And I still have the original barrel for GPs.

 

[perrytrails]

Called remington today, my gun was made in 1971 by the SN.
Barrel letters are L = Feb and U = 1971

I've got a matched set, NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm two years older than my gun, I'm sure it will out live me!!!