Wingmaster: What to look for?

[jmfwsu]

Hi,

I'm planning to look at an older Remington 870 Wingmaster (1981) and was wondering what should be checked out when buying a shotgun. Is there a way to tell how much it has been shot?

Also, what would be a good price for an excellent condition Wingmaster with a 30" ribbed barrel.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[PapaG]

1981 is not an older one, fifties models are older. I have a TB trap gun with well over a third of a million rounds and it is about as tight as the day it was new...I shot in two leagues last year and averaged 96% in both.

If the bolt locks up tight, the slide releases after pulling the trigger, the stock is tight without any cracks next to the receiver anywhere, and it has not been abused...and the price is right, you can't go wrong.

Get someone who has had one for a few years to look at it. I've picked out a bunch for friends. Look for peening where the bolt locks up in the barrel hood. Check for binding of hte action bars.

In short, it should cycle smoothly. It will never feel like a model 12 but it will last as long or longer without expensive fixins.

 

[reuben mishler]

I actually picked one up last month. Remington 870 20ga Wingmaster, full choke. Paid 150 for it at a Gander Mountain in Michigan, I wouldn't pay more than 300 for one. It's rust free, and operates smooth. I'm not an expert on checking to see how much a shotgun has been fired, other then checking bolt face, receiver for nics and marks that shouldn't be there.

 

[EMC45]

Reuben that is an older Wingmaster. In 20 to boot? You did well for $150!!!

 

[Hunterdad]

There's not much that can go wrong with those. Just make sure the stock has no cracks and everything locks up tight.

 

[AndyJ]

I picked up an older Wingmaster one time that had a bad bruise in the wood of the forearm (strike 1). The wear marks on the magazine tube from the action being worked were much more prevalent on one side than the other. (strike 2) The action required more than normal exertion to cycle. The guy actually said ' See how tight it is. It hasn't been fired much!' (strike 3) I still bought the gun hoping it was not a bent mag tube.. A bent mag tube is the ONLY thing a reasonable person cannot fix themselves on these little wonders.

Turns out the action bar assembly was hosed, probably due to dropping it as evidenced by the bruised forearm. I was NOT able to true it and replaced it at minimal cost. Put the gun back to 100% operation.

BTW, I will not touch a gun that has been heavily customized with ridiculous add ons. Most of the bubbas that do this cannot resist having a go at the internals as well. I just don't go there. YMMV