Where have all the Wingmaster project receivers gone?

Prices have gone thru the roof, although hunting season is coming to a close, and that usually brings a bunch to your local gun store. EE is probably the worst place (as in inflated prices) to buy one
 
Considering Express model quality is not exactly peaking right now, and they are now running about $450 bones - the demand for nice older Wingmaster receivers has certainly increased of late. I know a lot of guys who buy take-off Express barrels from Dlask and drop them onto decent Wingmasters as a good compromise between a junky new Express and a $1000 new Wingmaster.
 
gwhysow said:
I remember when you went on the buying spree...but you were selling as well. Time to start releasing them...to me. Haha
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We are working on some epic custom builds at the moment. But we keep getting busy so they end up delayed.
We are also taking new express frames and rewoking them. But they are alot of work to smooth them out.
Bbb
 
I got curious and looked and found a couple old wingmasters hidden in the cabinet. It's funny how they appear out of nowhere. I suppose I should either do something with them or let someone else have the fun.
 
I just picked one up on the EE. I guess its not as old as I thought it was, though because it has the stupid dimpled mag tube. Not a big deal because I'm gonna run a 12.5 inch barrel on it, so no mag extension needed.
When did Remington start using the "Express" mag cap retention system on Wingmasters anyway?
 
Steveo830 said:
I just picked one up on the EE. I guess its not as old as I thought it was, though because it has the stupid dimpled mag tube. Not a big deal because I'm gonna run a 12.5 inch barrel on it, so no mag extension needed.
When did Remington start using the "Express" mag cap retention system on Wingmasters anyway?
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Not sure of the exact yer, but the current production ones have the new system, which truthfully works better IF you are not going to run an extended mag.
 
dogzilla said:
You sure it's a Wingmaster?
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It says Wingmaster on it and it's gloss blued with a chrome bolt and metal trigger guard. At least it doesn't have that goofy J-lock safety.

Funny thing is, my brother in law has a "Wingmaster" that he bought new from the local gun store 3 years ago that's not a wingmaster at all. It's matte blued (or BBQ painted or whatever that finish is), plastic trigger guard, laminate stock etc.. As far as I can tell, it's indistinguishable from a current "express" model but it has the word "Wingmaster" carved into the receiver.
 
Steveo830 said:
It says Wingmaster on it and it's gloss blued with a chrome bolt and metal trigger guard. At least it doesn't have that goofy J-lock safety.

Funny thing is, my brother in law has a "Wingmaster" that he bought new from the local gun store 3 years ago that's not a wingmaster at all. It's matte blued (or BBQ painted or whatever that finish is), plastic trigger guard, laminate stock etc.. As far as I can tell, it's indistinguishable from a current "express" model but it has the word "Wingmaster" carved into the receiver.
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Is it possible your BIL bought one that had been refinished (i.e. not brand new)?

Lots of Wingmasters have been refinished over the years into any number of interesting end states.
 
The man with no name said:
I wonder how many Wingmasters are squirreled away never to see the light of day?
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Lots now that we all know they are worth saving especially the last 5 years. The days of finding ones cheap on the EE for your projects are just about over IMO
They are there yes but one will have to pay good money for them now or fluke the odd one cheap. Was not too long ago 75 bucks each would have bought as many as I wanted not any more now with me 200 plus and I still won't part with extras. Way better to leave them together with their barrels etc and get $400 plus min for clean ones from hunters and target shooters since the demand there has increased tenfold
Cheers
 
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I think it's just a roller coaster. Given time the prices will come back down. Like most things price always fluctuates, like gold. Project shotguns will find their way out of closets and the back of gun safes when the owners want to make space or get tired of storing something they never use. Easter sales coming up people may want to make room.
 
The man with no name said:
I think it's just a roller coaster. Given time the prices will come back down. Like most things price always fluctuates, like gold. Project shotguns will find their way out of closets and the back of gun safes when the owners want to make space or get tired of storing something they never use. Easter sales coming up people may want to make room.
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Wingmaster prices coming down?? They have doubled or more in the past 5 years so slim chance of that. Best IMO to keep a real real close eye on the EE or run a WTB listing and grab one that is reasonable since I would be suprised they would be going down when there is still such a demand for them and it is growing
Not to mention have you see the prices of new wingmasters now. WOW is all I can say. Sure wish I would have bought all of the 100 dollar ones I could have years ago and not many years ago either
Cheers
 
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It used to be that people bought the new ones to get 3" capability, but it has become common knowledge that older receivers are easily converted to 3". Also you can buy a new barrel with threaded chokes for $300 or so.

Doing the math, a $1000 Wingmaster looks less attractive than a $300 barrel and an older gun in nice shape.

Ymmv.
 
Claven2 said:
It used to be that people bought the new ones to get 3" capability, but it has become common knowledge that older receivers are easily converted to 3". Also you can buy a new barrel with threaded chokes for $300 or so.

Doing the math, a $1000 Wingmaster looks less attractive than a $300 barrel and an older gun in nice shape.

Ymmv.
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You know the funny part is I bet 75% or more of the older receivers I have played with have the 3" capability even though marked 2 3/4
Some where remington went standard with one ejector and it was way way back unfortunately no one knows even roughly what serial number it was but from what I have seen it was in the 60's for sure or a lot of them were changed out which I would be suprised or ground back which many guys did and just replaced the spring
You can carefully pry the old spring off the rivet with a small flat bladed screwdriver. Then trim the rivet gently with a Dremel just enough that the new spring will slide over it, and grind back the step on the ejector if changing to 3" configuration. Then install a new spring over the old rivet and re-rivet things in place. You will need to back up the rivet with a hard surface that will not mar the receiver.

Cheers
 
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