Old Remington 870 (1966)

What should I do with it ?

  • Leave it as is ? (it does have a nice patina)

    Votes: 58 61.1%

  • Restore it!

    Votes: 20 21.1%

  • Tactical! (new school plastic)

    Votes: 1 1.1%

  • Old school shorty! (wood furniture short barrel)

    Votes: 16 16.8%
  • Total voters
    95
Canadiankeeper

Canadiankeeper

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I had a cracking good deal on an old 870 wing master. This is the cheapest I have ever got a gun! (It wasn't free but damn near it)

For now it will do its job as intended... Crow folding.

30" barrel fixed full choke. I will always keep original parts and swapping shot gun parts (especially barrels) is easy so this will definitely be a range toy and bird folder.

What should I do with it ?






 
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Funny you are posting this, I just bought one from 1979 that looks exactly like yours.

My buttstock was however cracked. Let me know if you get rid of yours.

I would say leave it as is, or maybe strip the glossy finish and linseed oil the stock ?
 
Aside from swapping barrels I wouldn’t do too much to it, maybe just and S&J follower and mag spring. Oversized safety if you felt the need, or a nicer condition stock if you came across one that wasn’t chipped at the butt stock where it meets the reciever. I’d just do any function and reliability mods if needed to it and shoot it a lot.
 
I would pull the stock and see if the metal plate adaptor is there or not. The flaking indicates it is not. This could save the stock if a plate is needed. Other than that it is crow ready.

Darryl
 
Yea I see my self leaning towards buying a short barrel for it. Maybe this summer if I find the time I will refinish the wood.

Madtrapper, thanks for the heads up! Will do!

The bolt and the riser look damn near brand new. They dont seem to match the patina. So either this was handled a lot but not shot or they have been replaced.
 
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You have a great shotgun there. I'm sure the 870 experts can say more, but 1966 is probably about as good quality as it gets. For a 52 year-old gun, it's been used but taken care of. Use it for its strengths rather than make it into something else. Will be a great gun for trap and downing crows as you've done. Restore it in another 50 years.
 
It's nawt an A-5, but take'r apart and gifter a good cleaning.
Then user as she was intended.
This dire need to cut/copy/paste old gals is gitt'in rediculous.


Nice score.
 
Freddy did you switch up barrels for the adj choke? I love both of those I think that is exactly what I will be doing. Just buy a barrel and done.

Where did you source the parts ? (barrel, mag ex, sling)
 
I had both barrels threaded for chokes by Casey at Tac Ord. Also have a ribbed 24" barrel for it as well. The 2 shot police mag extension is from S&J. I also redid the stock with 4 coats of tung oil.

That was the first gun I had ever owned. Got it when I was 14 and have shot 1000's of res through it.
 
chemical paint stripper, bit of elbow grease with a stiff nylon brush and some fine steel wool, maybe steam out the dents, minimal sanding and then a nice multi coat oil finish.
 
Can-down said:
chemical paint stripper, bit of elbow grease with a stiff nylon brush and some fine steel wool, maybe steam out the dents, minimal sanding and then a nice multi coat oil finish.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Any advice on how to tackle the fore end with all its tiny little grooves ? Any super secret special way or just be patient and work slowly on it.
 
lerch641 said:
I'm glad to see everyone here has taste and didn't suggest going tacticool.
Click to expand...

Haha, yah I think that is partially due to the section it is in. If I put it in general or tactical shotguns im sure we would be getting different answers... I secretly knew what I wanted all along lol.
 
I love those old 870's with the small forend wood... I fixed this one up and chopped the barrel to 18.5 and altered the forcing cone...
I don't know what year but the serial number is in the range of 5###xxV

The 870 Wingmaster made in 1952 was revolutionary in reliability with simplicity of repair. Parts swap with with no special fitting required over a period of 66 years...

870.jpg
 
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