Question regarding Wingmaster shotshell length

T

theshootist

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Hello CGN,

I have an older Wingmaster 870, I'm guess 1980's or older. On the barrel it came with (can only assume its OEM barrel) it says 2 3/4" or shorter. A couple of years ago I bought a new vented rib barrel with choke set. On this new barrel it says 2 3/4" or 3".

Will 3" shells be safe to shoot in this new, modern barrel using the old receiver? Will the old receiver feed and extract the longer 3" hulls?

The receiver does not have any info on it regarding shot shell length. Only the model and serial number.

Thanks for your input.
 
Maximum safe length is determined by the chamber length of the barrel. Most of even the older receivers will cycle 3” fine. Give it a try.
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I find these comments entertaining.
A buddy who had a brand new 870 from 1975 that is ( he shoots it today still) would jamb when using the Imperial 3 inch magnums .
I too had a 2-3/4'' chambered Remington (sportsman) when I started hunting and it too would also jamb when using 3 inch magnums.
That was then and this is now and the urban myth still persists.
There are a couple of modifications that need to be done , but it escapes me now what is done .
Your results/mileage may very.
Rob
 
Glad you’re entertained Rob. I’ve put 3” shells through over a dozen wingmaster receivers from the 70s through the 90s and not found one that wouldn’t cycle like butter. The earliest guns had a different ejector but I’ve never ran into one. Look for touched up bluing on the 2 rivets on the left side for evidence of an upgrade or ejector repair.
 
Scamaniac said:
Glad you’re entertained Rob. I’ve put 3” shells through over a dozen wingmaster receivers from the 70s through the 90s and not found one that wouldn’t cycle like butter. The earliest guns had a different ejector but I’ve never ran into one. Look for touched up bluing on the 2 rivets on the left side for evidence of an upgrade or ejector repair.
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You have been lucky. I would say 60% will 40% will not with our changing the ejector on the older ones which to me is pre 80's
Some where remington standardized on 3" ejectors in them but no one knows when including remington and during those those times a lot still got 2 3/4" as they used up inventory
The years you mention we not the years one would see a lot of 2 3/4 ejectors
Cheers
 
Scamaniac said:
Glad you’re entertained Rob. I’ve put 3” shells through over a dozen wingmaster receivers from the 70s through the 90s and not found one that wouldn’t cycle like butter. The earliest guns had a different ejector but I’ve never ran into one. Look for touched up bluing on the 2 rivets on the left side for evidence of an upgrade or ejector repair.
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Scamaniac, the oldest Wingmaster I referred to has never skipped a beat and is all original.
It just gets sprayed down with WD-40 and has little or no bluing left.
I no longer have my Sportsman and then moved to an 1989 Vintage Wingmaster that did have the ejector spring replaced under warranty one time.
We used to shoot Imperials exclusively in that they where the cheapest shells available in Steveston back in the day.
I then switched to Federals and eventually rolling my own.
I only post my experiences as unscientific as they are each and everyone else can determine their own opinions from there.
Chilliwack is going to be a Gooder Day.
Best Regards,
Rob
 
theshootist said:
Hello CGN,

I have an older Wingmaster 870, I'm guess 1980's or older. On the barrel it came with (can only assume its OEM barrel) it says 2 3/4" or shorter. A couple of years ago I bought a new vented rib barrel with choke set. On this new barrel it says 2 3/4" or 3".

Will 3" shells be safe to shoot in this new, modern barrel using the old receiver? Will the old receiver feed and extract the longer 3" hulls?

The receiver does not have any info on it regarding shot shell length. Only the model and serial number.

Thanks for your input.
Click to expand...

Your receiver has a serial number if the serial number has a v it's a two and three quarter if it has an m it's a 3 inch Magnum.
 
theshootist said:
The serial number is #3958XXV. Does that mean it is in safe, or just won't function if I were to try it?
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All receivers are safe for 3" as the port size only changed for the few 3.5" guns. If the ejector is wrong it may simply jam up. Always ensure the barrel chamber length accomodates the shell length.
 
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Scamaniac said:
All receivers are safe for 3" as the port size only changed for the few 3.5" guns. If the ejector is wrong it may simply jam up. Always ensure the barrel chamber length accomodates the shell length.
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My apologies I don't mean to be always tweeking on your posts but 1950 to 55 870 receivers many are shorter on the ejection port area and 2 3/4 " ONLY They are not the same as a later one
Some have been opened up over the years for 3" since it was not a big deal to do but it is something else you have to watch for in an early 870
Remember there was no 3" 870 until I am going to say 55 so why would they have a 3" ejection port on the early ones
I think I have one in my batch a 1950 now but have not see a lot of them but have not seen a lot of pre 1955 guns lately either
3 1/2 wingmasters are a totally different receiver not just the slot. Yes I have one of those a 2002 NIB
Cheers
Yes it was 1955 on the first 3"
1955
Remington introduced the Model 870 Magnum-AP Standard Grade shotgun (selling for $88.30) and the Model 870 Magnum-ADL Deluxe Grade shotgun ($127.15), each chambered for 12 gauge, magnum load, 3" (or 2¾”) shells
 
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Iv'e got a 70's vintage or poss early eighties. it is a 3" but my receiver says magnum on the side. not sure if that's just window dressing or what but i didn't see it mentioned anywhere.
 
Gldnbear said:
Iv'e got a 70's vintage or poss early eighties. it is a 3" but my receiver says magnum on the side. not sure if that's just window dressing or what but i didn't see it mentioned anywhere.
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Yep they just started stamping them I am not sure what year but same receivers. I have a 83 here stamped
Cheers
 
I have modified several 870 to three inch . The only difference is the 3inch uses a shorter ejector . I use to replace the ejector that had to be re staked in place but that required refinishing the receiver . The last several I have done is just shorting the 2 3/4 ejector and replace the ejector spring with the 3inch which is shorter pry the old one off and peen the 3inch on the old studs.. I use a mill and a cutter but it can be done with a dremel if you go easy . The ejectors are identical except for the length. Its not all that hard to do All barrels interchange 2 3/4 or 3 inch you can safely fire a 3inch shell and barrel on a 2 3/4 inch receiver but it wont eject
 
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Thank you Warzaw for your informative post. I would like to convert mine to function properly with 3 inch shot shells. Now if I could only find the time!
 
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