Sell my old Wingmaster for an Express?

CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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I am looking for some opinions/experiences anyone here has had with their 870 Express. I currently own a 70's Wingmaster, and thought it's nice and smooth, it just doesn't have what I want.

- it has a fixed full choke, no possibility of using rem-chokes (which I read is not good in combination with steel shot)
- it only has a 2.75" chamber (I like the option of the 3" chamber for hunting possibly in the very near future)
- the barrel is plain, not vent ribbed
- it's nice.... but it just doesn't feel 'new'.... I like new as opposed to used

So anyways... those are the reasons I feel I want to sell it.

I am considering an 870 Express to replace it, as the Express is all I can afford right now. Here are the reasons why I am considering an Express:

- this will be a range and probably hunting gun, therefore I don't want to have to worry, obsess and have a heart attack fearing a scratch on an $850 shotgun.... I want USE it
- I am not someone who gives a crap about "pretty" guns, I am very utilitarian/minimalist (I am a Glock lover) so the mirror smooth finish on the receiver of a Wingmaster literally means nothing to me, and to be honest it actually turns me away since scratches will show up on it a lot easier
- the Express accepts and comes with Rem-Chokes

In short, my only concern is durability and reliability. Aside from the plastic trigger guard, is there ANY reason to believe that a Wingmaster would last longer, or be more reliable than an Express (after the Express has been nicely broken in that is)? Are there any parts in the Express that are made of a lower quality/strength material?

PS - Does the Express come with a Remington Super-Cell recoil pad? Also, does the Express handle only up to 3" shells, or does it do 3.5" as well? The Remington site sucks, it doesn't say.

Thanks!
 
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I bought an express 2 years ago, and all in all,it is a damn good shotgun,Not reallly pretty, but like you, I seem to lean toward firearms that I am not afraid to USE, and possibly scratch or mar the stock or finish. The express is decent deal IMO.The finish sucks though, a little bird blood stained my receiver for life, but oh well!

The Express comes with a hard rubber pad, and mine says on the side of the barrel " 2 3/4", 3", or 3 1/2 ONLY WITH SUPER MAG RECEIVER" I do not have said Super Mag receiver. I also changed out the trigger ass'y to a metal one from a wingmaster. And I added a rifled slug barrel, S+J safety, S+ J follower, single point and front sling (Wilson) hanger,tac Star shorty side saddle and a flashlight forend.In about 10-15 (or much less) minutes, you can go from birds to bears with this setup, the 870 is very versatile and the availablity of aftermarket gadgets, and accessories is HUGE! (see badboyBeeson's ad in EE).

My Express has been very reliable for me, I've only used it for 2 bird seasons now, but it stands up in terms of reliability, compared to all my buddies different (and mostly more expensive) shotguns.

A couple of negatives though,
1.THey do NOT finish these guns ll that well. No, I know looks are not all important, but the stock sucking up a load of water is, to me at least.Remington did not apply any finish under the buttplate or inside the stock screw well, or basically anywhere that was covered by something else. I refinished mine.

2. the vent rib on my gun is literally as coarse a a crude file.I use it to whittle down my fingernails while waiting for the birds to come in. They put as little time into finishing and fitting these arms as possible, though it shows in the finished product AND the price.
 
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Suggest also consider a used or new Benelli Nova i.e. if you like the design and that fits you well. May cost a bit more than the Remington Express but it would be worth it in the long run, imho.
 
You can't beat an 870 Express. I tend to favor Browning Gold semi's, but I've had an 870 Express for years that I use in the nastiest conditions ( I don't like wrecking expensive guns either!). You can beat the tar out of them and they keep going. I have the 3" version, but if you want to use 3 1/2" shells just buy the Express Super Mag (although your shoulder will feel it if you do a lot of 3 1/2" shooting from a pump gun). My only mistake was I bought the wood stock model. I had been using it in the rain and forgot it in the case overnight. By the next morning the wood had swelled and caused the finish the crack and flake a bit. No big deal, but if I bought another one I'd go the synthetic route next time.
 
Why not ave your self a bunch of cash and open the wingmaster barrel up to a modified chock. there is nothing wrong with hunting ducks and gesse with 23/4 inch shell's. I have been using the same set up as you (Remington Wingmaster 23/4 inch plain barrel) for about 10 years. I don't ever recall any duck, goose, grouse, phesent laughing at me for my shooting.

On the other hand if you insist on buying a new shotgun, there is nothing wrong with the express. The express magnum will handle 23/4" to 31/2 shells
 
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Sell my old Wingmaster for an Express?
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My vote is "NO".

Get another Wingmaster with the goodies you want. You'll be happier in the end.

BUT, if you're on a budget..get a Browning BPS with the Invector chokes.
 
44fordy said:
That'd work...but you may have to modify your ejection port. Not sure if the one on your 2.75" wm will be wide enough to throw out an empty 3" shell.
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Am pretty sure there the same But you might need a new ejector "that am not sure on"
 
Is vent-ribbing a big deal on a shotgun barrel? I mean, I have shot just fine with the plain barrel on my Wingmaster.... and I see that a lot of tactical SG's don't have vent ribbing.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Is vent-ribbing a big deal on a shotgun barrel? I mean, I have shot just fine with the plain barrel on my Wingmaster.... and I see that a lot of tactical SG's don't have vent ribbing.
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It doesn't look as pretty.

I have a Browning BPS that's really stunning looking as far as shotguns go...the vent rib has a nice to look at. But my Remmy Wingmaster is a wayyy nicer carry and feels a lot lighter.
 
To convert a 2-3/4" 870 to 3", you need to change out the ejector and put on a 3" barrel. Ejection ports are the same size.

If you shoot fine with a plain barrel, i wouldn't worry about a vent rib. The purpose of the vent rib is to prevent heat mirage when the barrel gets hot. This is mainly useful for trap and skeet competition. Personally, I kind of like the look of the old-school pump guns with a plain barrel and "corncob" forends.

Newer Expresses sometimes have rough chambers, which can cause difficult extraction. Also, some people have found the finish to be unusually prone to rusting.

I think the Wingmaster you have will serve you well if you open up the choke to Modified.
 
Or buy a spare Modified barrel in 2-3/4.

Spare barrels are around, just have to look and be patient. Also way cheaper than a whole new rig.

Downside is to change chokes you have carry a whole barrel and you still have only a 2-3/4, if either are really problems.

As for feeling new, there likely will come a time when "I've had that shotgun for a great 20 years" will outweigh "look at my new toy".
 
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couldn't the barrel on there now be modded for screw in chokes and 3" shells? if not i would keep an eye out for a used barrel with the options you would like and convert the reciver to handle 3". i've only been duck/goose hunting a few times, but the funny thing is that the ducks that i did knock down i did with 2 3/4 shells even tho my shotgun could handle 3"...those 3" steel loads are a pretty penny.
 
Modifying the barrel for choke tubes is another option, if the barrel is thick enough. The cost would be a bit more than reaming out the Full choke.

By the time you rechambered a barrel and installed choke tubes, the cost would probably be similar to a new barrel.
 
NEVER buy an 870 express. If you want a reliable gun, buy an 11-87. 870 expresses are the worst of the entire line-up. From jamming to breaking, they got it all. Save up a few bucks and buy a decent one. Or just buy a Winchester shotgun (used and old) and be way happier in the long run.
 
Has anyone tried the Knoxx Spec-Ops Adjustable stock on an 870? Not the recoil reducing stock, and not the folder, but just the standard adjustable one?

How did you like it? I need a 13" LOP and just LOVE the idea of an adjustable stock. Though I heard that it can really bop you in the face if you're not careful. Would this stock work well for sporting clays? I don't mean competition clays shooting, but just for fun with friends at the range.

I am seriously sick and tired of looking for stocks to cut down, finding someone capable, and can't find a recoil pad that I won't have to pay someone to grind to fit. I figure by the time I buy a new Limbsaver recoil pad, and pay someone to grind it down, I could have just bought the Knoxx stock.

Any thoughts?
 
I don't think a pistol grip would feel or point right for wingshooting. Besides, it would look goofy on a long barreled sporting type shotgun.

I think shortening a stock to the length you need is a much more elegant solution.
 
Accurate said:
NEVER buy an 870 express. If you want a reliable gun, buy an 11-87. 870 expresses are the worst of the entire line-up. From jamming to breaking, they got it all. Save up a few bucks and buy a decent one. Or just buy a Winchester shotgun (used and old) and be way happier in the long run.
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LOL, that's funny. the 11-87 sportsman is an express, except a different model. As far as reliability goes, I think you might have the two mixed up. The 11-87 is a good hardy gun, but to an 870...Ummm no.

Aren't forums great.
 
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