870 Wingmaster...what is the light contour barrel?

[mr00jimbo]

I have an 870 Police on order. Was looking to get an 870 Wingmaster barrel for it, eventually. Was looking on Remington's website and all the new 12 gauge Wingmaster barrels are what they call "Light contour".

If one were to use said light contour to shoot trap/skeet/fast shooting, would the barrel get hotter than a normal barrel, rendering the gun more of a carrying more/shoot often kind of piece?

I've even read somewhere (though I don't necessarily believe) that the light contour is made to the minimum thickness standards.


Anybody got any info on the light contour barrel Wingmasters and if they're suited for shooting many rounds, or more to shoot sparingly?

 

[3macs1]

Since no one chimed in I will try to share what I remember which may have changed since I have not kept up with it.
Remington started playing with removable choke tubes in 1985 and unknown to many supplied some 1100 and 870's with special brileys before the rem choke in 1987.
With the rem choke they had to increase the barrel thickness to get then to install properly which added almost 8 ounces to an average 12ga. Old 870 and 1100 users immediately started to complain about the poor balance, extra weight etc and around 1992 we seen the 1st LC or light contour barrel. The weight was back to the original fixed choke days and all was to be good.
However to do this yes they made the walls thinner and changed the diameter so a 12ga LC was almost the same as a 16ga. Fits on forearms were a problem especially on the 1187 and 1100 and even the 870's would rattle around as it does when you install 12ga wood on a 16ga.As well as tolerances being off on the barrel rings which would prevent some barrels from even being installed to the receiver
Then the trap shooters started to complain about heat and barrel distortion to the point they would say they were missing targets due to it. Remington never admitted there was a problem and by 1995 it seems the LC was to be standard production however they did change something over those three years since there was a definate change in the heat generated.
I guess to answer your question will it get hot quicker YES will it cause issues I don't think so but am not 100% positive. For sure the older what they called heavy contour in the 90's will not get as hot as quick.
Also remember they never made a LC barrel that was not a rem choke.
Not sure if that hekps or not. take care

 

[archie126]

Since no one chimed in I will try to share what I remember which may have changed since I have not kept up with it.
Remington started playing with removable choke tubes in 1985 and unknown to many supplied some 1100 and 870's with special brileys before the rem choke in 1987.
With the rem choke they had to increase the barrel thickness to get then to install properly which added almost 8 ounces to an average 12ga. Old 870 and 1100 users immediately started to complain about the poor balance, extra weight etc and around 1992 we seen the 1st LC or light contour barrel. The weight was back to the original fixed choke days and all was to be good.
However to do this yes they made the walls thinner and changed the diameter so a 12ga LC was almost the same as a 16ga. Fits on forearms were a problem especially on the 1187 and 1100 and even the 870's would rattle around as it does when you install 12ga wood on a 16ga.As well as tolerances being off on the barrel rings which would prevent some barrels from even being installed to the receiver
Then the trap shooters started to complain about heat and barrel distortion to the point they would say they were missing targets due to it. Remington never admitted there was a problem and by 1995 it seems the LC was to be standard production however they did change something over those three years since there was a definate change in the heat generated.
I guess to answer your question will it get hot quicker YES will it cause issues I don't think so but am not 100% positive. For sure the older what they called heavy contour in the 90's will not get as hot as quick.
Also remember they never made a LC barrel that was not a rem choke.
Not sure if that hekps or not. take care

I have an 11-87 Premier with the light contour. Awesome gun for me, love the way it shoulders, points and I can hit almost everything with it.

I have read that if I want to put a slug barrel on I would need to change the forearm. Is that what your refering to in fit. Thanks.

Would I need to buy a reg forearm?

 

[3macs1]

I have an 11-87 Premier with the light contour. Awesome gun for me, love the way it shoulders, points and I can hit almost everything with it.

I have read that if I want to put a slug barrel on I would need to change the forearm. Is that what your refering to in fit. Thanks.

Would I need to buy a reg forearm?

With the initial 1187's yes for sure mine was maybe a 92 or 93 that had the LC barrel and the forearm on that the wood was bored for about the size of a 16ga and would not fit the standard 1187's that were not light contour. Now some say the last 1187's made had over sized forearms sized to fit both but I have never seen one of those.
They say you just have to open yours up a bit with some griding and sanding also if you don't want to replace