Question for old-school tactical project: 870 wingmaster OR Win Mod 12 (takedown)?

emilio613

emilio613

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***UPDATE: I ended up doing up an 870 in a Riot Gun style, with some tactical "touches". Bought the 870 off the EE, sourced the wood, etc. I like how it turned out! (Now I am craving a 12.5" Grizzly mag fed! haha)

Alright, keeping it SUPER short this time.

I want to build an older-style tacticool style shotgun. 18.5" cut barrel, heat shield, but wood stock set, possibly some brazed on sights. Refinish wood/blue, that's it.

I am looking for this to be a "turning a roughed up shotgun into my own hand built gem on the cheap" project (cheap being relative here..let's say $400 total).

Should I be hunting down an OK-Good shape Remington 870 wingmaster (I missed one on the EE here for $250 recently), or an OK-good condition Model 12 takedown (also missed one for $225 recently). (I think you can see I am aiming for 200-250$ for the base gun).

***I am aware that with the remington, I have the option for: synthetic stocks if I choose so in the future, and an array of rem/clone short factory barrels, plus a sh!t ton of aftermarket support...

Which would be the more reliable/non-breaking choice?

I will be shooting 2 3/4 target and buckshot, maybe slugs.

Alright, let'er rip! Flame me! Advise me! Whatever! haha ;)

PS: before anyone critiques me for wanting to do this, I simply CANNOT justify owning an $800+ modern build, PLUS I think I may use this as my deer slug gun occasionally, so no need for the whole "benelli eotech earth destroyer model".
 
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mmattockx said:
I think the model 12 would be cooler for that, just because they aren't produced anymore.


Mark
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That's exactly what I was thinking.... Something a little different from the norm :)
I want to aim for something along the lines of this (I pulled this from google): (except with a few of my own touches)

538x9i.jpg
 
I went the old wingmaster way. Picked up a '51 and proceeded to "pimp her out" then proceeded to remove all the crap I'd put on and returned her to her stock (and MUCH lighter) configuration. Recently threw an ATI pistol grip non-adjustable rifle butt stock.
 
NintendoDuckHunt87 said:
I went the old wingmaster way. Picked up a '51 and proceeded to "pimp her out" then proceeded to remove all the crap I'd put on and returned her to her stock (and MUCH lighter) configuration. Recently threw an ATI pistol grip non-adjustable rifle butt stock.
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Any chance you have a picture of her while she was still "pimped" with all the "crap"? haha I want to see how far you went with it, and I will let you know if I intend on taking it that far!
 
I have thought that a Model 12 "retro tactical" project would be kind of neat. Cut the barrel to 20" (the original length for the riot models) and have Tactical Ordnance Vang Comp it without the ports. If you want a sidesaddle, get an S&J webbing one that uses stick-on Velcro to attach.

Fun fact: the Model 12 has a tube that holds six shots; the same capacity as an 870 with a +2 extension.
 
tjhaile said:
I have thought that a Model 12 "retro tactical" project would be kind of neat. Cut the barrel to 20" (the original length for the riot models) and have Tactical Ordnance Vang Comp it without the ports. If you want a sidesaddle, get an S&J webbing one that uses stick-on Velcro to attach.

Fun fact: the Model 12 has a tube that holds six shots; the same capacity as an 870 with a +2 extension.
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Hhaha I knew it! I always thought that magtube on those Mod. 12's looked like it held more than an 870!

Alrighty, now I just to find an inexpensive model 12 takedown! Like, $200 bucks ish inexpensive haha
 
Consider the Ithaca 37, old school, somewhat uncommon and they still make parts for them.

I paid $150 for mine, it was rough but the basic design is so simple and rugged that very little in the way of effort or instructions were needed to fix it up.
 
870P said:
Consider the Ithaca 37, old school, somewhat uncommon and they still make parts for them.

I paid $150 for mine, it was rough but the basic design is so simple and rugged that very little in the way of effort or instructions were needed to fix it up.
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The only thing I like in the mod 12 over the Ithaca (which I have considered) is the take down option, and the reputation as a very long lasting gun. We'll see. I think I have my heart sort of set on the Winny! :p
(however, if the ithaca pops up for super cheap, I might grab one too - it would be a miracle to find an inexpensive, slightly rough Model 12 MAG (3") !)
 
emilio613 said:
The only thing I like in the mod 12 over the Ithaca (which I have considered) is the take down option, and the reputation as a very long lasting gun. We'll see. I think I have my heart sort of set on the Winny! :p
(however, if the ithaca pops up for super cheap, I might grab one too - it would be a miracle to find an inexpensive, slightly rough Model 12 MAG (3") !)
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Take down is seriously neat, although I don't think the Ithaca is outclassed by the Model 12 when it comes to ultimate longevity. maybe the small parts need to be replaced more, but they'd be much more easily and cheaply replaced when it comes down to it.

Anyway, a bit o' old school flavor;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmSDHjotKug
 
Oh man, I LOVE that finish on the Ithaca 37 there on Dragnet (parkerized I guess). Now... how common is the Ithaca in a "magnum" 3" chamber? Much more accessible than the model 12 mag? (pretty rare indeed).

That's something I didn't consider. if I want a gun that can handle the 3" rounds, I may need to look into an ithaca... but then again, I can't really afford to shoot 3" buckshot or slugs anyway! lol

870P said:
Take down is seriously neat, although I don't think the Ithaca is outclassed by the Model 12 when it comes to ultimate longevity. maybe the small parts need to be replaced more, but they'd be much more easily and cheaply replaced when it comes down to it.

Anyway, a bit o' old school flavor;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmSDHjotKug
Click to expand...
 
emilio613 said:
Oh man, I LOVE that finish on the Ithaca 37 there on Dragnet (parkerized I guess). Now... how common is the Ithaca in a "magnum" 3" chamber? Much more accessible than the model 12 mag? (pretty rare indeed).

That's something I didn't consider. if I want a gun that can handle the 3" rounds, I may need to look into an ithaca... but then again, I can't really afford to shoot 3" buckshot or slugs anyway! lol
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They made 3" guns on a limited basis as early as 1977 IIRC, however it wasn't until 10 years later before they'd become the production standard. I believe 3" guns use a longer reciever and some other parts like the shell latches are lengthened as well. The pump "throw" is a little longer as well.

I like the 2.75" guns, but 3" in an Ithaca is worth having because the new Ithaca Gun Company makes parts in that format, and also because its a little easier thumbing 2.75" shells into the longer port.
 
870P said:
They made 3" guns on a limited basis as early as 1977 IIRC, however it wasn't until 10 years later before they'd become the production standard. I believe 3" guns use a longer reciever and some other parts like the shell latches are lengthened as well. The pump "throw" is a little longer as well.

I like the 2.75" guns, but 3" in an Ithaca is worth having because the new Ithaca Gun Company makes parts in that format, and also because its a little easier thumbing 2.75" shells into the longer port.
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I'm in that boat. I prefer my 2.75's, since I really don't need 3" rounds. I had a supermag at one point, 3.5" inch ammo.... needless to say, I have about 80 rounds laying around of Kent faststeel lol. I don't need anything that huge!
 
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OK, Update: So... locating an inexpensive takedown 12 gauge (one of the true older (I didn't say pretty, mind you) ones) is becoming impossible.

I put up multiple wanted ads over various websites, and only got one hit, from some guy asking (more like demanding) $400 or my sks and $200.

There is no way in hell an old, used, common takedown 12 gauge is worth $400. No way. I can understand a near mint, looks like it was never used specimen; but not a worn older one.

Anyone know who would have a $200-250 Win mod 12, 12 ga takedown - one of the older ones that used to be so plentiful on the EE! (Where the heck did they all go?? When I didn't want one, there were tons. Now that I need one, not a single one to be found!)

Maybe I can see if Jason at GunCo here in Ottawa has one... or if anyone has some ideas?? (I checked Epps, Armco, not sure who else has used firearms at a FAIR price)

EDIT: and yes.. I did the obvious posting in the EE section :p
 
emilio613 said:
OK, Update: So... locating an inexpensive takedown 12 gauge (one of the true older (I didn't say pretty, mind you) ones) is becoming impossible.

I put up multiple wanted ads over various websites, and only got one hit, from some guy asking (more like demanding) $400 or my sks and $200.

There is no way in hell an old, used, common takedown 12 gauge is worth $400. No way. I can understand a near mint, looks like it was never used specimen; but not a worn older one.

Anyone know who would have a $200-250 Win mod 12, 12 ga takedown - one of the older ones that used to be so plentiful on the EE! (Where the heck did they all go?? When I didn't want one, there were tons. Now that I need one, not a single one to be found!)

Maybe I can see if Jason at GunCo here in Ottawa has one... or if anyone has some ideas?? (I checked Epps, Armco, not sure who else has used firearms at a FAIR price)

EDIT: and yes.. I did the obvious posting in the EE section :p
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I saw a model 12 exactly like what yer looking for at Gunco very recently....check him out.
 
romurra said:
go 870. easier to get anything, esp. wood and barrels. it is the world's most common shotgun, after all.
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To be fair, I won't be changing barrels (I am just cutting down the stocker to 18.5), and the wood is something I am going to refinish/keep original. Again, I think I want something a little more unique, and the take down feature is pretty cool! lol
 
Keep in mind the model 12's can slam fire much like the old ithica's could but the Stevens 350 can't. A neat feature to have.


I really like my old Model 12. Its a nice light and still tight shot gun I've had for years.
 
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