Wingmaster Question

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Pete G

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I recently placed a call to a retail store which had a used Wingmaster listed for sale.
It is of recent vintage as it has the screw in chokes.
Barrel is marked 2 3/4 or 3 inch.
Store clerk says barrel is the original which came with the gun.
BUT......he also says receiver is not the "magnum" receiver........so he says gun will not cycle 3 inch shells.

I am thinking he might be wrong........my belief is that the gun should handle/cycle both cartridge lengths.
I have a recent Remington catalog which has this written in as a footnote below the specifications.

Is anyone able to shed a little more light on this issue?
Thanks,
Pete G
 
i *think* if the serial # ends in a 'v' its a 2 3/4" receiver, if it ends in an 'm' its a 3" receiver.

the barrel may not be the original, so do not use that as a guideline. the store clerk may not be correct.

best way to know for sure is to ask remington via their website. they are pretty good about getting back to you. you need the serial # to get a good response.

i have read of many people shooting 3" shells out of 2 3/4" receivers, but your own risk tolerance may not allow for that.
 
Remington Barrel codes

Month codes:
B-L-A-C-K-P-O-W-D- E- R- X
1-2-3-4-5-6-7- 8- 9-10-11-12

Year:
1950-WW
1951-XX
1954-YY
1953-ZZ
1954-A & too many more to type to 2012

The years 1943 to 1953 Reminton codes had double letters as indicated above
The 870 shotguns had the serial on the receiver and barrel in these early years

My serial # indicates June 1951 and is stamped on both the receiver and barrel

My Serial # ends in V and the barrel is stamped 2 3/4 or shorter

This info was obtained from: ht tp://www.wisnersinc.com/additional_info/remington_date_code.htm

Hope that helps
 
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Most likely the receiver will handle 3 inch shells, but may not eject empty 3" hulls due to the placement of the ejector on the left wall. It will be further forward in the 2 3/4" receiver.
 
In all honesty. You really have to try to cycle some spent 3" hulls in it to be 100% sure.If the barrel is marked 3" it will fire them fine but if the receiver doesn't have a 3" ejector it will not pump out the empties . That is the ONLY difference between a V and a M code in a 870. Some say the slot is different but in 40 years of playing with the 870 and touching 100's I have never found one of these short slot receivers. In the 1100 yes the M and V have different internals parts but not the 870's
No gun has been modified and had barrels exchanged as the 870 has. The V and M in the serial number honestly today is just a guide same as barrel codes etc. I have many 12ga "V" wingmasters that are 3" compatable.WHY
Remington factory supplied many V coded guns with 3" ejectors or if the ejector was ever replaced over the years a 3" went in since you could not buy a replacement 2 3/4"
On the choke tubes it depends what they are. I have brileys and thinwalls installed in guns made in the 50's so you have to check to see what make, if remchoke yes that tells you the barrel was 1986 or newer. Also make sure it is not a light contour barrel which will fit the receiver but loose on a standard forearm.Just my take on it.
 
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Thank you all for the helpful input here.
The point about positioning of ejector is very helpful..........if gun has ejector set for 2 3/4 ,could it be moved/replaced for 3 inch use ?
 
Pete G said:
Thank you all for the helpful input here.
The point about positioning of ejector is very helpful..........if gun has ejector set for 2 3/4 ,could it be moved/replaced for 3 inch use ?
Click to expand...

If it has a 2 3/4" it can be replaced with a 3" or some guys just cut them back with a die grinder.If you google it there is videos out there showing replacement
Smiths usually charge about $60.00 here for doing it
 
m6tlogistics said:
if both receiver AND barrel say magnum-OK-if only barrel says magnum-NYET!
Click to expand...

That is not correct Many wingmaster 3" barrels and receivers do not have the word magnum on them at all. There are 870 Barrels stamped 12 ga. for 2 3/4 in or 3" in shells and receivers plain. No magnum stamped on either
Only all second generation wingmasters had the word magnum on barrels
i.e. Use 2 3/4 or 3in shells in magnum receivers

It is simple if barrel is stamped 3" good to go but further checking has to be done on the receiver if not stamped magnum since even V serial number receivers may or may not be able to eject 3". Many can
As those into remingtons know they were never consistent with their markings over the years. take care
 
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Pete G said:
Thank you all for the helpful input here.
The point about positioning of ejector is very helpful..........if gun has ejector set for 2 3/4 ,could it be moved/replaced for 3 inch use ?
Click to expand...

yes its best to check to see if the ejector has been changed to a 3 inch as i have changed 100,s of them in the past.
bbb
 
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