Sometime in the early to mid 2000s is when things started to change on the Wingmaster but I can't say the exact year. The only 2 negatives I have with current production is the use of a MIM extractor, locking block, slide plate and bolt (the bolt may not be MIM but the chrome plating is so poor it's hard to tell) vs the machined/milled parts of the older guns and too many barrels are crooked! You really have to check them for straightness before purchasing. On the plus side, I find the wood on the current version is some of the better quality found on Wingmasters (with the exception of the target grades that went thru the custom shop and the earliest production guns) of any vintage and they have reasonably nice machine cut checkering today too. I also find that the polishing and bluing is better now than before on the regular production guns. The other thing I like is the Light Contour barrels (introduced in 1992) that changed the front heavy feel the old Wingmaster had to a very neutral and well balanced shotgun. When it's all said and done, a new production gun (with a straight barrel) will not disappoint you in any way at all!
P.S. If you don't want a gun with those MIM parts in it you can always pick up a used 2 3/4" gun and swap out the bolt, slide plate and slide arm assemblies and then re-sell the old gun for a very small loss.
