20ga Remington 870 Wingmaster Large Frame Tac-Build?

W

WeakKnee

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I have a BNIB unfired large frame Remington Wingmaster 870 20 gauge shotgun from the mid '70s. I am more of a rifle guy and have never done a Tac-build before, so I am looking for some advice.

Would aftermarket shotgun parts (eg. folding stock/side shell carrier/peep sight) fit on this large frame 20ga, because I think it is the same receiver size as an 870 12 gauge? Would there be a 20ga size front sight part to fit on the smaller diameter barrel that would be suitable for use with a receiver mounted peep sight. Is it worthwhile doing a Tac-build on a 20ga or should I look for a more versatile and powerful 12ga shotgun?

Any help you shotgun folks can provide would be most helpful.

Thanks!

WK
 
Rear stock should fit, forend won't. I haven't heard of anyone making shorter barrels, so 18" is as short as you can go. I would love to get one of those old 20 gauges for a classic retro build to go with my 12's
 
might it be better to sell it and start fresh with something that's more 'tactical' to begin with?
 
You maybe right, but I figured this 20ga would have less recoil and still use the same abundant large frame aftermarket parts? I have other shotguns but none of them are tactical type, just hunting guns.
 
Hogue has both front and rear stocks listed as pre order but not yet in full production. I don't know what other doo dads you want to add, but the 20 is becoming more popular stateside for home defense, but a lot of stuff just isn't available yet
 
Ammo cost is another factor. If you plan on shooting your TAC build a lot, then 12g ammo is best price wise. Cheap birdshot and slugs are out there. Comparably priced 20g ammo...not so much...
I love my 20g, but I only shoot birdshot out of it with a full choke. I managed to find cheap flats of the stuff this year, but its not an easy find. Hope to use that gun for grouse/prairie chickens at some point.
 
Just bought the gun off Weaknee, and it is truly unfired, it even has the tag on the trigger still. Here are some observations. Remington literally made the standard weight 20 gauge (that's what they call it) around a 12 gauge frame. They just pulled a 12 gauge frame off the shelf, added a 20 G barrel and 20 G bolt. Basically with a barrel and bolt you can have a 2 Gauge combo. Because the gun is unfired and unmarked, and I have a 12 gauge barrel and police wood in similar shape, I see an old school retro build in the works, and will change one of my other guns to 20 gauge. I think I will cut the barrel and add rem chokes for the 20 and will take it from there. Unfortunately no one makes a 14" barrel in 20 gauge (which I would love), so that is about as far as it can go build wise.
 
I met Dogzilla in person and we could have talked guns for hours; but I broke GunTrading Rule #1, "Never take your Wife to a Gun Deal"! Dogzilla really knows his Rem 870's, excellent thought on the switch gauge pump shotgun, first I have ever heard of it being done. Terrific doing a deal with you. Shoot straight, shoot often. WK
 
I'm assuming the mag tube would be 20 ga and wouldn't accept 12 ga. That would ruin your 2 ga combo gun idea.
 
No as I said it is literally a 12 gauge receiver, mag tube included, I've already swapped the parts both ways, no problem
Update, egg on my face. The tube is a 12 gauge the frame is 12 gauge, but where the tube goes into the receiver the receiver is only drilled for 20 gauge and the shell latches are smaller. Everything swaps back and forth ok you just can't put a 12 gauge shell into the 12 gauge tube. Good news is that the forend is still 12 gauge dia. so will take a Hogue stock. But my retro build is out the window, but the 20 will make a nice adition, although it really is too pretty for my uses. That's nine wingmasters now, I swear it's an addiction.
 
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No, as I said in my update, I got ahead of myself when I checked the mag tube and found it was the same dia. as a 12 gauge and everything else fit. I just hadn't tried to throw a snap cap into it. I think that was a rotten trick of them, it got me all excited there for a bit
 
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