870 conversion from 2 3/4" to 3"

S

Scott Bear

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I'm sure this question has been asked a million times but I was wondering how you know if your older wingmaster has an ejection port large enough to handle 3" shells?

Serial # starts with 'S' and ends with 'V' with numbers in between.

The guys at Reliable Gun in Vancouver said it would cost $65 just to look at it never mind changing out the ejector!

Thanks for any help.

Scott
 
Well the port will be big enough, there the same size. You need to worry if you bolt will take the 3" shell poundings? If the serial number begins or ends with an "M" (for Magnun), then your good to go! Otherwise you have to stick with the 2 3/4" ers. Also make sure you've got a 3" compatable barrel!?!?
 
If you've got a barrel that will handle 3inch shells then you can try it and see if the shells eject cleanly or not.
Remington only sells the magnum ejectors now so if your gun has had the ejecter changed recently then you may be good to go otherwise you will need a new ejecter.
I bought an old wingmaster that had the ejector changed and the stud was still a little proud of the receiver and in the white so I filed it down flush and cold blued it.....if you are fussy about the finish you might want to re-finish the receiver after installing the ejector.
 
This has little to do with the strength of the receiver. Wilson (aka: Scattergun Technologies) and our own TacOrd has been doing these conversion for years (i.e.: 2 3/4" to 3"). It consists of exchanging the smaller ejector spring with the larger one, removal and replacment of two rivets (and either replacing or reaming the barrel to 3" chamber). This conversion requires the removal and re-installation of two double-headed rivets. A special tool is required and unless you want an ugly looking receiver, the receiver will need to be refinished. Perhaps not the most cost-effective way to go, but no one ever said I was smart.
 
OneBarfly said:
This has little to do with the strength of the receiver. Wilson (aka: Scattergun Technologies) and our own TacOrd has been doing these conversion for years (i.e.: 2 3/4" to 3"). It consists of exchanging the smaller ejector spring with the larger one, removal and replacment of two rivets (and either replacing or reaming the barrel to 3" chamber). This conversion requires the removal and re-installation of two double-headed rivets. A special tool is required and unless you want an ugly looking receiver, the receiver will need to be refinished. Perhaps not the most cost-effective way to go, but no one ever said I was smart.
Click to expand...

You are quite correct. There is no difference in the reciever itself other than the ejector, ejector spring and of course the markings and serial number suffix.

I have been told that very early 870's (early 1950's vintage) may have a smaller ejection port. I have see hundreds of 870's and never seen one. Maybe it is a rumour. If anyone has one with a smaller ejection port, I would love a picture of it.

The best way to tackle the barrel is to replace it with a 3" chamber one.

Casey
 
Something is not right here. Reliable Gun would charge $65 to change the ejector; not just look at the gun!
 
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ARWEN ACE said:
You are quite correct. There is no difference in the reciever itself other than the ejector, ejector spring and of course the markings and serial number suffix.

I have been told that very early 870's (early 1950's vintage) may have a smaller ejection port. I have see hundreds of 870's and never seen one. Maybe it is a rumour. If anyone has one with a smaller ejection port, I would love a picture of it.

The best way to tackle the barrel is to replace it with a 3" chamber one.

Casey
Click to expand...

I know for a fact that the REM Model 31 had/has a shorter ejection port. I owned several over the years. Sold one in the EE last year too. Their ejection port is exactly 1/4" shorter.

The 870 was born from the Model 31. Though never having seen one, I believe the early 870s, like 1950's Mod 870AP, had the shorter ejection port of the Mod. 31.
 
Thanks for all your help. Sounds like it might be easier (and cheaper) to put up on the auction block or just stick with 2 3/4.

My intention was to make a poor man's 870 Police with the older wood. I think the cheapest way to go would be to sell it or just cut the barrel to 18.5" instead of buying a shorter barrel for $300. It's beautiful old wingmaster and it would break my heart to cut it. Maybe an express would do it?

And yes, Reliable said for a gunsmith to just look at it would cost $65 not including any work that had to be done.
 
Scott Bear said:
think the cheapest way to go would be to sell it or just cut the barrel to 18.5" instead of buying a shorter barrel for $300.
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You should be able to pickup a 3" chambered 18" Remington barrel much cheaper than $300.00 - They often show up in the exchange around the 100.00 mark. You could still shoot 2 3/4 in shells with no mods required. Try placing a wanted to buy ad
 
Given that you just want to build a 'riot' gun, I wouldn't bother converting to the 3" ejector. The only real benefit of a 3" chamber is for waterfowling or turkey hunting, which an 18" cylinder choked gun is unsuited for, anyway.

With slugs and buckshot, you're just as well off to use 2-3/4" shells. Any increase in terminal effect is more than offset by the increase in felt recoil. Also, you can fit one more round in the magazine tube with the shorter shotshells. I believe most police forces use 2-3/4" shotshells for this reason.

Also, Mossberg makes a blued 18" 870 barrel. These are less expensive than Remington barrels for the 870.
 
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