870 question

Jesse_L_B

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If I use the barrel from a express, marked 2 3/4 & 3" on my old wingmaster reciever is it ok to shoot a three inch shell? Thanks ks guys.
Jesse
 
So I wont ruin the receiver and the only way to know if it will eject is to try it correct. It would be my turkey rig if I didn't want to take my bow.
 
If you experience ejection issues a smith will have to install a 3" ejector. Polishing the bore will cure extraction issues. In any case no damage will occur to you or your gun.

Darryl
 
Yes it is. 3" receivers (early) will be marked magnum. Non 3" will have a "V" in the serial #. I have never seen a non magnum receiver eject fired 3" cartridges but I have been told some will. I recommend a 3" magnum receiver be used with 3 " cartridges as a best practise.

Darryl
 
Yes it is. 3" receivers (early) will be marked magnum. Non 3" will have a "V" in the serial #. I have never seen a non magnum receiver eject fired 3" cartridges but I have been told some will. I recommend a 3" magnum receiver be used with 3 " cartridges as a best practise.

Darryl

Mine does. It has the V in the serial #, not marked magnum. Hasnt ever given me an issue ejecting 3" shells.

That said, if you're doing this BE SURE THE BARREL/CHAMBER IS MARKED 3"
 
What if you have a receiver marked 2 /34 and 3 inch... and replace the barrel with one marked only 2 3/4? Is it the receiver that determines the shell length capabilities? or the barrel as well?
 
If the barrel is only chambered for 2-3/4" shells you could have a 3-1/2" receiver and it would still only be safe to use 2-3/4" shells. In the case of the 870, the ejection port happens to be long enough to eject 3" shells most of the time (YMMMV). This isn't something that applies to all guns. Always follow the data stamp on the barrel with regard to shell length.
 
What if you have a receiver marked 2 /34 and 3 inch... and replace the barrel with one marked only 2 3/4? Is it the receiver that determines the shell length capabilities? or the barrel as well?

Its the barrel, as that is where the chamber is located.

The only negative outcome of shooting a 3" shell from a 3" marked barrel on a 2 3/4" receiver is it might not eject properly. I have a 2 3/4" receiver and a 3" barrel that happens to eject 3" shells fine.

I actually emailed Remington on this a couple years ago.

Heres the chain of emails

I have an 870 Wingmaster which is not a magnum receiver. The serial number contains a "V" and it is not marked "Magnum" anywhere on it. The barrel I have is specifically marked "...2 3/4 and 3" shells....". i have chambered a spent 3" shell and it ejected fine.

Why is my gun not able to safely fire 3" shells given all of the above?

The only difference is the length of the ejection port. The newer magnum receivers have a slightly lengthened ejection port to better facilitate the ejection of a spent 3 inch shell. Structurally they are the same.

Thank you for contacting Remington.

Does that mean I am safely able to fire 3" shells provided they eject properly?

Yes you can fire 3" shells safely.
 
Would love to find one of these they talk about and yes they told me the same at one time when I asked. They don't exist but they keep on saying it
I have measured guns from the 50's and up and the only one with a longer port is the 3 1/2" super mag
Every other receiver has been the same other than the 3" ejector being fitted
Personally I think they are getting 1100's and 870 mixed up
There is no size difference in a 870 mag or V that I could ever find and have seen many V guns handle 3" with just a barrel change since some where in production that no one knows remington started fitting 3" ejectors in all 870's but we have no dates or serial numbers
 
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Crap.....I was misinformed then.
I was told that repositioning the ejector and enlarging the port was all it took. :(

That is a start then the bolt is different and the trigger pack and lifter are different. The barrel is also obviously different - able to chamber everything up to the 3 1/2-inch shells.
The receiver is definately heavier also although some say no

If I am wrong someone please chime in and correct this since I only have two of these 3 1/2 (if you add the wingmaster 3 but she has never been apart)
and don't play with them in pieces comparing items like I do with other 870's.
Cheers
 
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The slide arm assembly also has some slight differences in dimensions to allow about 1/8" more reward travel. As for the receivers, besides the larger port opening and ejector rivet placement, I can't find any other differences on them with Super Magnum being about 3/4 oz. lighter due to the larger ejection port. Standard, Magnum and Super Magnum...they all have the same profile and measure 1.40" (+/-0.005") in thickness at both ends The new Wingmaster (1992-current) and Wingmaster Super Magnum (2000-2008???) are about 1/4 lbs lighter than the Express versions because of the "Light Contour" barrels.
 
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