870 Wingmaster question

[blasted_saber]

Hello,

I recently had an 870 Wingmaster given to me, along with 3 barrels. Some of the barrels are rated for 3 inch shells. How do I determine what the reciever is rated for? I cant find anywhere on the gun that says so. Does it matter, or is the size of shell limited by the barrel, not the reciever?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[BEARMAN]

If when you put a fired 3 in. shell in one of the 3in. barrels then assembly it to the receiver, if it will not eject , you have a 2 3/4 in. receiver. If it is an older WINGMASTER it is probably 2 3/4in. A 3 in. will load and fire in a 3 in barrel assembled on an 2 3/4 in. receiver but it will not eject without taking a knife or screwdriver and crumpling the case. I did it by mistake with that same combination of receiver and barrel, it's easy to do , the case is only a 1/4in. different. DON'T MIX YOUR SHELLS, IF YOU CAN ONLY FIRE 2 3/4 IN. DON'T BUY OR LOCK UP THE 3 INCHERS, THEY WILL ONLY JAM UP YOUR GUN AND IN A BEAR OR OTHER DEFENSIVE SITUATION THIS COULD BE FATAL.

 

[RePete]

Look at the serial #, if it has a M suffix then it's a magnum frame.

RePete.

 

[blasted_saber]

Thanks