870 Wingmaster vs 870 Express

Puma

Puma

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What are the real differances? I have heard the Wingmaster has a milled receiver and the express has a casting.Is this true? What about internal parts?
There is obviously a price differance, what are the real differances?

Puma
 
:agree:

X2.........

We have both- mind you, the Wingy is a 20GA Jr., and the Express is a Tactical 12GA.

The Wingmaster is "prettier", and the action is a little smoother. It even has a gold-colored trigger, if crap like that means something to you.

FYI, the more I run the Express, the smoother the action gets.

That about sums it up.

Paul
 
Out of all the Remmy's I've had, although the Express is similar, the action has nowhere near the smoothness of the Wingmaster.

Sure, functionality and construction is essentially the same but go to the gunshop and try both.
(If you're working with a budget...the Express will do the same thing. It's quality and construction is the same as the WM)

If you're don't have a budget...there's no question...Wingmaster.

IMO, there is no pump shotgun that has the smoothness of a Wingmaster.
 
The blueing is the main difference. Wingmaster have real blueing and my exporess has some shiite spackly fleckstone textured thingy. Pretty bad rust protection in my experience, but the gun is good. if you want to turn an 870 express into a $700 shotgun (or more) get it re-blued/gun kote by a good smith and she'll never fail you.
 
drvrage said:
if you want to turn an 870 express into a $700 shotgun (or more) get it re-blued/gun kote by a good smith and she'll never fail you.
Click to expand...

That would be an option if you had an express. I wouldn't buy one to do that though....just go buy the Wingmaster.

It's the smoothest, most renouned pump action on the market.

IF you want a less expensive gun with the similarities of a Wingmaster, get a Browning BPS.
 
As already has been said Wingmasters are smoother and nicer finish.
If you are not on a budget, like your guns to look nice and are not worried about beating them up in the duck blind :rolleyes:then get a wingmaster.

If you want a practical shotgun that will save some bucks, and do everything required get an express.

You won't know its not as smooth as the wingmaster unless you own them both.

I own both and I much prefer my express for hunting and every day use.
 
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I would go with the Express myself. When all is said and done both will do the same thing and with the Express you have some cash left for some extra shells to have fun with. Run the action back and forth all night while watching tv and it'll be just as smooth as the Wingmaster.
 
Express trigger group bodies are plastic instead of metal. The Wingmaster has a walnut stock instead of solid or laminated birch.
 
tjhaile said:
Express trigger group bodies are plastic instead of metal.
Click to expand...

And to be clear, it's not like ABS or PVC - it's a polymer type kinda fiberglass deal. Not easily broken, to be sure.

I thought I'd hate the plastic trigger guard, but since I bought my first 'recent' 870 with one, it's not too bad. My previous experience was all with metal ones, but I don't see too much wrong with the plastic one. It's not great from a 'purist' point of view, but I can't imagine a scenario where I'd break it.
 
Original trigger guards on the Express line were metal. This was later changed to a high impact polymer. I've got an Express purchased in 1988 with the metal guard. Another puchased last year with the plastic.
 
Are you actually going to hunt with the gun? If so leave the Wingmaster and take the express. I love the guys who say "I've hunted with my Wingmaster for 30 years and it's twice the gun as your Express. Buy a Wingmaster."

30 year old Wingmasters that were bought used or handed down hardly compare to a brand new, luxury grade $800+ pumpgun. You won't see too many new Wingmasters in a duck blind or being used to push bush. If their lucky they might make it to the uplands, but I've bumped into many hunters and I have never, not once seen a Wingmaster. The Express isn't as pretty. It may not be "as smooth" either. But it works just fine, every time and is a hunters shotgun.
 
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It was mentioned that the Wingmaster has a gold trigger. Is that on the new ones or did someone get Browning mixed up with Rem? My Wingmaster has a silver trigger, but it's at least 30 years old.
 
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