870 Wingmaster, Ye or Ne?

romiogt

romiogt

Regular
Rating - 100%
31   0   1
So I'm in the market for a new pump action 12 gauge and the wingmaster has caught my eye in terms of fit and function.

however, I am a little concerned about quality issues in regards to Remington as of late.

can anybody out there who may have purchased a wing master within the last few years attest to any issues I should be aware of?

I respect everyone who has a wingmaster of yesteryear but I'm only in the market for a new one and thus need info on current production standards, and quality control, thx!
 
The barrels on the older ones will usually be for 2 3/4" shells only. For me thats not a problem and I would rather buy a 60-70's vintage one.
 
The newest I have is a 2006 and no issues with that one but it is also a small gauge. I have not heard too many complaining about new wingmasters that have bought them.
 
Thanks all. So still a lot of people claiming the vintage wimgmaster to be superior to current production models. Any reason why?

what specifically about the older models is better? Are there manufacturing defects or quality control issues with the newer models?
 
I bought a new Wingmaster in March 2011 and I would rate it at about 98% quality compared to an older version (comparing field models). Fitment of barrel to reciever isn't quite as good as it use to be but still nothing to worry about most people wouldn't even notice it to be honest. The wood and blueing on the new ones are some of the best I've seen on any vintage field Wingmaster...again this is field models...and can't be compared to the Trap guns. The one thing about the new Wingmaster is that it doesn't have the same "CHING" sound as the older ones when the action is closed. Again...unless you've had a few of those old guns in the past, you'd never know the difference.
 
3macs1 said:
Same receiver on 2 3/4 and 3" wingmasters no difference.
Click to expand...
I had to go and measure. You're absolutely right. My Magnum seems to eject 3" shells cleaner than the 2 3/4" model fitted with a 3" chambered barrel. Maybe its my imagination.
As to the difference between an older model and newer. Get one of each and have a look. The difference is immediately apparent.
 
bdft said:
As to the difference between an older model and newer. Get one of each and have a look. The difference is immediately apparent.
Click to expand...

thanks bdft, can you give some idea as to what the apparent difference is?

also I should mention im interested in comparing the field models...
 
bdft said:
I had to go and measure. You're absolutely right. My Magnum seems to eject 3" shells cleaner than the 2 3/4" model fitted with a 3" chambered barrel. Maybe its my imagination.
As to the difference between an older model and newer. Get one of each and have a look. The difference is immediately apparent.
Click to expand...

40 years of playing with them I could have saved you the trouble. Any how check the ejector on the 2 3/4 many were home modified with a die grinder to accept 3" rather than replace them. If not just right it will act as you are saying or it could be damaged, worn etc and needs replacement.
I have tons of vintage ones but only two after 2000 , a 2002 3 1/2" wingmaster and a 2006 28ga. I can tell you not enough difference in the 28ga to my 69's to make me not buy one.
If VLT79 says they are still a quality gun today that is enough for me if I was in the market for one. A man that shoots and works on X1's knows what quality is all about.:) take care
 
You can tell which brand I'm partial to ... but also own an older 870, a 7600 and a few 700's, and would have
no problem whatsoever in buying a new Wingmaster. I very much prefer them to hunt waterfowl with.

Recent 870 Express models, particularly the 3-1/2 inchers took a rap for shells not wanting to extract properly.
Seems the chambers were a little rough for steel-hulled "Promo" cheapy shells. Judicious polishing of the
chamber seems to have put most of them right - a pretty simple remedy if you just have to shoot crap shells.
 
I have a new 870 Wingmaster and have had quite a few classics (still have another from the early 80's). Yes, the new one doesn't have the "ring" when closed, but is still my choice of new pump shotgun. I've also owned a new Sandusky made Ithaca M37 - I replaced it with this Wingmaster. The M37 was a great gun, but I prefer the WM over it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom