Looking for advice on buying on buying an 870 ...

Lojak

Lojak

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It is another one of those help-me threads.. my apologies in advance, but I haven't found the answers I'm looking for..

So I've decided to buy myself a shotgun, my first in almost 20 years. I had a 870 with a 14" barrel many many years ago, but it is long gone. I plan on using it for the rare 3-gun match, trying my hand at trap/skeet and probably some hunting when I actually take the time to get that license. But I'll be honest, I like the look of tactical shotguns, so no O/U's for me right now.

My preference is for an 870. I've held a few 590A1's, but the balance, weight and LOP wasn't for me. My budget is $700. I will NOT buy anything built by the Chinese arms industry, as a matter of principle. The day the Chinese state becomes a full democracy, sure, but until then, nope. So those are out.

14" or 18.5" barrel is the preference, and I'd like to be able to swap between the two eventually.

My questions..

1. Within my budget of $700, is there any real benefit to buying a used Wingmaster, and building the rest piece by piece? Eg. I built my AR from parts, and while I'm very happy, it cost a fair bit more than buying a complete one from a dealer.

2. Say I have multiple barrel lengths available to me, which can be changed based on whatever the task is (hunting, skeet, 3-gun etc etc). Can I change the magazine tube length as well, as easily?

Thanks guys,

-- L
 
I have considerably less than $700 in this gun, even after buying a brand new barrel:

DSC00158.JPG


The used 870 Wingmaster route is the most cost effective way to get a good shotgun, as opposed to an Express.

The magazine extension screws on in place of the magazine end cap. All you have to do is take off the cap, remove the spring clip, spring, and follower, and install the new extension/spring/follower. Going back to the standard length is done in reverse order.
 
Thanks. Are the Wingmaster's cable of using 3" shells? A lot of the ones I've seen in the EE mention 2 3/4" chambers.

-- L
 
Most of the older 870s with fixed-choke barrels are 2-3/4" only, with a smaller number being made as 3" guns. I believe that Remington standardized on 3" chambers when they introduced Rem-Choke barrels in the 1980s.

A 3" chambered barrel will fit any 870, but the ejector also needs to be changed to ensure that fired shells clear the ejection port if you plan on using 3" shells. My gun has a 3" barrel on it right now, but I haven't bothered to have the ejector changed, as I only use 2-3/4" shells, which are good enough for 90%-plus of all shotgun applications.
 
Lojak said:
It is another one of those help-me threads.. my apologies in advance, but I haven't found the answers I'm looking for..

So I've decided to buy myself a shotgun, my first in almost 20 years. I had a 870 with a 14" barrel many many years ago, but it is long gone. I plan on using it for the rare 3-gun match, trying my hand at trap/skeet and probably some hunting when I actually take the time to get that license. But I'll be honest, I like the look of tactical shotguns, so no O/U's for me right now.

My preference is for an 870. I've held a few 590A1's, but the balance, weight and LOP wasn't for me. My budget is $700. I will NOT buy anything built by the Chinese arms industry, as a matter of principle. The day the Chinese state becomes a full democracy, sure, but until then, nope. So those are out.

14" or 18.5" barrel is the preference, and I'd like to be able to swap between the two eventually.

My questions..

1. Within my budget of $700, is there any real benefit to buying a used Wingmaster, and building the rest piece by piece? Eg. I built my AR from parts, and while I'm very happy, it cost a fair bit more than buying a complete one from a dealer.

2. Say I have multiple barrel lengths available to me, which can be changed based on whatever the task is (hunting, skeet, 3-gun etc etc). Can I change the magazine tube length as well, as easily?

Thanks guys,

-- L
Click to expand...

I got a used Rem Expr 870 with 28" barrel. It's not like new cosmetically, but hasn't been shot much and bore is good. It was on several upland hunting trips. Works just fine.

If interested, PM me.
Looking to sell for less than half your budget.
 
You can buy a good used wingmaster for about $250, keep the barrel for hunting or skeet. Buy a 14" barrel for $300 (since you don't want to go chinese). That is all you really need. You can add a +1 extension, or differant stocks if you want but for about $550 you have a solid base to begin with and 2 barrels. I have 3 wingmasters at the moment all configured a little differantly, and they absolutely shoot forever. I parkerised and teflon coated them myself. They can be a lot of fun to build, The pistol grip was for a photo op. I find them useless but they look neat. The middle one is 14" and my favorite.

tacticalshotguns001.jpg
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Nice shotguns Dogzilla, and thanks for the price point info. I think I'll be going the route you suggest. Who has the $300 14" barrels?

ETA: Thanks for the offer CeeZer, but I think I'll try a Wingmaster.

-- L
 
Thanks Wendell, I saw that. It's a beautiful gun, but outside of my budget for this. I'll probably spend at least that much over time on accessories, but right now I'm limited.

-- L.
 
I'd give Casey at Tac Ord a call, he is the "go to shotgun guy" IMO so he can cost out barrels and refinishing for ya.He also re-furbishes shotguns as well and is a REM dealer.He is very knowledgeable and may point you in the right direction, before selling you something.
 
Thanks mildot, I checked with Casey and he doesn't have any more receivers, but I think he'll be the guy I go to once this project comes together :)

-- L
 
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