New old 870 - some Q's

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unclearthur

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Hi, I just bought a Remington 870 12 g, maybe 35-40 years old. My 1st shotgun, and some questions for the better informed:

i)there is no choke or rifling or threading. Is it possible to add choke tubes on a gun this old ?

ii) there is no front bead, but there is a small hole where it would be. Is it difficult to get a bead put on? Any particular type is best?

iii) it has a wood stock in good shape but a little 'dry'. What should be used on the wood to preserve it?

iv) do people usually have slings on their shotguns?

v) any big differences between old 870s (say from 1960s) and new 870s ??

vi) How can I find out what year it was built? Their is a code "LDY" on the barrel but it does not seem to match up to the code tables I could find on the internet?

Thanks too all who respond
 
from the '60's your 870 is the wingmaster, since they didn't make the 870 express then. there's virtually no difference between a wing master then and now.there's no problem having your muzzle bored and tapped for screw in choke tubes , but your gunsmith ,when he measure the muzzle can tell you what choke already exists. to use a sling is a simple matter of getting a forend cap with a swivel on it . find the serial number, google remington and you can find the DOM.
 
unclearthur said:
Hi, I just bought a Remington 870 12 g, maybe 35-40 years old. My 1st shotgun, and some questions for the better informed:

i)there is no choke or rifling or threading. Is it possible to add choke tubes on a gun this old ?

ii) there is no front bead, but there is a small hole where it would be. Is it difficult to get a bead put on? Any particular type is best?

iii) it has a wood stock in good shape but a little 'dry'. What should be used on the wood to preserve it?

iv) do people usually have slings on their shotguns?

v) any big differences between old 870s (say from 1960s) and new 870s ??

vi) How can I find out what year it was built? Their is a code "LDY" on the barrel but it does not seem to match up to the code tables I could find on the internet?

Thanks too all who respond
Click to expand...

Not an expert by any means so here goes nothing:)

i) Most any gunsmith can tap for a choke, I think I was once quoted $80.
ii) Again, most any gunsmith has a varity of replacement beads on hand.
iii) If its an oiled finish, I like Schaftol (http://www.schaftol.de/English/english.html, Canadian supplier at bottom of list)
iv) Slings are all personal preference - does your situation allow you to always hold your shotgun while getting to your hunting area? When actually hunting or at shooting range, they tend to just get in the way.
v) Most will tell you older is better because there is more plastic and cheaper finish on low-end new 870s.
vi) Not a clue on this one, couldn't even make something up!:)
 
Carlson's Chokes in Kansas has done superior choke tube installations for me in the past. As for a front bead, I prefer the 'Bradley' style (bead appears parallel to the barrel). Ballistol is good not only for stocks but also cleaning/ lubrication. Uncle Mike's makes a nylon 'slip on' shotgun sling; no need to drill your stock and easy on/off. The primary difference between new and old 870 models is the new ones have a different method of securing the magazine spring at the top of the tube; older models use a friction system while the new ones use a plunger-type system. You can phone Remington toll-free at 1-800-243-9700 between 9 to 5 Monday through Friday (EST) and they will tell you when your shotgun was made. Enjoy yours; I own four.....
 
Shootshellz said:
Carlson's Chokes in Kansas has done superior choke tube installations for me in the past. As for a front bead, I prefer the 'Bradley' style (bead appears parallel to the barrel). Ballistol is good not only for stocks but also cleaning/ lubrication. Uncle Mike's makes a nylon 'slip on' shotgun sling; no need to drill your stock and easy on/off. The primary difference between new and old 870 models is the new ones have a different method of securing the magazine spring at the top of the tube; older models use a friction system while the new ones use a plunger-type system. You can phone Remington toll-free at 1-800-243-9700 between 9 to 5 Monday through Friday (EST) and they will tell you when your shotgun was made. Enjoy yours; I own four.....
Click to expand...

Or you can PM me the serial number (leave out the last 2 digits but include the suffix, if any) and I can tell you the year of mmanufacture.
 
870 barrel etc

buy a used barrel off the gunbroker site, with screw in chokes, any 870 will fit, about $90 to $125. better than getting the other barrel threaded ( cost $195 in ontario), try to get one with a vent rib, great for turkey sights, they snap on and are terrific.
 
I purchased two 25-30 yo wingmasters from a member here a little while ago, they are the forefather of the police series (both with LE wood and mag extensions, one is 18" the other 20") main difference with the newer Gen is the 2 3/4 only chamber, the aluminum trigger guard and the absence of J-lock.

I PM'ed Arwen Ace (TacOrd) with the serial # and he told me the approx date of manufacture.

He also sold me some parts that needed to be changed (he should have any parts handy as he his a Remington Authorized repair center).

I ended up sending both guns to him for refinishing as my personal attempt was not as good as I liked, when I asked if he could thread one for chokes he told me the barrel was too thin, he could still do it if I really wanted but he didn't recommend it.

I use a single point sling on the 18" (the "tactical" one), no sling on the 20".

My dad refinished the wood, to nice result with simple tung oil I believe, but I could be mistaking...

here's what they look now:
HPIM0598.jpg
 
I bought a 1957 Wingmaster when I started duck hunting about 7 years ago, had the full choke opened up to modified and went hunting with it.
 
Thanks all, thats very helpful...also supplementary question: I am assuming the barrel has no choke in it ....looks straight... but how do you know for sure? It is stamped CYL, does that mean it is cylindrical bore - no choke ?
 
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