Ok, let's make an 870 comparison list....

[Waterfowler]

This seems to come up often, so fill free to add to it:

A new Wingmaster vs a new Express.

Metal finish...blued vs sand or beadblasted.

Wood.....walnut vs birch.

Wood finish....high gloss/satin vs stained.

Barrel.......overall diameter.

Sights......high post front ivory/centre bead vs. metal bead, front only

Trigger mech.....no plastic or less in the WM.

Machining......WM much smoother.

Wingmaster - metal edges are radiused/softened, not on Express

Wingmaster - receiver top has milled lines, flattened area only on Express

3 choke vs 1 choke


Price.......$650 vs $375 approx.

 

[Varmit]

may I add, the WM comes with three chokes and the express only with one (modified)

 

[Waterfowler]

Good point!!

 

[Ike]

I also notice:
Wingmaster - metal edges are radiused/softened, not on Express
Wingmaster - receiver top has milled lines, flattened area only on Express

Cheers

 

[USP]

Dont forget the nice parkerized 870 Police..

 

[LeePeterson]

What guns are we talking here? 3" or 3.5"?

I know you can get Super Mag 3.5" express for $350 or cheaper. The cheapest 3.5" wingmaster I could find is $700. For half the price I guess you would expect a little less.

 

[beretta boy]

... and the latest model ( 870 Express) now comes with laminated stock and forend.

Does make them look a little better, and likely more durable.

 

[tracker]

Working mans gun or cabinet queen.

 

[Grouse Man]

Wingmaster. Far more desirable. Get it as wet and muddy as you want, they clean up easily without any real harm.

 

[grayrc]

I agree this isn't the first thread on this topic, and will likely be flamed for asking if you could add the Norinco 870 clones to this comparison...

Obviously the quality hierarchy is Wingmaster, then Express, then Norinco, but given the ~$20 price difference between the 'real' 870 Express Home Defender and Norinco's 18.5" clone equivalent... can any case be made for buying the Norionco? (i.e. why would anyone??) I assume there's nothing 'better' about it?

/gc

 

[Waterfowler]

There are a lot more Wingmasters out there that are a working mans gun, compared to Expresses.

Working mans gun or cabinet queen.

 

[Waterfowler]

ttt for someone looking for it.

 

[Paulinski]

My friend has an 870 Express. I could not belive how smooth the action is after 2500 rounds. This gun eats everything, slugs, buckshoot, target loads without a hickup. Great shotgun.

 

[grayrc]

Just picked up a new 870 Express 3" magnum 'combo' yesterday (IC slug barrel and 28" ribbed). Unimpressive wood and some mystery finish on the metal... but it gets me into the shotgun game for <$500. It shoulders and cycles smoothly - haven't fired it yet though. My only other experience was with a Norinco clone so the fit and finish are a noticeable step up. Watch for this one on the EE once I can find a decent price on a used wingmaster. Appreciated the helpful input above.

/gc

 

[emmab]

I've got a wingmaster from 1954 that still functions perfectly(and looks good too!)