Pre-1974, 870 Wingmaster 20ga. barrel?

.22LRGUY

.22LRGUY

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Hey guys, have a question for all of you Wingmaster experts. I picked-up a older 20ga. gun on the weekend, condition was simply too good to pass-up. I'd done my research in advance, and knew it was built on a 12ga. receiver but after seeing it, it had to follow me home. :) I'm pleased as punch with it, and got the chance to shoot it late yesterday~runs like a top. Glad I didn't succumb to the 870 Express temptation. :)

I knew (and know) that barrels for these aren't easy to come by, but I'm not keen on altering the mod./28" barrel on it (again, condition is like new) until I've exhausted the options. I'd like a shorter barrel for tight bush/grouse hunting~I threaded my 28"-barreled 12 through some nearly impassible woods last year. Not too much fun.

I have placed a "WTB" ad in the EE, but know that unless someone is buying or selling, they don't always look in there. So, I'll add an honest question to this...so it doesn't sound like a duplicate post~Were some of these guns ("X" serial #) able to shoot 3"? Looking on the Barrel Exchange site, it appears as though they exist...but they're listed as a Model 58. (?)

A photo of my gun, where the barrel meets. Note the taper where the larger-sized receiver meets the smaller diameter barrel.

870barrel20ga.jpg


EDIT~just found a 20ga. Wingmaster barrel listed in the US, 3" full choke. Would this fit the same gun? (Still used as a 2-3/4" shooter)

870barrel20ga3inch.png
 
You and I have talked about this a few times by PM and I will be 100% honest I am really struggling understanding your decision.
I assume this was the one epps had if it was nine guns down on the list is a factory 20ga 870 3" mag wingmaster with remchokes for an additional 200.
Do you honestly think you are going to find a large frame 20ga barrel and have it fitted with 3 choke tubes for 200??? Not to mention the barrel you need has not been made in 35years.
If me I would be trading it back to Wes and getting the other one that is ready to go. But hey to each his own and you are happy so that is what is important. I also would not be spending the cash choke tubing a plain non vent rib barrel for this gun but that is me always thinking about resale down the road.
To answer you question and I may be wrong since we didnot play a lot with 20ga large frame guns since they were not common even back in the day but from what I remember they are not like the 12ga with the exact same receiver and only the ejector and spring different between 2 3/4 and 3".
The 20ga ones were stamped with a X suffex in the serial number for a 2 3/4" receiver and a N suffex for a 3". The openings for inserting and ejecting the shells were different lengths so putting a 3" barrel on yours will require ejector, spring and a fair amount of grinding to open the port. I also think the mag tubes were slightly different length on the 20 ga meaning 3" Magnums offered a three shotshell magazine tube capacity and the 2 3/4 inch magazines would allow a four shotshell capacity.


If someone knows for sure feel free to correct me. take care
 
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I have a large frame 28" full that came on the gun. Have a 28" mod and a 18" smoothbore slug barrel as well. And no, they are not for sale.
 
CROWCA said:
Same gun cut to 18.5 great grouse gun,put in choke system!!
Click to expand...

Hey CROWCA~care to share some photos? How do your chokes pattern in a barrel that short? I'm inclined to cut mine down, and had planned to go 22". Called Remington,and found out my gun was made in 1968! Not sure whether to shoot it, or hang it on the wall! :)

Waterfowler~you might be the reason there are no spare barrels around! :) That 28" full has to be pretty useless, I'll take that one and we'll BOTH have 2. Only fair...right?
 
It's was my dad's shotgun he bought as a young men. The 28" full came on the barrel and it and the gun will never be sold.

As far as the 28" mod and slug barrel go, everything in this world has a price.
 
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