Rem 870, to convert or not?

Ar180shooter

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Ok, so I recently picked up an older Remington 870 Wingmaster in fair condition, and I want to turn it in to a tactical shotty.

The shotgun is about 50 years old, so there is some wear on the finish and light surface rust, so I don't feel that bad about refinishing it, but am wondering if it's worth the trouble?

I'd like to cut the barrel to 18.1" (460mm), put a 2 shot magazine tube extension on it, swap out the stock and parkerize the whole thing. By doing this, will I be committing a "crime", so to speak?

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Do what you want with it. Old doesn't mean collectable, there are literally millions of 870's out there (I have 3 at the moment) , and the parts off a 50 yr old gun fit the new ones so it's not as if you are ruining a rare firearm.
 
Do the mods, see how you like it, then re-finish it later on.

Sounds like a good truck gun to me.

As far as "Tactical", you alone are the tactical part.
 
Do what you want with it. Old doesn't mean collectable, there are literally millions of 870's out there (I have 3 at the moment) , and the parts off a 50 yr old gun fit the new ones so it's not as if you are ruining a rare firearm.

Thanks for reassuring me. This is pretty much what I figured, but since I'm not much of a shotgun guy, I figured I'd ask and double check.
 
The shotgun is about 50 years old, so there is some wear on the finish and light surface rust, so I don't feel that bad about refinishing it, but am wondering if it's worth the trouble?

I'd like to cut the barrel to 18.1" (460mm), put a 2 shot magazine tube extension on it, swap out the stock and parkerize the whole thing. By doing this, will I be committing a "crime", so to speak?

Sounds like a fun project. I'd reblue it rather than parkerize, but that's just me...I like the contrast of blue steel with 'tacticool' accessories. Have at it...go wild!
 
you could always pick up an 18" Rem barrel new or off EE, or one of the shorty options on the market if you want to keep the field bbl original
P.S. go with police wood rubbed down with linseed oil, it will look amazing agaisnt the parkerizing!
 
you could always pick up an 18" Rem barrel new or off EE, or one of the shorty options on the market if you want to keep the field bbl original
P.S. go with police wood rubbed down with linseed oil, it will look amazing agaisnt the parkerizing!

I'll consider it as an option, but I was thinking of going with a Hogue OverMolded stock.
 
Cut the barrel, yes, but spend your money on a few tougher springs instead, lengthening the forcing cone, Wilson sights and a good set of walnut Police furniture. Make the gun reliable with a good reconditioning, smoothen it all out and have fun.

An enjoyable shotgun is a well balanced one you can handle comfortably and painlessly, not necessarily heavy and doomsday tacticooled.

Aside from a good cleaning, I'd keep the cosmetics as they are. Don't parkerize a Wingmaster.
 
Cut the barrel, yes, but spend your money on a few tougher springs instead, lengthening the forcing cone, Wilson sights and a good set of walnut Police furniture. Make the gun reliable with a good reconditioning, smoothen it all out and have fun.

An enjoyable shotgun is a well balanced one you can handle comfortably and painlessly, not necessarily heavy and doomsday tacticooled.

Aside from a good cleaning, I'd keep the cosmetics as they are. Don't parkerize a Wingmaster.

Duly noted. And for me, a shotgun with ghost ring sights and a side saddle is tacticool enough, so I don't think there's a risk of getting to the doomsday point. :D
 
How's the action on that old wingmaster? Should be like butter.

Don't cut the barrel, buy a new shorter one. If you are bent on park'ing it, we can do it in the garage sometime when you are down this way, got all the stuff here. ;-)
 
You gotta keep in mind practicallity (an odd word in the tacticool world)

practicality? What's that? :p

You can't have enough cool s**t on that bad boy! I'm thinking railed fore end... Railed heat shield.... Side saddles on both sides, flashlight, laser, cup holders and satellite radio!
 
if it was me
I would pick up another barrel a non rifled iron sights ic bore 20-21 what ever you can get
and try if for a wile

the short barrel might be ok for grouse in the deep cover of the woods

if you then like it get the receiver and both barrels parkerized and you will have the best of both worlds
 
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