Wingmaster Tactical Build...... Questions ?

J.G.

J.G.

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Since I'm new to "Tactical Shotguns" I thought I'd post my questions here for some advice.

1) I have the oppurtunity to buy a 1970's Remington Wingmaster Magnum 870 is excellent condition from the original owner. The only problem is the gun has had the barrel "hack sawed" at about 18". ( Illegal right ? ) So I'm going to have to buy a new barrel........ Considering the barrel is garbage what is a fair price for the gun ?

2) What are my options for a new barrel ? Will a 14" work ? and where do I buy it ?

3) Are all aftermarket 870 tactical options compatible with the Wingmaster ? I'm thinking of the Houge Short LOP stock and fore grip, plus a Tacstar Side Saddle, and possibly a magizine extension to match a 18" barrel if the 14" barrel is difficult to source

4) Anything else I need to know form those who have done it ?

All comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated ! Pictures would be great too !
 
hello, and welcome to tactical shotguns :)

1) totally legal to hack barrels down to a minimum of 18.5". You can also buy shorter barrels at 12.5" and 14". I've purchased a couple older wingmasters, they can go from $300 - $500 depending on the condition.

2) you can definitely buy a new barrel from Canada Ammo or SFRC, you'll find the 12.5" and 14". They will work just great. Most wingmasters (unless modified) are only chambered for 2.75" shells (not magnum at 3"), both aftermarket barrels are chambered in 2.75" and 3".

3) all 870 aftermarket parts will fit the wingmasters just perfectly :)

4) nope! just have fun with it, so many cool things to do to it :)

hope that helps!!
 
Actually, last time I checked, the legal minimum for cut barrels on non semi-autos is 18". 18.5" for semi autos. Make sense? No? Me neither...

If you're close to that length, you have to measure from the breech face when the bolt is closed. Use a dowel or something similar inside the barrel. Even so, I like to have 18.25" just in case the LEO's rod is longer than yours. :)

So the barrel may or may not be garbage.

Before you commit to new school tactical, at least consider old school tactical:

DSC04053.JPG



If you go with a synthetic stock, you will need a different length stock bolt (maybe the Hogue kits include it), and you will not use the stock bearing plate with the synthetic stock (necessary with a wood stock). You might need a specific tool to remove the retaining nut on the forend. It can be tight and/or corroded on. Does that shotgun handle 3" shells? Many of the older receivers (and barrels) will only take 2 3/4, which is not really a problem (nobody uses 3", right? :)), though it's something you should be aware of. And how are you going to mount your light? :)

I like this guy's approach to defensive shotguns, maybe you will too: w ww.aiptactical.com/

Have fun, it's a great project!
 
Last edited:
alpining said:
Actually, last time I checked, the legal minimum for cut barrels on non semi-autos is 18". 18.5" for semi autos. Make sense? No? Me neither...

If you're close to that length, you have to measure from the breech face when the bolt is closed. Use a dowel or something similar inside the barrel. Even so, I like to have 18.25" just in case the LEO's rod is longer than yours. :)

So the barrel may or may not be garbage.

Before you commit to new school tactical, at least consider old school tactical:

DSC04053.JPG



If you go with a synthetic stock, you will need a different length stock bolt (maybe the Hogue kits include it), and you will not use the stock bearing plate with the synthetic stock (necessary with a wood stock). You might need a specific tool to remove the retaining nut on the forend. It can be tight and/or corroded on. Does that shotgun handle 3" shells? Many of the older receivers (and barrels) will only take 2 3/4, which is not really a problem (nobody uses 3", right? :)), though it's something you should be aware of. And how are you going to mount your light? :)

I like this guy's approach to defensive shotguns, maybe you will too: w ww.aiptactical.com/

Have fun, it's a great project!
Click to expand...

Nice, ill be following this, as i just purchased a wingmaster and want to tactical cool it :p
 
Having done a few builds on Wingmasters I only have a few things to add to what has already been stated.
1) Stick with quality upgrades. S&J Hardware and Mesa Tactical are awesome. If you do go with a 14" barrel put a one shot extention on. You won't regret it. SFRC (banner at top of page) carries most of the upgrades you could want and the are excellent to deal with.
2) Surf the shotgun forums here to look at pics of what other have done. Then decide what direction you want to go.

I changed mine a few times before I figured out what worked for me. In my case it was a Mesa Tactical LEO stock, Hogue forend, Mesa Tactical 6 shot side saddle, 14" barrel, S&J one shot extention, oversized safety, and no jam mag follower.
I tried just about everything else.....18" barrel, flashlights, rails, red dots. In the end simple and short worked for me. It really does come down to personal choice. It just makes the choice easier if you take the time and research other peoples builds and good quaility products before you start ordering everything under the sun.
They really are fun to build and tinker with. Have fun....and post pics with what you end up with.
 
Since we're plugging suppliers, here's a recommendation for Casey at Tactical Ordnance. Not a site sponsor, but a great guy to deal with.
 
Diablo9845 said:
Could you detail the parts that went into the above shotgun please? The pictures look amazing!
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I knew I would regret selling her... I didn't do much to it, actually:

Police stock set from Numrich (heavily refinished, looked brutal when it arrived)
Hand cut original barrel, smith mounted front sight bead
Remington factory +2 extension (polished and home cold-blued to match the barrel)
New style firing pin and firing pin spring (shotgun came with a first-gen pin, a little prone to breakage)
Carrier dog latch spring from an 1100 (same part as spec on the Police model, gives more positive feeding)
 
alpining said:
Actually, last time I checked, the legal minimum for cut barrels on non semi-autos is 18". 18.5" for semi autos. Make sense? No? Me neither...
Click to expand...
The first time I read this I thought you were saying that non-semi actions had to be no shorter than 18", but I realized you were referring to cut barrels. The breakdown is as follows and applies to ANY barrel for ANY type of firearm:

Cut any barrel to 18.5" - non-restricted
Cut any barrel to 18.49" to 18" - restricted
Cut any barrel below 18" - prohibited

Government measures in millimeters of course but I don't have the exact figures handy, they're fairly close to the imperial figures as that's what they were based on.

So if you really have an 18.25" cut barrel I would go buy a new one...
 
AK said:
The breakdown is as follows and applies to ANY barrel for ANY type of firearm:

Cut any barrel to 18.5" - non-restricted
Cut any barrel to 18.49" to 18" - restricted
Cut any barrel below 18" - prohibited
Click to expand...

What is the source of your information?

Here are the definitions of restricted and prohibited firearms in Canada as per the Criminal Code:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/restr-eng.htm
According to the Criminal Code, a restricted firearm is:

a handgun that is not a prohibited firearm,
a firearm that
is not a prohibited firearm,
has a barrel less than 470 mm in length, and
is capable of discharging centre-fire ammunition in a semi-automatic manner,
a firearm that is designed or adapted to be fired when reduced to a length of less than 660 mm by folding, telescoping or otherwise, or
a firearm of any other kind that is prescribed to be a restricted firearm


http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cfp-pcaf/fs-fd/prohibited-prohibe-eng.htm
According to the Criminal Code, a prohibited firearm is:

a handgun that
has a barrel equal to or less than 105 mm in length, or
is designed or adapted to discharge a 25 or 32 calibre cartridge, but does not include any such handgun that is prescribed, where the handgun is for use in international sporting competitions governed by the rules of the International Shooting Union,
a firearm that is adapted from a rifle or shotgun, whether by sawing, cutting or any other alteration, and that, as so adapted,
is less than 660 mm in length, or
is 660 mm or greater in length and has a barrel less than 457 mm in length,
an automatic firearm, whether or not it has been altered to discharge only one projectile with one pressure of the trigger, or
any firearm that is prescribed to be a prohibited firearm
 
AK said:
The first time I read this I thought you were saying that non-semi actions had to be no shorter than 18", but I realized you were referring to cut barrels. The breakdown is as follows and applies to ANY barrel for ANY type of firearm:

Cut any barrel to 18.5" - non-restricted
Cut any barrel to 18.49" to 18" - restricted
Cut any barrel below 18" - prohibited

Government measures in millimeters of course but I don't have the exact figures handy, they're fairly close to the imperial figures as that's what they were based on.

So if you really have an 18.25" cut barrel I would go buy a new one...
Click to expand...

No. Any barrel of at least 18" is non-restricted on a manually operated firearm. It doesn't matter if you cut it so long as it is over 18".

-Grant
 
Looks like I was mistaken about the action requirements, thanks for the clarification fellas! I learned something today. :)
 
alpining said:
Actually, last time I checked, the legal minimum for cut barrels on non semi-autos is 18". 18.5" for semi autos. Make sense? No? Me neither...

If you're close to that length, you have to measure from the breech face when the bolt is closed. Use a dowel or something similar inside the barrel. Even so, I like to have 18.25" just in case the LEO's rod is longer than yours. :)

So the barrel may or may not be garbage.

Before you commit to new school tactical, at least consider old school tactical:

DSC04053.JPG



If you go with a synthetic stock, you will need a different length stock bolt (maybe the Hogue kits include it), and you will not use the stock bearing plate with the synthetic stock (necessary with a wood stock). You might need a specific tool to remove the retaining nut on the forend. It can be tight and/or corroded on. Does that shotgun handle 3" shells? Many of the older receivers (and barrels) will only take 2 3/4, which is not really a problem (nobody uses 3", right? :)), though it's something you should be aware of. And how are you going to mount your light? :)

I like this guy's approach to defensive shotguns, maybe you will too: w ww.aiptactical.com/

Have fun, it's a great project!
Click to expand...


Nice shotgun, seems we have the same tastes;)
 
To make it more tactical, cut off the part of the stock behind the curve that goes to the receiver, but make sure the firearm is over 26 inches of total length.
 
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