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870 Wingmaster 30” barrel
- Thread starter Miles2014
- Start date
Thanks 243winxbBuy if it has screw in chokes. Then look for a used 18" barrel for home defence.
I’m kind of new to shotty’z...what is the advantage to screw in chokes?
https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/knowledge/choke+tubes+explained.do
An improved cylinder choke could be screwed into the barrel for skeet or shooting slugs.
A full or modified choke for trap .
An improved cylinder choke could be screwed into the barrel for skeet or shooting slugs.
A full or modified choke for trap .
The older guns came with either Improved Cylinder, Modified or Full choke barrels. Generally 26" barrels were IC, 28" were usually modified, but some were full choke. A 30" barrel isn't common and all that I ever saw were full choke.
Being stuck with one choke for everything could be a handicap for the guy who hunted a lot of different game. Most hunters had multiple guns, or at least multiple barrels for one gun. Interchangeable tubes have been the norm for 30+ years and allows a gun owner to have access to many different chokes from the same barrel at much less cost.
If it were something more common I might suggest cutting the barrel down for SD or even cutting it and having it threaded for tubes.
You can just buy a whole gun with a shorter barrel suitable for home protection for a lot less than buying this and another barrel.
Being stuck with one choke for everything could be a handicap for the guy who hunted a lot of different game. Most hunters had multiple guns, or at least multiple barrels for one gun. Interchangeable tubes have been the norm for 30+ years and allows a gun owner to have access to many different chokes from the same barrel at much less cost.
If it were something more common I might suggest cutting the barrel down for SD or even cutting it and having it threaded for tubes.
You can just buy a whole gun with a shorter barrel suitable for home protection for a lot less than buying this and another barrel.
bamaranger
New member
I would
A true Wingmaster, used in good shape would be a decent buy. At one time Mossberg (of all people) made a 18" bead sighted barrel for the Rem 870 that sold for around $100 bucks new. That would solve your HD issue.
A 30" tube is a monster, and I had one on my 1980 circa Wingmaster and one season tureky hunting with it, even as a young man, conviced me it was WAY too long and heavy for my use. I traded it away in a buy for a pair of 26" full and IC barrels, which served for years for all my shotgunning. Playing with shotshell quality allowed me to tweak the actual choke results. Premium shells in the IC barrel usually shot to modified standard. Cheap shells in the full tube nearly did same.
I haven't been in too many shops, even in recent years, that there weren't one or two 870 fixed choke barrels about that could be had for some bartering.
A true Wingmaster, used in good shape would be a decent buy. At one time Mossberg (of all people) made a 18" bead sighted barrel for the Rem 870 that sold for around $100 bucks new. That would solve your HD issue.
A 30" tube is a monster, and I had one on my 1980 circa Wingmaster and one season tureky hunting with it, even as a young man, conviced me it was WAY too long and heavy for my use. I traded it away in a buy for a pair of 26" full and IC barrels, which served for years for all my shotgunning. Playing with shotshell quality allowed me to tweak the actual choke results. Premium shells in the IC barrel usually shot to modified standard. Cheap shells in the full tube nearly did same.
I haven't been in too many shops, even in recent years, that there weren't one or two 870 fixed choke barrels about that could be had for some bartering.
The 1960s 870 with fixed chokes came in 2 versions.
A 2 3/4" chamber cost less, as it only fired 2 3/4" shells
The magnum model fired both 2 3/4" and 3" magnum shells. It cost more.
Overall , a 3" with screw in chokes is more valuable then the old guns.
Condition of the shotgun makes a difference in price also.
A 2 3/4" chamber cost less, as it only fired 2 3/4" shells
The magnum model fired both 2 3/4" and 3" magnum shells. It cost more.
Overall , a 3" with screw in chokes is more valuable then the old guns.
Condition of the shotgun makes a difference in price also.
The advantage to screw in chokes is versatility. Also means it'd be really easy to sell or trade that barrel for a 20" barrel if you want.
Finding 870 barrels is not any kind of challenge. Usually cheaper if the thing doesn't come in a blister package.
"...A 30" barrel isn't common..." Used to be. Hordes of 'em were sold in the early 80's or so. Full choke, no rib.
The forestock have vertical grooves? Bought my 870 with a 30", full choke, plain, barrel in about 1980. Says Wingmaster on it. A Wingmaster wasn't always a high end shotgun. A pipe cutter turned it into an 18.375" cylinder choked shotgun.
"...and heavy for my use..." Try a rifle sighted slug barrel. snicker.
Finding 870 barrels is not any kind of challenge. Usually cheaper if the thing doesn't come in a blister package.
"...A 30" barrel isn't common..." Used to be. Hordes of 'em were sold in the early 80's or so. Full choke, no rib.
The forestock have vertical grooves? Bought my 870 with a 30", full choke, plain, barrel in about 1980. Says Wingmaster on it. A Wingmaster wasn't always a high end shotgun. A pipe cutter turned it into an 18.375" cylinder choked shotgun.
"...and heavy for my use..." Try a rifle sighted slug barrel. snicker.
243winxb,The 1960s 870 with fixed chokes came in 2 versions.
A 2 3/4" chamber cost less, as it only fired 2 3/4" shells
The magnum model fired both 2 3/4" and 3" magnum shells. It cost more.
Overall , a 3" with screw in chokes is more valuable then the old guns.
Condition of the shotgun makes a difference in price also.
Got a little bit more info.... it shoots 2 3/4 only and does not come with screwed in chokes. Seems to be in good condition. Would you still go for it?
Thanks again for your help!
No. I would buy new. Entry level models are around $350. https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/mobile/categories.php?cat=991 check type and prices.
The newer ones have better, stronger steel in the barrels.
The newer ones have better, stronger steel in the barrels.
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jaguarxk120
New member
The MSRP on a new Wingmaster shotgun is $847.
If the OP is looking for a "shotty'z" he might do well to look at other brands
that are less expensive.
If the OP is looking for a "shotty'z" he might do well to look at other brands
that are less expensive.
No one with any sense pays MSRP. Check Bud's at least.
A 2-3/4" 870 can be converted to 3", but unless you find a smith that knows how to do it the easy way it's expensive with the receiver refinish. You can have choke tubes added for less than $100 by a reputable gunsmith.
A 2-3/4" 870 can be converted to 3", but unless you find a smith that knows how to do it the easy way it's expensive with the receiver refinish. You can have choke tubes added for less than $100 by a reputable gunsmith.
Omaha-BeenGlockin
New member
OP----sounds like you just want a nice HD gun---buy that gun--get another barrel and you'll be good---just make sure you use only 2.75in shells.
NOW--IF you think you might want to do some hunting--a new gun might be better---you can choose either a 26in or 28in barrel---3in chamber---comes with choke tubes and a warranty.
One thing rarely mentioned with the guns is the LC(light contour) barrel--which reduces the weight of the gun by half a pound(Wingmaster 12ga only) which is a HUGE deal when carrying the gun all day long hunting in the field.
I bought a new Wingmaster about a year ago---in most ways its as nice as the older guns other than the hideous detail work on the top of the rib---and a few ways nicer--LC barrel--3in chamber--choke tubes--warranty --better steel. I bought it because a Wingmaster is what I grew up with and nothing else quite handles like a 870.
NOW--IF you think you might want to do some hunting--a new gun might be better---you can choose either a 26in or 28in barrel---3in chamber---comes with choke tubes and a warranty.
One thing rarely mentioned with the guns is the LC(light contour) barrel--which reduces the weight of the gun by half a pound(Wingmaster 12ga only) which is a HUGE deal when carrying the gun all day long hunting in the field.
I bought a new Wingmaster about a year ago---in most ways its as nice as the older guns other than the hideous detail work on the top of the rib---and a few ways nicer--LC barrel--3in chamber--choke tubes--warranty --better steel. I bought it because a Wingmaster is what I grew up with and nothing else quite handles like a 870.
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"...you might want to do some hunting..." Buy a barrel with changeable chokes. Any 870 will take any barrel made for an 870 with no fuss.
Don't get married to 3" ammo. It doesn't do anything 2.75" ammo won't. If you want more felt recoil there are 2.75" magnums. Or slugs. Any 3" barrel will use 2.75" ammo with no fuss too.
And the difference between a new Wingmaster and an Express is the fit and finish. Sane thing otherwise.
Don't get married to 3" ammo. It doesn't do anything 2.75" ammo won't. If you want more felt recoil there are 2.75" magnums. Or slugs. Any 3" barrel will use 2.75" ammo with no fuss too.
And the difference between a new Wingmaster and an Express is the fit and finish. Sane thing otherwise.
shootbrownelk
New member
$230 for an old Wingmaster? That's a good deal IMO. Those older guns were better built and use machined parts...not MIM parts that are breakage prone. You can't shoot out and old Wingmaster. Barrels are cheap and seem to be as plentiful as bellybuttons. I'd buy it if there was one around here for that price.
Wingmasters have utilized a lot of stamped parts since 1950. That's how they put the Model 12 and the Model 37 both out of business. The Expresses utilize MIM extractors and ejectors (not ejector springs). Easy to change if you are paranoid. I have never seen a Wingmaster break an extractor, but the 1100s did so they made them thicker on the 11-87 and newer 1100s.
I've wingy's in both 12 & 20. 12 is 2 3/4 mod fixed. 20 is 2 3/4 with an org. full fixed & a second 2 3/4 mod fixed. Have had both for many years of excellent service. If I were in the vicinity of the $230 one you'd not have to worry over everyone's opinions because it would belong to me as fast as I could throw down the cash and get it home.