Is the wingmaster that much better than the express?

L

leetrev1

New member
After my last post, I've decided to go with a Remington 870 for my first 12 guage. As always, money is an issue, so most likely I'm going to go with the express over the wingmaster. I've read a lot about the plastic trigger assembly on the express. Is this neccesarily a bad thing or is it not a big deal. Also, those of you who are familiar with these two guns, would you tell me some of the pros and cons of these to guns, and if maybe I should wait a while and go for the wingmaster. Thanks
 
If you're planning on beating it up, get the express. The wingmaster has a few advantages (most are cosmetic) over the express. Do a search on this topic and you will find a plethora of information. ;)
 
Mathman is right. Many of the Wingmaster benefits are cosmetic... bowling ball finish, chrome bolt, nicer wood and woodwork. But the action is -noticeably- smoother. I've shot many pump guns, most recently the Benelli Nova, Mossberg Persuader, Mossberg 500, Rem 870 Express... and none of them cycled as nicely or firmly as my old Wingmaster.

But it's not a gun you want to haul through woods or anywhere it might be scratched badly, or dropped, etc. The outside on the Wingmaster is as much a work of art as the inside... the Express is much more "expendable." As re: the plastic trigger assembly... I've never encountered anyone who's had a problem with it. Not sure if that says much, but there it is.

So I guess it depends on what you're looking for. If price is the ultimate selling point, go with the Express. It'll last you your lifetime, and you can always get a Wingmaster later :D
 
Wingmaster

Thanks to all who replied and informed me of some things I was unaware of. After using the heck out of the search bar, I decided to order a new 870 Wingmaster, which I did this morning. After doing so, I was so excited that I called my grandfather to tell him of my new purchase. He told me to call and cancel! When I asked why, he replied "Because my new wingmaster (he has two) has only had maybe 5 boxes of shells through it, and with the way my balance is these days, its yours. I can't hunt anymore, and you'd enjoy it more than I can." So, there ya go. I thought some of you may find this story at least amusing if not neat, thanks again.
 
Hey, Lee!!! I'm proud for you!!!! GOD is good!! You are a very lucky guy!!!!
Just think what you saved, and if it is an older model, that much better!!!
 
The difference between them is not great, but you can feel the difference when you handle them, especially if you pick an older Wingmaster up.
 
All 870s are good shotguns. Old Wingmasters oft are great ones. And treasure it, it's your grandfather's shotgun.

Enjoy!!
 
You better treasure your new gun, those Wingmasters are nice. To answer your first question- There is a difference between the two. I have had Express and SPS models, and they are great, especially for the money and what I do with them. Waterfowling is rough on a gun, and those nice blued barrels and wood stocks don't last that long. However the Wingmaster is built better than the Express models and I have one on my (long) list of shottys to buy.
 
Do not buy a new Wingmaster. The fit and finish are really not that great. The old Wingmasters are really wonderful guns, but the new wingmasters are disappointing.
 
nice

Talk about a best case scenario!:) Take good care of Granddad's gun and you'll be passing it on yourself someday.
 
hey Hello123 ( or anyone else ), Im in the market now for a wingmaster, whats a good cut off point as far as year for a better made 870?, did they still have the magnum reciever ?
thanks
 
Best of both worlds?

Now that you've got Grandpa's Wingmaster, go buy that Express and you can have a beater gun too. If the ergonomics are the same, you can use the Express to practice and the Wingmaster for the hunt(or just have have a 'good' gun).

Perfect!
 
I have 2 new Expresses. The quality control and the workmanship on the wood varies greatly. The bottom of the stock and grip on my 20 wasn't even stained. I used dark Old English Scratch Remover (for lack of having anything else) and put multiple rubs on it, then wiped it off several times. It takes a while for it to penetrate that hard wood. Then I put Johnson's paste wax on it. It looks ok now. The 12 gauge was always excellent, and couldn't be better unless it was a Wingmaster. I suspect Mossberg may be that way also, thus one of the reasons for many different opinions on these guns. My Mossberg is also excellent in fit and finish. I would be willing to bet, though, that some of them may be poor in finish as well. Having said that, I believe it is better to look before you buy, rather than ordering your guns. You can't trust them to send you a decent product.
 
A couple things....

First, anyone with an 870 they wish to date can call 800-243-9700 and talk to the nice folks at Remington. Give them a serial number and they'll tell you when it was made.

Most of the 6 870s here at Casa McC are Wingmasters. The 20 gauge is an Express and there's a couple barrels also. The 20 is taking a bit longer to slick in but another few cases should do it.

There's no cutoff date for when QC went to heck. Be that as it may, I've seen no lemons in 50s to 70s WMs.

Many early WMs are not Magnums. That's a problem only for turkey hunting and waterfowling. Not a big prob either.

My oldest 870 was made the first year of production, 1950. It's seen goose blinds, berry bramble hells, salt marshes,3 gun enduros, July qualifications and my sweaty mitts. Zero rust. With proper care and TLC, Parkerizing is not crucial.
 
I used to shoot trap and went thru few trap guns before I settled on one gun that fit perfect and shot great and it was my old Wingmaster, I put about 60,000 rounds thru the thing in 5 years. never had a problem with it, functioned flawlessly, sorry I ever sold it.
 
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