New or Old 870

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b12alex

New member
im going to be buying a new 870 soon and at my local gun smith he has an older model 870 their that he said i could buy with a new barrel or just get a brand new out of the box 870. Are the older models better made? Can you still do the cosmetic stuff with the old wingmaster?
 
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Would have to pretty much echo all previous replies and my last choice would be the new Express models. The list is long on the good, bad and ugly of the Express. Mostly cosmetics and a few mechanical problems. By the way, I am a Remington fan. ... :)


Be Safe !!!
 
b12alex

As my friend Zippy said, I prefer the Wingmaster flavor of 870 over the Express. Just as I prefer older models of Smith & Wessons over the NEW and IMPROVED models.

Good Luck & Stay Safe
 
Just keep in mind that there are some older WM's with a 2 3/4 chamber. This is either a plus or minus to the buyer... If you will ever fire a 3 inch, you need the 3 inch chamber. If you won't be, than the 1/2 inch less you have to cycle the action may be a big plus to you...
Brent
 
The older Wingmasters are the best pump guns Remington ever made. The Express is not in the Wingmaster's class, old or new.
 
I have a Wing master I bought new in 1980. I bought a express couple years back Want to bet which one I still have. Hint starts with a W:D
 
My grandson just bought a new 870 Express and it doesn't compare to the old Wingmaster. I'm an Ithaca fan, but have owned a few older 870's. The new ones don't have the fit, finish and definitely not the smooth action of the older ones.
 
The express is the same as the WM... as far as dimensions etc... the same add ons will fit. The fit and finish is where the Express is far lacking... Heck, the barrel is blued but so ruff it looks like a parkerized finish:eek:
Brent
 
Cosmetic stuff? As in make it a mall ninja gun with some plastic pistol grip adjustable stock, lasers, scopes, bayonet lugs and such?
 
I just got a 1973 WM, after looking at the new Express. IMHO, the older ones have a better finish, way better wood, smoother action, metal trigger guard - not plastic, and was less money. I got lucky and it had a barrel length and choke that I was happy with.
Josh P

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At the range today, I fired one shell from a new Express with a mere 1K rounds through it.

It certainly didn't cycle as smoothly as my old.well worn Wingmasters, but there were no flies on it. After a few thousand more rounds, the differences will be hardly noticeable.

I like old WMs. That's a good thing, since I provide a number of them with a home.

But, the problems people cite with the Expresses are minor. The Express is a lot of gun for the money.
 
I have an Express model. Its the best shotgun I've ever owned. Its not as pretty as the WM, but she does the job at hand just fine. I've owned a Browning BPS, a Benelli Nova, and a Mossberg 500. The 870 crowded all those other pumps right out the door.
 
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