There are a few of these classic arms in different gauges in my gun safe. You could say these are my preferred pump shotgun along with the Ithaca Model 37 (which began its life as a Remington Model 17). Yesterday, I came across an older like-new Wingmaster in a local gun shop. After a bit of discussion, the selling price was set at $195.00. This 12 gauge gun has 2 3/4" chambers and a 28" modified barrel (no choke tubes). This is my idea of a vintage shotgun at less than half the price of a new Wingmaster and certainly much less than a new 870 "Express". I rarely ever shoot 3-inch shells and have no interest in 3 1/2" 12 gauge guns. Seems funny that for three-quarters of a century 2 3/4" shells brought home the bacon, rabbits, pheasants and whatnot, but we are told we are under gunned without a 3 1/2" chambering. What do you folks prefer in shotguns? All the best...
Gil

Howdy Gil. I shot a Ithica mod 87 deer slayer for quite a while but my preference as of late would be the Rem 100 semi. They just seem to fit me well i have bin able to shoot them better than any other shotgun (wing shooting). For sluggin i would use the Ithica with the deer slayer barrel they shoot mighty fine

Gil,
Im with you on this one. I havent ever shot a shell any larger than the good old 2 3/4. They seem to work just fine for me. I have a 870 express I love it to death. Shoots like a dream, and who knows how many shots I have put through the dang thing. But it never seems to fail in bringing home the birdies that I hunt (Quail and Dove) . I cant say that I have ever really been duck hunting, because there isnt a lot of water here in AZ for them to live on. But I definatly would consider shooting the larger shells if I were to go Duck hunting.

Knifeboy

Gil,
I've got one of those old 870's in 23/4 also. It might be a classic but its still a shooter after 40 yrs. Still takes its share of pheasants, and occasionlly take it to out to shoot trap just for grins. In all of its years of hard use, it has yet to ever breakdown(knock on wood). They are truly a great classic gun. Mine is a full choke. Several years ago I had the barrel tapped out so I could use choke tubes which let me use it with an IC and steel shot to hunt ducks once again with it. I'm hoping the grandkids will also be able to shoot it someday.

You guys should look into 28GA pumps, they are very fun little guns and a joy to shoot.


-DallanC

I started out with a Remington 870 with a 22" slug barrel. It was all I had so I shot at everything with it; ducks, geese you name it. Ultimately I purchased a 30" full choke barrel for it to use mainly for trap shooting and migratory birds. Over the years I've added two side by sides and a nice over/under. Yet I still take the old Remington 870 out most often. I could never break the habit. I simply love that old rascal. Once you get used to the rifle sights on the short tube it's a hell of a bunny buster. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Only shotguns in my safe are 870s. I did shoot the 3" when I was goose hunting, and really wish I could find an old 30" full choked vent ribbed 3" mag barrel. I've found after market barrels, but they want as much as a new express gun for just the barrel.
I picked up a beat up 870 awhile back for 100 bucks. Gun was rough, but was making it for a specific purpose. I cammoed it, added a synthetic camo stocks and had a 20" vent ribbed barrel made for a Rem choke and put a super turkey choke tube in it. Nothing classy about it, but it is a great coyote gun.
I will say though, I've kind of had my eye on one of those new Ruger Gold Label side X side. That's a nice looking firearm.

I was in a gun shop last week and picked up a like-new Remington 870 12 gauge barrel. It was 26" skeet choke with a ventilated rib for $75. It pays to shop around. Cabelas wanted more for a new barrel than I paid for a beautiful 870 Wingmaster. All the best...
Gil

If I didn't ever hunt ducks and geese 2 3/4 would be great. I have an 870 wingmaster in 20 and an express in 12. I also have an Ithaca model 37 in 12 and 16 gauge.

jkhunterid,
Glad to see you here and hope you post often. All the best...
Gil

I OWN AN 870 WINGMASTER IN 12 GAUGE WITH A 30 INCH BARREL. IT CAME WITH A FULL CHOKE THAT WAS FORMED INTO THE BARREL. IT ALSO HAS NO RIB JUST A CLEAN BARREL WITH A BEAD AT THE END. ALSO IS ONLY BUILT TO HANDLE 2 3/4 SHELLS WHICH DOESN'T BOTHER ME. I BOUGHT IT FROM A FRIEND FOR 200 BUCKS AND WAS TOLD HE GOT IT BACK IN 1966. HE SAID IT HAD MAYBE 6 BOXES RAN THROUGH IT THEN IT WAS PUT UNDER HIS BED AND FORGOT ABOUT. HE WASN'T THE HUNTING TYPE SO HE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT MUCH. I THINK I GOT A GOOD DEAL ON IT AND NEVER PLAN TO GET RID OF IT.

robfromaz1977 ,
Welcome to the Forum! Hope to see you around and posting here. All the best...
Gil

HELLO GIL,
THANKS FOR THE WELCOME. I WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE AROUND. I LIKE THE SITE AND THE INFO IT CONTAINS IS GREAT. I ALSO LIKE TO SEE OTHER HUNTERS AND SHOOTERS OPINIONS ON THINGS. HAVE A GOOD ONE.
ROB

Any of you 870 fans have an old style 870 wingmaster bbl in 16 ga? I need on that has the ring around the receiver end instead of the half of a bbl that tapers into the receiver. I understand these were left over bbls from another model (51?) that were modified before Remington started making bbls for the 870. Newer bbls do not fit my 870. Thanks.

Welcome to the Forum. Have not seen the barrels you describe. All the best...
Gil