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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:01:28 PM EDT
The owner of one of the pawn shops I frequent asked me today if I had a .32 Beretta Tomcat I would not mind trading for something. He wanted it for his wife. I did, (a 1st gen Tomcat) and went and got it. He knew the difference between the 1st and 2nd gen guns and that was not a issue for him.
I've been sorta wanting a very nice older Remington 870 he had in there but he always wanted too much for it because it came with a extra 20" slug barrel so I said fine I'll trade you straight-up for the 870 and extra barrel. He bounced the offer back and forth with his wife and they said yes. I did hook them up with a box of ammo, pocket holster, extra mag, and they gave me a nice Allen case. It's all good. Anyhoo it's a 1967 vintage 2.75" chamber 28" vent rib modified with the 20" smooth slug barrel. Looking at the bolt face I don't think it was hardly shot at all.   Attached FileI guess if I had bought the Tomcat new then it would not have been much of a trade but I had less then $200.00 in it so meh.. Oddly enough the 870's configuration was exactly what we carried when I worked for DOC on the road gangs......Seems like old times, maybe that was why I was drawn to it. 
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:08:56 PM EDT
[#1]
The difference in QUALITY of workmanship on the older 870's vs. todays "corporate raided & raped Remington' is Day Vs. Night...
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:10:16 PM EDT
[#2]
Well now...
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:13:08 PM EDT
[#3]
Nice shotty
So when you worked road crews, did you have a 28” barrel or the 20”? I like my 870 Police Magnum (80’s vintage) with 20” barrel. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:15:51 PM EDT
[#4]
very cool
how much was he asking for it when it was for sale? |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:17:08 PM EDT
[#5]
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:19:04 PM EDT
[#6]
I like it.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:21:25 PM EDT
[#7]
I love old wingmasters.
What makes a smooth slug barrel a slug barrel? |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:21:46 PM EDT
[#8]
Very nice, congrats.
I inherited one made around 1973 that has the same wood. The quality difference from then to now is noticeable. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:22:53 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted: very cool how much was he asking for it when it was for sale? $480.00.  He had way too much in the combo for a pawn shop buy. He gave the man $350.00 for the combo. He was a former Sheriff of the next county over. He was moving and he wanted to get shed of it because he never used it. What I never understood was why he did not sell the slug barrel separate as it's a easy $125.00 even with it being a smooth 2.75 20". |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:26:23 PM EDT
[#10]
Quote HistoryQuoted: $480.00. He had way too much in the combo for a pawn shop buy. He gave the man $350.00 for the combo. He was a former Sheriff of the next county over. He was moving and he wanted to get shed of it because he never used it. What I never understood was why he did not sell the slug barrel separate as it's a easy $125.00 even with it being a smooth 2.75 20". Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: very cool how much was he asking for it when it was for sale? $480.00. He had way too much in the combo for a pawn shop buy. He gave the man $350.00 for the combo. He was a former Sheriff of the next county over. He was moving and he wanted to get shed of it because he never used it. What I never understood was why he did not sell the slug barrel separate as it's a easy $125.00 even with it being a smooth 2.75 20". Sounds like he appreciated it a lot. Got in the way of business even. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:27:45 PM EDT
[#11]
Nice shotgun I have a 1968 vintage police trade in with 20” barrel. Night and day difference from the newer models so smooth.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:29:18 PM EDT
[#12]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I love old wingmasters. What makes a smooth slug barrel a slug barrel? 20” Improved Cylinder bore and rifle sights. For foster (rifled) slugs not sabots.. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:30:02 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I love old wingmasters. What makes a smooth slug barrel a slug barrel? Normally a slug barrel has rifle sights. Beat by 42 seconds. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:30:05 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I love old wingmasters. What makes a smooth slug barrel a slug barrel? Back when those barrels were made the standard slug was a Foster type slug.  Rifled slug barrels were much more uncommon back then.....My 870 was made 53 years ago. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:32:12 PM EDT
[#15]
You did good, op.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:39:38 PM EDT
[#16]
I killed my first duck with an 870 Wingmaster. I also dropped 3 ducks in one flock once, and 3 geese in flock, all with that 870. I love that gun. It's beautful.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:41:00 PM EDT
[#17]
You did good OP.
My one and only shotgun. 
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Posted: 4/21/2020 2:43:22 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 20” Improved Cylinder bore and rifle sights. For foster (rifled) slugs not sabots.. The reason Foster slugs are "rifled" was not so much that a spin would be given the slug (not that it hurt) but so the soft lead "rifling" could compress (swag) in tighter choked barrels without damage and also caused slightly less friction in the bore.. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 3:01:19 PM EDT
[#19]
Here’s an old Michigan DOC Wingmaster from the 70’s
 Typical wear, look at the sweat stained stock. Not going to clean it, honest wear. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 3:13:33 PM EDT
[#20]
Nice shotgun.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 5:26:29 PM EDT
[#21]
Love my 1986 870 Express. Same basic gun but with the matte parkerized finish, and matte oil finish stock. Was told back in the day that the guns that ended up in the boxes marked "Express" were nothing more than Wingmasters, intercepted between assembly and the bluing tanks. Every single 870 regardless of model, made prior to the Remington sellout, that I have ever encountered has had an action that was as slick as oiled glass. The post sale Remingtons are not in the same class imho, except for the Wingmaster high gloss blued guns.
You got a great deal OP. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 5:30:09 PM EDT
[#22]
I've got a pair of late 1960s Wingmaster Police guns with sequential serial numbers. Beautifully made guns!
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:17:59 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Here’s an old Michigan DOC Wingmaster from the 70’s https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/119894/449CEB99-A8BF-4CAB-B934-F6F0C6092DF0-1379193.jpg Typical wear, look at the sweat stained stock. Not going to clean it, honest wear. Now just picture the 870 I posted looking like that finish-wise and you would have the VADOC road gang shotguns.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:25:36 PM EDT
[#24]
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:26:21 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The reason Foster slugs are "rifled" was not so much that a spin would be given the slug (not that it hurt) but so the soft lead "rifling" could compress (swag) in tighter choked barrels without damage and also caused slightly less friction in the bore.. Just posted rifled because foster slugs are called that as well. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:29:59 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Love my 1986 870 Express. Same basic gun but with the matte parkerized finish, and matte oil finish stock. Was told back in the day that the guns that ended up in the boxes marked "Express" were nothing more than Wingmasters, intercepted between assembly and the bluing tanks. Every single 870 regardless of model, made prior to the Remington sellout, that I have ever encountered has had an action that was as slick as oiled glass. The post sale Remingtons are not in the same class imho, except for the Wingmaster high gloss blued guns. You got a great deal OP. I heard the express had some plastic parts and was different. I have an express BTW, I assumed the only difference was the finish and perhaps wood when I bought it circa '86. The police model 870P is supposed to have some enhanced internals. I've heard it was the best of all 870s, always wanted one. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:32:41 PM EDT
[#27]
Old 870s are awesome.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:35:30 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/101388/6DD05C3D-0E89-4850-8BC0-43BAF44DA6FA_jpe-1379500.JPG What's an 870 thread without an ONG special?  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:35:54 PM EDT
[#29]
Does that have the pressed checkering? I always liked it, to be honest. It just seemed to look and work well on the older 870s, IMO. One of these days, I'll have to pick up an old Wingmaster 12 to go with my early-'70s .410. That little popgun operates like greased glass.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:37:23 PM EDT
[#30]
Ive had an old Wingmaster in the back of the safe for a couple years. Finally ordered a magazine extension, S&J bayonet lug, and am going to modify the forearm to work with the side saddle on it. Love the look of an old wood clad 870!
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:47:01 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Does that have the pressed checkering? I always liked it, to be honest. It just seemed to look and work well on the older 870s, IMO. One of these days, I'll have to pick up an old Wingmaster 12 to go with my early-'70s .410. That little popgun operates like greased glass. Yes it does. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:51:21 PM EDT
[#32]
nice!
I need more old school shotguns in my life (and safe) |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 6:56:31 PM EDT
[#33]
I have a 1982 model, that is literally unfired. It had the original remington store tag on it when I bought it.
And a matching unfired 1100 (1981) from the same sale. 
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Posted: 4/21/2020 7:17:54 PM EDT
[#34]
I forgot I had a early 870 so I swapped-out the plain 30" full barrel that was on it and installed the 20" slug barrel.
I don't know how early it is because it came out of England with a replacement barrel, those have no date code on them. I don't think it was until 1965 that they changed the stock style so it's earlier than that.  Attached FileBrit receiver nitro proof. It's also on the barrel and bolt.  Attached File |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 7:20:03 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Love my 1986 870 Express. Same basic gun but with the matte parkerized finish, and matte oil finish stock. Was told back in the day that the guns that ended up in the boxes marked "Express" were nothing more than Wingmasters, intercepted between assembly and the bluing tanks. Every single 870 regardless of model, made prior to the Remington sellout, that I have ever encountered has had an action that was as slick as oiled glass. The post sale Remingtons are not in the same class imho, except for the Wingmaster high gloss blued guns. You got a great deal OP. That Express guns are "Wingmasters" with different finishes is not accurate. The 870 Express guns were never parkerized, Remington used a less expensive "matte blue" that didn't require the smoothing & polish of a traditional "Gloss Blue"... Also instead of using Walnut wood with cut checkering (Wingmaster) they usually had a "hard wood" (Usually Birch) with pressed checkering. The interior parts did not get the same level of polish, so an "express" is rarely as smooth as a Wingmaster or Police Magnum. The Matte Blue Express guns sadly tend to rust very easily. The Parkerizing on Police Magnum Guns is much more resistant because the "parkerize pores" hold oil. The 870 Police Guns were available either Blued or Parkerized. They were built on a seperate line and had upgrades unique to the Police Magnum line. Bonus is that over time the Parkerized guns take on a cool Olive Drab appearance as they age. that said, my son shoots great with his 870 Express, and it has killed everything that he pointed it at without a jam or bobble, so the "Express" DOES get the job done! BIGGER_HAMMER  |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 7:33:04 PM EDT
[#36]
I have a new 870, I should get an old one.
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Posted: 4/21/2020 7:39:34 PM EDT
[#37]
I have 2 870 wingmasters from 1967 that were trade ins from the AL BOC. They are nice guns, very well broken in and smooth.
Both came with field barrels, I had one cut down to 18.5 inches.  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 10:01:44 PM EDT
[#38]
Just bought a 70's vintage 870 with a PolyChoke.
Same era as a deer barrel I've had for years. This makes number 5 including a Tac14. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 10:08:00 PM EDT
[#39]
That’s fantastic. I need an older 870.
I lucked out this week and got vintage Remengton 740 deluxe in 30-06. It’s in 95% condition and even had a cherry fixed power scope. Got her for $300. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 10:10:51 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I forgot I had a early 870 so I swapped-out the plain 30" full barrel that was on it and installed the 20" slug barrel. I don't know how early it is because it came out of England with a replacement barrel, those have no date code on them. I don't think it was until 1965 that they changed the stock style so it's earlier than that. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9925__2__JPG-1379584.JPG Brit receiver nitro proof. It's also on the barrel and bolt. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9922__2__JPG-1379587.JPG That stock and fore end is something special. |
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Posted: 4/21/2020 10:13:10 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I forgot I had a early 870 so I swapped-out the plain 30" full barrel that was on it and installed the 20" slug barrel. I don't know how early it is because it came out of England with a replacement barrel, those have no date code on them. I don't think it was until 1965 that they changed the stock style so it's earlier than that. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9925__2__JPG-1379584.JPG Brit receiver nitro proof. It's also on the barrel and bolt. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9922__2__JPG-1379587.JPG Fairly early. That style forend was only on the first few years iirc. If they aren't swamped, Remington can or used to be able to give you what year it was made with the serial number. |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 9:13:21 AM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I forgot I had a early 870 so I swapped-out the plain 30" full barrel that was on it and installed the 20" slug barrel. I don't know how early it is because it came out of England with a replacement barrel, those have no date code on them. I don't think it was until 1965 that they changed the stock style so it's earlier than that. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9925__2__JPG-1379584.JPG Brit receiver nitro proof. It's also on the barrel and bolt. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/88145/DSCN9922__2__JPG-1379587.JPG Have you ever found reliable information on when the furniture changed? I never did. I love the round corn cob, I have three. Mine are all from the 50s, I sent the SN to remington to date them, since they all had newer barrels. My latest was a 70s era police issued wingmaster with a 20" barrel with rifle sights. I almost put a mag extension on it, but I like the old school look. It has a rack number painted on the stock too. |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 9:21:54 AM EDT
[#43]
Nice snag.
I have a pile of 870s and the last one I got was a 2013 Remington 870 Express 12ga. Paid $100 for it.  It strangely is the only 12ga 870 in my collection that have removable chokes but it didn't come with all the chokes. I bought the missing chokes for $5 for the entire set. Local shop had one of those little choke tube carrying cases in the closeout box. They had all the chokes in them. I told the store owner, and he said fuck it. If it is marked $5, you get it for $5. What's funny is he had individually packaged choke tubes marked for $15 each. All my other 870s in 12ga have fixed choked barrels. But they're all from the 70s or before. |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 9:41:22 AM EDT
[#44]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I have 2 870 wingmasters from 1967 that were trade ins from the AL BOC. They are nice guns, very well broken in and smooth. Both came with field barrels, I had one cut down to 18.5 inches. https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/44277/Screen_Shot_2020-04-21_at_6_48_56_PM_png-1379633.JPG https://www.AR15.Com/media/mediaFiles/44277/Screen_Shot_2020-04-21_at_6_48_36_PM_png-1379634.JPG Quoting myself, but rechecked now I'm not sure when mine was made. SN prefix is "S" and it has the older style fore end. Lots of markings on barrel I've been unable to decipher thus far.  Attached File Attached File |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 9:50:47 AM EDT
[#45]
 Attached FileMy step dad has a late 70’s maybe early 80’s wingmaster that I’ve shot a few times and would love to have. He let a buddy use it last year and the guy offered him $125. Supposedly he didn’t sell but I haven’t seen it |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 9:56:40 AM EDT
[#46]
Nice score OP. I have a newer 870 that I picked up because it was practically given away. It kills squirrels just fine but I would love to get my hands on a vintage one.
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Posted: 4/22/2020 10:18:26 AM EDT
[#47]
What was the year that the 870's quality start to decline? I have an 870 from 1976 that my parents gave me for a birthday gift. I aslo have a friend's 870 that he used on patrol during 80's and 90's when working for a local PD, still has it's rack numbers. I love both of them.
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Posted: 4/22/2020 10:20:46 AM EDT
[#48]
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Posted: 4/22/2020 10:26:53 AM EDT
[#49]
 Here is my 870, unsure on year, I don’t see a date code on the barrel. This was my father’s deer gun, it was probably used for decades of deer seasons. |
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Posted: 4/22/2020 10:31:00 AM EDT
[#50]
I have an approx same vintage 870 that I bought new in the late '70's.
Also have a slug barrel. I have carried that thing for many hours mostly in the pursuit of Grouse. I have a Skeet barrel that I use for Grouse. Mine has considerable "honest" wear on it around the mag loading port from carrying. I have shot Grouse, Pheasants, Woodcock, Geese, Ducks, Rabbits, Deer, Squirrels, a Skunk (regrettably) and more stuff with it. |
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