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Posted: 4/16/2012 11:48:04 AM EDT
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I just picked up a nice old 870 Wingmaster for a great price that I am going to convert to a tactical shotgun. Now is where I need help... I read on line that serial numbers with a "V" suffix are not for shooting 3" shells. Is this true and if so, what is the difference? Are receiver dimensions different on these guns?
I bought the gun without a barrel, so I have no idea how the original barrel was marked. All I have to go on is the receiver sericl number. The prefix is T, which I believe is a 1970 manufacture date. The trigger guard is aluminum, not plastic, It's much more smoothe in the action than the new Express guns and I think it will work great for the purpose I intend for it. I just need to know if there is a safety issue with 3" 00 Buck. Thanks in advance! 101 |
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Not an expert, but I'll give it a shot...
The V suffix on a Wingmaster indicates a 12ga. The 12ga 870 receiver is the same whether an old Wingmaster, an Express, Police or Super Magnum. They're all the same. The Super Mag has a larger hole in the side for ejection, uses a different ejector, bolt and trigger pack housing. The only difference in regards to the receiver between your V suffix Wingmaster, an old(er) "Magnum" Wingmaster and the more recent 870s (Ws, Ps or Es) is the ejector (and it can be changed out). On your 870 Wingmaster you can install a barrel chambered for 3-inch shells, load 3-inch shells into the magazine, cycle them into the chamber and fire them. All is good until go to cycle the action and eject the spent 3-inch hull. Your "non-magnum" ejector is set up for 2 3/4-inch hulls and will probably not successfully negotiate the ejection of the 3-inch hull. As above, if you're interested in changing out the ejector, not a difficult thing, but will leave some good scars and in my opinion "require" refinishing at least the receiver/magazine tube. In my mind its not worth it unless you're planning a refinish anyway and "have to have" the ability to use 3-inch ammunition. If you look at the left side of the receiver (where all the engraving is) you'll notice two discolored "dots" high on the side. These are the rivets holding the ejector in. These can be taken out, the ejector changed and new rivets installed. These will not be finished like the receiver and will "stick up" off the side of the receiver. They will need to be ground flat (taking some finish off the side of the receiver and necessitating refinish). Pic off the interweb of new rivets… |
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Thanks for information. I've been doing a lot of reading on the 870 and there are various opinions on what these markings mean. I can get an 18.5" barrel pretty cheap and install it. I guess there are plenty of options on shells that aren't 3" magnums. I went with an older Wingmaster as a shot in the dark. I got this one for less than 150, without a barrel. I like how smooth the older 870's are as opposed to the new express guns.
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| My favorite "social" load is Federal’s LE (LE132 00) 00 Buck says "Tactical" on the box and uses their Flite Control wad. Stuff is amazing! Very tight patterns and is 2 3/4-inch. I know there is LE ammo in 3-inch, but kinda think the 3-inch and 3 1/2-inch is more for hunting so 2 3/4-inch is just fine for personal protection etc. Sounds like you did good on a nice ole Wingmaster. To be fair, there are plenty of well used 870 Express shotguns out there that are smoother than many Police or Wingmaster "versions" - I have a few. Don’t be fooled by the Express name, its just an economy version of the same gun... couple parts are different, the furniture n finish and they didn't get the same attention when being assembled - all the same parts and all the same guns though. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for information. I've been doing a lot of reading on the 870 and there are various opinions on what these markings mean. I can get an 18.5" barrel pretty cheap and install it. I guess there are plenty of options on shells that aren't 3" magnums. I went with an older Wingmaster as a shot in the dark. I got this one for less than 150, without a barrel. I like how smooth the older 870's are as opposed to the new express guns. 101 Only serial numbers ending with the letter "M" are magnum receivers. Using your non-magnum receiver you can mount a barrel that is chambered for 2 3/4" and 3" shells, and it will be marked to use only 3" shells on magnum receivers. Most all tactical type loads are 2 3/3" anyway. You can pickup a 18" parked barrel for around $120.00. |
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