Some questions about an older Rem 870 wingmaster

sthrnfryedyankee · October 22, 2009, 08:27 PM

I have an old wingmaster from the 70's that is rated for 2 3/4" shells. Does that include modern day 2 3/4" high brass shotgun slugs with the appropriate rifled barrel? I have 2 870's a new model and the old 870 wingmaster, If I sighted my slugger with the newer 870 and the wingmaster WILL accept modern day 2 3/4" slugs if I were to switch barrels would that effect my accuracy and scope that has been sighted in from 1 shotgun action to the other? Someone made mention of possibly using an ejector for a 3" shell if the barrel is rated for 2 3/4-3" shells can this be done on the older action. Is the body that houses the firing pin on the older wingmaster made of steel and could it handle a 3" shell SAFELY?

The last 4 digits of serial# on the older 870 ends with 971v

Dave McC · October 22, 2009, 08:51 PM

Your classic 870 will do fine for new 2 3/4" slugs or any other 2 3/4" load.

To shoot 3" loads, or the 3 1/2" nosebleed specials, you need for both the barrel and receiver to be capable of that.

The longer lengths have the ejector in a different place to work with the longer shells.

While a 2 3/4" receiver can be adapted to the longer loads,it's a gunsmith job that will not be much cheaper than buying a used Express so chambered. And the receiver will need a refinish.

My advice, cherish your fine shotgun and use something else for water fowling and turkey.

HTH....

sthrnfryedyankee · October 22, 2009, 08:54 PM

Excellent thank you

October 22, 2009, 08:27 PM	#1
sthrnfryedyankee Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 393	Some questions about an older Rem 870 wingmaster I have an old wingmaster from the 70's that is rated for 2 3/4" shells. Does that include modern day 2 3/4" high brass shotgun slugs with the appropriate rifled barrel? I have 2 870's a new model and the old 870 wingmaster, If I sighted my slugger with the newer 870 and the wingmaster WILL accept modern day 2 3/4" slugs if I were to switch barrels would that effect my accuracy and scope that has been sighted in from 1 shotgun action to the other? Someone made mention of possibly using an ejector for a 3" shell if the barrel is rated for 2 3/4-3" shells can this be done on the older action. Is the body that houses the firing pin on the older wingmaster made of steel and could it handle a 3" shell SAFELY? The last 4 digits of serial# on the older 870 ends with 971v __________________ www.Stockadegunstocks.com www.tacticalworks.com

October 22, 2009, 08:54 PM	#3
sthrnfryedyankee Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: SC Posts: 393	Excellent thank you __________________ www.Stockadegunstocks.com www.tacticalworks.com

October 22, 2009, 08:51 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Your classic 870 will do fine for new 2 3/4" slugs or any other 2 3/4" load. To shoot 3" loads, or the 3 1/2" nosebleed specials, you need for both the barrel and receiver to be capable of that. The longer lengths have the ejector in a different place to work with the longer shells. While a 2 3/4" receiver can be adapted to the longer loads,it's a gunsmith job that will not be much cheaper than buying a used Express so chambered. And the receiver will need a refinish. My advice, cherish your fine shotgun and use something else for water fowling and turkey. HTH....