Wingmaster Inquiry

4 Paws · October 7, 2012, 06:51 PM

Looking to possibly pick up a 20 gauge wingmaster in the near future for some clay bird action. My question being is there a particular year range or era that are considered better than others? In other words, would something from the 70' or 80's be prefered over something more modern? Thanks in advance.

dalecooper51 · October 7, 2012, 07:04 PM

Nope. I've had a bunch and liked them all.

Dave McC · October 8, 2012, 10:54 AM

No.

Some folks would have you believe that certain eras were better. Usually, thse folks have 870s from said era.

There's 870s here from the 50s, 70s and 90s. They all work very well.

jaguarxk120 · October 8, 2012, 11:02 AM

Were the 20 gauge's built on a smaller frame like the Winchester Model 12 and Ithaca Model 37 ????

dalecooper51 · October 8, 2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Were the 20 gauge's built on a smaller frame like the Winchester Model 12 and Ithaca Model 37 ????

***ETA***

It was earlier than I had thought. Removed incorrect information.

Lee Lapin · October 8, 2012, 09:54 PM

You will want to watch out for older models with the 20 gauge 870s, if you want to find/add extra barrels to your set. Barrels for the older large frame 20s are very difficult to find. The older 20 gauge 870s were made on the same size receiver as the 12 gauge. You can tell what size the receiver is by the receiver code, the last letter in the serial number.

Receiver codes on 20 ga. 870s are as listed below, the codes are the last letter in the serial number. Receivers left the factory set up for either 2 3/4" shells or 3" shells and are differentiated by the codes in that regard as well.

Full size frame, 2 3/4" = X ( began production in 1950)

Full size frame, 3" = N (began production in 1962)

Small frame LW 2 3/4" = K (began production in 1972)

Small frame LT-20 3" = U (began production in 1972)

Call Remington's toll free number, work your way through a couple of steps on their phone tree, and give them the model and serial # of your gun. They'll tell you what year it was made. Parts that are interchangeable among gauges are listed thus on the parts list as are parts specific to certain gauges.

October 7, 2012, 06:51 PM	#1
4 Paws Senior Member Join Date: August 17, 2012 Posts: 159	Wingmaster Inquiry Looking to possibly pick up a 20 gauge wingmaster in the near future for some clay bird action. My question being is there a particular year range or era that are considered better than others? In other words, would something from the 70' or 80's be prefered over something more modern? Thanks in advance.

October 8, 2012, 09:54 PM	#6
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	You will want to watch out for older models with the 20 gauge 870s, if you want to find/add extra barrels to your set. Barrels for the older large frame 20s are very difficult to find. The older 20 gauge 870s were made on the same size receiver as the 12 gauge. You can tell what size the receiver is by the receiver code, the last letter in the serial number. Receiver codes on 20 ga. 870s are as listed below, the codes are the last letter in the serial number. Receivers left the factory set up for either 2 3/4" shells or 3" shells and are differentiated by the codes in that regard as well. Full size frame, 2 3/4" = X ( began production in 1950) Full size frame, 3" = N (began production in 1962) Small frame LW 2 3/4" = K (began production in 1972) Small frame LT-20 3" = U (began production in 1972) Call Remington's toll free number, work your way through a couple of steps on their phone tree, and give them the model and serial # of your gun. They'll tell you what year it was made. Parts that are interchangeable among gauges are listed thus on the parts list as are parts specific to certain gauges. __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

October 7, 2012, 07:04 PM	#2
dalecooper51 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2007 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 318	Nope. I've had a bunch and liked them all.

October 8, 2012, 10:54 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	No. Some folks would have you believe that certain eras were better. Usually, thse folks have 870s from said era. There's 870s here from the 50s, 70s and 90s. They all work very well.

October 8, 2012, 11:02 AM	#4
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	Were the 20 gauge's built on a smaller frame like the Winchester Model 12 and Ithaca Model 37 ????