870 Wingmaster - Page 2

**44 AMP** · October 23, 2021, 08:12 PM

I loan 870s, I don't loan my Model 12s.

eastbank · October 24, 2021, 05:03 AM

because if your md 12 brakes down, parts are not just around the corner.

jaguarxk120 · October 24, 2021, 08:08 AM

No that's not the reason! A loaner is usually thought of as a utility
gun from way back in the safe.
I would not loan some of my Ithaca Model 37's, one or two just maybe to the right person.

**44 AMP** · October 24, 2021, 10:40 AM

there's no "brake" on my Model12

and for parts? no worse than any long discontinued gun that they made a few million of...

and speaking of that, Remington doesn't exist anymore. SO the 870 is now in the same boat. Its discontinued, in fact its maker is GONE. So a parts availability argument is foolish. Both guns are going to have parts available long after we're both dust in the wind.

And for that matter, in my experience, neither one is prone to breaking.

its a personal matter, but for me, my model 12 is special, my 870 is just a good gun.

Rob228 · October 24, 2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

And for that matter, in my experience, neither one is prone to breaking.

I had a firing pin snap in half on a Wingmaster that was made in the early 70's (this was 2013-2014 wish). Cheap and easy fix and I think that's the only problem I've ever had with it, and I have no clue what kind of use the original owner put it through (I acquired it in the mid 90s).

Definitely not prone to breaking, just that one issue and I'll take an issue like that once every forty years or so.

Drm50 · October 24, 2021, 12:42 PM

I bought a new 870 WingMaster in 1966. Never did like it after I got it. I was more of a “keep up with the Jones “ purchase, everybody was buying them. M12 Wins were on the rise.
Just last week I sold my 2 M12 Wins for $550 each and got $650 for the WingMaster. I found that to be repulsive. M12 is about 4 times the gun a 870 is. I’ve only got 4 repeating shotguns left. Two Browning A5 12G, Win 1897 12G and a Rem 1100LT 20G. I never liked it either. Hasn’t had 50 shots through it.
When about 12, I bought my first deer rifle a Rem #8 in 35cal. All the adults had Rem 742 or 760s. I busted my butt to save for a 742. 2 years later got my 742 in 30/06. I can tell you I’m glad I kept my #8 too. Bought my Jam O Magic in summer of 1964, and sold right after deer season.
Milled Guns. vs Remlin Stampings ? I was agin them years ago before they started to slide because of over extension

Rob228 · October 24, 2021, 03:08 PM

I'll take that LT 20 off your hands

Virginian · October 24, 2021, 05:23 PM

I have never worshipped at the altar of machined parts, and I sold the only Model 12 I ever had almost as soon as I got it. Definitely prefer the feel of a Wingmaster. I had a friend who collected 3" Model 12s. Loved to waterfowl hunt with them. I know he spent more on gunsmiths than I did on guns.

eastbank · October 25, 2021, 09:06 AM

i own three model 12 ,s, a 20-16-12 ga,s and a 97 in 12 ga all in very good condition. however there are more options for the 870 and the prices will not be high. a new-used barrel -stocks and action parts are very easy to get with no fitting needed for the 870,s.

Rifletom · October 26, 2021, 03:01 PM

My favorite shotgun is a 1975 870 Wingmaster 20 ga biult on a 12 ga frame, ni vent rib and chambered in 2.75" only. It's the only one I take dove and quail shooting with. No other shotgun seems to fit me as good as that one.

Seedy Character · October 27, 2021, 02:47 AM

I love my 870s and 1100s. Never a problem.
Win12 is a fine shotgun, but I prefer the safety BEHIND the trigger. Mossy tang safety is preferred over the Win, too.

I guess it is mostly what you get used to.

October 23, 2021, 08:12 PM	#26
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	I loan 870s, I don't loan my Model 12s. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 24, 2021, 10:40 AM	#29
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,818	there's no "brake" on my Model12 and for parts? no worse than any long discontinued gun that they made a few million of... and speaking of that, Remington doesn't exist anymore. SO the 870 is now in the same boat. Its discontinued, in fact its maker is GONE. So a parts availability argument is foolish. Both guns are going to have parts available long after we're both dust in the wind. And for that matter, in my experience, neither one is prone to breaking. its a personal matter, but for me, my model 12 is special, my 870 is just a good gun. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

October 24, 2021, 05:23 PM	#33
Virginian Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2012 Location: Williamsburg, Va. Posts: 1,528	I have never worshipped at the altar of machined parts, and I sold the only Model 12 I ever had almost as soon as I got it. Definitely prefer the feel of a Wingmaster. I had a friend who collected 3" Model 12s. Loved to waterfowl hunt with them. I know he spent more on gunsmiths than I did on guns. __________________ What could have happened... did.

October 24, 2021, 05:03 AM	#27
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	because if your md 12 brakes down, parts are not just around the corner.

October 24, 2021, 08:08 AM	#28
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,619	No that's not the reason! A loaner is usually thought of as a utility gun from way back in the safe. I would not loan some of my Ithaca Model 37's, one or two just maybe to the right person.

October 24, 2021, 12:42 PM	#31
Drm50 Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2014 Posts: 1,378	I bought a new 870 WingMaster in 1966. Never did like it after I got it. I was more of a “keep up with the Jones “ purchase, everybody was buying them. M12 Wins were on the rise. Just last week I sold my 2 M12 Wins for $550 each and got $650 for the WingMaster. I found that to be repulsive. M12 is about 4 times the gun a 870 is. I’ve only got 4 repeating shotguns left. Two Browning A5 12G, Win 1897 12G and a Rem 1100LT 20G. I never liked it either. Hasn’t had 50 shots through it. When about 12, I bought my first deer rifle a Rem #8 in 35cal. All the adults had Rem 742 or 760s. I busted my butt to save for a 742. 2 years later got my 742 in 30/06. I can tell you I’m glad I kept my #8 too. Bought my Jam O Magic in summer of 1964, and sold right after deer season. Milled Guns. vs Remlin Stampings ? I was agin them years ago before they started to slide because of over extension

October 24, 2021, 03:08 PM	#32
Rob228 Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2010 Location: Hampstead NC Posts: 1,450	I'll take that LT 20 off your hands

October 25, 2021, 09:06 AM	#34
eastbank Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2008 Location: pa. Posts: 2,450	i own three model 12 ,s, a 20-16-12 ga,s and a 97 in 12 ga all in very good condition. however there are more options for the 870 and the prices will not be high. a new-used barrel -stocks and action parts are very easy to get with no fitting needed for the 870,s.

October 26, 2021, 03:01 PM	#35
Rifletom Senior Member Join Date: February 11, 2011 Location: So-Cal Posts: 786	My favorite shotgun is a 1975 870 Wingmaster 20 ga biult on a 12 ga frame, ni vent rib and chambered in 2.75" only. It's the only one I take dove and quail shooting with. No other shotgun seems to fit me as good as that one.

October 27, 2021, 02:47 AM	#36
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	I love my 870s and 1100s. Never a problem. Win12 is a fine shotgun, but I prefer the safety BEHIND the trigger. Mossy tang safety is preferred over the Win, too. I guess it is mostly what you get used to.