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hey fellas
i saw an old 870 20 ga wingmaster yesterday at a houston pawn shop.

mechanically it seems to be fine , but at some point i will want to re-blue the barrell.

they will take $140.00 , that seems like a good deal to me. i know i can buy a new 870 express for about $280.00 at academy,but does the quality compare.
thanks for your tips.

mike

I love the 870 Wingmasters. I've been out of the market for a shotgun for quite a while so I'm not sure any more if the price is good or not. However, I've owned a few in both 20 and 12 ga. and the quality of them is very hard to beat.

Wow. I haven't seen prices like that in 25 years. $140 for an 870 20ga seems like a great deal to me. But how would you grade it? If it's been shot out, it's a piece of junk.

joe
how can i really tell in a pawn shop ? the gun looks okay but i'm no expert for sure.
thanks
mike

Well, how's the condition of the stock? Lot's of dings, scrapes and gouges? How much blue is left on the receiver, barrel and magazine tube? Is any external steel pitted, or looking like old rust spots? When you open the bolt what's the condition like on the inside? How badly is the inner action and parts worn?

You can always record the serial # and then check the year of manufacture when you get home. Lastly, how does the barrel look when you put a bore light to it? Shiney and a mirror like appearance, or it is dark and you see no reflection of the inside of the barrel?

Those are the things I look at when judging the condition of a gun. But that's just me and YMMV. Hope that helps a 'lil bit.

joe
thanks a lot , those are great tips. i'll check it out and let you know.
mike

longhornmike wrote:joe
thanks a lot , those are great tips. i'll check it out and let you know.
mike

Most welcome Mike! Hope it's in great shape. I love shooting the 20 ga.

joe
do you have you had any experiences with the new 870 express models?

thanks
mike

longhornmike wrote:joe
do you have you had any experiences with the new 870 express models?

thanks
mike

No Mike, sad to say I don't. Sorry.

Just this minute finished cleaning a shotgun my Dad left me. A really nice Wingmaster. Worth about 140,000 to me lol.

wford wrote:Just this minute finished cleaning a shotgun my Dad left me. A really nice Wingmaster. Worth about 140,000 to me lol.

Amen to that Sir...Hold on to that one.

Wingmasters are awesome shotguns. I have 12 ga model that my father bought new back in the late 60's early 70's. Sweetest shooting 12 ga I have ever owned. My brothr has a 20 ga model. Flat loves it.

To all,

Other than the Remington web site, is there a location on the web to put S# in to find info? I have a 870 12g 18 1/2 or 20" wingmaster. It has an extention on it, so it can hold 7 and 1. I just got it yesterday.. It has a folding stock that is marked, law enforcement use only on the metal folding stock. It looks like it has not been shot but a fewtimes.

I have a VR 870 TB trap gun bought NIB in 1961 for $139. It must have 5,000 rounds though it. You can abuse an 870 but I doubt you can wear one out.

Which pawn shop?