In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
870 Wingmaster 12Ga.
Ky-hunter
Member Posts: 6 ✭✭
I have a wingmaster 870,that I purchased in about 1975.It is for 2&3/4 shells. I recently bought a magnum barrel with a 3 in.chamber.I know you are not supposed to shoot 3 in shells in a 2&3/4 gun, but I tried some just to see if they would cycle ok.They cycle through just as well as 2&3/4. I would like to know if anyone has ever fired one in this condition, and what would happen?
Comments
3/4 ..is like new what could be the value and date made
t780289#
The 870 is very strong and reliable. Plastic walls are thinner than paper and you're probably not overpressuring by much at all.
Then again... Why would you do this to an old friend? You put it at some risk and you do the same for yourself. Feed the old girl the diet she's designed for.
Nord
The ammo today and the ammo of yesteryear, ie, paper shells are about the same. The demensions, powders, velocities and pressures have not changes much, just the composition of the shells.
However the recievers of the 2 /3/4" and 3" guns are not the same.
Remington says you should not put a 3" barrel on a 2 3/4" reciever and shoot 3" shells. The strength of the bolt and locking mechanism is where problems will happen. The barrel with 3" chamber wont fail, it will be the components in the reciever.
You would be much wiser to just buy yourself a complete 3" shotgun.
I have a left hand Wingmaster in 2 3/4" that I have hunted with since the early 70's, and I shoot nothing but 2 3/4" ammo. It has never failed me and still shoots like a dream.
When I felt the need for the heavy stuff, I ordered a left hand Benelli Super Black Eagle with 3 1/2" chamber, so now I can shoot any of the 12 GA loads without worry.
It goes without saying, shooting a 3" barrel and ammo on your 2 3/4" reciever would void any warranty you might still have, and could get you hurt.
Plastic and paper share the same outside dimensions, but paper walls are thicker. Place a 3" shell in a 2 3/4" chamber and it will fit. Fire that shell and it will open well into the forcing cone. That's where the excess pressure is generated. Plastic being thinner than paper will be less of a problem.
As to bolt strength, I'm not buying. One can load a 2 3/4" shell just as hot as a 3" shell. The bolts are designed well past the pressures generated by either round.
As I said earlier... Feed the old girl the diet she was designed for. Everyone will be happier.
Nord
The receiver and everything else in the receiver, between 2 3/4 & 3" guns, is the same EXCEPT the ejector spring. The non magnum spring is shorter and ejects the spent shell 1/4 inch too soon causing aggravation. Change the spring, put on a 3" barrel and you're done. I have a bakers dozen of these guns and have tinkered with all of them, converting several along the way. If you're obsessed with a magnum receiver look for an "M" at the end of the serial number. ALL magnums end with "M" and 98% of non magnums end with "V". You'll find plenty at the gun shows or here for sale. Happy hunting to you.
Them ducks is wary.