Remington 870

[Checkmate]

What is the difference in the Remington 870 12 gauge line between the wingmaster series and the Express aside from the manufacturing dates of introduction?? I am not a gun officianodo just a guy who is now an owner of an Express. Thanks for the comments.

[Box]

I used to have Wingmaster, and my Dad does. Originally the Express were cheaper versions of the same gun. I.e. they only had one slide instead of two. The wood was not finished as nicely, and the blueing was not as "polished". The Wingmaster is also a lot more $$.

I think the Express now has two slides and might be exactly the same, but I am not sure as I haven't really payed attention for many years. As far as using it goes, it will work the same. As far as resale goes, the Wingmaster will be worth more. That's about it from what I know.

I was one of two people who ever, ever had problems with their 870, and after it being a single shot after 12 years of flawless service, and trying to get it fixed at three authorized gunsmith's, I finally gave up. I think it was just a lifter that was bad, but if gunsmith's couldn't fix it, I certainly couldn't. Traded it in. But my Dad's Wingmaster from about '72 is still working perfect as ever! And it has taken a few baths in mud and gravel, thats for sure ;) And buddies have 870s that are as old as dust, and work great.

Have fun with your 870, it will work great. I just had some bad luck.
-Box

http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103808

[Stu]

Hey Box, what specifically was wrong w/ your gun? Bu lifter, are you referring to the shell carrier?

[Box]

Sorry Stu,

Didn't see this note for awhile. I am not a gun expert, so not sure of terms :) But here is the deal:

First shot would work great, and eject fine.
Second shot would hang, like getting stuck, going into the chamber.
Almost like I was short stroking it, but I wasn't. The "lifter" or shell carrier, would not lift the shell high enough to clear the edge of the chamber.

Also, it would only happen AFTER AN ACTUAL SHOT, which made it hard to demo the problem unless at range or hunting. If there was no recoil, you could pump shells through all day. But once it was shot, the next shell would not make it in.

Gunsmiths "cleaned" it, the adjusted the carrier/lifter, but in the end I just had one put a new carrier/lifter mechanism in and then I traded it in without even testing it. I was sooooo ticked off by then.

Didn't matter if 2.75" or 3 " shells, goose loads or target loads. And it was the same with others shooting it, so it wasn't just me ;) It worked great for ab out 12 years, and then not sure what even caused it. No accident with the gun (dropped onto rocks, or run over, or anythign like that).

Anyway, like I said I am probably the only person to ever have a problem with a 870, but it frustrated me for about 3-4 years, and I just got fed up with it. Now have a Browning Gold and happy with the auto.

-Box

http://www.walleyecentral.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=103808

[Stu]

Sounds like you may have had a problem w/ your shell latch. 870's have very few problems, but they do hang up on occassion. If you every have any future problems, check out shotgunworld.com.