1955 870 weighted plug

[ReconJJ]

Hello All , I just acquired another one . Its a 1955 , BB barrel code . Just off of GunBroker . Long story , but when arrived had a scratch goin down the left sideplate .I was pissed . When a gun is said to be like new I was really pissed .The scratch was not show in pics , he was a new seller , yes RED FLAG , . So I accepted it , took it home , field strip , and to my surprise there was a set screw on side of mag tube about 1" down . I unscrewed it and this 4' long round as barrel about 1" wide prung out .Weighs about 2 LBS ? This weight also has the female threads to accept the screw once lined up . I just might keep this girl as I was gonna give it right back to my FFL upon delivery to re sell . Its the weighted magazine plug . Do I have something special ? Can I use this weight in any of my recent bought 1950s 870 ? I would machine drill my mag tube to match up with the holes . Probably wouldnt do all that anyway , just thinkin out loud .Also the butt stock is a replacement . Besides that 1 ugly scratch and the redo buttstock , is a keeper . ? Thank Ya all , SemperFi , JJ

[Scorpion8]

Sounds like a barrel added weight for a trap special? What barrel is on that 870, a VR clays barrel?

[ReconJJ]

The barrel is a 28" modified , its really sweet.

[Scorpion8]

The barrel is a 28" modified , its really sweet.

Is it a high-rib trap or skeet barrel? Generally fore-end weights aren't need, sometimes weight is added inside the stock. What kind of buttplate does it have? You might want to remove that and see if there is a recess for a stock weight, and perhaps someone unknowingly decided to store it in the magazine tube.

Some pics might help also.

[ReconJJ]

Its just a plain barrel . Since Im challenged on the computer , sending pictures , I can take pics with my phone and send them , text , to a phone number . If that would help Im all in . . I have 3- 1950s 1 - 1965 and yes 1 more a 1966 in the original box coming this week .Thats 5 I bought in the last month . Would love to send pics to someone via text and would that be able to be shared on our site ?

[Germansheperd]

That is a “veri-weight” plug. The early 870 Wingmasters were extremely light and they would swing too fast. They serve 2 purposes, 1 too add weight to slow down the swing and 2 reduce the magazine capacity.
Are they rare no not really they just aren’t common anymore. They are probably still in 25-33% of all the old 50’s 870’s tho.
This is the one I took out of my 1 of my 4-digit serial number 1950’s with before and after pics.

[ReconJJ]

Thats nice . My weight is blued . So they are not that rare . With mine , as I decribed , with that receiver scratch and a after market stock , I will put it up for sale either here or just give it to my FFL for gunbroker and keep looking for another . Nice pictures . Thanks for sharing .

[George Foster]

Back when they made a separate 3" Magnum model they came with the metal plug. I know my 12ga 3" Magnum I purchased new in 1967 came with one, it was a 30" full choke ribbed barrel.