I picked up a well used Wingmaster to use for a HD build and was wondering what parts are "wear" parts and should be possibly replaced while I have everything apart?
I've ordered my stock, barrel, mag extension, extended safety, follower and side saddle but don't want to over look any small parts, springs, etc that should be replaced after 40 years.
Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgrade?
-
ponycarman
- Senior Shotgunner
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:16 am
- Location: Upstate, SC
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
I would just take it to the range and see how it runs after you get it together. If it has problems then replace the problematic part. 870's are very tough. I also have an older wingmaster and it functions just fine. They are easy to get apart too if you needed to fix something.
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
Sounds good. I'm just new to the 870 and didn't want to run into a problem at the range or during a class because I was too cheap to replace something. Ha!
-
ponycarman
- Senior Shotgunner
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:16 am
- Location: Upstate, SC
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
Haha I understand. Im the same way. Just test it before you take a class. I predict it will probably be fine. The only think I was thinking might be smart to replace is the mag spring, but new ones normally come with the extensions. You can also cycle dummy rounds or snap caps to test everything. If something isn't right it should be easy to tell. Its a pretty simple design once you learn how it works. They are very tough shotguns though. Your 870 should be pretty smooth out. The one I have from the 70's is way smoother than my newer shotgun. Post up zome pics when you get it together 
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
I have a steel range here at the house so it will get a workout for sure. I'm waiting for all the parts to come in so I can install everything and give it a good test before taking it back apart to send it off to be parked. I have high hopes of this thing taking over as my "do everything" shotgun.ponycarman wrote:Haha I understand. Im the same way. Just test it before you take a class. I predict it will probably be fine. The only think I was thinking might be smart to replace is the mag spring, but new ones normally come with the extensions. You can also cycle dummy rounds or snap caps to test everything. If something isn't right it should be easy to tell. Its a pretty simple design once you learn how it works. They are very tough shotguns though. Your 870 should be pretty smooth out. The one I have from the 70's is way smoother than my newer shotgun. Post up zome pics when you get it together
-
ponycarman
- Senior Shotgunner
- Posts: 210
- Joined: Sat Dec 08, 2012 1:16 am
- Location: Upstate, SC
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
I'm sure it won't disappoint. I love both of my 870's.
-
Synchronizor
- Elite Shotgunner
- Posts: 3022
- Joined: Fri Dec 28, 2012 8:04 am
- Location: The Inland Northwest
- Contact:
Re: Well worn 1973 Wingmaster, what parts to replace or upgr
Like Ponycarman said, the 870 is a tough gun that doesn't need a ton of babying or frequent servicing. An 870 will last a long time if it wasn't abused (and it usually holds up pretty well even if it was) but like any gun, it does have wear parts, and things occasionally break. Your best bet would be to take it down and inspect it, clean it thoroughly, then take it out, start putting rounds through it, and see if anything goes wrong. Here are some things to look for:
While you have your stock off, make sure the threads in the receiver stud are in good shape. If a previous user was careless taking the stock on and off, the stud might need to be repaired or replaced (which is very easy and cheap to do on the 870, unlike many other guns).
Worn-out shell latches can cause shells to double-feed, miss-feed, or fail-to-feed from the magazine; but if you are having feeding issues, first make sure you're not short-stroking the action and that your magazine spring is good (the 870 is actually pretty tolerant of weak mag springs, and you'll be getting a new one with your magazine extension, anyway).
A bad sear spring could cause misfires, and should be replaced immediately for obvious reasons.
A broken extractor spring or worn extractor can cause unreliable extraction, but the same problems could also be caused by built-up gunk in the extractor spring/plunger channel in the bolt. If you're having extraction problems, try cleaning that area out with a Q-tip before ordering new parts.
If your shell carrier isn't flipping up to feed the shell when you try to chamber one, your carrier dog follower spring or carrier dog may be worn out or damaged (again, make sure you're not just short-stroking it).
On the topic of the shell carrier, Remington redesigned the carrier, bolt, and slide assembly in the 1980's to address a jam that could occur if a shell was released from the magazine while the bolt was closed. I made a video about the 870's shell carrier that includes details about this redesign (starting at about the 11:24 mark if you want to skip to it). If your 870 still has its original 1970's action parts, you may want to consider upgrading to flex-tab components to make it a little more reliable, especially for a HD or competition gun.
While you have your stock off, make sure the threads in the receiver stud are in good shape. If a previous user was careless taking the stock on and off, the stud might need to be repaired or replaced (which is very easy and cheap to do on the 870, unlike many other guns).
Worn-out shell latches can cause shells to double-feed, miss-feed, or fail-to-feed from the magazine; but if you are having feeding issues, first make sure you're not short-stroking the action and that your magazine spring is good (the 870 is actually pretty tolerant of weak mag springs, and you'll be getting a new one with your magazine extension, anyway).
A bad sear spring could cause misfires, and should be replaced immediately for obvious reasons.
A broken extractor spring or worn extractor can cause unreliable extraction, but the same problems could also be caused by built-up gunk in the extractor spring/plunger channel in the bolt. If you're having extraction problems, try cleaning that area out with a Q-tip before ordering new parts.
If your shell carrier isn't flipping up to feed the shell when you try to chamber one, your carrier dog follower spring or carrier dog may be worn out or damaged (again, make sure you're not just short-stroking it).
On the topic of the shell carrier, Remington redesigned the carrier, bolt, and slide assembly in the 1980's to address a jam that could occur if a shell was released from the magazine while the bolt was closed. I made a video about the 870's shell carrier that includes details about this redesign (starting at about the 11:24 mark if you want to skip to it). If your 870 still has its original 1970's action parts, you may want to consider upgrading to flex-tab components to make it a little more reliable, especially for a HD or competition gun.