3 New 870 Models for 2014

[keith44]

It is my understanding that the new version of the wingmaster is not hand fitted like the older ones were and are just Express models with a high polish exterior, better bluing and better wood. However I have not seen this new version, so this is just hearsay at this point.

[Synchronizor]

I'm pretty sure 870 internals were never hand-fitted, at least not the way they were for older guns like the venerable Winchester Model 12. The need for skilled hand-fitting and precision machining is what made Remington's earlier Model 31 a commercial failure, even though the design was a good one (it later became the basis for the Mossberg 500 family). Between the 870's simplified and streamlined design and the modern automated production equipment Remington was investing in at the time, 870 parts could be produced and finished in large batches, ready for installation right off the line. Assembly required little to no actual fitting since the parts were all uniform, completely interchangeable, and manufactured to sufficiently tight tolerances.

There have been some very high-end models - such as the $5500 - $6500 (adjusted for inflation) Premier Grade 870s in the original 1950 lineup - that may have seen more skilled hand work during production and finishing. For most 870s though, the components were made, finished, and then assembled. Any minor interferences or rough spots simply worked themselves out as the gun was used.

Here's a cool old 1969 documentary showing off Remington's production operations. Even in the 60s, Remington's manufacturing approach was impressively modern and high-tech.

As for Expresses, you could call them plain-Jane Wingmasters just as accurately as you could call Wingmasters dolled-up Expresses. They're the same guns, and are manufactured and assembled the same way, Expresses just save money on a lower-end finish and cheaper furniture. Any tweaks, updates, and changes Remington has made to the 870's design and production over the years have been applied to both product lines.

[keith44]

Cool video, thanks for sharing it. Lots of hand work in that video. I don't know, the older ones felt totally different. Maybe it's a different alloy, or maybe the newer ones are actually tighter and you can feel the machining marks, or maybe they used to actually lube the older ones instead of applying a rust inhibitor.

[Synchronizor]

Modern Wingmasters may not feel exactly like they did 40 years ago, but the new ones I've handled certainly seemed to be a step up from new Expresses, which are more roughly-finished pretty much by definition. Next time you see a new Wingmaster in a gun shop, try the slide out. If you were around in the 1970s to experience those Wingmasters when they were brand-new, I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on the new ones.

[Synchronizor]

New information on the American Classic 870s from Remington's 2014 product catalog. This gun is being offered in 3 gauges: 12ga (order# 82084), 20ga (#82085), and 28ga (#82086). The barrels are Rem Choke vent-ribs with twin beads, and their lengths are 28" for the 12ga, 26" for the 20ga, and 25" for the 28ga. Stocks are standard 14" LoP, and specified weights are 7, 6.125, and 6 pounds respectively (the same as similarly-configured standard Wingmasters). MSRP for all variants is $1249.

AC870 Rec.JPG (30.36 KiB) Viewed 3074 times

I've got to say, this is looking like one classy 870 if you have the pockets for it (though to be fair, $1249 is nothing compared to some of the high-end shotguns out there). Dressed up and eye-catching, but tastefully so, not so over-done that you'll feel bad about actually shooting it. And of course, under the decoration it's just as solid and dependable as any 870 that got dragged through a Vietnam jungle or knocked around in a prison for decades.

[Synchronizor]

Remington has updated their website, adding the specs and MSRP to the 870 American Classic product page.