New to me Wingmaster

[echo23]

Hi all,

I'm new on here. Been an 870 fan ever since I was first introduced to them in a rigorous tactical shotgun training course I did for some law enforcement training back in 2015. We were first taught to worship the 870, learned how to shoot the piss out of them, troubleshoot quickly in the field, tear them down and put them together essentially blindfolded, and ultimately put through a very challenging slug shooting course of fire. I have a newer 870 Express for bird hunting (which I must say is much higher quality than others claim, mine at least) but I've always wanted an old classic Wingmaster.

Well this weekend finally got myself an older 870 Wingmaster in a 20ga, which took me forever to find, and I'm hoping to learn more about it. The serial number on the receiver is S673xxxX. I don't know much about it, but it does have the chrome lifter and a fixed choke which I suspect might be full choke. Wood is beautiful, and blueing is almost mint on the receiver (couple very small rust spots and a little faded blueing on the ribbed barrel). I paid $775 CAD for it, which for my American friends is roughly $550 USD.

Can anyone tell me about this gun? and is it possible/worth having the choke opened up? I'm mostly planning on shooting grouse/upland birds with it using target loads but I like the option of being able to shoot steel at waterfowl. I know there's a few options here, including a new barrel, but I don't know what's cost effective.

Thanks in advance,

[BKinzey]

Hi & congrats!

First, pics are nice, we like pics!

Second, no need to post all of the serial number, usually it's suggested to leave off the last 3 numbers, the fear is skullduggery, not sure how possible that is but I think it's a good suggestion. They are rarely needed in researching a firearm anyway.

On the barrel's left side near the chamber there should be a stamp telling you the choke on the barrel, "FULL, MOD, CYL, etc". I don't shoot waterfowl, so I have no suggestions there.

[echo23]

Thanks! And thanks for the bit about the serial #, never thought of that!

I have a few pics of it next to my 870 express for comparison. Obviously the finish is the biggest difference, but for me it’s the chrome lifter. I did a little digging and I believe this to be from 1969… from what I can tell, it looks hardly used.

IMG_5569.jpeg (840.12 KiB) Viewed 149 times

IMG_5567.jpeg (981.45 KiB) Viewed 149 times

IMG_5568.jpeg (847.08 KiB) Viewed 149 times

[tiger955]

Beautiful 20 ga, I've been looking for one myself... Did you find the stamp for the choke size on the barrel as was suggested? If it is mod (which many are) I would leave it alone and pattern some steel. I would not use larger than #2 in an older fixed choke barrel. Mod would be my choice for upland birds unless most shooting is close then Imp Cyl. I personally would look for a used barrel in Mod or Imp Cyl, or perhaps an older barrel with Polychoke. They advise against using steel on older fixed choke barrels. Some the modern non-toxic may be ok.
Be aware older 20 gauges were built on 12 ga receivers and take a larger barrel. The S prefix in your serial denotes 68 to 73 model, the X suffix denotes the larger 12 ga size receiver. I have not done much searching myself but hear the larger barrels are no longer made and getting very hard to find sorry to say.
Still it is a beautiful shotgun that I'm sure is a pleasure to shoot.

[echo23]

Thanks for all that! I forgot to check, barrel is stamped full. I would entertain having it opened up to Modified after looking at the pattern at the range. Would be nice to have the option of steel shot but target loads are fine too for what I plan on doing. It will be a grouse gun, but would be nice to throw some steel at ducks if possible.

In all honesty, this gun is almost too pretty to hunt with.

[lucudam]

Thanks for all that! I forgot to check, barrel is stamped full. I would entertain having it opened up to Modified after looking at the pattern at the range. Would be nice to have the option of steel shot but target loads are fine too for what I plan on doing. It will be a grouse gun, but would be nice to throw some steel at ducks if possible.

In all honesty, this gun is almost too pretty to hunt with.

Yes, I also want to have a gun like that.