Long Time 870 Owner

[n4rod]

Hey everyone,

Just signed up on the 870 board. Got my first 870 in 1959 when I turned 10. My father passed it down to me. It was a first year production 870AP in 12 gauge, barrel code CWW. Over the decades I've owned probably 25 different 870 pumps. I've shot with them in 15 different states and 7 countries. For 4 years I shot registered skeet in Germany with a 4 gun skeet set. Carried a sawed off, camo painted 12 gauge for 2 tours in Vietnam. And hunted throughout the U.S. with several different models. Currently I own 4 of the pumps. I passed down my dad's first year production gun to a nephew several decades ago, but was lucky enough to run across another 1st year production 12 gauge, barrel code PWW at a gun show and picked it up. I have 2 Special Field pumps, one in 12 and one in 20 gauge. And I have a 410 Wingmaster field grade.

I live in the North Georgia Mountains and dove season opens next weekend. Will have the 410 out with me set up under decoys I put up over disconnected power lines in some local farm land. I lost my two 13-year-old English Setters to cancer last year so don't plan on taking the 20 gauge out for quail this year. But a game trail camera captured a 350+ pound black bear on the back of my property last week so Oct 20th when bear season opens I may load the 12 ga Special Field up with slugs and look him up. Also have 9 turkeys that showed up last week. If they're around in the Spring I'll put the ported turkey choke in the 12 ga Special Field for one of them.

Looking forward to reading, posting, and learning on this board.

Rod

P.S. Here's what the 2 models of 870 looked like in 1950. The 870AP Standard Grade was the basic model with ribbed forend and no checkering on the pistol grip. The 870ADL DeLuxe Grade had a fancier forend and checkering on the pistol grip.

[RainMan_JH]

Welcome to the forum it is a great place to hang out. Also thank you for your service to our Country.

[Vitaly]

Rod, welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing that interesting pic.

[EZTundra77]

It's nice to hear some history involving the guns. I am going to buy my first pump-action shotgun soon. It will be for home defense. I have log guns and pistols for other purposes. I am leaning toward the 81191, a pistol grip-stock short barrel 870. The only bad thing I have heard of is the finish, and I don't plan on going outdoors with it. When I get a shotgun for hunting, it will be something long like a Wingmaster or maybe a second hand beauty like the ones you described.