HELLO FROM PA

[WG68]

Hello, I am from Perkiomenville Pa and new to the forum. I have been mainly a pistol, rifle guy until now and am fairly new to shotguns, meaning I have shot, operated them before just really have not taken much interest until recently, so I hope to learn a lot here. I have a tactical shotgun class scheduled for next month so I had to acquire a shotgun quickly. Upon research and discussing with Instructors I felt the older Remington Wingmaster or old Police Magnum was a good, solid first choice with the all metal receivers and, trigger guard. Luckily I was able to pick one up yesterday at Surplus City in Feasterville Pa. Great knowledgeable bunch of guys! It is unfortunately in need of some TLC, it is a 4 + 1 magazine tube capacity. The original walnut stock and fore end is very worn and loose. Anyway I have some questions for you guys, if you don't mind? First trying to figure out the born date? Called Remington, but obviously they are closed on the weekends. Can anyone please tell me what SN# V304069V means? Also was looking at replacing the stock and fore end with the Mesa Urbino, adding a two shot extension, follower, & spring, one or two point sling, (undecided) extended safety catch and so fourth. When I get back from this class I am planning to have it refinished through Remington or ceracoted. I know this is dragging out but I don't have much time to get this shotgun up and running before next month. I have alot to learn in a short time, so any ideas and advice greatly appreciated.

Thanks

W

[BigBird73]

so did you get a wingmaster? or what?

[WG68]

Luckily I was able to pick one up yesterday at Surplus City in Feasterville Pa.

[BigBird73]

what type of 870 did you pick up?

[WG68]

An older Wingmaster Police turn in. Still had the officers name and issuing serial number engraved in the wood stock. Called Remington yesterday with the receiver serial number and they told me it is a 1980

[BigBird73]

cool.. you should post a pic of your new 870! we wanna see em' lol

[Synchronizor]

Upon research and discussing with Instructors I felt the older Remington Wingmaster or old Police Magnum was a good, solid first choice with the all metal receivers and, trigger guard.

Apart from finishing, all 870 receivers use the same materials, they just differ according to the shell lengths they're designed to cycle, and some are drilled and tapped for a top rail. The polymer trigger guards work fine, and are actually tougher than the older compressed aluminum parts.

Anyway I have some questions for you guys, if you don't mind? First trying to figure out the born date? Called Remington, but obviously they are closed on the weekends. Can anyone please tell me what SN# V304069V means?

The "V" on the end of the serial number indicates that your gun has a non-magnum receiver that can only cycle 2.75" or shorter shells, no 3". This isn't a problem for a defensive shotgun, but it may limit you some if you were thinking of using it for hunting (though there are some fine 2.75" magnum loads that will do their part if you do yours).

[WG68]

Not disagreeing with you, that's why I am here to learn, but the barrel is stamped with IMP CYL 2 3/4"or 3'' Now I am confused? Any advice appeciated.

[Synchronizor]

Not disagreeing with you, that's why I am here to learn, but the barrel is stamped with IMP CYL 2 3/4"or 3'' Now I am confused? Any advice appeciated.

Your barrel is probably not original to the gun. If you look up the manufacture stamp on the barrel using the feature over on the main sight, it'll likely turn out to be a different date than Remington gave you for the receiver. It is possible for a gunsmith to convert a non-Magnum 870 to cycle 3" shells, since most parts are the same and the 3" shells run at the same pressures as 2.75" shells, but I can't tell you if this has been done to your gun without more information.

Apart from a few non-standard specialty variants, you can put any 12ga 870 barrel on any 12ga receiver, they all mount the same way. However, you will be limited to the maximum shell length that both the receiver and barrel are rated for. If you put a 3.5" barrel on a 3" Magnum receiver, you can only use 3" or shorter shells. You can also install a 2.75" competition trap barrel on a 3.5" SuperMag receiver, but you'll be limited to shooting 2.75" shells. In your case, unless the receiver has been converted at some point, the barrel can chamber a 3" shell, but the non-magnum ejector will not properly eject the longer shell.