Old 870 wingmaster barrel choices

[Mossyballs]

I have an old 870 wingmaster 12 ga, 28" fixed choke barrel. I want to set it up for dedicated turkey gun. It currently has a 2 3/4" receiver that I would like to have converted to 3", just looking for a gunsmith who can do that.

Trying to decide on the best barrel option of the following:

1. Cut original barrel( no collector value) to 22" and rethread for whatever extended choke will fit

2. Buy 26" express barrel ( $129) and have cut to 22" and threaded for rem choke if possible.

3. Buy a carlsons 24" rem choke barrel ($169) and start hunting.  Not sure of carlsons quality Vs express quality.

[allaboutshooting]

I have an old 870 wingmaster 12 ga, 28" fixed choke barrel. I want to set it up for dedicated turkey gun. It currently has a 2 3/4" receiver that I would like to have converted to 3", just looking for a gunsmith who can do that.

Trying to decide on the best barrel option of the following:

1. Cut original barrel( no collector value) to 22" and rethread for whatever extended choke will fit

2. Buy 26" express barrel ( $129) and have cut to 22" and threaded for rem choke if possible.

3. Buy a carlsons 24" rem choke barrel ($169) and start hunting.  Not sure of carlsons quality Vs express quality.

First of all, welcome to OG. Good to see you here and look forward to hearing more from you.

I recommend that you contact John Mann at Mann & Son Sporting Goods, 618.357.2911 and speak to him about what you want done. He's a true expert on 870s, an authorized Remington Repair Station and a full line Remington dealer. That shop has been there since 1946 and he is the most knowledgeable gunsmith that I know. He's a straight shooter and very reasonable for his services as well.

Thanks,
Clark

[Mossyballs]

I just picked up an 870 suprmag express 26" barrel for $75.  May shoot it at 26" first to see if I want to cut it.

[longislandloco]

You realize the old 870 has a detent ball to work with the magazine cap, the newer Super Mag barrel may be the plastic ratchet type magazine cap.

[Izzyjoe]

Ive never heard of anybody converting an 870 to 3", can it be done? I was at Walmart the other day and they marked the 870 express to $267! Now that is as cheap as I've seen them, if I wasn't saving up for something I'd buy one.

[Longshanks]

I have two 870 wingmasters that I have done different customizations. I have a 3" barrel like you described that had cut down to 21" and had tru-choke threads put in it.  Shoots great with a number of chokes. I have another 870 that I converted the chamber from 2 3/4 to 3" and put a Remington 21"/rem choke barrel on. Still trying to find a set up that will work with this gun.  It will shoot Winchester longbeards but other than that have yet to see good patterns out of several different chokes with HTL or Pb. I have a 28" bbl that was 2 3/4" and had the barrel drilled out to shoot 3" and put Tru-choke threads in it as well. The gun shoots good with this barrel. I guess it's hard to know what your gonna get. Fun working on the guns and trying different combos.

[Izzyjoe]

Cool, I did'nt know it could done.

[Mossyballs]

Sending new barrel to Mike Orlen for cutting to 22" and rethreading.
He doesn't do the 3" 870 action conversion.  Anyone know a gunsmith who will do it?
Don't want a refinish so should be pretty simple.

[born2hunt]

Sending new barrel to Mike Orlen for cutting to 22" and rethreading.
He doesn't do the 3" 870 action conversion.  Anyone know a gunsmith who will do it?
Don't want a refinish so should be pretty simple.

What did he quote you on the cutting and threading ?
I have a 28in 870 barrel that I was thinking of getting shortened. 

[Mossyballs]

$90 including resetting bead and return ship

[Longshanks]

$90 including resetting bead and return ship

That's inexpensive for that job.

[born2hunt]

$90 including resetting bead and return ship

Thanks,
That's cheaper then I expected. Almost a no brainer unless you wanted an extra barrel.  Although mine is an Express rib barrel and I really just want to go with a fiber/rifle sight barrel so I'm somewhat undecided.