870 20 ga project

[saverx]

I have a mid 1980's 870 wingmaster 3 inch mag 20 gauge that I forgot I had. I would love to make a turkey gun out of it. I used to turkey hunt with it when I was young and it had a 26 in barrel with a fixed full choke.
Issues:
My dad had the barrel threaded for Walker ( I think) choke tubes back before choke tubes were cool and the barrel no longer shoots point of aim. I don't even think I could get the tube out, not sure.

I am not against just buying a new barrel. I would like a short barrel say 24 in. I see a lot of 20 inch barrels online. Is this too short?

I would love to get the receiver drilled/tapped for a rail so I could run a dot. Is this doable on this gun?
Not an expert on this so all comments welcome.
If I could get this gun set up for next year, I believe I would love hunting with this lightweight 20.

[Greg Massey]

No, a 20 inch barrel will be fine...you will gain another inch or so with a turkey choke anyway...all of us are building 870 with 21 inch barrels from the youth model... get you some Federal HW 7 and you will love that little gun...

[Frylock]

Like the above reply said, lots of guys are using 21" barrels with great results.  And yes, you definitely can get it drilled and tapped to add optics. Good luck.

[backforty]

Why not take it to a gunsmith and get it cut to the length you want and threaded for chokes. 

[saverx]

There are no gunsmiths around here, but I'm looking into it online. Yes I've been considering that. Anyone know of any I could send it to chime in. And thanks for the replies.

[Greg Massey]

For what it will cost you in shipping and cutting and adding chokes, just buy you another barrel.. that barrel you have may be a collectors items..with those old chokes...don't cut it...

[Greg Massey]

In gun digest book of shotgun gunsmithing by Ralph T Walker, he was a gunsmith in Selma Ala. He died on the 4th of Jan, 1987 , he designed his own system of multichokes.  Do not shoot nothing but lead in these chokes... so i wouldn't cut the barrel for sure..lot of history in those old Walker chokes...

[tnanh]

Call William at Sumtoy customs, 912-237-4360. He can cut the barrel, rethread for chokes , and drill and tap. His prices are reasonable. In my opinion, have your barrel cut and rethreaded as long as it is safe to shoot hevi-shot. That way it is still the gun you grew up with. It will not be original if drilled and tapped anyway and the value you get out of using your old gun again is worth more than a gun that just stays home. William will tell you honest if it is worth having the work done. He has done about four for me and I trust his work and what he tells me.

[shedhunta]

Call William at Sumtoy customs, 912-237-4360. He can cut the barrel, rethread for chokes , and drill and tap. His prices are reasonable. In my opinion, have your barrel cut and rethreaded as long as it is safe to shoot hevi-shot. That way it is still the gun you grew up with. It will not be original if drilled and tapped anyway and the value you get out of using your old gun again is worth more than a gun that just stays home. William will tell you honest if it is worth having the work done. He has done about four for me and I trust his work and what he tells me.

Also buy one of William's mounts for the fastfire dot.  Such a clean install

[saverx]

Update: Daddy does not want me to alter that gun. Those Walker choke tubes were cutting edge gunsmith work back then  from Alabama. He said he had the gun sent to Selma. He was a woods quail hunter trying to hit quail on the covey rise before they disappeared in the swamp. I'll just buy a youth 20 and start from there. They seem to be reasonably priced. Thanks to all for the info.

[Greg Massey]

Update: Daddy does not want me to alter that gun. Those Walker choke tubes were cutting edge gunsmith work back then  from Alabama. He said he had the gun sent to Selma. He was a woods quail hunter trying to hit quail on the covey rise before they disappeared in the swamp. I'll just buy a youth 20 and start from there. They seem to be reasonably priced. Thanks to all for the info.

So glad you decided to save that history ...  if you need any help with the 20 gauge build just message me...

[Chris O]

For you guys that are building turkey guns out of youth model 870's does the stock fit perfectly on the frame? And are most of you using the express model to build off of? I have always loved short barrels I don't know why people would want a 28 inch barrel but it seems they don't make too many short barreled shot guns any more. I used to have a special field 870 with a 21 inch barrel man I loved that gun and wish I would have kept it. I currently shoot a cz utility with a 20 inch barrel It is a pretty good gun for the price but I am kind of wanting a 20ga instead of 12. Thanks for any info I am just kind of testing the water .Sorry about hi jacking the thread.

[SteelerFan]

For you guys that are building turkey guns out of youth model 870's does the stock fit perfectly on the frame? And are most of you using the express model to build off of? I have always loved short barrels I don't know why people would want a 28 inch barrel but it seems they don't make too many short barreled shot guns any more. I used to have a special field 870 with a 21 inch barrel man I loved that gun and wish I would have kept it. I currently shoot a cz utility with a 20 inch barrel It is a pretty good gun for the price but I am kind of wanting a 20ga instead of 12. Thanks for any info I am just kind of testing the water .Sorry about hi jacking the thread.

Yes, the full size shurshot stock fit perfectly to the receiver of the youth 20

[Chris O]

Nice looking set up steeler fan is that the expess model? I also got my Sinclair call the other day and the stainless didn't disappoint thanks for the suggestion.

[SteelerFan]

Nice looking set up steeler fan is that the expess model? I also got my Sinclair call the other day and the stainless didn't disappoint thanks for the suggestion.

Yes, that was the express (laminated stock w/ 21" barrel)