I like option two. Who needs 3" anyway? 
Which way to go...
So, I picked up a sweet old 870 Wingmaster last month with the intent of turning it into a tricked-out scattergun...
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Now, I'm not quite sure which way I want to go with it.
A few pertinant facts before I continue--this is an OLD 870; 2.75" only, pre-"M" (Magnum) receiver. From what I understand in research, I can put a modern, 3" chambered barrel on it, but 3" shells probably won't feed from the magazine, and the receiver isn't really designed to take the stress of magnum loads--not that I'll use many (if any--my preferred social shotty rounds are low-recoil, 2.75" 00). It also has the smoothest action that I've ever felt on an 870; much smoother than the new actions, and a pretty nice trigger on top of it. Definite potential.
Now--my delimma.
My original aim was to take it and either send it to Wilson/Scattergun and have it upgraded to 3" (not sure if this is possible with the pre-M), or do it all myself--Mesa extended tube, Trac-Lok sights on it, Knox stock, Surefire forend, either have it Armor-Tuff'd or send it to Robar and get NP3'd...flowing robes, striking. A true, overblown, money-pit tacti-fabulous shotty.
The second option came to me while I was playing with it (it shoots great, BTW, as a couple of cottontails found out to their dismay). Chop the barrel to 18.5", put an XS tritium front bead on, keep the wood (maybe get a new forend...maybe), extend the tube...and make a bare-bones, form follows function, almost trench gun style shotty.
I kinda lean towards option two...definitely cheaper, and a bit more unusual.
Whattaya think?
Now, I'm not quite sure which way I want to go with it.
A few pertinant facts before I continue--this is an OLD 870; 2.75" only, pre-"M" (Magnum) receiver. From what I understand in research, I can put a modern, 3" chambered barrel on it, but 3" shells probably won't feed from the magazine, and the receiver isn't really designed to take the stress of magnum loads--not that I'll use many (if any--my preferred social shotty rounds are low-recoil, 2.75" 00). It also has the smoothest action that I've ever felt on an 870; much smoother than the new actions, and a pretty nice trigger on top of it. Definite potential.
Now--my delimma.
My original aim was to take it and either send it to Wilson/Scattergun and have it upgraded to 3" (not sure if this is possible with the pre-M), or do it all myself--Mesa extended tube, Trac-Lok sights on it, Knox stock, Surefire forend, either have it Armor-Tuff'd or send it to Robar and get NP3'd...flowing robes, striking. A true, overblown, money-pit tacti-fabulous shotty.
The second option came to me while I was playing with it (it shoots great, BTW, as a couple of cottontails found out to their dismay). Chop the barrel to 18.5", put an XS tritium front bead on, keep the wood (maybe get a new forend...maybe), extend the tube...and make a bare-bones, form follows function, almost trench gun style shotty.
I kinda lean towards option two...definitely cheaper, and a bit more unusual.
Whattaya think?
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Option two, then send it to VCS to comp that barrel to shoot like a 24" full choke barrel.
Option 2!!!!! Wingmasters are so smooth for an 870. No need to deathgrip the pump.
Again, I don't see why a Wingmaster is anything special; Remington recently put out it's 10 millionth 870; I'm willing to bet at least 10% of these were Wingmasters...
And, since my research shows that these had better actions than the standard...why wouldn't one base a HD shotty off it?
I am, however, looking for a blued (not matte), 18" bead barrel for it, and avoid chopping the original (seems it's serial numbered to the receiver)...I'm not an utter Visigoth.
I'd leave it alone to tell the truth. I like the old field shottys with wood furniture.
But if you're determined to turn it into a defensive shotgun, definitley OPTION 2! Trench guns are way cooler than the high tech "tactic-cool" guns.
Good luck. Keep us posted on how your project turns out.
But if you're determined to turn it into a defensive shotgun, definitley OPTION 2! Trench guns are way cooler than the high tech "tactic-cool" guns.
Good luck. Keep us posted on how your project turns out.
I am aware of that; perhaps you've missed my stating, several times, that I don't intend to fire 3" shells out of this particular shotgun.
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