Are all gun writers left handed?

I have owned several Wingmasters through the years and still have one in the safe. I really like what you did to yours. I hope you don't mind if I copy it.

Also, Todays Wingmasters don't hold a candle to the ones from even the 80's.

Good rescue job Phil. You managed to show that the sum of the parts is worth more than the whole. Now go polish that bore with about 10,000 rounds.

I can understand the cost of parts looking at the wood. I've not seen wood like that from Remington in many, many years.

Remington parts? Well, that outfit has never given anything away IMHO. Still there's much to say about creating your own personal shotgun/rifle.

Remington no doubt charged extra for the nice wood. I never get tired of looking at a nice piece of wood.

well done

That is a really nice ripple maple stock. I like ripple maple better than bird's-eye maple. I've got a Marlin 336 with some ripple maple, but not as nice as your 870's.

Also I am surprised. I tend more to rifle studies rather than shotgun, and I had no idea there were left-handed shotguns at all. I have never seen one in the wild.

As for the parts being more than the gun, I did that with my "Star Wars" Ruger 10/22 in the '80s.

Very Nice wood!

I had an 870 wingmaster, early 80s, in 20 guage, 26 in. improved cylinder. To this day the sweetest bird gun I have ever owned.Regretably I let it get away from me. Miss it more than my Ex! LOL

Dogtown -- My 870 stock is actually listed as an 1100 stock, as the two are interchangeable except for the length of the stock bolt. Maybe 1100 Sporting Clays wood and an 870 Trap forearm would work for you. Call Remington customer service and ask them.

I did something similar for my son's first shotgun. I had a 1970s era 20-g Wingmaster. These old guns (X & M ending serial numbers) won't take modern 20-g barrels since they're built off a 12-g frame, but the good part is they will take 12-g stocks and forearms. I got a Remington Trap Contender stock set. The forearm is 11", which allows him to choke back more. I had the LOP trimmed to 11 3/4". My gunsmith said the old barrel was thick enough to thread for tubes. End result -- I didn't pay much more than I would have for a new gun, and my kid's first shotgun is a "custom" job that will probably last for him to pass to his grandson.

Cant go wrong with an 870!

Outstanding work. An M870 will remain in my collection until I stand in the spirit world. Got my first one in '76 as a Christmas present. Beautiful wood on the gun. I think Remington was using the BDL concept on everything then: white line spacers, glossy stock finish, etc. The second came in the late 90's and is an "Express" model, basic wood with a nice OD green/brown coat of paint I applied for weatherproofing/camo as it is my waterfowl gun. Enough people have stated in the past that the 870 is one of the most, if not the most, reliable shotguns on the planet. Long live the 870!

should be "and paid $75"

Mr. Bourjaily,
Question: How many 870 Trap guns did Rudy Etchen wear out?
If you can answer this correctly, you win a weekend with Petzal at a cat show.
GW

IN 1952 I bought a Remington Sportsman 48 with a 26" bbl. Back then we had no deer and drove 300 mile to hunt Deer. Wherewe hunted was shotguns only. So I contacted Remington about a 30" full choke extra bbl of which I was able to buy for 45.00 PP. I yet use this shotgun wher shorguns are required rather than my 1100 3" mag. It shots a much better pattern, plus the bbl recoiling it takes some othe KICk out. Never like Pump guns period, had too many jams. Could be me not pullig back the forearm far enough, but just prefer the Auto's better.None of the guns made today are built with the quality as were 50 yrs ago. Thats why I continue to own and shoot the 50 yr old guns.Shoot-um-straight and often.

Like me, if it works for you, no reason to sell or trade. As the Rem ll00 goes, doubt any Auto can beat them

As for the Rem 870 gos, doubtany pumpaction shotgun is in it's class. I just prefer a dble or a Auto over the pump. Owned one 870 and traded it off ASAP. However, if wAs in the market for a pump, it would be the 870

Mr. Bourjaily,
You win. According to an article written by Bob Brister, Etchen's 870 Trap gun lasted a long time without need for repair. I believe Remington reblued and refinished the stock on it, but that's all. I once asked an old time gunsmith who worked for Freer's in Houston, (he had been inside every make of shotgun, including the English best) what was the best shotgun ever made. His answer was the 870. He told me he would hate to try and make a living from repairing them, because they just didn't break.
Gary

yeah i dont think they do wear out my dad has one over 40 years old and it still outshoots most modern shoutguns plus it has all the origional parts. it has nothing more and nothing less than when it was manufactured

sorry i dont know why that posted twice

I still use my old Rem Sportsman 48 or my Fox l6 ga dble bbl. Depends on what I;m hunting. If Deer hunting use the 48 with buckshot. On the Fox use #4's . Both over 50 yr old and look as new only darker wood now. Have been offered a ton for the AH FOX and feew guys arond ever heard of or saw a 48 before. They don;t understand it not being gas operated.With the 2 bbls, its all the shotgun I need,but collect old guns and these are my primary hunting shotguns. The 48 has killed many deer, traveled many miles and never given any problems,but I keep clean and wipe down after each handling. The salt in tyour hands will cause rust if not wiped down, Shoot-um-straight and often.

I have three.