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Current Quality Remington 870 Wingmaster

6K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  Freds484 
#1 ·
I'm just getting into shotguns for pheasant, and have been researching the Remington 870 Wingmaster. Unfortunately, most of the threads I find like, '870 vs BPS' are 6 years old or more. Have things changed for Remington in the past few years with the multiple company acquisitions they've made? Ask anyone about the ones made from the 50's through the 80's and you won't find a better gun. But what about the guns leaving their back door today?

I'm wondering how well are the current Wingmasters made, compared to the current Ithaca 37 and the Browning BPS? Thanks for helping a new guy.
 
#2 ·
Congratulations, you have excellent tastes in shotguns. As far as I know the current Wingmasters are as good as they have ever been. When choosing between the Wingmaster and the BPS, it comes down to personal preferences and fit. Either will outlast you or your children. I prefer the BPS because of the fit, balance, and the bottom eject (and I am right handed). Others dislike it for the same reasons. Only you know which will work best for you.

Now then, if you want to throw the Ithaca in you have stepped up into a different world. It's design is simplicity personified. They are a stand alone in currently produced repeaters in that you won't find any alloy, plastic parts, our MIM pieces. All you'll find inside is honest to goodness milled steel. Add to that a barrel that is not slip fitted, heated, or brazed, perfectly straight and since it is attached using interrupted threads it won't move around when shooting our working the action. Your grandchildren will still be breaking it in. It ain't cheap, but it's good. And in the field it points like no other. As a matter of fact, it is the last of the great pump guns that you can still buy new (model 37, model 12, model 31).

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the three. It just depends on what you want to do with the shotgun, and what fits you best, and what is most important to you. I still have a BPS and several Ithacas, no more Wingmasters. My dad is heavy on Wingmasters. Neither of us worry about the quality of our guns in the field.
 
#3 ·
:D
I have two 870 Wingmasters bought new 4 years ago made very well one in 12 gauge one in 20 gauge.
Both have been used alot, no problems at all.
I also have Remington 1100s and 11-87 Premiers their two no problem either.
I also have two Ithaca Model 37s one 12 gauge one 20 gauge Deluxe Ventilated Rib Models with Poly Chokes the Deluxe Ventilated Style soldered to the barrels.
I bought the Ithacas new in 1967 and had Poly Choke company put on the chokes at that time.
I love the Remingtons and the Ithacas, but if I had to make a choice between them it would be the Ithaca's.
Just because I can slam fire the Ithacas, but the new Ithacas will not slam fire, and I do not think even years ago the 870s did.
Both are great guns, but I think the quality of the Ithaca is a little better.
The BPS I can not comment on will not praise it or knock it never shot one.
Fred
 
#5 ·
The BPS is as well designed and built as anything out there. I had three that never missed a single beat, but I never really loved them.
I have seen too many Ithacas at the gun doctor's after a few years and a lot of rounds. They are well made, but in my opinion they must need those close hand fitted tolerances their owners love to function right, and anything wears.
Having said that, I prefer the ergonomics and feel of the Remingtons. And, I could never learn to like having to bottom load through the magazine, at all. The Wingmasters are still very well made guns. They go out the front door. Its the Expresses that go out the back door.
Any one of the three will probably live to serve your grandchildren with decent care. Get whichever one feels best to you, because its your money, not ours.
 
#6 ·
I have both a 870 Wingmaster and a Browning BPS. Bottom line the Wingmaster is smoother to operate and easier to disassemble. Parts are available everywhere. The Browning is more heavily built and sturdy. If I could just have one it would be the Wingmaster.
 
#7 ·
i bought a BPS brand new about 6 months ago and have shot thousands of rounds through it and not a single issue, not to mention all i really shoot is Winchester universals :shock: . I have a good friend who bought a new 870 wingmaster at about the same time its service record is clear also. In my opinion the BPS is more of a throwback with no stupid j lock safety and flex tab on the follower. The blue and wood on mine is better then my friends wingmaster but that will change gun to gun. I also like the wide trigger blade of the bps better as the wingmasters its quite skinny. but the generally the wingmaster has more of a following around here especially for clay sports.
 
#8 ·
Unless you just get a one off lemon you will have a fine shotgun with any of the three. It's just going to come down to personal preference and fit. But as a previous poster said, we can give you opinions until the cows come home. It's your money and your gun. Pick the o one that fits you best and go for it.
 
#11 ·
I have a 2007 Wingmaster and a 2008 BPS. The wood on the 870 is better and the price was a little higher, but they are both excellent guns.

I usually recommend the BPS first because it costs about $100 less, but the Wingmaster is still built in the US so, it may be worth the extra.
 
#12 ·
Virginian said:
The BPS is as well designed and built as anything out there. I had three that never missed a single beat, but I never really loved them.
I have seen too many Ithacas at the gun doctor's after a few years and a lot of rounds. They are well made, but in my opinion they must need those close hand fitted tolerances their owners love to function right, and anything wears. (emphasis mine - VTHDH)
Having said that, I prefer the ergonomics and feel of the Remingtons. And, I could never learn to like having to bottom load through the magazine, at all. The Wingmasters are still very well made guns. They go out the front door. Its the Expresses that go out the back door.
Any one of the three will probably live to serve your grandchildren with decent care. Get whichever one feels best to you, because its your money, not ours.
Virginian:

Not sure if you're just trying to stir the pot or what, but I've owned and used M37's for over 40 years and have never witnessed nor heard of such a thing myself. Mine are still going strong and I plan to buy another one soon from Dave and Zak (an M37 Waterfowler) and a new slug gun.

All 3 of the current production pumps in this discussion are super nice and I would be (and am) proud to own any one of the 3.

My personal preference is probably:

Ithaca M37 - First Place
Browning BPS - tied- Second
Remington Wingmaster - tied - Second
 
#13 ·
:lol:
As I said in my other post above I love my 2 870 Wingmasters but I have put over 10,000 rounds easy out of the Ithaca Model 37 12 Gauge Deluxe Ventilated Rib model.
I bought this new in 1967 I also bought a 20 gauge same model at the same time.
The 20 gauge has had about 8,000 rounds out of it no trouble with the 12 or the 20 at all.
These two shotguns are now 45 years old and if you looked at them the condition of them you would never believe they are that old and have had that many rounds put through them.
When hunting snakes the guns have been slam fired a few hundred times in their lifetime, with never a problem.
I was going to buy a new Ithaca 37 and contacted Ithaca if I could order one the way they were made in 1967 before Ithaca was sold the first time.
I wanted the slam fire option put on that shotgun.
Ithaca's reply was they cannot do this any more due to insurance reasons, John Browning designed the 37 to work that way and it was good for years.
The old Winchester Model 12s did the same thing.
Im from the old school and love that feature on a pump action shotgun.
Either way if you choose the 870 Wingmaster or the Ithaca 37 you will have a very good shotgun and if you take care of either one your grandchildren will be using it.
Good luck what ever you choose, shoot alot and be safe.
Fred
 
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