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Is the Remington case made in USA?

I couldn't find a tag on mine. I probably pulled it off when I got it so, that probably means it was made in China.

Given that the bead being off center is something that must've been done at the factory, you think they'll give me any grief at Remington if I use it this weekend?

Are the beads off center when you look at the gun (on a rack or on a table), or only when mounted? If they appear off center only when you're shouldering the gun, it's possible you may be canting the gun and require a cast-adjustable recoil pad.

I've had very good experiences the few times I've contacted Remington's customer service over the past 5 years. If you are polite and explain the situation, they might just send you a replacement barrel and ask for the old one in return. (i.e. no downtime)

Meanwhile, I'd go ahead and use the gun.

As for your earlier question on barrel life - shotguns are not like rifles. A shotgun barrel will last the life of the gun - easily over 100,000 rounds.

As for your softcase question - I own 3 Remington softcases. When purchased new, they all had "Made in USA" tags. These cases are widely available at Academy Sports, Cabelas, Sports Authority, etc. for under $30.

Darn, wish I had waited around for your answer on the case before ordering one of these http://duluthpack.com/outdoor-gear/hunt ... -case.html
Oh well, it sorta goes with my whole I shoot in double-soled cordovan wingtips thing.

On the bead - the mid-bead is perfectly centered, both to the eye when mounted and by measuring. The end bead is right-of-center in both situations. If we were to call centered 50-50, I would say the end bead is 70-30. It'll be sweet if they do a no-downtime deal for me. I ended up taking it out to shoot today...I've got a thread in the trap forum....

Damn. I wish I never sent it in. Apparently my gun was made 2 years ago, back when they had much nicer barrels. For instance, they've put on the new barrels that super mag chambers can take 3.5" shells. Why do this if it's a Wingmaster barrel? My old one said 2 3/4" only, but customer service told me that the M at the end of my serial number means my Wingmaster has the newer 3" chamber anyways. Also, the rib isn't nearly as elegant (the rib is thicker, and where the old one was cross-hatched the new one is just horizontal stripes). Finally, the front bead on the new ones is moronic. It's huge and on too thick a pedestal. The mid-bead is too short (it's countersunk). Where the old barrel looked elegant, this looks clunky.

Apparently they threw away my old barrel too.

So, anybody know a place that might have an old 870 Wingmaster Classic Trap barrel in stock that they never sold? Failing that, can the rib be changed by a gunsmith? Failing that, who makes beads? I don't think this front bead was made with a mid-bead in mind. I know it's not like shooting a rifle but it's a nuisance (I'd say it's about 3 times the size of the front bead that was on the factory barrel).

I think I figured this out. What they sent me is Part # 240650 listed in the 2008 parts list as being
240650 V-3 870 BBL 12/30 RC VT LC BL (MOD CHOKE TUBE .709) 272.00

There's also a listing for
240654 V-3 870 BBL 12/30 RC VT CLASSIC TRAP (2 3/4") (CHOKE TUBE; LOW HANDICAP .691) 200.00

I'm guessing that's the one that came on my gun. I'm going to call tomorrow and hopefully they still sell this and we can swap.

Anybody know why the first one is $72 more expensive?

Yes, they gave you the wrong barrel. At least according to the website the 870CT comes with a 2 3/4" chamber. I hope this is just a screw up on their part, they realize their mistake and send you the right one.

Yeah, he said they're moving all guns to 3" chambers (and then some 3.5") and that my serial number ending in M means even though my Wingmaster Classic Trap is 2007 production it's set up for a 3" chamber. I'll call again tomorrow with what I found in the parts list and see what they say.

Official word is Classic Trap barrels are no more. None are left and they will not be producing any more ever. I'm kinda pissed that they had my phone number and e-mail address yet they saw fit to throw away the barrel I sent them and replace it with a different model of barrel without getting my consent first. This sucks. Every time I look at my new $850 gun the first thought that enters my mind is "damn it." I've tried Numrich, Midway, and TJ General Store. Any other suggestions for places that might have a new old stock barrel?

I don't know why they even make this barrel they sent me. The beads on it are clearly not intended to be used together, unless you like your gun to shoot extremely low. The old one I'd mount it with my eyes closed and they'd be in the figure 8. This one it's not even close.

On this barrel, there is a gap between the end of the ejector rail that the barrel locks onto and the end of the groove in the barrel. This was not the case on the original barrel. Is this a problem?

That gap must be in order to make the newer barrels easier to machine. Notice how hard it is to get your new barrel to really get down tight and not wobble. The older barrels had a cut that fit inside the ejector housing that cut down on wobble.

And boooo to folks that gave us three and then three and a half inch shells. Remington is no doubt afraid somebody will stick a three and a half inch shell in a two and three quarter inch chamber,,,,so they've stopped making them. Even for trap guns.

In a world where Louisville slugger can sucessfully be sued for making a baseball bat that's too good, I can see why Remington is being extra careful about chamber length. But that barrel not fitting into the ejector housing is just cheapening the gun. Plain and simple.

This is bad news indeed. They might as well discontinue the 870CT in my opinion.

I've got an e-mail in to corporate. We'll see how they make this right for me. If they don't, I'm half tempted to bring a breach of warranty claim.

I have been reading this account, I have to agree, if they are not going to make it with a proper barrel, they shouldn't bother.

This is a departure from what I have come to expect and IMHO, is a mistake, if they intend to sell them as trap models.

I am very disappointed in reading these threads.

How much quality of pattern am I losing by having a 3.5 inch chamber instead of a 2 3/4?
Am I losing anything functional by having that gap between the cut-out in the barrel and the ejector housing?

My enjoyment wouldn't be AS reduced if it weren't for the ridiculous front bead. Anybody know who made the front bead on the old 870CT barrel?

My guess is if they aren't able to come up with a proper Classic Trap barrel somewhere, this will be the first gun I sell once I have enough money for one made by a proper company. I don't know why I gave a chance to the company that makes the worst .22lr bulk ammo in the world.

I guess if I want an O/U that's good the least expensive way to go is Browning? And even then I'm looking at over $2k? Anybody making any good O/U that aren't too expensive (i.e. comparable to Browning price, since it appears that means not too expensive in O/U world) in the USA?

I'm fairly certain that Guns Unlimited has the Browning XT for $1,799 still. That is the best price you will find on a quality new Trap O/U.

I wouldn't be buying any time soon, so any limited time deals are of no use to me. I'm thinking more in terms of what am I saving towards. If I had my original barrel, I'd be saving towards nothing. Should have just paid a gunsmith to fix it *grumble grumble*

Brownings are made in Japan though, right? Anything comparable quality/price made in USA?

No. Ithaca is supposed to be coming out with an O/U, but we haven't seen it yet. The price is supposed to be around $2k-$3K. It won't be a competition gun though. The Ruger Red Label may still be made in the USA, but I don't know for sure and it's not a competition gun either.

I think the least expensive US made Trap O/U is the Kolar and it starts at about $9,500. Then Ljutic still makes the LM6, but I think it costs about $10K.

I bought my XT about 2 years ago at the price I mentioned so, I don't think it is a limited sale. Give them a call, they are great people there.

Ruger's very proud about USA made, but yeah, not a competition gun. Something about my body, I just can't shoot a gun without a high comb, so it cuts the Red Labels out anyways.