Remington 870 Collectors?

[Canine]

Good afternoon, I’m just wondering if anyone knows of anyone who collects Remington Shotguns, particularly 870’s?

I’ve recently inherited a 1982 870 Wingmaster 12G which is essentially brand new, having only had 3 rounds through it. It seems a waste for it to sit in my safe, or for me to use with my grubby little hands considering the condition of it.

I’m just checking re collectors prior to putting it on Guntrader or Auction.

Thanks very much.

 

[Reddish]

Wingmasters of that vintage are great guns.....for what it would sell for it might may more sense to keep and use it.

 

[Canine]

It does seems like a really well made bit of kit and I have wanted an 870 for a while - I did have a chap message me about it (which I stupidly haven’t got round to replying to him with the details)

 

[enfieldspares]

There's all sorts of extras and/or "modifications" (some advised some ill advised). One modification was the New York Police Department ignition key slot. Done I believe by the NYPD and many other police departments in the USA so maybe the NYPD "moniker" isn't quite fully correct naming. But the modification was to slot the lifter so that a vehicle ignition key could pass edgeways on to push forward a cartridge that had come back into the action from the magazine tube and jammed the workings AFTER HAVING BEEN INCORRECTLY AND NOT FULLY LOADED OR THROUGH A MALFUNCTION.

The pro had to be weighed alongside the against which was, supposedly, that a vigorous push on the ignition key was apparently possible to detonate the cartridge primer as it was pushed back into the magazine tube. Hearsay or urban myth of fact? I don't know. It may even be that later models had that slot or a modified lifter or follower to solve the problem as factory standard? I don't know enough to say on the matter or if British police forces (or UK Special Forces) did this with their issued 870s which at one time both some UK constabularies and also the SAS carried in inventory. Indeed my brother carried an 870 at times when he was in the police.

I've just looked on the internet and the factory answer was a set of parts called the Flexi Tab. You can see the different very visibly between to old and new type lifter. Flexi Tab and pre Flexi Tab. Everyday a school day. Images in my post below.

 

[enfieldspares]

Lifter as in a Flexi Tab set up on the left. Lifter as in an original Non Flexi Tab Model 870 on the right.

 

[Greenmist]

Lifter as in a Flexi Tab set up on the left. Lifter as in an original Non Flexi Tab Model 870 on the right.

View attachment 416617

Mine is slotted, also has an enlarged loading port

 

[Canine]

There's all sorts of extras and/or "modifications" (some advised some ill advised). One modification was the New York Police Department ignition key slot. Done I believe by the NYPD and many other police departments in the USA so maybe the NYPD "moniker" isn't quite fully correct naming. But the modification was to slot the lifter so that a vehicle ignition key could pass edgeways on to push forward a cartridge that had come back into the action from the magazine tube and jammed the workings AFTER HAVING BEEN INCORRECTLY AND NOT FULLY LOADED OR THROUGH A MALFUNCTION.

The pro had to be weighed alongside the against which was, supposedly, that a vigorous push on the ignition key was apparently possible to detonate the cartridge primer as it was pushed back into the magazine tube. Hearsay or urban myth of fact? I don't know. It may even be that later models had that slot or a modified lifter or follower to solve the problem as factory standard? I don't know enough to say on the matter or if British police forces (or UK Special Forces) did this with their issued 870s which at one time both some UK constabularies and also the SAS carried in inventory. Indeed my brother carried an 870 at times when he was in the police.

I've just looked on the internet and the factory answer was a set of parts called the Flexi Tab. You can see the different very visibly between to old and new type lifter. Flexi Tab and pre Flexi Tab. Everyday a school day. Images in my post below.

Ah thats very interesting, thank you - I knew some UK Police Forces used the 870.

 

[Heym SR20]

Like most guns I would suggest that your unused Rem 870 is probably worth more to you in sentimental value than the few hundred pounds you might get for it. If it’s the sort has provenance then you might achieve a little more.

In the US there may be many more collectors for pump action shotguns and thus prices may be driven up over there, but in the UK not so much.

If it’s the sort of gun you like, then enjoy and use it to add to the memory bank and to fondly remember who you inherited it from. If not then sell it.

 

[thegreg]

I have an 870 Wingmaster I bought from a Sergeant on a nearby army barracks. Apparently he had acquired it when it was disposed of by the armoury and put on to his personal SGC after getting it restricted to 3 shot. It came with an enormous amount of accessories, including stocks, rails, speed loaders etc as well as some really interesting “non lethal” cartridges.

The barrel was ribless (apparently police/service issue only) and had also been shortened, (very neatly I’ll add) coincidentally to 24”. This element of the story tied in with another old mate of mine who was in the Marines and told me they were issued with cut down 870’s when they did a tour of Sierra Leone in 2000.

The gun was manufactured around 1980 IIRC, and the quality is incomparable to the modern day ones. It is smooth and slick and a pleasure to use. I’ve used it for years on pigeons and it’s been a great tool. They did exist in 3” magnum but were scarce, this one is only 2 3/4”.

I’d say try shooting it, if you have a use for it I’d definitely recommend keeping it.

Cheers
Greg

 

[kenbro]

Ah thats very interesting, thank you - I knew some UK Police Forces used the 870.

Friend gunsmith from Derbyshire used to supply their local police with SxS guns with 20” barrels.
KB.

 

[simgre]

Having owned countless 870s in the past, and still with a S1 in my cabinet now, despite being a great gun they are worth very little relatively, in the UK...

 

[Canine]

Genuinely appreciate the replies chaps - This one may well end up staying with me I reckon

 

[Mr. Gain]

Wingmasters are the crème de la crème of 870s and bear no relation to the police/tactical models this thread has weirdly gyrated towards. Next to no one wants them here in the UK, because they're not a fashionable kind of Americana, and because everyone now thinks of pump-action shotguns as man-v-man weapons or poor-man's semi-autos, rather than refined arms for discerning sportsmen.
However, in the USA, there's a bigger market with a higher nostalgia component for such things.
As Holt's sell a lot of shotguns back into the USA through their online auctions, you might at least take it to one of their valuation days. It won't cost you more than your time and transport, and will give you a chance to look at all sorts of interesting guns, etc. Learn what it may be worth from them, and make your decision to keep ar sell accordingly.
At the very least, you've inspired me to take mine out again. If anyone ever made a smoother or better-finished pump-action, I've yet to see it.

 

[dryan]

Great guns, I bought one (newer with plastic stock as it's wet round these parts) for wildfowling and fox control. Cycles faultlessly

 

[Canine]

Wingmasters are the crème de la crème of 870s and bear no relation to the police/tactical models this thread has weirdly gyrated towards. Next to no one wants them here in the UK, because they're not a fashionable kind of Americana, and because everyone now thinks of pump-action shotguns as man-v-man weapons or poor-man's semi-autos, rather than refined arms for discerning sportsmen.
However, in the USA, there's a bigger market with a higher nostalgia component for such things.
As Holt's sell a lot of shotguns back into the USA through their online auctions, you might at least take it to one of their valuation days. It won't cost you more than your time and transport, and will give you a chance to look at all sorts of interesting guns, etc. Learn what it may be worth from them, and make your decision to keep ar sell accordingly.
At the very least, you've inspired me to take mine out again. If anyone ever made a smoother or better-finished pump-action, I've yet to see it.

That’s a very good point - I’ve got to head up to Holts soon anyway so will try to do that at the same time. Thank you very much

 

[patjack]

HOLTS Auctioneers

HOLTS are Europe's leading Auctioneers of Fine Modern & Antique Guns.

www.holtsauctioneers.com

This made only £200 recently, therefore minus the sellers premium barely £150, not good but gives you an idea.

Like so many guns they are virtually worthless in the UK.

 

[Mr. Gain]

HOLTS Auctioneers

HOLTS are Europe's leading Auctioneers of Fine Modern & Antique Guns.

www.holtsauctioneers.com

This made only £200 recently, therefore minus the sellers premium barely £150, not good but gives you an idea.

Like so many guns they are virtually worthless in the UK.

Absolutely right. Hopefully someone realised what a bargain they got.

 

[martino]

Good afternoon, I’m just wondering if anyone knows of anyone who collects Remington Shotguns, particularly 870’s?

I’ve recently inherited a 1982 870 Wingmaster 12G which is essentially brand new, having only had 3 rounds through it. It seems a waste for it to sit in my safe, or for me to use with my grubby little hands considering the condition of it.

I’m just checking re collectors prior to putting it on Guntrader or Auction.

Thanks very much.

Hi Canine , is the remy 870 pump still for sale and how much , my email greavesmartin@btinternet.com

 

[Canine]

Hi Canine , is the remy 870 pump still for sale and how much , my email greavesmartin@btinternet.com

Hello, I’m afraid that this has now gone. Sorry

 

[kenbro]

Wingmasters of that vintage are great guns.....for what it would sell for it might may more sense to keep and use it.

Wingmasters are the crème de la crème of 870s and bear no relation to the police/tactical models this thread has weirdly gyrated towards. Next to no one wants them here in the UK, because they're not a fashionable kind of Americana, and because everyone now thinks of pump-action shotguns as man-v-man weapons or poor-man's semi-autos, rather than refined arms for discerning sportsmen.
However, in the USA, there's a bigger market with a higher nostalgia component for such things.
As Holt's sell a lot of shotguns back into the USA through their online auctions, you might at least take it to one of their valuation days. It won't cost you more than your time and transport, and will give you a chance to look at all sorts of interesting guns, etc. Learn what it may be worth from them, and make your decision to keep ar sell accordingly.
At the very least, you've inspired me to take mine out again. If anyone ever made a smoother or better-finished pump-action, I've yet to see it.

I’ll take my take down Model 12 any day.
100 years old and still works perfectly.
Ken.