870 Wingmaster vs 870 Express

Sooner Shooter · 03-13-2008, 08:28 PM

Everything I've read doesn't say anything about the action or guts of the two guns being any different. Can I assume that other than the stock and barrel that everthing else is the same. To me they feel different. Any comments?

texnmidwest · 03-13-2008, 08:32 PM

The actions and internal workings are the same basic design. The wingmaster is more refined and "purdyer". Either one will last a lifetime and a half. I own two 870 express shotguns and they are great shooters. Never missed a shot due to the shotgun letting me down. Just my dang eyes! LOL!

lefty o · 03-14-2008, 01:40 AM

basically the fit and finish on the wingmaster is better, internally it is the same exact gun.

nathangdad · 03-14-2008, 06:20 AM

I agree it is the same gun in different levels of finish.
I am really interested in some of the lesser priced offerings from other manufacturers such as Benelli - Nova. Personally, I do not like the factory trigger pull on Remington pumps so I would advise you to look into other shotguns at the price ranges of the two you mentioned if, in fact, you are looking to buy.

Sooner Shooter · 03-14-2008, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathangdad

I agree it is the same gun in different levels of finish.
I am really interested in some of the lesser priced offerings from other manufacturers such as Benelli - Nova. Personally, I do not like the factory trigger pull on Remington pumps so I would advise you to look into other shotguns at the price ranges of the two you mentioned if, in fact, you are looking to buy.

Actually I've owned a Wingmaster since 1967 and never a problem. Not too long ago a friend of mine asked what shotgun I would recommend for his teenager. I told him 870 and then I told him one was inexpensive and the other a couple hundred more. I told him I thought the Express was the same gun but not as pretty and he did buy it but when I shot it, it just felt different. Probably 40 years of breaking in. Just wondering now if I had made a good recommendation. Never paid much attention to a shotgun trigger as I do hand guns and rifles. I remember a couple of years ago I was thinking about getting into turkey hunting and was checking out the Nova. Cool looking gun but there was something in the gun that rattled. Sounded like a spring or something. The stock at the pump end seemed like it was made for large hands. I've heard it's a good gun. SS

Blackrock · 03-21-2008, 09:09 PM

I shoot trap with a wingmaster and the last time I went by the range and the boys were shooting and my gun was 25 miles away. A friend loaned me his sons 870 express and I did as well as I ever do with my Winblaster. My Daughter shoots a 20ga express and while the fit and finish is not fancy it works well for her.

ArkansasHunter · 03-21-2008, 09:57 PM

I own both and there both different in regards to over all finish.
The action on my Wingmaster is glass smooth and the Expres is a we bit firmer.
My 870 Express is worth it's weight in gold to me, it hits where you point and it's the best squirrel gun I've ever used.
The Wingmaster is fine but I like my Express better. A.H

jerry · 03-21-2008, 10:21 PM

Proud owner of a Wingmaster for 26 years.

There are trigger performance options out there.
REMINGTON TRIGGER SYSTEM at Brownells

one was even a complete trigger group/housing assembly which eludes me at the moment. I will post it if I can find it later.

sell33 · 03-21-2008, 10:56 PM

Express will do everything the wingmaster does with out worrying about looks so much. On the other hand my Benelli Nova has never come close to failing me and its been through a lot, including snow and a unexpected winter swim duck hunting. Personally i would go for the benelli, but nothing wrong with the 870.

jerry · 03-22-2008, 12:19 PM

The Nova is good, especially for waterfowl. I carried my buddies for rabbits one day and found it a bit heavy and chunky. Alot depends on what you intend to do with it.

two-70 · 03-23-2008, 06:13 PM

same gun just different cosmetics

samuel · 03-24-2008, 10:49 AM

I didnt see in here that the wingmaster must be marked magnum to use 3"shells,the express is 3"mag. sam.

sell33 · 03-24-2008, 10:52 AM

true^. You can get the express magnum that takes 3 1/2s also i believe.

Mike82 · 03-27-2008, 09:20 AM

simply put:
870 Express = Ford F-150
870 Wingmaster = Lincoln version "more frills, smoother ride, etc"

for any ford haters, simply replace the models with chevy, dodge, etc of ur choice. those are first that came to mind

nordford · 04-01-2008, 10:44 PM

My dad has a 20 gauge wingmaster and I have a 20 gauge express magnum. His is only rated for 2-3/4" mine is for 3". his wingmaster is more comfortable in the field (lighter), but I like the way my express shoots better. No idea how to explain, its just the way it is.

03-13-2008, 08:28 PM	#1
Sooner Shooter Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 614	870 Wingmaster vs 870 Express Everything I've read doesn't say anything about the action or guts of the two guns being any different. Can I assume that other than the stock and barrel that everthing else is the same. To me they feel different. Any comments? __________________ Save the drama for your mama!

03-13-2008, 08:32 PM	#2
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,403	The actions and internal workings are the same basic design. The wingmaster is more refined and "purdyer". Either one will last a lifetime and a half. I own two 870 express shotguns and they are great shooters. Never missed a shot due to the shotgun letting me down. Just my dang eyes! LOL! __________________ "Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati" (If all else fails play dead)

03-14-2008, 06:20 AM	#4
nathangdad Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,440	Agree with others I agree it is the same gun in different levels of finish. I am really interested in some of the lesser priced offerings from other manufacturers such as Benelli - Nova. Personally, I do not like the factory trigger pull on Remington pumps so I would advise you to look into other shotguns at the price ranges of the two you mentioned if, in fact, you are looking to buy.

03-23-2008, 06:13 PM	#11
two-70 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: ponca city, oklahoma Posts: 1,778	same gun just different cosmetics __________________ What Would Jesus Do ????? Just Ask Him.

03-27-2008, 09:20 AM	#14
Mike82 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Vicksburg, Mississippi USA Posts: 1,023 Images: 7	simply put: 870 Express = Ford F-150 870 Wingmaster = Lincoln version "more frills, smoother ride, etc" for any ford haters, simply replace the models with chevy, dodge, etc of ur choice. those are first that came to mind __________________ No Trespassing! Violators Will Be Shot! Survivors Will Be Shot Again!

03-14-2008, 01:40 AM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,786	basically the fit and finish on the wingmaster is better, internally it is the same exact gun.

03-21-2008, 09:09 PM	#6
Blackrock Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SE Arizona's Gila Valley Posts: 260	I shoot trap with a wingmaster and the last time I went by the range and the boys were shooting and my gun was 25 miles away. A friend loaned me his sons 870 express and I did as well as I ever do with my Winblaster. My Daughter shoots a 20ga express and while the fit and finish is not fancy it works well for her.

03-21-2008, 09:57 PM	#7
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,684	I own both and there both different in regards to over all finish. The action on my Wingmaster is glass smooth and the Expres is a we bit firmer. My 870 Express is worth it's weight in gold to me, it hits where you point and it's the best squirrel gun I've ever used. The Wingmaster is fine but I like my Express better. A.H

03-21-2008, 10:21 PM	#8
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,871 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	Proud owner of a Wingmaster for 26 years. There are trigger performance options out there. REMINGTON TRIGGER SYSTEM at Brownells one was even a complete trigger group/housing assembly which eludes me at the moment. I will post it if I can find it later.

03-21-2008, 10:56 PM	#9
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,181	Express will do everything the wingmaster does with out worrying about looks so much. On the other hand my Benelli Nova has never come close to failing me and its been through a lot, including snow and a unexpected winter swim duck hunting. Personally i would go for the benelli, but nothing wrong with the 870.

03-22-2008, 12:19 PM	#10
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,871 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 1	The Nova is good, especially for waterfowl. I carried my buddies for rabbits one day and found it a bit heavy and chunky. Alot depends on what you intend to do with it.

03-24-2008, 10:49 AM	#12
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	I didnt see in here that the wingmaster must be marked magnum to use 3"shells,the express is 3"mag. sam.

03-24-2008, 10:52 AM	#13
sell33 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,181	true^. You can get the express magnum that takes 3 1/2s also i believe.

04-01-2008, 10:44 PM	#15
nordford Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 2	My dad has a 20 gauge wingmaster and I have a 20 gauge express magnum. His is only rated for 2-3/4" mine is for 3". his wingmaster is more comfortable in the field (lighter), but I like the way my express shoots better. No idea how to explain, its just the way it is.