Remington 870 16 ga. Wingmaster shotgun

[mojave30cal]

For sale locally. It has a 26 inch barrel, is all original, and is
chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. It has some handling marks,
as well as carrying marks as it was used to shoot birds. My
question is: are these common or scarce?

 

[35Rem]

Not super scarce. Good shooters.

 

[clang444]

16 gauge 870s were built on a 12 gauge receiver, so they really aren't much lighter than a 12 gauge gun. Add that ammo is harder to find and you have a gun that is not that desirable.

Now a 16 gauge Winchester Model 12 is built on the 20 gauge receiver, so it "carries like a 20 and shoots like a 12".

 

[35Rem]

16 gauge 870s were built on a 12 gauge receiver, so they really aren't much lighter than a 12 gauge gun. Add that ammo is harder to find and you have a gun that is not that desirable.

Now a 16 gauge Winchester Model 12 is built on the 20 gauge receiver, so it "carries like a 20 and shoots like a 12".

Funny how they'll both average around 6.5 pounds. The Remington 870's made after the 1980's used a heavier countour barrel, increasing weight significantly, but the early ones used a proper 16ga barrel, are are great guns.

 

[L Pete]

I wished that I still had mine I bought back in 1967. The stupidest thing I ever did was trade it off. I love 16 ga. for my shotgun purposes. I have a very early 11-48 that is in excellent condition that ain't goin' nowhere. If I find a really nice 870 in 16 ga., it'll get put into the safe right next to the 11-48.

As far as ammo scarcity of ammo. My Walmart carries it, I haven't had any problems finding it.....

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

For sale locally. It has a 26 inch barrel, is all original, and is
chambered for 2 3/4 inch shells. It has some handling marks,
as well as carrying marks as it was used to shoot birds. My
question is: are these common or scarce?

If it had a vent rib and was a 26" barrel, it would be more desirable. The barrel looks to be longer than 26", though. more like 28.

 

[2152hq]

Looks like a nice clean earlier 870. I agree about it maybe being a 28" or maybe 30. Might just be the picture angle though.
Scarce?,,yes I'd say it would be scare when compared to the number you'd see around in 12ga or even 20ga in most areas.
But that doesn't convert to rarity & extra monetary value necessarily.
16ga guns are usually the last to sell on the used gun rack of common repeaters. A drawback for many people is the price of shells. The sportinggoods and big box stores don't often have the 16ga shells at sale prices like $5/box as they do the 12 and 20ga ammo. Once in a while they do though,,grab them when you see 'em.
In actual use,,the 12,16 and 20 all account for themselves at about the same level. An ounce of shot is an ounce of shot. They all launch em at the same 1200fps +/- depending on the specific load..

 

[JohnRippert]

I happen to like 16ga and part of the reason is that they do often sit for a while. Dealers are more willing to sell at a lower price on them. I picked up a right nice Stevens 620 16ga for $169 a few years ago.

If you can get it for anywhere near what I paid for the 620, I say do it.

 

[Texas Star]

I'd prefer a later gun with impressed checkering and maybe even a recoil pad. And in 12 or 20 ga.


Rem. 870's are pretty common guns. More have been made than any other quality shotgun, I think.


I'd rather have an older gun made before Remington moved and changed owners. QC is spotty on the brand now.


Read Elmer Keith's, Shotguns and see what he thought of the M-870. It'll make you want one. And I think it's worth it to buy a Wingmaster, not the cheaper Express grade.


As for that gun having been used to "shoot birds", well, that's what I want a shotgun for. I'm tired of seeing most shotguns on the Net these days tricked out as "tactical" guns.

 

[L Pete]

Luckily, you won't see any tactical 16 ga. shotguns anywhere, or at least I haven't.

A side note about ammo. I haven't seen any buckshot or slugs on any dealer shelves in many, many years. That is probably why you don't see any tactical 16s..........

 

[JohnRippert]

Luckily, you won't see any tactical 16 ga. shotguns anywhere, or at least I haven't.

A side note about ammo. I haven't seen any buckshot or slugs on any dealer shelves in many, many years. That is probably why you don't see any tactical 16s..........

Plenty of each to be found online.

 

[22hipower]

Not what I'd call scarce but you don't see them every day. Not particularly popular for the reasons other commenters mentioned. I've had a couple over the years but probably wouldn't buy another. I do like the 16 gauge and use an A5 Sweet Sixteen whenever chasing pheasants. If you want the 870 just to say you have one in 16 gauge that would be enough reason for me. If you want one to use occasionally and which might appreciate a bit, look for an original condition Browning A5 and/or a Winchester Model 12. All that said, I'm still looking for an 1100 in 16 gauge. . .just to say I've got one in all gauges. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457