Refurbishing a well used gun

[grassmaster]

I was given an older (pre 1986 based on the barrel) Remmington 870 Wingmaster. The wood is in great shape but this gun has been shot a lot. Everything is in good working order and it only shows wear around the action and near the end of the barrel.

If I were going to go through and give the gun a good "once over" what should I be looking for? Should I re-blue the metal?

I'm no gunsmith...

[Double-O-Dave]

Excellent shotgun - the 870 is a classic. Are you planning on using the shotgun, or using it as a wall hanger/safe queen? Does the piece have any sentimental attachment, or was it just a cool gift? If it were me, and I was going to use the piece, I'd degrease the metal (plain rubbing alcohol and an old t-shirt) and use a good paste wax (like what you'd use on a car or boat) to protect the metal. I'd apply a couple of coats of wax, and reapply the wax at least once a year. If you aren't going to use the piece, you might want to consider cold bluing it. If you take your time in the prep, you'd be surprised at how nice a cold blued piece will look, but be advised, the finish is not durable and won't hold up in use or over time. Cold bluing the piece might be a good wintertime project.

Good luck,

Dave

[Cajun Blake]

unless the metal has pitting and rust, I'd leave it "as-is" and shoot it . The 870 is an affordable "work horse"

you can clean the bore with a cleaning rod and brush /patch

remove barrel, and clean all the internals with WD-40 , let drip dry, then spray a protective lubricant on metal and working parts. Wipe down with a oil rag

does it have removable chokes ?? if so it may be stuck from rust , dirt, oil and should be removed & cleaned or replaced . If barrel is a fixed choke then you're GTG

I would inspect to make sure the shotgun has a plug, if in poor condition as it may need replacing. The last thing you want is to go hunting and realize the sg has no plug

[CabezaBlanca]

I'd hose it down with RemOil and go shoot it!

[rather-b-fishin]

Great gun wish id never sold mine.

[Bill]

remove barrel, and clean all the internals with WD-40 , let drip dry, then spray a protective lubricant on metal and working parts. Wipe down with a oil rag

A hunting partner of mine was the gunners mate on a SEAL team. He cleaned shotguns and other weapons with WD40, and used brass brushes on the aluminum threaded rods in a cordless drill to clean barrels.

When he was done, he'd spray more WD40 to flush away any residue, use an air compressor to blow off the excess, which he said left a molecular layer that prevented rust, and put a small (tiny) amount of good gun grease in any slide mechanisms.

His opinion (which looking at the pictures of him in uniform make me respect) was to shoot the guns "dry", excess oil (especially CLP) only attract dirt which forms sludge and causes the jamming.

I asked does the WD40 really work? He said to look at the pictures of the SEALs coming out of the surf with their weapons ready to shoot.

[bwssr]

a bic ball point pin works for a plug......

[Bill]

Or a broken arrow shaft cut to length.

Or a piece of a cattail stalk broken to the "right" length in a pinch- like when you realize realize the shotgun you don't usually hunt ducks with and loaned your daughter's boyfriend to come hunting with you was not plugged. Not pretty but better than the alternative if you meet a GW.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[grassmaster]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to clean it thoroughly and put it to work. This model was made before removable chokes. I may swap out the barrel seeing as how this is a 30" full choke barrel used primarily as a goose gun

[Gunnyart]

It's not a valuable gun but might make a good project gun. Rustolium camo job and wear it out or build a tactical zombie slayer out of it.

[BTLowry]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to clean it thoroughly and put it to work. This model was made before removable chokes. I may swap out the barrel seeing as how this is a 30" full choke barrel used primarily as a goose gun

If I am not mistaken, a gunsmith could cut the barrel back and thread it to accept interchangable chokes.
May cost more than buying a new barrel though

As others have said, clean it and shoot it

[talltexasshoote]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to clean it thoroughly and put it to work. This model was made before removable chokes. I may swap out the barrel seeing as how this is a 30" full choke barrel used primarily as a goose gun

I have that same barrel and choke setup. Great turkey gun. Don't shoot steel bigger than 2 shot or you risk bulging. Mine is an amazing duck gun and late season pheasant gun. It will kill a rooster stone dead (no running off) at 40 yards. They think they are being sneaky and end up getting a ride home.