I picked up a police trade-in 870 wingmaster in an effort to learn more about using a shotgun in a defensive role (normally I’m a carbine guy). From what I can see it’s a pre flexitab model since it has the shiny lifter with no cuts in it. Since I’m using this mostly as a learning tool at this time, would it be worth upgrading it so it has this feature or not?
Without the upgrade, if a shell jumps the shell stops and ends up under the bolt, you have a get-out-the-toolbox stoppage. You can try “mortaring” the buttstock into the deck while pulling back on the forend, but you’ll probably snap off the buttstock before you get the action open.
I would go for the upgrade myself. It addresses a serious design flaw.
Rosco
I did the same thing, and purchased a used wingmaster turn in. Get the 870 shop manual, it’ll show you how to do the conversion. You can order the parts, bolt and lifterand do the install yourself. Your Milage may vary. I would have a qualified armorer look over the weapon before serious use.
Where’d you order your parts from? I see Brownells offer all the parts as a set, but I was hoping I could find it cheaper.
I got the parts from brownells. Remington offers the lifter for $18.99 part number F102190, I didn’t see the bolt for sale, but that would be the expensive part. I’d call Remington and see what they say.
Remington offers all the parts in a kit for (IIRC) $70 or $80. That might be just for LE agencies though. If you plan on using it as a defensive tool, it is a necessity.
Checked the price list from Remington. Costs about as much as Brownells. I’m tempted just to send it off to Wilson Combat for the Remington Steal package. I might just leave it as-is for now since I don’t plan it to use it in a serious role until I can decide if I’m comfortable with a shotgun.
Invest first in some training, familiarity, and cost:benefit analysis. You can always get the upgrade later. The conversion is handy, but your SG will serve well in your role without it as well.
That’s what I was beginning to think. I have written off shotguns for quite a while, but thought it wouldn’t hurt to be familiar with one and see if it fills any roles. That’s why I went with a trade-in since I figured I could get a decent gun for not too much, so if a shotgun does prove worthwhile I can upgrade or replace this one and if it doesn’t work out I didn’t spend too much on the gun. It did come with what looks like a decent sling and a speedfeed stock so I suppose just getting ammo and training/practice would certainly be sufficient at this time.
You need to replace the bolt, bolt carrier and the lifter to have it work. You can buy a new trigger group and it will have the flexi tab installed. Honestly I would not worry about it if you are just using it a little.
Dan