Cutting a barrel on an 870 wingmaster

[Delkal]

If the shotgun is in decent shape I wouldn't cut the barrel or pay for an extended magazine. Find a gunshop that has a police trade in shotgun and offer to swap it out even for your original 50's Wingmaster. I am sure they would jump on the deal.

[ar15jules]

I got a 1950s wingmaster with a plain 28" barrel that I intend to cut to 20" and pair with a magazine extension. I have never cut a barrel before so I'm looking for tips from people who have. The plan is to use a fine tooth hacksaw with the barrel in my bench vise (leather padding on both sides) at the edge of the block so I have an easier time cutting it straight, file any burrs, cold blue. Then there's the matter of the bead. I ordered a clamp on fiber optic bead but I not sure it's going to be the answer. Would I be better off finding a gunsmith (good luck with that) to cut, crown, and bead it for me or is it way easier than I'm thinking?

Find an 870 Express on the cheap and do this. It seems like a shame to butcher up a Wingmaster.

[Hawk]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Remington-1...MAAOSwuhZenHRI

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[Misery Loves Shotguns]

To clarify, I'm not worried about chokes. All but one of my other shotguns are cylinder bore and they serve me just fine. Instead of potentially ruining it if I do it myself, or buying another barrel, I'm going to have my gunsmith do it. Roughly $100 to rebead, cut, and crown and he said he can have it done by the end of the week. Cheaper than a new barrel by about half. A second barrel wouldn't really be of any use to me, especially for what they cost. The barrel is actually marked 2 3/4" only but that's not a problem. I couldn't tell you the last time I shot a 3" shell.

A pipe cutter is what I use when I cut magazine extensions to be flush with the muzzle. It crimps the edges inward and retains the magazine cap (I use Choate extensions and they have a plastic cap). You could potentially use one of them if it's all you had access to but then you'd have to file the crimp out of the inside of the barrel.

[DonBiase]

Would a plumbers pipe cutter work?
Attachment 131538

Should work, never done it that way myself.
Always used a hack saw or sawsall (running slow, lubricated).
If you're going to use a pipe cutter, put a fresh wheel in it, and don't hurry, ream the inside when done.

Front bead, do you have a drill press.

[DonBiase]

To clarify, I'm not worried about chokes. All but one of my other shotguns are cylinder bore and they serve me just fine. Instead of potentially ruining it if I do it myself, or buying another barrel, I'm going to have my gunsmith do it. Roughly $100 to rebead, cut, and crown and he said he can have it done by the end of the week. Cheaper than a new barrel by about half. A second barrel wouldn't really be of any use to me, especially for what they cost. The barrel is actually marked 2 3/4" only but that's not a problem. I couldn't tell you the last time I shot a 3" shell.

A pipe cutter is what I use when I cut magazine extensions to be flush with the muzzle. It crimps the edges inward and retains the magazine cap (I use Choate extensions and they have a plastic cap). You could potentially use one of them if it's all you had access to but then you'd have to file the crimp out of the inside of the barrel.

Sounds like a win/win.

[Misery Loves Shotguns]

I just got back from dropping the gun off at my gunsmith's place and there was a guy there who seemed utterly disgusted with my choice to modify a 1950s wingmaster. I thought it was pretty amusing. This will make a nice "bump in the night" alternative to the new production 870 tactical that I have.

[DonBiase]

I just got back from dropping the gun off at my gunsmith's place and there was a guy there who seemed utterly disgusted with my choice to modify a 1950s wingmaster. I thought it was pretty amusing. This will make a nice "bump in the night" alternative to the new production 870 tactical that I have.

Don't know why he's upset.
Everything that you're doing can be Undone.

[abner13]

I too would not cut an original Remington barrel!

[Misery Loves Shotguns]

I too would not cut an original Remington barrel!

Any particular reason why?