The test panel at SR was very favorably impressed with the Remington
870 12 gauge 50th Anniversary Classic Trap Edition released in 2000.
SR wondered how the smaller gauges in the 870 would fare in
comparison to its big brother. The Model 870 Wingmaster is the only
pump action shotgun currently produced in both these small-bore
choices.

The 28 gauge and the .410 bore 870s are built on smaller frames than
its big 12 gauge brother. Thus both the barrel and receiver are
proportionally scaled down from the 12 gauge and to one another so
there isn't a "skinny barrel on a big receiver look." As field guns,
compared to the trap model, the stocks have more drop. It is
considered that more drop in the stock is better for field guns as
most hunting situations involve a rapid mount and shoot. A quick
mount and shoot sometimes doesn’t allow for a shooter to firmly get
their cheekbone down on the stock, so there may be a tendency to
shoot high. If a stock is already high and there isn't a firm
cheek/head mount, the shot will tend to go high. A lower stock will
shoot a bit flatter in a rapid mount and shoot situation. The stock
has a matte, satin finish with cut checkering and a hard rubber butt
pad.

The metal finish is a highly polished blued finish, and receiver
panels are embellished with fine-line engraving. The .410 has fixed
modified choke and the 28 gauge is Briley choked with three choke
tubes, Improved Cylinder, Modified and Full. Their (approximately)
25-inch, vent rib barrels each have ivory front and steel mid-beads.
Average weight is 6 lbs. Magazine capacity is 3 for both guns.

As you can see from the grip measurements, the .410 and 28 gauge
Wingmasters have a thicker grip than the 12 gauge Classic Trap. The
12 Gauge Classic Trap has a small delightful grip. The best
description came from one reviewer who described the grip to be as
pleasing as "putting your hand about a young woman's waist." In
deference to our women readers, I suspect that it could also be
described as pleasing as putting your hand about a young man's waist.
Many shooters prefer a thin grip and the 4 1/2 in. Remington grip is
about the best there is. Pity they didn't keep the grip thickness the
same throughout the line. Perhaps there were concerns about strength
in this thin area of the stock.

Both gauge guns functioned with both reloads and factory ammunition.
The actions were smooth with no evidence of binding or stricture.
Reviewers commented that failure to load on following shots were due
in large part to the inexperience of the user. Most reviewers had
little experience with pump action shotguns, and there was a tendency
to "short shuck" or incompletely pull the slide action fully to the
rear before pushing fully forward. The result was that the action
closed on an empty chamber. It should be noted that this is in no way
a malfunction of the gun, but of operator error. After reviewers were
shown the proper technique, the "short shuck" problem disappeared.

Anecdotally, 870's have a reputation of being very reliable,
dependable guns. I have yet to come across an owner that was able to
wear one out. At their prices, the 870 line represents a true
value in the shotgun universe. Street prices can be expected to be
lower.

Tier	Price ($)
Lower	<999
	1000-1999
Middle	2000-2999
	3000-3999
High	>4000

The market segment for pump guns is the low tier. The low tier, for
argument sake, less than $1000. Very often, this is where many
beginning shooter make their first shotgun purchases, and it makes
sense for them to do so. Either for the reason of not buying
something expensive before one can decide whether they like the
sport, or because personal finances don't permit a large expenditure.

As one progresses in the sport, there is a natural tendency to leave
behind what one started with. But the reason for the change is
usually not that the shooter needs another gun, but that the shooter
wants another, more expensive, more prestigious gun that gives the
owner a greater pride of ownership. But understand that however
significant pride of ownership may be in the more expensive shotgun,
it doesn't mean that the targets are going to break any more frequently
than with the pump gun they left behind.

There is something unexplainable, magical about some shotguns. The
ones that you can shoot well, you should never get rid of. It doesn't
matter how cheap the gun is or how ugly it looks. If in your hands it
breaks birds like no tomorrow, it is a keeper.