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Member Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 76

For some time i have been reading all your emails about a 16g gun made to be a 16g gun. Today i stopped at a Gander Mtn and saw an older 870 rem wingmaster, it was way overpriced but with touchup and cleaning will be a fine looking and working gun. I bought it ,brought it home, and put it next to my new plain 870. After 5 minutes of looking i was convinced i got a 20 guage instead, but repeated checking and inserting a 16g shell proved i was wrong. The older gun is so much slimmer, more gracefull and well balanced its incredible. The newer gun looks like a clunky gun aunt Maud mayed in the back yard.

b.randzin

Welcome to the slowly growing club of happy older 16ga 870 owners! Very Happy

These older version 870 truly do carry like a 20. Mine weighs 1 oz. more than my Win Model 12, both having 28" barrels, and the model 12 is made on a 20ga sized receiver.

Dennis

When I got my first 870/16 made in 1967 I thought it was on a 20 ga. frame. Then along came a 870/16 made in 1954 and it has the same graceful lines.

There are some great values to be had in the vintage 870/16's now. I paid $225.00 for the 1967 two years ago, it is mint and looks like it was never shot, a safe queen. Last year I found the 54 at a Phoenix gun show, I got it for $100.00. The 54 sports a Weaver external modified choke, looks like the Lyman. I am going to have the external removed from the barrel The barrel will then be 24". Then internal threads will be installed for the choke tubes.

The 67 870/16 is a BDL type with checkered wrist & fore stock, chrome bolt & carrier and no VR plain barrel.

The 54 870/16 is a field grade type with the tootsie roll fore stock.

My favorite is the 54. Wink

Member Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 182 Location: Minnesota

I HAVE A '71 CHECKERED AND A '53 TOOTSIE ROLL. THE '53 IS MY FAVORITE. 6LBS 70Z. I HANDLED ONE OF THE NEW ONES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT REMINGTON WAS THINKING WITH THOSE.
MAYBE NOT THINKING? Shocked