Did you ever have a gun that just spoke to you?

J

Jim S

Active member
I went to the gun shop this afternoon to look at a heavy frame 20 Ga 870 Wingmaster Magnum in like new condition. Unfortunately they have a sale pending on that one. I just happened to spot this 12 Ga Wingmaster Magnum. Something about it just felt right. She's not overly pretty but still kinda sexy for her age. Nicks and scratches but no rust. Just good honest wear you would expect on a 40-50 yr old gun that's been out in the field. She followed me home with a 28" Remchoke barrel and her original 30" full choke barrel. Of course the first order of business when we got home was a good stripping and cleaning.

Here's the story I got out of this gun. Bought new somewhere about the late 60's early 70's. Well used, not abused and loved over the years, many memorable hunts in her history. Full choked to shoot waterfowl in the lead shot days and fitted with an interchangeable choke barrel to keep on hunting ducks with non-toxic shot. I'm guessing the original owner has either passed on or moved into a care facility and the kids have no interest in firearms, hence this fine piece being up for sale. This gun has character, I can't imagine someone who has hunted with this gun trading it in or putting it up for sale. Looking forward to hunting with this one this season!
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they speak to me all the time

they rarely say goodbye

and i am not good at ignoring them

specifically, the waterfowl ones that would not shut up this year include a Super Fox, an early 32" Model 12 solid rib heavy duck and an Elsie Longrange
 
Dad would have loved that Heavy Duck. He was a Model 12 fan. Myself I prefer the 870. Model 12's are a well built piece machine but unfortunately they don't fit me so I don't shoot them. My bro inherited Dad's model 12's. He shoots them well so they have a good home.
 
The 870 was my first new gun, shot it for years until I got my first duck boat and had trouble pumping out of the boat. After I bought the auto I started collecting model 12's. Still love shooting it to this day...
 
Jim S said:
Dad would have loved that Heavy Duck. He was a Model 12 fan. Myself I prefer the 870. Model 12's are a well built piece machine but unfortunately they don't fit me so I don't shoot them. My bro inherited Dad's model 12's. He shoots them well so they have a good home.
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i have my Dad's 870 Wingmaster, can't shoot it worth a darn - hopefully one of the grandkids will take to it
 
Still have my 12 guage 870 mag I bought new in mid 70,s. $142 New if I recall. 30" full originally but had it cut to 25.5 " and Truchokes put in when steel became mandatory. Had it parkerised and installed syn. stocks years ago and still turkey hunt with it with a truchoke turkey choke that I,ve never been able to beat patterns from w/other guns. Also still have my dads built in 1953. Its the only shotgun I ever remember him using from waterfowl to deer it brought them all to bag. Has never had a part break, wish they still made em like that.
 
I have a sweet Ithaca 16 gauge side by side I love to carry for woodcock hunting. Can?t hit a thing with it. Should have replaced it years ago. Come opening day it will be my go to gun again and again.
Don?t know why it means so much to me. I would never get rid of it, whether I hit anything or not.

I will shoot a 20 gauge over and under that actually hits birds for the rest of the season. Just love to carry that old, 100+ year old Ithaca.
 
My brother has my father's Wingmaster, 2 3/4", with a 26 mod and a 28" full barrel. Dad saved his pocket change in a jar for 2 years back in the early 70's to buy that gun. Only new gun he ever bought for himself. I think it was ~$125 plus $50 for the extra barrel.
 
Sounds like I might have stirred up a little nostalgia here. Just sat down on the couch and been fondling this 870 again. I'm liking it. I think this is going to be an 870 season.
 
When they do, they usually come home with me, I need another safe. I'm really into old 22s. Anything from the early 1900s-1950s. Back when they were more of a tool than a plinking gun. Recently picked up an old winchester 1890 gallery gun.
 
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I,m betting at least 75% of the members of duckboats.net have probably cut their teeth on the old wingmasters. The 870,s are still popular as ever if only for the affordability in the express lineup. Different gun though in those older wingmasters!
 
The difference between an old Wingmaster and a new Express is almost indescribable!
 
A local pawn shop has an old 16ga wingmaster on their shelf....someone cut the barrel to make a "home defense" gun out of it. It's sad to look at.

I used to rabbit hunt with an old 20 wingmaster, my buddy used his 410 wingmaster.
 
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Every time a nice gun speaks to me, it says: "If you bring me home, divorce proceedings may follow." Same for boats and fly rods.
 
Matt, I have an old 16 ga also. It was owned by an old gunsmith, he put a solid rib on it years ago. He really did a nice job. I'd go grab that one at the pawn shop and start the search for another barrel.
I started my shooting career with a Winchester 1890 back when I was about 7yrs old. Take-down with blued reciever. We had a lot of fun with that little rifle.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
Every time a nice gun speaks to me, it says: "If you bring me home, divorce proceedings may follow." Same for boats and fly rods.
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So Jeff, how much does it cost to keep that divorce attorney on retainer?[laugh] I don't have that worry anymore.
 
Still have the 870 Magnum I got as a Christmas present in the early 80's. Like Capt. Rich, I switched to an auto when I couldn't pump very well hunting out of a sneakbox. Last year, I added some trueglo sites and made it my turkey gun. Love taking the gun afield.

Ed
 
I harvested more game with my model 12 12 ga than any weapon I own today. Once steel came about they are regulated to the trap field. I remember shooting against the men in the early 70's as a youth and kicking butt on the trap field!
 
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