Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: IfItFliesItDies on September 21, 2023, 10:31:09 AM

Title: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: IfItFliesItDies on September 21, 2023, 10:31:09 AM: Last year, I broke the high gloss walnut stock on my 870 Wingmaster 12ga. I won't go into detail how it broke, except to say that it wasn't my finest moment...

Anyway, I'm wondering if this is repairable, and if so, who would be a good person to take it to (and what it might set me back). I imagine it'll never be as strong as it once was, but I don't plan on repeating the mistake that broke it in the first place.

I did buy a replacement high gloss walnut beauty on Gunbroker last year in New Old Stock condition, and while it lines up OK on the receiver, it doesn't line up well on the butt pad. The color is also different than the forend. If feasible, I'd rather just sell the replacement and repair the original.

Any thoughts/suggestions welcome.
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: timberfaller on September 21, 2023, 11:40:35 AM: Looks repairable. Lots of glue out there that would work. You won't be able to get rid of the crack line but it will be as strong or stronger then before.

Do it yourself and FOLLOW what ever the glue instruction tells you.

High gloss Remington is nothing more then a thick layer of polyurethane. Good luck!
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: RC on September 21, 2023, 01:03:38 PM: I had the exact same thing happen to an old 20 gauge shotgun of mine. Took it to a gunsmith and he just used super glue. That was 20+ years ago and I've put a lot of shells through that thing since. As mentioned though, you will still see the crack line, but have had no issues with it coming apart.

As a side note, make sure the stock is attached to the receiver tightly...but not too tight. I think that may be what did mine in, as the stock was on there super tight and may have buckled after a lot of shooting causing it to split.
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: wadu1 on September 21, 2023, 01:09:46 PM: Looks repairable, look at the link below for some ideas. Best way is to glue and pin, I've done it.

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/broken-butt-stock-repair-need-recommendations.216316/#post-1799673 (https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/broken-butt-stock-repair-need-recommendations.216316/#post-1799673)
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: Lumpy Taters on September 21, 2023, 09:43:51 PM: If the new one doesn't line up with the butt pad. See if it's able to be fitted first. I would always prefer solid wood to a repair job anyway. There where so many 870's made I would think it wouldn't be hard to find a few cheaper ones and have the one that fits the best finished in high gloss. Besides if you are not sold on wood there are some high quality synthetic options available
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: IfItFliesItDies on September 22, 2023, 07:48:05 AM: Thanks for the responses. I should probably have clarified that I'm not looking for a project. I work 60+ hrs a week, have young kids, and bought a major fixer-upper last year that is still a long way from where we want it. I simply don't have the time; if I did, it would be done already. I'm looking for someone who knows what their doing to do it for me, and do it right. My dad gave me this shotgun when I was 16, so it has a lot of sentimental value. I really do prefer to have the original wood on it vs. trying to hunt down a matching set of wood furniture that still looks good without me having to put time into it. Synthetic on a Wingmaster just feels...wrong. Any help with locating the right guy for the job would be much appreciated.
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: RobinHoodlum on September 22, 2023, 08:29:09 AM: Oh, dang! Guessing that was either from a fall or shot with the stock bolt too lose.

Totally understand wanting to keep the original stock. I have repaired a few stocks with similar issues. I use Acraglas and brass pins. My process involves stripping the original finish, sanding to hide the crack (to the extent possible), and refinishing. To be clear, I am not a gunsmith.

The "right guy" for you is more likely a smith. It will probably cost upwards of $200 if I had to guess. I have some suggestions if you want to pursue that. Send a PM if interested talking through the process and potential options
Title: Re: Broken 870 Wingmaster 12ga walnut stock - is it repairable?
Post by: Pegasus on September 22, 2023, 04:25:39 PM: Number of matching sets on Ebay if you run out of options on keeping the original wood. They ain't cheap but probably can be negotiated somewhat. You could sell your forend later and cut the out of pocket total cost.