Wilson Combat...opinions?

[reedthis]

Is there anything special about the Wilson Combat shotguns, or are they just a standard 870 with a few modifications anyone could do themselves, or have done locally, for way less money?

Just wondering....

[MAX100]

Smooth 870 shotguns but you can do your own.

GC

[Dave McC]

Any decent smith can do the work, and you can bolt on parts as well as Wilson does. But first....

Shoot your shotgun until the pile of empties reaches past your ankles. Repeat a few times until the shotgun feels like a body part.

At that point in time, you'll have a better idea of what your shotgun and you "Need".

You may need, right off, to get the stock fitted to you. Other than that, the mods and bling can wait.

[Shawn Dodson]

Dave McC - BINGO! Very sage advice.

[chrisp0410]

I agree that any cometent gunsmith can do the internal slicking that Wilson's performs. With that said, I have one that is used for home protection, loaded with #1 Buck 2 3/4" shells as I live in a condominium complex and overpenetration is a concern.

My Wilson has the flashlight forearm, AR-15 style collapsible buttstock, side saddle shell holder, ghost ring rights with tritium front sight insert. The finish is some type of bake-on variety which works great for a weapon that mostly resides locked up behind the bed. The Action is very smooth, just as smooth as my cousin's old Winchester 1200 that has had several 55 gallon barrels full of ammo through. I know as I helped him reload all that ammo!

I did the math and figured that I could probably have saved between 100-200 bucks had I bought the parts seperately but feel regardless that I received my money's worth on this shotgun.

Chrisp0410

[chickenman]

I have a Wilson Combat Scattergun and love it. It will cost you but you will love it. You can get the 3 1/2 Police Mag or the standard 870. Email Matt Riker and get you a quote. Its best to buy one yourself and send it to them I would say.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a369/drmjones11/IMG_0899.jpg

[reedthis]

Okay, nobody seems to think they're way overpriced, and that's what I wanted to find out. It's worth it to me to spend a couple hundred bucks more and not have to research a competent local gunsmith to do the work for me. Those seem to be few and far between these days. I would probably just get the Border Patrol model without the light.

[gordo b.]

Get a real Police model 870- you will probably have to find a good used one but it will cost about $300 these days in clean shape. Then put on sights for $200, stock up grades for $100 and a few other goodies and you will have the real thing. Not a painted up 870 express with the same acessories and the Wilson name for a $1000 more!:rolleyes:

[reedthis]

I figured somebody out there would feel that way, Gordo! It's not $1000 more, though. They sell new for about that much.

What is superior about the police model?

[MAX100]

There is very little difference in the 870P and the Express. The difference is not worth the price for a project build.

If you can find one of the older 870 Wingmasters or Police in good shape it would be a very nice starting gun for a project build. The older 870 shotguns seem to be built better. The actions are usually smooth as butter.


You don't have to research a gunsmith send it to Mike Orlen.

Dave McC with his years of experience will tell you Mike does excellent work and has very reasonable prices. He has done three barrels for me. Turn around time is fast about 10 days.

Mike Orlen link: He is a Moderator at Shotgun World also.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=36237


GC

[Dave McC]

Thanks, Shawn. The best polish to put on any 870 is work polishing.

Mike Orlen has a great rep. If I needed barrel work, that's where it would go.

[gordo b.]

The Wilsons I've examined in the last few years had glued on sights and no chamber chamfering ect. The older Scattergun technologies did have chamfered chambers , cartridge lifter edges broken ect. and by golly silver solder on sights. The "price point" express remingtons are rough as cobbs with little quality control and the little grinding compound it looks like Wilson uses before they paint them isn't gonna work wonders. The Police guns were and are still finely finished and assembled as were the older Wingmasters. Tons of those out there for great prices ;)
Sorry I can't drink the Wilson coolaid on their shotguns or 1911s. I love some of their 1911 mags and parts though.