One of the follies of my youth that I have deeply regretted was selling my Remington 870 Lightweight Special Field 20 Gauge shotgun to a friend who in turn sold it to his brother.

Only last week I tried buying that “Special Field” model with 21” IC choked barrel but "Ed" said the problem is that the gun just points and shoots TOO well. No deal.

Today I saw an ad posted for a later version of a “Special Field” with REMCHOKE in 98% condition and I jumped on it like a fat kid on a smartie. One of the sweetest carrying shotguns I've ever owned with many fond memories of hunting grouse in the bargain.

One more lost gun stroked off the bucket list!

Any other 870 “Special Field” fans out there?

Not a "Special Field" but I still have a 26" IC Wingmaster 12 gauge that I found under the Christmas tree in 1976. Picked it up the other day and was surprised at how good it felt.

I almost snagged one (20ga 23" I think) for 350....but an old timer got to it before I returned to the gunshop with my lunch money.....fuggin boomers.

Never owned the special field, but I have two LW Wingmaster 20s. Both late 1980's 28" RemChoke,

Have a factory 18.5" RemChoke barrel on one of them that stays by my bed.

Excellent shotguns that handle like a dream.

I had a 21" remchoke model invested a lot of time and ammo trying to get proficient with it. Finally got smart and got rid of it. Barrel was just to damn short for me, it swung to fast. I replaced it with a 26" barreled 870 express which didn't look like much but handles real good ,both 20's. MB

I bought a Special Field back in the '80s, 21" Remchoke, straight stock, 20ga. I liked it, still like it. About 5 years ago I gave it to my boy when he turned 16 I think. He likes it still.

I would have liked it more with a pistol grip stock, don't think they made 'em that way though.

Have both the 12 ga and 20 ga, love them. Haven't hunted quail with either one yet but looking forward to it!

A Great little gun! Wish it wasn't stolen! 20 ga.

Would like to try one. They bring good money.

Not an 870 but a story of love lost and regained. A Savage 311 sxs 20 gauge of 1948 vintage. I last shot it in 1976, the last year my maternal grandparents were on the farm. I really liked that shotgun and took it hunting every opportunity I had when I was there.
My sister inherited it and doubted it would ever leave her family. But last week I unexpectedly acquired it in a trade with her that she initiated. Totally unexpected. Can’t wait to do a little hunting with it again this fall.

Congrats ruffcutt! It only took another 45 years to come back into you arms. ENJOY!

Not a pump gun guy. I short shuck too often dove hunting, so never cared for them. A co-worker wanted a 20g for his son, so I went looking. Found a 20g 870 matte with hardwood stock for $299 at Cabela's, 2 3/4 & 3". Used gun rack, but Like new. Remembered that I wanted to try a 3" 20g for turkey with tss last year. Decided that would be mine. Impressed with the action and how well it handled. So off to find another and at the 2nd shop I spied a old 870 20ga, I/C, 26". Pitted on the right side of receiver, the balance was ok. $229. dates to 1950. I liked it better than the newer one. 6 lbs even. I want it too, but it was 2 3/4" only so decided to call my buddy and let him buy it.

well you should have never sold it. i saw my first 20g 870 special at gunshow today. It was on consignment for $1600 !!! New unfired, no box

Charlie

I did alright. The seller overstated the condition but under valued the gun.





Still intend to buy my old gun back to hunt. In the mean time I have a better one to play with.

I have the same gun, purchased a couple of years ago. I really like it but I’ve been an 870 fan forever so that’s not surprising. A pleasure to carry and shoots where I’m looking.

Awesome looking shotgun and it looks like a really nice find. I've grouse hunted with one and it was a pleasure to carry...it had a fixed choke.

I had one way back when still catalogued w fixed chokes.
Loved that thing.
21" mod it was. Been looking for another. They want silly prices IMHO.

Do NOT like the 12 ga version, in 870 or 1100. Have shot both.
Not really liking the LT20 Special either.

Yup, 870 is where it's at

Got a VERY nice one a few yrs later, Imp Cyl and 1" shorter stock (guy had it pro done for his wife).
Bought it for my wife, and she HATED the stock.

I did OK dumping it later that yr, but of course now they're way more money.
Shoulda kept it and paid $125 for a new stock.

So................I'm on the fence, look for another 870 SF or snag the SKB 200E at my LGS.

Dove tomorrow will be w an 870 12 ga, supermag 23" Remchoke.
It sucks, but my 1100 SP wont cycle steel dove loads.
I've limited out with the 870 SM before, do OK.............but I learned way back w the 870 20 ga Special Field.
Settle down and let it do it's thing.
Hurry and shoot out front LOL

First time out, first time dove hunting, was horrible.
Next day was tolerable.
After that, and switching to non promo load shells..............that little 870 Special was wicked good. Some shots I just whipped it up and things fell, dunno what the hell happened.


No other shotgun has done that for me, non thinking shooting. OK, some do once in a while, but that little 20............just became natural, reflexive.
Almost all the time.

Been a lot of diff guns since, none worked that effortlessly.

Congrats on scoring a sweetheart

Olgrouser,
I've got a 21" IC barrel just bought at a gun show today for my light weight not knowing there was a difference in special fields mag tube and standard lw, if anyone is looking for one I have one for sale 😉

Not an 870 but my story is similar to yours. Bought it new about 20 years ago. I needed some cash (can’t remember what for) and sold it to my cousin for $500. I happened to run into him probably 3 or 4 years later and asked him if he wanted to sell it back. $500 and it was back in my safe.

ive got a 12ga 870 special field that came with a fixed choke. i don't remember how i came across the factory rem choke barrel for it. i musta traded into it as i don't have the og fixed choke barrel. my 17 yo son is eyeing it pretty hard.
Big Ed

The 11-87 version of this gun in 20ga is a sweet little rare critter. Roll engraving and eats 3" shells for late season pheasants

Got one with a fixed modified choke awhile back with 3" chamber, NIB. Real hard to find and none are inexpensive or at least not when I want one.

I have a question guys - Would a rifled slug barrel for a 870 20ga Express fit a Wingmaster receiver ? I had another member ask me this question. I have my 870 20ga Express rifled slug barrel for sale.

Thank you for you help.

Ken

I think the express barrel will fit a Wingmaster but not 100% on that

Just picked up an 1100 special field in 20 a few weeks ago and bought an 870 special field in 12 the other day. Great guns in my opinion

I had an 1100 Special Field once upon a time. I bought it used and it was so dirty I had to use a rawhide mallet to beat the barrel off the receiver (I have witness to that). Got it all cleaned up and it ran like a top. I got a wild hair and sold it.