Favorite Firearms: A Remington 870 As A Door Prize

by
posted on May 18, 2021
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
doorprz.jpg

My dad worked for a Ford dealership in southeast Iowa during an era when new car showings in September of each year were a big deal. He went to Peoria, Ill., for a secret, dealer-only showing in 1963 of the new 1964 models, and at the end of the meeting, he won the door prize—a 12-ga. Remington 870 Wingmaster. Up until that time, my brother and I had hunted with a Winchester Model 1906 pump-action rimfire and a well-used, single-shot, 20-ga. Winchester Model 37.

When dad brought home that Remington, my brother and I could hardly believe our eyes. High-gloss checkered walnut, deep bluing, a vent rib and an action that rang like a church bell when it was cycled. Over the years, we shot countless pheasant, quail, rabbits and clays with that 870, and it always cycled flawlessly with everything we could put through it. At the end of a hunt or clays session, the Wingmaster was cleaned and put away before anything else happened.

That Model 870 taught numerous friends and relatives the fine art of wingshooting and busting clays, and it has been held in high esteem by our family over the past 50 years. The shotgun now resides with a nephew who is still putting it to good use. When he mentioned hearing that “bell” sound as he worked the pump action, I smiled from ear to ear, as I knew my favorite firearm had found a good home and would still be used to harvest game and clays for many more years to come.

Paul Scranton, Iowa

Latest

Kimber 2K11
Kimber 2K11

Review: Kimber 2K11

The 2011-style pistol was designed to address the capacity limitations of the single-stack M1911 platform, and Kimber's approach to the concept is its 2K11, a competition-ready offering with several notable features.

Favorite Firearms: A High-Flying Hi-Standard “A-D”

Manufactured in New Haven, Conn., in late 1940, this Hi-Standard pistol was shipped as a Model “A,” but a heavier Model “D” barrel was installed later to replace the original, light barrel, leading one American Rifleman reader to call it a Model “A-D.”

Ruger Helps Families In Need Through The Kids & Clays Foundation

In the effort to help tens of thousands of critically ill children and their families across the nation through local Ronald McDonald Houses, Ruger is among some of the industry’s foremost Platinum-level sponsors of The Kids & Clays Foundation.

Unlocking The Future: Smith & Wesson's "No Lock" Revolvers

The future is shaping up to be a good one for fans of Smith & Wesson revolvers. The iconic American company had released 14 new models thus far in 2025 at the time this was written mid-year. And, with one exception, they have all shared a common feature—no internal lock.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 6, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

FEMA Notes Decline In Disaster Preparedness

A recent report from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) noted a decline in local government preparedness for natural disasters, putting increased pressure on individuals to prepare themselves for emergencies.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.