The HIStory

Build Log:

WP870 - Replica

Witness Protection

The 12-Gauge shotgun is perhaps the longest-serving firearm in American law enforcement history and continues to be the most prevalent long gun in the armories of police agencies across the country. While most law enforcement shotguns are typical and unexciting, there are specific versions that hold a unique appeal. One of those is the "Witness Protection 870", or 'WP870'.

This is the original "Shockwave" type shotgun and was used by the U.S. Marshal Service beginning in the mid 1980s. These firearms were designed for the Witness Protection Program to be carried under cover of a jacket or trench coat and readily available against a close threat. They utilized the Remington 870 platform and the shortened barrel lengths ranged from 12.5 inches to 14.5 inches. The original stock was reshaped to what's called a birdshead very similar to today's Shockwave grip.

The U.S. Marshals Service never called it the Witness Protection shotgun. Instead, they called it the Marshal’s Service Short Shotgun. A Marshal named Lynn Jordall came up with the idea and worked with an armorer at Glynco named Gene Thompson to produce the first of these shorty shotguns. According to Thompson, he built the first prototypes, and when they decided to produce the shotgun en-masse, they contracted the creation of the bird’s head grips out to Jim Wilson of Wilson Combat. Wilson was young at the time, and he hadn’t formed his premiere firearms company just yet.

The 'WP870' gains its nickname from its adoption and use by the United States Marshals Service. Fellow gun scribe Chris McLoughlin outlined the beginnings of the original guns in a 1984 article. According to McLoughlin, Gene Thompson, Lynn Jordall and Jim Wilson built three prototypes. This was a collaborative effort with each man working on a select feature to produce the most effective platform. The result was a cut-down Remington 870 with a 14.5-inch barrel, a custom-built hand stop and, most significantly, an ergonomic grip that retained the shape of the original factory stock. Other modifications included a slotted shell lifter to assist in clearing a short-stroke-induced double feed and a unique sling system.

The early versions utilized barrels trimmed to 14.5 inches and the cylinder bores modified to accept Mossberg pattern chokes. Around 240 of these guns were created and fielded for various roles in the Marshal’s Service, including Witness Protection. The U.S. Marshals Service created these specialized shotguns for close-range protection roles within the Witness Protection Program. They were designed for high firepower in tight spaces.

Jim Wilson was a talented machinist whose modest shop was located on Oriole Street in Brunswick, Georgia. Wilson saw the potential for other government, law enforcement and civilian sales of the WP870. Wilson provided two distinct services regarding the WP870. The first was a conversion of an agency shotgun. The second was to convert a customer’s personal 870 into a WP870. In 1984, the conversion cost was listed as $214.80. Because this was a conversion of a non-NFA shotgun, the BATFE classified it a short-barreled shotgun (SBS), which mandated a $200 tax stamp for individuals. Later, Wilson became a Remington manufacturer and received receivers and parts to build 50 guns. Since these were manufactured in the WP870 configuration, the BATFE classified these guns as Any Other Weapons, or AOWs, making them subject to a $5 AOW tax stamp. Unfortunately, the arrangement between Wilson and Remington did not continue, and no more WP870s were manufactured as AOWs.

As with any combat shotgun, the shotgun was given a shorter pump to allow access to the loading port while the slide is in the rearward position. One of the marshals’ requirements of the Witness Protection 870 was that it be concealable under a jacket. The original designers came up with an ingenious solution to carry the 25-inch shotgun. The hand stop, which was installed at the end of the magazine tube to prevent the user’s hand from slipping in front of the muzzle, also served as a sling receptacle. A traditional sling swivel was installed at the rear of the pistol grip. The key to this system was the design of the sling. The designers utilized an M1 Carbine sling with a quick-release snap that was mounted to the hand stop. The shotgun could be slung under a jacket in an upside-down configuration. To present the shotgun, the user would grasp the pump with his or her support hand, reach across their body and unsnap the sling. This freed the shotgun, and the support hand pulled the gun from under the jacket for a reasonably efficient presentation.

Caliber - 12GA

Overall Length - 26.55 Inches / cm

Weight - 7.25 LBS / 3.629 Kg

Notes: Loaded - 5 Shells 00 Buckshot

Parts Specifications:

Barrel

870 12GA 14” Barrel

Manufacturer - Remington

Fire Control Group

870 Trigger Assembly

Manufacturer - Remington

Heat Shield

870 6-Row Heat Shield (Trimmed)

Manufacturer - SladeStreetTactical

Receiver

870 Receiver

Manufacturer - Remington

Bolt

870 12Ga Bolt

Manufacturer - Remington

Slide

870 12Ga Bolt Silde

Manufacturer - Remington

Tube Extension

Plus 1 Shell Extension

‍Manufacturer - Wilson Combat

Pump Forend

870 Pump Forend

‍Manufacturer - Remington

Pump Forend Nut

870 Pump Forend Nut

‍Manufacturer - Remington

Grip

870 Wood Birdheads Grip

Manufacturer - Remington

Grip Screw

1/4-28 4” Grip Bolt

Manufacturer - Shockwave Technologies

Tools Used / Recommended Tools

Detent Swage

Notes: Allows tube extension installation.

Pump Nut Tool

Notes: Allows pump to be removed/changed.

3/16" Hex T-Handle Wrench

Notes: Allows easy access for removal & installation of grips ensuring proper torque for installation.

A list of parts and tools used can be found below. For those who want to build their own WP870.