870 problem,wont extract.

[K-Minus]

My friend has an 870 express 12G that recently started giving him trouble after a long time with no hiccups.

He says it will pull from the mag tube,feed and fire a round with no problems.
But when he pulls the forend backwards the spent shell stays in the chamber and wont eject.The extractor claw wraps the rim okay but seems to just lose it's grip.

Is this common?Or is it a real problem?He use's almost nothing but federal
game loads and keeps it clean.

Thank's

[Regolith]

Most extraction problems I know of happen due to dirty chambers. If the chamber isn't dirty, then it could be the ammunition. Have him try different ammunition in it, and see if that doesn't fix the problem. 870's tend to have tight chambers, and ammunition that is somewhat out of spec can fail to extract. I've heard that lightly polishing the chamber with steel wool can help with this, though I've never done it myself.

If it isn't the ammunition, I'd have a gunsmith look at it. I'm thinking either the extractor isn't functioning correctly, or something is wrong with the chamber.

[hogdogs]

Not from experience as I wouldn't own any thing but a nice shotgun (see my sig lines:D) but I it also seems the express chamber isn't well polished from factory and the metal of some shells actually binds in the tiny grooves. As for a fix guys seem to settle on polishing chamber with 000-0000 steel wool. Wrapped around a smaller wire bore brush etc. and run in a drill. As for why now, maybe it is the first time with this brand and load of shells. Seems the winchester are quick to point this flaw out most... Others will certainly opine in this thread shortly as they get their lazy butts outta the rack...
Brent

[RoscoeC]

It doesn't sound as though the problem is a dirty or unpolished chamber to me. With that said cleaning and polishing certainly can' hurt anything.

Because you state that it has run well for some time with no extraction problems, I would take a look at the extractor first. Remove the bolt and closely inspect it, and you will likely find that
1. there is lots of residue/grease, etc. built up under the extractor preventing it from fully grasping the rim of the shell.
2. The edge of the extractor which should be nice and sharp is rounded off, or chipped.
3. The extractor spring is broken or crudded up.

Good luck.

[zippy13]

I'm with RoscoeC, if I were to experience sudden extraction problems, the first thing I'd do is look to the extractor assembly. A spring problem could result in the condition described. It's not uncommon for gun parts to eventually wear-out and/or accumulate unseen gunk. Also, check to see that the barrel's extractor notch is clear and exhibits no signs of binding.

A rod* down the barrel will tell if a freshly fired hull is sticking in the chamber. If the hulls are relatively free, then polishing won't solve the extraction problem. However, polishing the chamber can't hurt, either. As hogdogs (aka Mr. Mossy) noted, it's an Express, it isn't a Wingmaster. Remington takes as many short cuts as possible to keep Express production costs down.
*Rod: Stuck hulls and wads are common enough that many gun clubs keep a wooden dowel at each field. It's not unusual to see a shooter (especially a newbie reloader) using the club dowel to clear his gun without interrupting the squad.

[capt. jas.]

While you have good information on all the aboe posts, I would look to the chamber first also. The Express has a pretty rough chamber and most people just buy a bore brush and think they really clean their barrel. Get a chamber brush or a 10 ga. bore brush for the 12 at the very least.

I usually always wrap some very fine steel wool around a 12 bore brush and go at the chamber while on a drill before even operating for the first time. This usually takes care of most problems and the need for a hone is reserved to the toughest cases.