870 firing pin

Tom2 · July 18, 2004, 06:21 PM

I bought an older 870 wingmaster from the 50's. Was in decent 95% condx. or so, but later upon opening it for a good cleaning, I found the firing pin broken in half at a junction where diameter changes. Glad I did not try to use it for anything. Is the firing pin in the 870 prone to break, or is this just a fluke? Replacement seems to be OK. Thanks.

steveno · July 18, 2004, 07:24 PM

I would say it was pretty rare but anything can break once in a while. considering the age of the shotgun and the fact materials and heat treat probably wasn't as good back then. the 870 is the best pump shotgun out there.

Dave McC · July 19, 2004, 06:06 AM

While rare, this is not unheard of. Supposedly, the pin is subject to breakage when dry fired in very cold weather. Seen exactly one break.

Other than sheer age and milage, no downside to a 50s 870. One here had thousands of rounds behind it, another is catching up to that one. Neither has had any parts failures while in my care.

Tom2 · July 19, 2004, 03:03 PM

I think it had been decades since the gun had been taken apart maybe. It was clean pretty much from firing residue, but some old grease on the op rods had hardened and was like chewing gum. Scrubbed it clean and relubed with breakfree for now. Really broken in but not worn out-smooth action and nice trigger. Now I should post about the buttstock needing a pad.....

Tom2 · July 19, 2004, 03:08 PM

I am looking for someone to install a recoil pad on an old 870 walnut stock. It has the original hard buttplate and the butt is slightly curved. (Most pads are made to mount on a flat end of the stock?) I need the stock cut clean and a Pachmayr decelerator installed on it with a shorter L.O.P. And the wood is in good shape but could use a refinish. THis is a spare buttstock. I will leave the original as is. Anyone have a good smith who will do a good job of it?

July 18, 2004, 06:21 PM	#1
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,644	870 firing pin I bought an older 870 wingmaster from the 50's. Was in decent 95% condx. or so, but later upon opening it for a good cleaning, I found the firing pin broken in half at a junction where diameter changes. Glad I did not try to use it for anything. Is the firing pin in the 870 prone to break, or is this just a fluke? Replacement seems to be OK. Thanks.

July 19, 2004, 03:03 PM	#4
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,644	Thanks for input I think it had been decades since the gun had been taken apart maybe. It was clean pretty much from firing residue, but some old grease on the op rods had hardened and was like chewing gum. Scrubbed it clean and relubed with breakfree for now. Really broken in but not worn out-smooth action and nice trigger. Now I should post about the buttstock needing a pad.....

July 19, 2004, 03:08 PM	#5
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,644	Who installs recoil pads? I am looking for someone to install a recoil pad on an old 870 walnut stock. It has the original hard buttplate and the butt is slightly curved. (Most pads are made to mount on a flat end of the stock?) I need the stock cut clean and a Pachmayr decelerator installed on it with a shorter L.O.P. And the wood is in good shape but could use a refinish. THis is a spare buttstock. I will leave the original as is. Anyone have a good smith who will do a good job of it?

July 18, 2004, 07:24 PM	#2
steveno Senior Member Join Date: June 18, 2004 Location: Minden , Nebraska Posts: 1,189	I would say it was pretty rare but anything can break once in a while. considering the age of the shotgun and the fact materials and heat treat probably wasn't as good back then. the 870 is the best pump shotgun out there.

July 19, 2004, 06:06 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 14, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,831	While rare, this is not unheard of. Supposedly, the pin is subject to breakage when dry fired in very cold weather. Seen exactly one break. Other than sheer age and milage, no downside to a 50s 870. One here had thousands of rounds behind it, another is catching up to that one. Neither has had any parts failures while in my care.