870 j-lock question...again

madmag · December 4, 2010, 01:43 PM

Ok, I know there are lots of threads on the 870 j-lock, but I have searched and I did not find my specific answer. I have read on other threads that you could activate the j-lock by using your finders on each side of the lock and rotating (while in safe position). I have tried and tried and I cannot make this happen on my 2003 870 express. Of course it will work with the key...which I never use.

Anyway, I was thinking to replace the lock if I could operate with just my fingers, but it appears it only works with the key. Anyone else tried this?? Maybe not all years have this issue??

Thanks

zippy13 · December 4, 2010, 01:49 PM

It's suppose to work with only the J-key -- that's the way Remington's legal department likes it.

madmag · December 4, 2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zippy13

It's suppose to work with only the J-key

It appears so, and that's good, but I read on more than one web site about people locking the j-lock by just putting fingers on each side and rotating. Now am am thinking that's just urban myth.

Like I said, I don't like the lock, but as long as it only locks with the key I am OK.

zippy13 · December 4, 2010, 04:43 PM

madman,
Humm… On second thought, perhaps what you are describing applies when the trigger unit is being disassembled out of the gun.

Dave McC · December 4, 2010, 04:54 PM

FYI, I did put the lock on in the local Bass Pro with an Express back when this first came up. Others report the same, but so do some folks who cannot.

If it doesn't, count your blessings....

madmag · December 4, 2010, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave MCc

FYI, I did put the lock on in the local Bass Pro with an Express back when this first came up.

Maybe they made slight changes, I can just barely get mine to move using fingers on both sides and then it will not lock. I will try some more, if I ever get it to lock it's history.

xm21 · December 4, 2010, 07:13 PM

It costs less than five dollars to buy a standard safety button.detent,and spring.It takes about five minutes to remove the Jlock and about five minutes to install the new one if you are a good hand.It helps to have Jerry K's shop manual.Problem solved.

madmag · December 4, 2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xm21

It costs less than five dollars to buy a standard safety button.

Guess that's what I will do, but I am not in as much of a hurry now that I find I cannot engage using just fingers. I tried again today but still only works with the key.......still don't like the dang thing.

rantingredneck · December 4, 2010, 10:06 PM

About 5 years ago I was on a dove hunt with my father in law and some friends. One friend who was known to fidget with things he shouldn't have managed to fidget his J-lock equipped 870 into the locked position. He didn't have a key with him. None of the rest of us did either. We were 3 hours from home. Good thing I had a backup gun I could loan him.

The 870 safety swap is one of the simplest parts swaps you can do on a firearm.

silvercorvette · December 6, 2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

The 870 safety swap is one of the simplest parts swaps you can do on a firearm.

HERE IS A VIDEO
It shows how easy it is

madmag · December 6, 2010, 05:02 PM

Thanks silvercorvette. Great video.

BTW, I know it's been said before, I like Remington's, but the J-lock is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen on a firearm. Thank goodness for after market parts.

zippy13 · December 6, 2010, 05:53 PM

Quote:

I like Remington's, but the J-lock is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen on a firearm.

I thought the S&W revolver lock had earned that distinction.

hogdogs · December 6, 2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

but the J-lock is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen on a firearm

I thought that distinction went to the crossbolt safety on the Marlin 336...

Brent

silvercorvette · December 6, 2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Thanks silvercorvette. Great video.

BTW, I know it's been said before, I like Remington's, but the J-lock is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen on a firearm. Thank goodness for after market parts.

I should thank you because I have wanted to get rid of my lock for a long time and this thread acted as a reminder to make me put in an order.

I placed an order with Midway for $3.29, but some Ruger 10/22 mags and black powder accessories brought up the total to $91 including shipping and NRA round up

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=873374

madmag · December 6, 2010, 08:19 PM

Thanks. I am going to do the same but I want to get some more money together to order several things at once.

silvercorvette · December 6, 2010, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Thanks. I am going to do the same but I want to get some more money together to order several things at once.

That's why I wound up paying $91 for a $3.29 part

.300 Weatherby Mag · December 6, 2010, 09:19 PM

I hate midway... A couple of 3.99 parts can morph into $400

... Don't look at the ammo on sale

..

madmag · December 17, 2010, 05:07 PM

Update, for those that are interested.

I received my j-lock replacement from Mid-Way. Took about 5 minutes to install. Works great. Shipping was more than the part.....$10.50 total.

Did I say before that the j-lock was about the worst gun safety idea ever.:barf:

silvercorvette · December 18, 2010, 12:08 AM

I got mine a while ago and am embarrassed to say I haven't put it in yet

madmag · December 18, 2010, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silvercorvette

I got mine a while ago and am embarrassed to say I haven't put it in yet

I used your video reference as a guide. It really is as easy as it shows. Just keep your finger over the spring so it does not go flying off.....5 minutes and you are done.

December 4, 2010, 01:43 PM	#1
madmag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: The South Posts: 4,239	870 j-lock question...again Ok, I know there are lots of threads on the 870 j-lock, but I have searched and I did not find my specific answer. I have read on other threads that you could activate the j-lock by using your finders on each side of the lock and rotating (while in safe position). I have tried and tried and I cannot make this happen on my 2003 870 express. Of course it will work with the key...which I never use. Anyway, I was thinking to replace the lock if I could operate with just my fingers, but it appears it only works with the key. Anyone else tried this?? Maybe not all years have this issue?? Thanks

December 4, 2010, 10:06 PM	#9
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	About 5 years ago I was on a dove hunt with my father in law and some friends. One friend who was known to fidget with things he shouldn't have managed to fidget his J-lock equipped 870 into the locked position. He didn't have a key with him. None of the rest of us did either. We were 3 hours from home. Good thing I had a backup gun I could loan him. The 870 safety swap is one of the simplest parts swaps you can do on a firearm. __________________ NRA Member NC Hunter's Education Instructor PCCA Member (What's PCCA you ask? <- Check the link)

December 17, 2010, 05:07 PM	#18
madmag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: The South Posts: 4,239	Goodbye No More J-Lock Update, for those that are interested. I received my j-lock replacement from Mid-Way. Took about 5 minutes to install. Works great. Shipping was more than the part.....$10.50 total. Did I say before that the j-lock was about the worst gun safety idea ever.:barf:

December 18, 2010, 12:08 AM	#19
silvercorvette Senior Member Join Date: October 26, 2010 Location: Anderson SC Posts: 466	I got mine a while ago and am embarrassed to say I haven't put it in yet __________________ I am broke, I spent my money on fast cars, guns, reloading equipment and ammo, the rest my money was wasted on nonessential stuff

December 4, 2010, 01:49 PM	#2
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	It's suppose to work with only the J-key -- that's the way Remington's legal department likes it.

December 4, 2010, 04:43 PM	#4
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	madman, Humm… On second thought, perhaps what you are describing applies when the trigger unit is being disassembled out of the gun.

December 4, 2010, 04:54 PM	#5
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	FYI, I did put the lock on in the local Bass Pro with an Express back when this first came up. Others report the same, but so do some folks who cannot. If it doesn't, count your blessings....

December 4, 2010, 07:13 PM	#7
xm21 Senior Member Join Date: April 29, 2008 Posts: 177	It costs less than five dollars to buy a standard safety button.detent,and spring.It takes about five minutes to remove the Jlock and about five minutes to install the new one if you are a good hand.It helps to have Jerry K's shop manual.Problem solved.

December 6, 2010, 05:02 PM	#11
madmag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: The South Posts: 4,239	Thanks silvercorvette. Great video. BTW, I know it's been said before, I like Remington's, but the J-lock is one of the worst ideas I have ever seen on a firearm. Thank goodness for after market parts.

December 6, 2010, 08:19 PM	#15
madmag Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2007 Location: The South Posts: 4,239	Thanks. I am going to do the same but I want to get some more money together to order several things at once.

December 6, 2010, 09:19 PM	#17
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	I hate midway... A couple of 3.99 parts can morph into $400 ... Don't look at the ammo on sale ..