Irregular wear on 870 action bars

Jbotto · May 11, 2013, 08:05 PM

Alright guys this has been bothering me since I bought this shotgun 7 years ago. On my 870 the left action bar is glossy smooth and bear metal. The right one, factory finish yet. I can speak honestly and say this shotgun has over 5,000 rounds through it. It works, like it should, but is this common? Anything I could do to fix this situation?

Thanks!
-Jb

444 · May 11, 2013, 08:17 PM

I am not the guy to ask about something like this, but I can tell you that all of my 870s are the same way. I have thought about it. Tried to decide if this is an issue. Tried to figure out why it is happening.

I kinda think that one side or the other is worn based on whether you are right handed or left handed, putting more pressure on one side when you work the action ???

In the end, I decided that this is an obvious wear point, so I lubricate it.

I don't THINK it is a problem. You and I have both shot our guns extensively and nothing happened, so I assume it isn't a serious issue.

I am sure someone will come along shortly and give some kind of real answer.

Jbotto · May 11, 2013, 08:50 PM

444, are your bars identical to mine? Left is shiny/ right is new-ish looking? Do you shoot left or right handed?

notlikeyou · May 11, 2013, 08:51 PM

Synthetic foregrip? Mine wears uneven as well, and after further inspection the pump forend was cutting into the plastic on the synthetic foregrip.

444 · May 11, 2013, 09:03 PM

No, mine are worn on the right hand side. I am right handed.

Jbotto · May 11, 2013, 09:06 PM

notlikeyou, Nope. Wood stocks.

444, Hmm... there might be something to your theory. I shoot lefty but with a right handed 870.

444 · May 11, 2013, 09:08 PM

Ok, that is interesting. That was just a wild guess on my part.

I just figured that when I was pumping the action, I was pushing from left to right and not just straight back.

Jbotto · May 11, 2013, 09:18 PM

Who knows... it may be coincidental, but man is it weird if it is.

CajunBass · May 12, 2013, 04:45 AM

It's normal. I don't think I've ever seen a pump with double bars that doesn't wear one more than the other. I suspect it is a torque thing also. Or just that one side of the gun is different than the other. It's not like pump guns are real good examples of precision fitting, especially Remington Express and Mossberg 500's.

hdbiker · May 12, 2013, 10:20 AM

There is a tendency for pump action shooters to twist the forarm while pumping the action causing wear signs.

jaguarxk120 · May 12, 2013, 10:57 AM

The left action bar actuates the shell stop releasing the next shell in the magazine. So there is pressure on the action bar holding it against the reciever as it moves rearward.

I'm assuming that is the cause as my 870 has some wear on the right action bar, it's a lefthand model.

Jbotto · May 12, 2013, 11:01 AM

Thanks guys! I had kinda figured it was no big deal, but I've noticed it for a long enough time, that I had to ask. Thanks again!

May 11, 2013, 08:05 PM	#1
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	Irregular wear on 870 action bars Alright guys this has been bothering me since I bought this shotgun 7 years ago. On my 870 the left action bar is glossy smooth and bear metal. The right one, factory finish yet. I can speak honestly and say this shotgun has over 5,000 rounds through it. It works, like it should, but is this common? Anything I could do to fix this situation? Thanks! -Jb

May 11, 2013, 08:17 PM	#2
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	I am not the guy to ask about something like this, but I can tell you that all of my 870s are the same way. I have thought about it. Tried to decide if this is an issue. Tried to figure out why it is happening. I kinda think that one side or the other is worn based on whether you are right handed or left handed, putting more pressure on one side when you work the action ??? In the end, I decided that this is an obvious wear point, so I lubricate it. I don't THINK it is a problem. You and I have both shot our guns extensively and nothing happened, so I assume it isn't a serious issue. I am sure someone will come along shortly and give some kind of real answer. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

May 11, 2013, 09:03 PM	#5
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	No, mine are worn on the right hand side. I am right handed. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

May 11, 2013, 09:08 PM	#7
444 Senior Member Join Date: November 20, 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,968	Ok, that is interesting. That was just a wild guess on my part. I just figured that when I was pumping the action, I was pushing from left to right and not just straight back. __________________ You know the rest. In the books you have read How the British Regulars fired and fled, How the farmers gave them ball for ball, From behind each fence and farmyard wall, Chasing the redcoats down the lane, Then crossing the fields to emerge again Under the trees at the turn of the road, And only pausing to fire and load.

May 12, 2013, 04:45 AM	#9
CajunBass Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: North Chesterfield, Virginia Posts: 4,767	It's normal. I don't think I've ever seen a pump with double bars that doesn't wear one more than the other. I suspect it is a torque thing also. Or just that one side of the gun is different than the other. It's not like pump guns are real good examples of precision fitting, especially Remington Express and Mossberg 500's. __________________ For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (NKJV)

May 11, 2013, 08:50 PM	#3
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	444, are your bars identical to mine? Left is shiny/ right is new-ish looking? Do you shoot left or right handed?

May 11, 2013, 08:51 PM	#4
notlikeyou Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Posts: 54	Synthetic foregrip? Mine wears uneven as well, and after further inspection the pump forend was cutting into the plastic on the synthetic foregrip.

May 11, 2013, 09:06 PM	#6
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	notlikeyou, Nope. Wood stocks. 444, Hmm... there might be something to your theory. I shoot lefty but with a right handed 870.

May 11, 2013, 09:18 PM	#8
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	Who knows... it may be coincidental, but man is it weird if it is.

May 12, 2013, 10:20 AM	#10
hdbiker Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2012 Posts: 297	870 action bar wear There is a tendency for pump action shooters to twist the forarm while pumping the action causing wear signs.

May 12, 2013, 10:57 AM	#11
jaguarxk120 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,620	The left action bar actuates the shell stop releasing the next shell in the magazine. So there is pressure on the action bar holding it against the reciever as it moves rearward. I'm assuming that is the cause as my 870 has some wear on the right action bar, it's a lefthand model.

May 12, 2013, 11:01 AM	#12
Jbotto Senior Member Join Date: February 8, 2010 Location: MN Posts: 437	Thanks guys! I had kinda figured it was no big deal, but I've noticed it for a long enough time, that I had to ask. Thanks again!