Wet 870

Mainah · October 28, 2007, 08:53 AM

I spent yesterday hunting in a light to steady rain, my 870 Magnum Express got wet. When I came home I took the barrel off, dried the everything, applied a little lube, and kept the barrel off for the night.

I just put the barrel on and the slide is really stiff and stubborn. Is it possible that the wood is swollen? How can I remedy this? Thanks.

GoGo · October 28, 2007, 11:02 AM

My guess would be to let it dry out good. Then switch the stocks to synthetic if you are going to be getting it wet again.

Mainah · October 28, 2007, 04:09 PM

Good advice, thanks. A buddy recommended a coat of linseed oil. Second straight rainy opening day, I should of thought it through a little more.

chris in va · October 28, 2007, 07:12 PM

And if you go the synthetic route, why not just get a Knoxx Compstock. Comes with the forearm piece too.

Ruger4570 · October 30, 2007, 12:12 AM

Linseed oil on a Remington finish will never dry. Linseed is probably the LAST thing I would use on any gunstock and I have built many from scratch and refinished more than I can remember. Remington uses a DuPont synthetic finish, not an oil finish. It may be possible your gun sucked up some moisture, but beleive me,, linseed oil is not the answer.

sjsfire · October 30, 2007, 11:26 AM

Same thing happened to me about 10 years ago. My forearm on my express swelled up and I couldn't operate it. Good thing I had a backup slug gun. Unfortunatly when mine dried out I had a nice hairline crack right down the middle of the forearm. I bought a synthetic Remington replace set, butt stock and forearm from Cabelas for about $80 if I remember right. Every gun I own now that I hunt with has synthetic stocks and forearms

Mainah · October 30, 2007, 11:47 AM

Thanks, it's better now, just a little sticky.

Ruger, thanks for the linseed info.

October 28, 2007, 08:53 AM	#1
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 1,119	Wet 870 I spent yesterday hunting in a light to steady rain, my 870 Magnum Express got wet. When I came home I took the barrel off, dried the everything, applied a little lube, and kept the barrel off for the night. I just put the barrel on and the slide is really stiff and stubborn. Is it possible that the wood is swollen? How can I remedy this? Thanks.

October 28, 2007, 11:02 AM	#2
GoGo Member Join Date: May 19, 2007 Posts: 64	My guess would be to let it dry out good. Then switch the stocks to synthetic if you are going to be getting it wet again.

October 28, 2007, 04:09 PM	#3
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 1,119	Good advice, thanks. A buddy recommended a coat of linseed oil. Second straight rainy opening day, I should of thought it through a little more.

October 28, 2007, 07:12 PM	#4
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	And if you go the synthetic route, why not just get a Knoxx Compstock. Comes with the forearm piece too.

October 30, 2007, 12:12 AM	#5
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	Linseed oil on a Remington finish will never dry. Linseed is probably the LAST thing I would use on any gunstock and I have built many from scratch and refinished more than I can remember. Remington uses a DuPont synthetic finish, not an oil finish. It may be possible your gun sucked up some moisture, but beleive me,, linseed oil is not the answer.

October 30, 2007, 11:26 AM	#6
sjsfire Member Join Date: January 15, 2007 Posts: 31	Same thing happened to me about 10 years ago. My forearm on my express swelled up and I couldn't operate it. Good thing I had a backup slug gun. Unfortunatly when mine dried out I had a nice hairline crack right down the middle of the forearm. I bought a synthetic Remington replace set, butt stock and forearm from Cabelas for about $80 if I remember right. Every gun I own now that I hunt with has synthetic stocks and forearms

October 30, 2007, 11:47 AM	#7
Mainah Senior Member Join Date: July 9, 2007 Posts: 1,119	Thanks, it's better now, just a little sticky. Ruger, thanks for the linseed info.