Remington 870 Express Problem

BigBore94587 · July 25, 2001, 12:57 PM

I have an 870 which I have been using for some time and it has recently acquired an annoying habit.

Every few rounds fired, the pump mechanism jams and becomes difficult to disengage, which of course results in some frustration.

I have since disassembled the slide and bolt mechanism to see if I could find some evidence of wear that might be causing it to bind but to no avail.

Does anyone know what might be causing this?

/B

Dfariswheel · July 25, 2001, 03:26 PM

Have you tried cleaning everything per Remington's instructions.
Take it apart and spray everything down with Rem-oil. It could be some crud or shotshell fragments jamming it up.

Dave McC · July 26, 2001, 06:26 AM

I suggest taking it apart and cleaning out the receiver. Relube and reassemble, then with the action closed, place one drop of CLP or oil on each action bar right where it meets the receiver.
Work it a few times and I bet your prob is history.

870s are far from finicky, but the bars have to be kept lubed...

George Stringer · July 26, 2001, 07:29 AM

BigBore, I agree with the clean and lube advice but is it just difficult/sticky or do you have to manually depress the bolt release. This could be a result of a mechanical problem where the bolt release isn't activating when the hammer falls. It could also be chamber related. George

Clemson · July 26, 2001, 07:38 AM

And one other thing to look for......

The recess in the barrel extension where the bolt locks up can gather carbon, powder, dirt, crid, cooties, and other such stuff. Take the barrel off, and use the blade of a small screwdriver to gently clean out that recess, then brush it with solvent and a stiff, brass brush.

Clemson

yankytrash · July 28, 2001, 05:05 AM

I have had this problem with my 870. When I would chamber a round, sometimes the next shell in the magazine would slide past the stops and lodge itself under the bolt. It seemed impossible sometimes to get the shell out of there - I'd have to take my knife and push the shell back up the magazine so I could work the action. Sometimes the next shell would do the same thing.

When the problem aggravated me to the point of insanity, I decided it was time to do something about it. I had recently replaced my magazine extension, so I suspected it was the culprit. I put the old mag back on, and I couldn't get the shells to do the same thing.

I compared the magazine springs. The stock spring was about 6" longer than the stock magazine setup. The extended spring was about 16" longer than the extended magazine setup. I cut the spring down to where it was 6" longer than the tube, and I haven't had the problem since.

July 25, 2001, 12:57 PM	#1
BigBore94587 Junior Member Join Date: July 25, 2001 Posts: 1	Remington 870 Express Problem I have an 870 which I have been using for some time and it has recently acquired an annoying habit. Every few rounds fired, the pump mechanism jams and becomes difficult to disengage, which of course results in some frustration. I have since disassembled the slide and bolt mechanism to see if I could find some evidence of wear that might be causing it to bind but to no avail. Does anyone know what might be causing this? /B

July 28, 2001, 05:05 AM	#6
yankytrash Senior Member Join Date: April 17, 2001 Location: Farnham, Va Posts: 2,183	I have had this problem with my 870. When I would chamber a round, sometimes the next shell in the magazine would slide past the stops and lodge itself under the bolt. It seemed impossible sometimes to get the shell out of there - I'd have to take my knife and push the shell back up the magazine so I could work the action. Sometimes the next shell would do the same thing. When the problem aggravated me to the point of insanity, I decided it was time to do something about it. I had recently replaced my magazine extension, so I suspected it was the culprit. I put the old mag back on, and I couldn't get the shells to do the same thing. I compared the magazine springs. The stock spring was about 6" longer than the stock magazine setup. The extended spring was about 16" longer than the extended magazine setup. I cut the spring down to where it was 6" longer than the tube, and I haven't had the problem since. __________________ Right turn, Clyde.

July 25, 2001, 03:26 PM	#2
Dfariswheel Senior Member Join Date: May 4, 2001 Posts: 7,478	Have you tried cleaning everything per Remington's instructions. Take it apart and spray everything down with Rem-oil. It could be some crud or shotshell fragments jamming it up.

July 26, 2001, 06:26 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	I suggest taking it apart and cleaning out the receiver. Relube and reassemble, then with the action closed, place one drop of CLP or oil on each action bar right where it meets the receiver. Work it a few times and I bet your prob is history. 870s are far from finicky, but the bars have to be kept lubed...

July 26, 2001, 07:29 AM	#4
George Stringer Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Earlington KY Posts: 2,299	BigBore, I agree with the clean and lube advice but is it just difficult/sticky or do you have to manually depress the bolt release. This could be a result of a mechanical problem where the bolt release isn't activating when the hammer falls. It could also be chamber related. George

July 26, 2001, 07:38 AM	#5
Clemson Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2001 Location: Greenwood, SC Posts: 875	And one other thing to look for...... The recess in the barrel extension where the bolt locks up can gather carbon, powder, dirt, crid, cooties, and other such stuff. Take the barrel off, and use the blade of a small screwdriver to gently clean out that recess, then brush it with solvent and a stiff, brass brush. Clemson