870 action opens with recoil

T.A.Sharps · February 29, 2008, 01:53 AM

I shoot the 2000fps sabot loads in my 870, the recoil from them will fling the pump back enough to open the action a little if I don't have the best grip on it, or if I have it on a rest.

I wouldn't mind it so much but it messes up my cycling of the action for a fallow up shot.

The action doesn't seem like its abnormally loose, and it only happens if I don't have a grip on it.

Is there anything I can do to help it hold forward tighter/stronger?

b.thomas · February 29, 2008, 05:47 AM

That might be a problem with sabot loads but that's exactly what you want from a good bird gun. Just means you have a well broken in pump gun.

Double Naught Spy · February 29, 2008, 07:05 AM

Once the round is fired, the action is no longer locked. So because of the amount of recoil and slide inertia (and probably because your hand is holding it), the slide or action gets pulled open as you stop the reward motion of the shotgun during recoil.

As you noted, it happens with higher energy loads. I get the same thing with magnum loads.

More skilled or practiced shooters actually use this as a mechanical advantage to cycle the action quicker. I think that if you will just be ready to cycle the action when the gun fires, you can make use of the mechanical advantage as well.

rantingredneck · February 29, 2008, 07:17 AM

Yep. With heavy loads this is normal.

foghornl · March 4, 2008, 12:03 PM

There was a similar question about a Mossberg 500 doing the same in the Shotgun forum.

This is normal action for a pump shotgun; the action is not locked after the hammer falls.

Try this....load a very light target/skeet shell, and shoot {Very Cautiously} with no grip on the forend. You will most likely find that the action opens just a bit; more opening with stiffer loads.

Tom2 · March 5, 2008, 08:52 PM

If the action ain't locked when the hammer falls, why doesn't it act like a blowback semiauto and blow the bolt wide open? Something not quite clear. I think you maybe mean the slide is not locked and on a loose gun the recoil moves the slide back enough to unlock the bolt? That being a little over a half inch on my 870.

February 29, 2008, 01:53 AM	#1
T.A.Sharps Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2007 Posts: 675	870 action opens with recoil I shoot the 2000fps sabot loads in my 870, the recoil from them will fling the pump back enough to open the action a little if I don't have the best grip on it, or if I have it on a rest. I wouldn't mind it so much but it messes up my cycling of the action for a fallow up shot. The action doesn't seem like its abnormally loose, and it only happens if I don't have a grip on it. Is there anything I can do to help it hold forward tighter/stronger? __________________ " ...Said I never had much use for one. Never said I didn't know how to use it..." "Your reality, sir, is lies and bladerdash, and I am delighted to say I have no grasp of it whatsoever!"

March 4, 2008, 12:03 PM	#5
foghornl Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,354	There was a similar question about a Mossberg 500 doing the same in the Shotgun forum. This is normal action for a pump shotgun; the action is not locked after the hammer falls. Try this....load a very light target/skeet shell, and shoot {Very Cautiously} with no grip on the forend. You will most likely find that the action opens just a bit; more opening with stiffer loads. __________________ Load your weapons and 'Stand Ready'. It will be a bumpy ride.

March 5, 2008, 08:52 PM	#6
Tom2 Senior Member Join Date: June 23, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,676	If the action ain't locked when the hammer falls, why doesn't it act like a blowback semiauto and blow the bolt wide open? Something not quite clear. I think you maybe mean the slide is not locked and on a loose gun the recoil moves the slide back enough to unlock the bolt? That being a little over a half inch on my 870. __________________ Your gun is like your nose, it is just wrong for someone else to pick it for you!

February 29, 2008, 05:47 AM	#2
b.thomas Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Posts: 461	That might be a problem with sabot loads but that's exactly what you want from a good bird gun. Just means you have a well broken in pump gun.

February 29, 2008, 07:05 AM	#3
Double Naught Spy Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2001 Location: Forestburg, Montague Cnty, TX Posts: 12,717	Once the round is fired, the action is no longer locked. So because of the amount of recoil and slide inertia (and probably because your hand is holding it), the slide or action gets pulled open as you stop the reward motion of the shotgun during recoil. As you noted, it happens with higher energy loads. I get the same thing with magnum loads. More skilled or practiced shooters actually use this as a mechanical advantage to cycle the action quicker. I think that if you will just be ready to cycle the action when the gun fires, you can make use of the mechanical advantage as well.

February 29, 2008, 07:17 AM	#4
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	Yep. With heavy loads this is normal.