870 express chambering problem

Dickie d · 12-30-2007, 06:20 AM

Yesterday I took and 870 express magnum (2 3/4 & 3 inch) in trade at a gun show. Came home and tried to shoot it with 2 3/4 shells. I put 2 in the tube and tried to chamber it. They would not feed out of the tube.
There is a spring like piece of metal that holds them in the tube on the right hand side of the reciever. Gun looks clean with little use. Any ideas.
Serial # C1911xx M.

texnmidwest · 12-30-2007, 08:27 AM

I am not a gunsmith but it sounds like the spring like piece of metal is the magazine cut off. This allows one shell to be fed with out the second shell coming into the chamber. Should be a simple fix by a competent gunsmith but I am not sure. Don't hesitate to call or email Remington and ask them. 870s are great shotguns with an excellent history of reliability.

samuel · 12-30-2007, 08:40 AM

There are two shell latches,left and right.www.numrich@e-gunparts.com has both for $14.35 each plus s&h.I believe you only have to remove the trigger assembly to change them.Mooseman told me it was the left one on a 500 mossy. but I changed both.Anyway it is simple and maybe MM will sugest which one. sam.

madcratebuilder · 12-30-2007, 09:00 AM

This is from the Rem service manual.

a Action bar, free of deformation and moves free.
b Shell latches, front end of latch should have a max of 1/16 engagement over the shell.
c Mag spring and mag follower, free movement and tension.
d Carrier: Should be low enough to allow shell to pass, but not to protrude below loading port of receiver. Look for bent tip, shell guide or burrs on the rail.

I have found the 870 to be easy to work on, repair. You can get a field service manual off flea bay for $7.

Dickie d · 12-30-2007, 01:20 PM

Thanks for the response. I notices that Numrick listed parts for an old style and new style. I guess I need to get with Remington since I don't have a gunsmith within 50 miles. Repairing this can't be any worse than putting a firing pin spring in a Boito double barrel.

Mooseman684 · 12-30-2007, 01:42 PM

First, I recommend a Good Cleaning and inspection of those parts...The bolt is supposed to release one shell stop when forward and then the other one when cycling...Make sure there is nothing under the shell stops (pine needles, sticks, paper wadding, etc) that would hamper their release movement...Also check for burrs/dents at the end of the magazine tube that may restrict the shell movement when the stops release...
Rich

Dickie d · 01-01-2008, 04:48 AM

Yesterday I called Remington because I couldn't ask a question online. What a surprise, a most friendly CSR answered. She knew what the problem was and ordered the parts for me and in less than 10 minutes I was done. She was located in North Carolina not India. I would highly recomend calling Remingtom if you ever have a problem.

12-30-2007, 06:20 AM	#1
Dickie d Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eufaula, Ok Posts: 59	870 express chambering problem Yesterday I took and 870 express magnum (2 3/4 & 3 inch) in trade at a gun show. Came home and tried to shoot it with 2 3/4 shells. I put 2 in the tube and tried to chamber it. They would not feed out of the tube. There is a spring like piece of metal that holds them in the tube on the right hand side of the reciever. Gun looks clean with little use. Any ideas. Serial # C1911xx M.

12-30-2007, 09:00 AM	#4
madcratebuilder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Orygun Posts: 561	This is from the Rem service manual. a Action bar, free of deformation and moves free. b Shell latches, front end of latch should have a max of 1/16 engagement over the shell. c Mag spring and mag follower, free movement and tension. d Carrier: Should be low enough to allow shell to pass, but not to protrude below loading port of receiver. Look for bent tip, shell guide or burrs on the rail. I have found the 870 to be easy to work on, repair. You can get a field service manual off flea bay for $7. __________________ The difference between a hot dog and a weenie is a fine line.....

12-30-2007, 01:42 PM	#6
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,632 Images: 2	First, I recommend a Good Cleaning and inspection of those parts...The bolt is supposed to release one shell stop when forward and then the other one when cycling...Make sure there is nothing under the shell stops (pine needles, sticks, paper wadding, etc) that would hamper their release movement...Also check for burrs/dents at the end of the magazine tube that may restrict the shell movement when the stops release... Rich __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

12-30-2007, 08:27 AM	#2
texnmidwest Listen to yur Inner Hippo Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: South east Wisconsin Posts: 3,357	I am not a gunsmith but it sounds like the spring like piece of metal is the magazine cut off. This allows one shell to be fed with out the second shell coming into the chamber. Should be a simple fix by a competent gunsmith but I am not sure. Don't hesitate to call or email Remington and ask them. 870s are great shotguns with an excellent history of reliability.

12-30-2007, 08:40 AM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,087	There are two shell latches,left and right.www.numrich@e-gunparts.com has both for $14.35 each plus s&h.I believe you only have to remove the trigger assembly to change them.Mooseman told me it was the left one on a 500 mossy. but I changed both.Anyway it is simple and maybe MM will sugest which one. sam.

12-30-2007, 01:20 PM	#5
Dickie d Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eufaula, Ok Posts: 59	Thanks for the response. I notices that Numrick listed parts for an old style and new style. I guess I need to get with Remington since I don't have a gunsmith within 50 miles. Repairing this can't be any worse than putting a firing pin spring in a Boito double barrel.

01-01-2008, 04:48 AM	#7
Dickie d Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eufaula, Ok Posts: 59	Yesterday I called Remington because I couldn't ask a question online. What a surprise, a most friendly CSR answered. She knew what the problem was and ordered the parts for me and in less than 10 minutes I was done. She was located in North Carolina not India. I would highly recomend calling Remingtom if you ever have a problem.