help with 870 express 18" synthetic

[Austinite]

I bought an 870 express 18" synthetic with the extended tube. I grew up dove hunting with 870s and have a fondness and familiarity with the action. Unfortunately, this gun's action seems a little rough. More specifically, when I load a shell from the magazine by pulling back on the foreend, the shell drops in from the tube just fine. When I push forward on the pump, the shell is pushed forward like it should but there is a minor "hang up" right as it begins to go forward. It requires more effort than normal in that one spot. A visual inspection hasn't turned up anything.

Any thoughts on smoothing out this rough spot? Do I need a drop of lube somewhere I'm not thinking of?

Any feedback would be much appreciated.

[Bix]

Does this 'rough spot' occur as the shell lifter is moving upward?

[Austinite]

The rough spot does occur after the shell lifter lifts up - not so much as it is moving upward.

[MadMag]

My 870 had a very sharp entrance to the barrel. It actually shaved plastic off the shell and made it hard to chamber. I radiused off using a stone. Did not hurt the action any and solved the problem. Not sure if this is same problem. Hope it helps.

[arcticap]

I'm wondering if your 870 just needs a little bit of a break-in period. Break open actions nearly always do, so why not pumps? I'm sure some 870's may have a quirk or two, like maybe from a slightly oversized part? One of mine has an internal magazine follower that can become awfully stuck at times. :cuss:
But could it be that with enough use, or more forceful, rapid cycling, yours just might break-in and smooth out on its own? A little extra lube placed in all the right spots probably wouldn't hurt either.
If it doesn't smooth out to your satisfaction soon enough, then you can always have it checked out.

[pete f]

Try two things

remove barrel, slowly work action, Do you feel the same roughness. if yes. Check the action bars or the edges of the lifter for roughness that is causing the drag. If the problem is here, sometimes just sitting and working the action for an hour or so will make the pieces get friendly, sometimes they will need a little lapping compound, or crocus cloth to final smooth up.

If no, reassemble the gun, take a loaded round and rub it with a crayon. Leaving a coating of crayon on the shell, now load it in the tube and CAREFULLY work the shell one time into the action,paying attention to the orientation of the test round to the bolt. When you hit the spot with the resistance, go until just past that spot, then stop and open the action and look and see if you have any crayon built up in one spot. Also look at the loaded round and notice if you have a spot with the crayon rubbed off. If you can match up the spots then you have a burr or roughness that needs to be cleaned up. Sometimes just a deburring tool will clean it up, sometimes a little polishing is needed. And once in a million five hundred thousand times, you may need a dremel with a Cratex point on it.

If this does not work, find someone who has a similar gun. Trade barrels, see whos works better then.