[RTFM]

OK guys my "new to me" 870 Police Magnum came home with me last night.
Woo Hoo!

Previously I had down loaded the owners manual and had that ready to go for it's first take down and internal inspection.

Well the manual says "Unscrew and remove magazine cap"
(Shown in picture below as an example. This picture is from the net - not of my 870)

http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/store/storeguns/sale8700102.jpg


Mine won't budge. It is the "fluted" style - is there a wrench made for removing this or will a rag and a soft touch with channel locks help it off?

Is there any other "gotchas" I need to be aware of during disassembly or reassembly?

What does experience have to say in disassembly and cleaning. What should I pay attention to?

Thanks all, can't wait to get it out to the range, but I want to make sure it's OK inside along with being clean and ready for service.

RTFM
(I did - but it's not moving... HAHAHAHA)

[carterbeauford]

Rag and channellocks will work, Craftsman makes pliers with soft jaw covers that come in handy for things like this. The cap I took of my 870 had a large slot for a screwdriver. Just wipe it down inside and out, the only thing that gets dirty on mine is the barrel and chamber, the magazine and action stay surprisingly clean.

[Dave McCracken]

Padded channelocks willl work. Go easy and take your time.

Enjoy your new shotgun. Remember it needs regular exercise....

[RTFM]

Cloth an Channel locks is a NO-GO
Will look in to Craftsman soft jaws, is there a dedicated wrench mad by Remington or does Brownells offer anything?

This sucker is not budging any.....:cuss:

[Hoppy590]

lets hope the previous owner didnt cross thread the cap some how (cant imagine how) did you get it from a gun shop? if so take it back and talk to the guy who sold it to you im sure hed be more than willing to take the 30 seconds it takes to get any specialty tools. or if possible maybe able to talk him into repair/replacement

[Karbon]

Isn't there a slot on the top to fit a flat head screwdriver? Does it look rusty under the cap? Put a little liqud wrench under there, and try again to twist it off. The screw driver always helped mine, other wise a padded channel lock should work.

[ArmedBear]

There are a few possibilities. Do you see any rust peeking out?

Penetrating oil might be your friend.

I also don't know how you'd cross-thread those big threads, but people can have an amazing capacity for stupidity.

There's a spring-loaded ball that keeps the cap from spinning itself off, on the higher-end guns. It's mounted in the barrel ring. That, too, could be jammed. Penetrating oil on that might help.

[sm]

Deep Creep [tm]
Ballistol [tm]

Will penetrate.

Channel Locks / Slip Joint Pliers 101

1. Take a pc of Dr. Scholl's Moleskin, I buy those rectanglar pads that are what ...3" X5" ?
These work for comb adjustment and all too.

Anyway just use scissors and cut a pc to fit the jaws of Channel locks Pliers it has self stick adhesive.

2. Yard Sale Channel Locks / Slip Joint pliers, the rusted and pitted ones you get for 50 cents.

Get a can of water and now get that Dremel Tool with grinding Disc out, finally a use for the thing.

Safety Glasses, Go slow, and all you want to do is remove the serrations or "jaws". Yep we are going to maintain the same shape - just now these will be smooth. Go slow, not too hot, use water to keep cool.

Get the Dremel rubber disc to smooth better. Believe it or not, these "smoothed" jawed Channel Locks/ Slip Joint Pliers, have lots of uses and come in handy.

One can again add Moleskin to insure no scratching.


HTH

Steve

[RTFM]

Success!
Penetrating oil over night.

[Hoppy590]

congrats! perserverance and technology win again!

what was it rusted?

[RTFM]

Actually no perceivable rust, just time and neglect I guess - apparently last owner did not feel the need to keep it in 100% working order.

No signs of wear internally - probably a closet queen that never had seen the light of day.

That's all about to change.....:cool: