Need some help with my new 870

[Saturnine]

I finally got myself an 870 Express, and havent been able to take it to a range yet, but I couldnt wait to start practicing with it so I picked up some snap caps. I was trying them out this afternoon when my girlfriend called me in to help cook dinner so I hastily unloaded it and put the caps on my dresser and stored the gun. I come back in after dinner and find I'm missing a cap, I look all over, and cant find it, so I check the gun and it's stuck in the magazine tube. I was positive I unloaded it and yet there it was ( a good reminder that it's always loaded), so I tried pumping the action a few times and eventually it came out but it took a while and some poking at it.

My question is, it there something wrong with the magazine tube, or is it just that the snap cap may be a bit too big? Is there something I can do to make sure this doesnt happen again? It's a "serious" shotgun, and I'd prefer it not to not get stuck if I need it.

[Oldnamvet]

I wouldn't worry about snap caps not cycling. The true test is how it does when you have it loaded with the real stuff. I'll bet it cycles with no problem.

[dfariswheel]

Snap caps are not intended to be used to test feeding, they're JUST to pad the firing pin.

Before shooting your new Remington, CLEAN THE CHAMBER OUT.
A lot of people have been reporting failures to extract with new guns, and the cause is a chamber sticky with factory lube.

Read your owners manual, then disassemble, clean, and lube per the instructions.

[sanson1]

recently I tried pushing a lubed bore brush through a NEW gun.. you would not believe the weird "stuff" coming out. almost like plastic

[Saturnine]

Snap caps are not intended to be used to test feeding, they're JUST to pad the firing pin.
Does this mean I should stop using them for that? Will I damage anything if I continue? I was a bit uneasy with having to attach the barrel myself, it was almost too easy, so I wanted to run something through the gun to make sure everything was feeding properly before I actually shoot it.

Also, I dont have any cleaning supplies yet, and I can see my fingerprints on the barrel. How long does it take for the barrel to start rusting without being cleaned and oiled? Is there any household cleaner that would do for now? Thanks guys.

[sanson1]

don't cycle snap-caps through the magazine. clean the gun with wd-40 if that's all you have. heck, wipe it down with a little motor oil if you don't have gun cleaning supplies.

[esmith]

Factories put layers of lube on guns before they ship them out. This is so when they are sitting in a warehouse or being shipped worldwide they are protected. My guess is is that your guns just being sticky. Just wipe it down nice and good and my bet is that the thing will cycle just fine.

[sanson1]

agreed, those 870's are really great shotguns, just sold one 2 hours ago and the customer had to pry it from my hands

[Regolith]

It took me two or three cleanings to get that gunk Remington puts on the 870's off. And I'm still not sure I've gotten it all. That stuff is a PITA.

Its worth it though. the 870 is a workhorse.

[Lee Lapin]

Don't loose sleep over the gun not cycling properly with a snap cap. They're intended to save the firing pin, not check function- and on an 870 you don't even have to be all that worried about the firing pin. There are 'action proving dummy' loads available that are the exact size and weight of live ammo if you need to check the gun's ability to cycle properly, and there are solid plastic blaze orange dummies too. But neither of these are snap caps- just dummy ammo.

BUT you definitely did the right thing by not cycling it with live ammo indoors.

I'd add myself to the list of others who suggest giving your new 870 a good cleaning before you take it to the range, especially the chamber and bore. It may save you some problems later.

Enjoy your new acquisition, and Stay Safe,

lpl/nc

[pete f]

any oil will work to prevent rust if you actually have the gun clean. some work and last longer than others, but olive oil or crisco will work if needed.

For intitial cleaning, sometimes some pretty strong degreasers are needed. I have used acetone on some recent marlins that come with some reddish goo the consistency of tar inside the works, after pulling off the wood I proceded to liberally douse the innards with acetone (while indoors in a closet and smoking a cigarette of course, NOT) and scrubbing out with a brush. then use a good rust barrier lube.

[Geno]

I for one HATE 870s!!!! See, it's like my Dad used to tell me,

"Son, when a man commences to thinking 'bout them purdy lil things, thinking leads to looking. And when a man commences to looking at them purdy lil things, lookin' leads to touchin'. Well, soon enough, touchin' leads to babies ones..."

No, wait a minute...that ah, well, see that was about girls, not shotguns...okay? Now just wait a minute here! So someone care to explain to me how these things multiply if they can't breed?!

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e364/Doc2005/HPIM4453.jpg

:banghead:

[dfariswheel]

As above, snap caps are ONLY for padding the firing pin, not for testing the action.

For that, you need Action Proving Dummies. These are dummy rounds that have the same weight, dimensions, and balance of real ammo:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/catsearch.aspx?k=action+proving+dummy&ps=10&si=True

[Saturnine]

I should have bought the dummies then, I thought they were the same thing as snap caps. Can you dry fire with the dummies or will that harm the gun? I really want to practice going through the motions until I can do everything flawlessly. What will the snap caps do to the gun if I keep cycling them? Will it hurt it or do I just risk getting them stuck some more?

[Whitman31]

It's an 870, don't worry about it...Probably the closest thing to a jam it will ever have...

[Red Label]

First, get a cleaning kit and clean it good inside and out. THEN get some ammo and get to the range and shoot the crap out of it:D You and your new gun will love it and the more you use it the smoother and better it will work. Like everybody else says, its an 870 it just works!

[Ghost Walker]

:) Use the same rod and slotted tip that you use to clean the barrel on the magazine tube, too. Wipe down the spring with a lightly oiled rag. Then use a dry cloth and patch before you reassemble the mag tube.

Throw the factory magazine follower away and replace it with this:

Choate Safety Follower (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=497602)

Now, you're good to go with that 870! ;)

[Saturnine]

What's wrong with the factory magazine follower?

[Ghost Walker]

You might have already found out! :D







(Too short for sustained rapid cycling and fire. Every now and then the factory follower will slightly cant on you, jam, and stop feeding. During the first 4 years of ownership, it happened to me twice. I made the upgrade; and, during the next 20 years it never happened again.) ;)

[Saturnine]

Good to know.

I've already ordered a replacement for the J lock safety, I think I might wait a little bit on this one though. I'll put some rounds through it (hopefully as soon as I can find a range), and see how it does.