[campergeek]

Yesterday I shot clays for the first time with my Wingmaster 870 (first time ever shooting with a pump; first time shooting at all in ~ 12 years - still hit about 50%, but I digress...)

Out of 25 shots, there were 2-3 times when, after the shot, the slide "hung up". It could be shucked if I pressed the manual release, but would not move otherwise as it normally should after a trigger pull.

Is anyone aware of any possible issue in an 870 that might cause it not to release properly? Is this something that might happen with certain loads? Or, is this most likely a technique issue - like maybe am I pulling the slide slightly back and then forward as the shot is fired? Is this something that others have done, or seen people do?

If it's a technique issue, I want to focus on correcting that and NOT moving the slide unless I consciously intend to. If it's a possible mechanical problem I want to get it corrected on the chance that this gun could become dangerous to operate.

On this particular day it was mostly a nuisance, as I was only making single shots anyway. However, had I been shooting followups or doubles, this obviously would have been a problem.

[Dave McCracken]

A couple questions....

How much use has the 870 in question had? New ones sometimes need a breakin.

Does it do this with other operators?

Does it do this with all ammo or just one brand?

When mounting the weapon, do you apply any torque to the forearm?

Answwer those and the possible causes get narrowed down.

Make sure when firing to pull the weapon back into the shoulder some with the forward hand.

[HSMITH]

It actually sounds like a dirty trigger group to me.

Take the trigger group out and spray some WD or some Kroil or something similar in there and let it soak for 15 minutes or so. Then take some electrical contact cleaner that tells you it is plastic safe right on the can and hose it all out, cleaning all of the oils and crud out. Re-lube with a Q-tip and some light oil, just dampening slightly the ferrous metal parts and maybe putting a tiny drop of oil on pivot points and metal to metal contact points. If you oil it up heavily it will grab crud and hold on to it, and cause problems. Keep it as dry as you can so it can let the crud fall through.

Give that a try and see if it fixes the problem. Be sure you soak it with a penetrating oil, it will loosen up the oils that were put on it years ago that have hardened and dried.

[campergeek]

Dave, I wish I could give you more comparative info, but this is the first time I've used the gun and did not have anybody else give it a try. The previous owner is deceased so I couldn't ask him about the problem. I only shot one type of shells through it - an old box of handloads that I used up - so I haven't yet done any comparison. If the problem persists I will certainly be testing different brands & loads of ammo to compare, and will probably have some other people try it to see if they have the same problem.

As for putting torque on the forearm, I'll watch for that.


HSMITH, thanks for the tip on the trigger group. When I first brought the gun home and cleaned it, one thing I did not do was to pull out the trigger group and clean it. Today I did so. It didn't look too bad, but I gave it a good cleaning and then lightly lubed it with Rem oil. I'll see if the problem recurs.

[Dave McCracken]

I'd like to know what it is when you figure it out. Thanks.

[Tom Held]

I'm having the same problem with a 12 bore 870 Wingmaster, about 20 years old, that has probably fired about 70,000 rounds of assorted shells (2 3/4 & 3 inch). I've taken it completed down a couple of times, cleaned and scrubbed everything, probably cleaner than new. It will shuck the fired round but not load the second from the magazine.

Any suggestions? Any chance that the spring in the magazine could have lost tension?

[HSMITH]

Tom, if the second one is not coming out of the magazine tube you need to replace the shell stops, the sheet metal pieces that are staked into the sides of the reciever. It is possible that the carrier is worn a little but very very unlikely that it is worn enough to even contribute to your problem. The tips of the shell stops will wear down and then the carrier does not push them far enough to release the shell so it can get out on the elevator.

[Dave McCracken]

Like H said, Tom. Replace the shellcatchers and that prob should disappear. The smith at Atlantic Guns should be able to do it.

When are you shooting trap with a 410 again?

[Tom Held]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the advice. I've got a Winchester 97 down at Atlantic right now getting cleaned up, so I'll just pick that one up and drop one off.

Dave, tried the Browning 410 again last week with 8 1/2 shot. I had 18 going into the final station (first station) when the train wreck hit. I missed all five birds. Then I dug out my old Win 42 with a full choke but could not do better than 17. I'm on a mission now to break 20. I think a real trap shooter could do it easily. We have a live pigeon shoot coming up next weekend. The fourth race will be for 410 bore only starting from 25 yards. That should be interesting.

Thanks again for the advice on the 870.

[Dave McCracken]

Tom, I imagine that precision is required, but busting 20 is quite possible. Let us know when you make it. Good luck on the pigeons....

[campergeek]

Well, it appears that the problem is corrected, but I'm not sure I can pinpoint the cause. Here's the differences between last week and this week:

Last week: Shot 1 box of cartridges; hung up 2-3 times.
This week: Shot 2 boxes of cartridges; didn't hang up at all.

Last week: Shot old (1978) handloads in Federal paper wrappers; #7.5 shot (no misfires)
This week: Shot Winchester Super X game loads; #7.5 & 8 shot

After last week I cleaned the trigger group thoroughly.

During this week's shoot I forgot to pay attention to whether or not I was torquing the forearm, but I did take care to pull the gun back tightly with my forward hand.

In conclusion, this comparison did not follow the scientific method. It could have been the cartridges, but that box of handloads is gone so if that's the case it won't be a problem again. It could have been a dirty trigger group, but with careful cleaning it shouldn't be a problem again. It could have been technique, but hopefully that won't be a problem again. In any case, hopefully the "hanging up" won't be a problem again.

Thanks again for the advice.

[mnrivrat]

camper ****

If the problem returns pay particular attention to the function of the action bar lock and its spring. This is the sheet metal piece that sits on the forward left side of the trigger housing group. When the hammer is forward after firing the front tip of the action bar lock should move down to release the action bar. (slide). It may be hanging up and either need cleaning or adjustment - possibly a replacement spring ?