Remington 870 bolt opens when fired

Status
Not open for further replies.

Slinger

Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2005
Messages
241
My Remington 870 Express was having a real problem jamming with cheap rounds. I was told to polish the chamber with steel wool on a cleaning brush to help eliminate this problem. It did eliminate the problem but now the bolt opens when I fire the gun, sometimes all the way and sometimes just a bit and sometimes not at all. This seems wrong to me as I have a old Wingmaster that does not do this. Also, the forearm does not move at all which seems odd because the bolt rests on the two arms connected to the forearm.

Is this normal or did I screw something up ?
 
I sometimes have the same problem when I use ammo other than Remington Gun Club, mostly the metal part of the case pushes out of the chamber jamming the gun.
I sure would like to know what is causing it, I have tried many things to no effect.
 
Not a problem. Most pump guns do this to some degree. It's simple inertia. As you shoulder suddenly stops the gun's rearward movement from recoil, the bolt will continue to travel back. Especially if your hand is already putting some rearward pressure on the pump (tucking the gun into your shoulder, or getting an early start on the pump to get a faster follow up shot)
On some guns (Typically Winchesters) this impulse of inertia is enough to completely open the action and eject the empty hull all on it's own. Totally normal.
Mossbergs and some others normally don't do this because the design of the bolt lock requires the pump to be moved forward a small fraction of an inch after the shot before it will release the bolt.
 
  • Like
Reactions: vba
Perfectly normal. As soon as the hammer drops the action is unlocked, BUT the bolt is still locked to the barrel. Recoil throws the gun back, you stop gun, fore end and action bars keep coming back and open the action. I can shoot my Wingmaster one handed and it ejects the shell. This topic comes up every couple of months.
 
Also, the forearm does not move at all which seems odd because the bolt rests on the two arms connected to the forearm.
This part doesn't sound normal though!!

rc
 
I somehow doubt that was the actual intent, that Remington DESIGNED it to do that. Probably more likely they discovered it happened, was not dangerous, and so voila, feature!
 
Agreed.... The bolt/forearm should undergo unlocking upon recoil (which is why my
Model-12 always dazzles the O/U & Auto skeet shooters on doubles) :D :neener: :D

BUT... the OP said the forearm never moved as the bolt unlocked/came back, which
is patently impossible given normal assembly/block carrier lug positioning.

Still haven't gotten a read back on that.... :uhoh:
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top