870 barrel removal

[SWM19]

I have an 870 Express Magnum with the extension. I'm wanting to take the barrel off to give it a good cleaning. After taking off the bracket that connects the barrel to the tube below, I am having a hell of a time unscrewing the nut to get the barrel off!

I've squirted a liberal amount of Rem Oil in there to try and loosen it up, but no dice. Any ideas?

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Which nut are you talking about? If you removed the clamp (the bracket), you should only need to unscrew the extenstion, which is just one piece. are you trying to turn the "nut" part seperately from the extension?

Assuming it is a factory extension, it should look like this: http://www.gunbroker.com/auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89354919
The entire black tube is one piece and screws off together.

 

[SWM19]

Holy crap. I was trying to break it down like a pump without the extension. I'll give it a shot.

 

[SWM19]

Ok, no dice. Now I have a spring, orange end cap, and extended tube on my table. However, the barrel is still firmly in place. It sure does look like the grooved piece at the end of the magazine tube should unscrew to give me access to the barrel.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Do have the slide about halfway back?

I just did this since pictures are sometimes more useful. Both 870s, top with a factory extension, bottom without one.

Starting position. Note the position of the forearm. Sometimes the barrel doesn't come off as easily if you have it all the way forward or all the way back. And it definitely doesn't go on as easily.

Finishing postion.

At this point, either barrel will come off by pulling straight forward.

 

[SWM19]

Actually, I have the gun totally breeched. Is that bad? I've thought that was the proper position.....

 

[SWM19]

Well, there's the problem. My extension doesn't come off in one piece. The tube itself is threaded, and the nut...the wider part at the bottom of the tube in your picture, stays affixed to the remainder of the shotgun.

I know what it's supposed to do, and I fully expected it to come apart the same as yours....but this one doesn't do that.

Funny thing is, this gun was bought this way stock....supposedly stock.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Huh. The few extensions I've played with all have come off in one piece like that. I suppose it would make sense it is actually two pieces, just never seen one apart.

The 870 manual says halfway, and that's just always the way I've done it. Fully foward, you can't get the barrel back on as easily. Fully back, it seems to rub against the forearm more.

 

[SWM19]

Well I'll take it apart one more time, spray it with some more oil and let it set for a while. I feel like I have a strong grip, but this thing is a PITA. Thanks for all your help, Jorg!

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Well, now that we've clearly identifed which part isn't coming loose, hopefully someone more knowledgable than me will come by and give you a great solution.

 

[SWM19]

Bump

 

[dfariswheel]

You have to unscrew the grooved collar on the front of the guns magazine tube.

For reasons not understood, Remington has been shipping extension-equipped 870's with the collar screwed on so tight, you may have to use padded pliers or a small strap wrench.

No one has gotten a satisfactory answer from Remington why this is on so tight, since not only is it difficult to remove, it can cause problems with the gun.

Use WELL padded pliers or a small synthetic strap wrench to unscrew the grooved collar.
When reassembling the gun, install the barrel, then screw the collar on JUST snug, then give it ONE more "click".
You should be able to remove the collar with just your fingers.
There's no danger of the collar coming loose since the detent on the front of the barrel support ring will prevent that.

 

[Black Majik]

Well, there's the problem. My extension doesn't come off in one piece. The tube itself is threaded, and the nut...the wider part at the bottom of the tube in your picture, stays affixed to the remainder of the shotgun.

Yup, you're correct. The magazine extension is two pieces, the collar and the tube. As dfarris mentioned, some force has to be applied to get the collar off the mag tube. Be sure to electrical tape the beans outta those pliers, the collar can be prone to finish wear if any metal from the pliers contact the collar.

 

[SWM19]

Thanks again, guys. I let the Rem Oil penetrate since late last night, so when I get home I'll take a look at it. I was just afraid to damage the gun, so I didn't want to get too rough with it. Based on what I've seen, when everything is working to order, it's a really easy gun to strip down.

 

[rcmodel]

Actually, I have the gun totally breeched. Is that bad? I've thought that was the proper position.....

That right there might be your problem!

The barrel cannot possibly come off (or go on) with the action closed.
The breach-bolt is locked into the rear of the barrel (barrel extension) until you open the action far enough for it to unlock.


rcmodel

 

[SWM19]

I moved it to halfway. I'm not even at the point where I can take the barrel off...I still have to get the collar unscrewed before I can think about taking the barrel off.

 

[dfariswheel]

Don't worry, if you scar up the collar, just contact Remington and complain about the tight fit.
Tell them you scarred up the collar and they'll send you a new one.

You'd think that as many times as customers have complained about this problem, Remington would have taken care of it.

 

[SWM19]

Well, holy *****. I finally got it off. I took a long strip of old t-shirt cotton, doubled it over 3 or 4 times, and went after it with my channel lock. One good twist and it came free. Now I have the barrel off and I'm ready to get busy with some Hoppes #9. Thanks to everybody who responded...I appreciate your patience and willingness to help!

 

[SWM19]

Well I gut a doubled up swab dampened with Hoppes #9, rubbed it the length of barrel until the barrel was warm from friction. A nylon brush and several dry swabs later, and I had a shiny, smooth surface.

I know for you guys, cleaning a shotgun is a regular occurance, but considering that this was my first breakdown, cleaning and reassembly, and with the exception of the collar issue above, it went off without a hitch, and I consider that a success.

Thanks!