870 HD Won't feed reliably

[mikemck]

I have an 870 HD, 4+1, that will not feed reliably.

It always feeds the first round just fine, but the second round is the one that almost always does not feed, but sometimes the 3rd round also does not feed.
Racking the slide 5 or 6 times eventually feeds the round.

Does anyone have a clue what the problem might be?

I took the gun back to Sportsmans Warehouse, in Round Rock,TX, but they had no clue at all, would not exchange it, and wanted to send it back to Remington.
Well damn, I need the gun for HD. It not completely reliable, but it beats no gun at all.

 

[FMarlon]

the only advice i would give is to take it to a competant gunsmith in your area, failing that, find someone here on THR to look at it.

maybe take it to your local range and ask around about people who are armorers as well.

 

[scout26]

I'm sure that Dr. McC will be along shortly, so maybe a little more info will help him diagnose the problem,

1. Is it New or Used ??

2. Have you checked the spring in the magazine tube ??

3. How about the action bars (the metal do-hickeys under the bolt that keep the shells in the magazine tube). Are the edges smooth ??

4. Has it been broke in (at least 200 rds through it) ??


I'm sure the good doctor will be able to help you as he truly know 870's inside and out.

 

[dfariswheel]

Among the MECHANICAL reasons for a pump gun failing to feed are:
A defective magazine spring. (Not enough power, or kinked and hasn't enough tension to force the shells out).

Bad ammo. Some cheap ammo may not feed well.

A problem with the shell stops or the action bars. (This is the "usual" failure to feed cause).
When the action is opened, the tiny "ramp" on the LEFT action bar is susposed to push the left shell stop out of the way, and allow a shell to be pushed into the action.

When the action is closed, the RIGHT action bar is susposed to push the right shell stop out of the way, and allow the next shell in the magazine to move back into position to be fed next.

Any problem with either shell stop, or either action bar will prevent the shells from feeding.

Your first move should be to check the operation of the shell stops to be sure they're functioning properly.

Next, disassemble the magazine and check the spring and follower for free, strong movement.

 

[TrapperReady]

I'm not exactly an 870 guru, but the only time I've had problems with mine has been with the shell stops. A good place to start whenever there are function issues is to field-strip it and clean everything thoroughly. Pay special attention to the shell stops, and ensure that they are moving freely and easily.

After that, I'm out of ideas. Fortunately, Dave, Steve and Lee have used 870s a time or two, and I would expect them along shortly.

 

[mikemck]

1. Is it New or Used ??

It's about 1 week old, bought brand new. I have put around 75 rounds through it so far.
Mostly cheap Winchester target loads, from a Walmart value pack.

However, it will not cycle Remington 2 3/4 or 3" buckshot loads either, although the 3" seem to feed a bit better. It's hard to tell really, as I was only cycling them through, not shooting.

2. Have you checked the spring in the magazine tube ??

I did take it out and look at it, and it looked okay. I also stretched it just a bit, to see if that would help, but it did not seem to make any difference.

3. How about the action bars (the metal do-hickeys under the bolt that keep the shells in the magazine tube). Are the edges smooth ??

Yes, they seem to be pretty smooth overall. No burrs or such at any rate.

4. Has it been broke in (at least 200 rds through it) ??

No, not yet really. I have only had it out shooting once so far.
Racking it very "briskly" seemed to help the problem somewhat, but did not completely cure it.


I'll try checking the shell latches, as best I can, to see what might be going on there.

 

[mnrivrat]

Most likely the shell stop is not moving far enough to the outside to allow the feeding of the next shell out of the magazine. Carefully observe the action of the shell stops and you will likely find the problem.
The cure is to either adjust or replace the stop. Not a big job, but you need to know what your doing and it is best to have the proper staking tools to re-install the stop. Therefore, gunsmith or sending it back to factory are likely the best options.

 

[DJW]

If it does not smooth out in another 75 rounds or so take it to Paul Hope at Mc Bride's and have him look it over. The fact that racking it "briskly" seems to help leeds me to believe that it is just new and tight........HTH,
DJW

 

[pete f]

The shell stops are probably gunked up on the back side from the three boxes of shells. take out the trigger group. pop out the 2 pins. then pull it down and out. remove the barrel. Now remove the bolt pop the shell stops out and spray brake cleaner or gun scrub in the action to clean stuff up and then take a good stiff brush and scrub it hard. Take some steel wool and rub over the parts you have taken out. if you feel any rough spots that the steel wool hangs up on, then get some 600 grit wet or dry and smooth anything that is not glass smooth. oil up every thing and pop it all together again try it. the only thing 870's do not like is dirty ammo. P S never stretch a spring, that actually reduces it's strength and provides it a chance to kink. also pull the mag spring and run a bore brush thru the mag tube make sure it is clean on the inside. sometimes in maufacturing there can me some crud left there.

 

[Nippy]

So I assume that it cycles the Winchester rounds ok? If so it might just be that it does not like Remington shells. I know a co-worker who has a 870 that just won't take Federal Wallmart shells but does fine with Winchesters.

If it doesn't smoothen out after 200 rounds I'd say send it back to the factory and let them know the problem.

 

[Dave McCracken]

First, follow the steps in the floater thread about breaking in new pumpguns, especially the one about cleaning first. Then run some rounds through it. Rack like you meant it. Once the parts are worn in a bit it can be pumped more lightly.

If that doesn't do it send it back, but chances are the prob will be fixed.

 

[waterhouse]

First do what everyone else said. If after a couple weeks you end up sending it back and you're worried about home defense let me know, I'm in SW Austin and have a couple spare 870s laying around. . .for a small deposit you can borrow one till yours gets back.

adrien

 

[Fred Fuller]

Chances are pretty good the cause is gunk built up in the recesses behind the shell stops, if the magazine spring and follower are working OK. The rounds you fired shouldn't be enough to be responsible for that, might be preservative etc. from the factory. Remedy for that is what Dave said, follow the directions in the floater for cleaning new guns. Some odd things happen with NIB guns sometimes, but a thorough cleaning before shooting will fix a lot of those. Get 'er cleaned up good, re-lubed properly and run the bolt briskly for a while (no need at all to run shells thru it doing that, it is a _really_ bad idea to function test with live ammo unless you are fire functioning).

If that fails to free up the gun, then the best bet IMO is to send it back to the factory via the FFL you bought it from and let the house 'smiths work on it- something needs attention. No reason the gun should not be expected feed, fire, extract and eject any brand of SAAMI spec ammo.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[mikemck]

I have thoroughly cleaned everything, but have not had a chance to get to the range yet to test it out.

Waterhouse, that is a very generous offer, and much appreciated. Just today I bought an older Wingmaster w/ 18" barrel, just in case I end up sending the Express back to Remington after all.

This older Wingmaster is very nice indeed. I am already glad I have it, regardless of how the Express works out.

 

[scout26]

Let us know how your range trip comes out. Like to know if the problem got solved or not.

 

[mikemck]

All is well after a thorough cleaning and a good bit of racking the slide and then 50 rounds of cheap target loads. Looks like the problem is cured.

Thank you everyone for the help, tips, and advice.

 

[scout26]

Here's a tip for all you little leaguers out there buying a new (or used) firearm:

Take the time to give it a good cleaning before taking it out to the range, read/use the owner's manual for that first cleaning. Gives to a chance to learn a little about the firearm and bond with it, before you go out and use it. Good safety precaution, kinda like reading your owners manual when you buy a car.