870 magazine problem

[greyhound]

Wondering if anyone has had this problem. When loading shells into the magazine, it seems that sometimes the shell doesn't "catch" on the edge of the mag and it will pop back into the action, which jams up the works. The gun was a gift from my girlfriend's father (how cool is that) but it didn't come witha mag spring or follower. I ordered them from Remington and they seem OK (though the follower is really cheap plastic). This doesn't happen all the time, just enough so that I wouldn't count on using this gun in a 100% has-to-work self defense situation. Any advice? Thanks

 

[Kharn]

I always use my finger to push the shell at least 1/2" beyond the stops to insure it wont pop back out. Are you pushing it that far and it still pops out?

Kharn

 

[greyhound]

I push it back a llittle not sure if it to 1/2" or not. Thanks, I'll have to try that!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Push it further. You'll feel a "Click" when it moves past the shellholder.

 

[greyhound]

Thanks - but no matter how far back I push it wouldn't the spring pressure move it forward the the edge of the mag tube once I stop forcing it?

 

[Dave McCracken]

The trick is to get it past the latch. You'll know when it happens. Sounds like a software rather than hardware prob.

As for that cheapo plastic follower, I've asked on a coupla boards if anyone has had a prob with them. No responses.

 

[BallisticTip]

Sounds like this is a used gun, since you needed parts. Have you stripped it down and detail cleaned it yet ? Could be the carrier dog follower, and related parts(#7) have crud build up or springs are weak. See SCHEMATIC @ Gun parts

 

[greyhound]

Yep, first thing I did was download the manual and clean it. (Her family are serious hunters, they have hundreds of guns, some well maintained some not.) I'm pretty sure its something I'm doing rather than hardware. Thanks for the help!

 

[4v50 Gary]

The magazine follower was originally steel, but these were found to cause jamming so Remington switched to plastic.

Regarding the magazine itself, the shell latches (staked into the receiver) may not be catching. They may have to be removed & tweaked slightly.

 

[greyhound]

Did some more investigating today....found out my problem does have something to do with the follower, or at least something affecting the follower. When its in a certain rotational position, it sticks out a little past the edge of the magazine, kicking the shell out of the magazine into the works. When this happens, (after I clear the jam) if I stick my finger in and rotate it a little, I can see where now it doesn't stick out and the action functions nicely. So am I correct in figuring that its got to be a problem with most likely the mag spring exerting some weird pressure on the follower that in some way keeps it less than straight in certain positions, or a problem with the follower itself? Any help appreciated, thanks.

 

[Dave McCracken]

New one on me. Disassemble and look the follower over for damage. If it's blemished, try another, they're not expensive.

HTH...

 

[greyhound]

I think I finally figured out what was wrong. I had downloaded the owner's manual, but still think I was doing it wrong. Please excuse me if the terminology is not quite right.

I was trying to load it when the gun was not "racked" and it was spitting the shell back out. Per the manual, you are supposed to "rack" the shotgun, insert one shell into the carrier, and then load the magazine. Well, since I didn't want to put one in the carrier I tried to skip "racking" the firearm. As long as I operate the mechanism first, the shells go in and stay in.

I am thinking, though, I might want to go ahead and put a snap cap in the carrier before loading the magazine. If I want to dry fire the gun to store it in uncocked position this would help, and if and when I "racked" it to load a real shell it would eject the snap cap at the same time.

So I get a good laugh at my own expense and learn to carefully read the manual TWICE. Thanks to all those who tried to help!

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're very welcome, BUT.....

My HD 870 has spent most of the last half century cocked. No disadvantage I can tell. If you're worried about the springs "Setting", replace them every few decades.

Snap caps do their job well, but not for use on a "Ready kept" survival tool. Too much chance of an ND...

 

[greyhound]

Thanks again for the advice. I love this place 'cause it keeps well meaning simpletons like me "in the know". Wear on the firearm is exactly why I was leery or keeping it cocked, so its good to know that this doesn't cause undue stress to the parts. I look forward to many years of shooting this new gun!

 

[greyhound]

Well I guess I am just full of questions, but just chalk it up to the enthusiasm of the newbie I prefer to keep my shotgun with 4 shells in the magazine, with none in the chamber. The reason I was leaving it uncocked was to make it easier to work the action in the event of emergency; if the gun was cocked I would have to depress the action bar lock to work the slide, which I was afraid could cause a delay in the stress of a SD situation.

I certainly recognize the experience factor here, and I imagine I've got to go shooting a lot so that it becomes second nature to depress the action bar lock right away, but I am wondering about what condition folks keep their HD shotgun in.

The reason I don't want one in the chamber of the shotty is my general lack of experience with the weapon. I do keep my .45 ready for action as I am very familiar and comfortable with handguns. Thanks again all.

 

[Cameron Lamont]

Greyhound,

Thats is they way I keep mine, 'Cruiser Ready'

The tube full.
The actions closed and the chamber empty.
The hammer being cocked with the safety on effectively locks the action, for a moment, to those unfamiliar with the weapon.
To the practiced shotist the safety can be sitched off, the and the trigger pulled to release the action or the action release used and then the safety off (my preference). With practice this can be accomplished in a twinkling

As Dave says the hammer being kept cocked (over an empty chamber) will not cause any problems to the spring (just as I believe keeping the tube full will not cause a problem either. I had 5 or 6 FN FAL mags 20 rounders kept loaded to capacity for about 6 years in storage. I could not discern any difference to a set of new mags, neither could my FAL).

So cycle the action on an gun known to be empty, activate the safety, depress the action bar lock and check the chamber is empty, visual and finger check. Close the action.
Then simply fill the tube and you are done. Cruiser ready.

Regards,
Cameron