870 not sending round into chamber.

[Inebriated]

Hey folks, I hope some of you have some experience with this... I was using my bud's 870 yesterday, and it worked great during slower fire, but after a string of 6 or so slugs, and heating the gun up, the next ones would catch the side of the chamber face, and you'd have to back up and send it forward again, or the gun would have to be tilted to the left to get it to reliably go in. Do you guys know how to fix that? It seemed to only happen with a hot chamber, and it was Remington slugs, but we didn't have any other slugs to try. I'd think a chamber polishing would work, but you know, might as well ask.

 

[Virginian]

Chamber polishing will help with extraction issues but it has nothing to do with a shell not hitting the chamber hole when loading. Are you sure you aren't jostling the gun cycling fast? I would start with a thorough cleaning.

 

[Inebriated]

The only reason I think it may not be me or him is just because it seemed like it happened when it was warm. I'll take mine out and see if I can't replicate it on mine. Thanks!

 

[dfariswheel]

A common cause of the shell catching on the chamber mouth in the 870 is a fouled up or weak carrier dog spring.

"Carrier dog" is what Remington calls the shell lifter. The spring in question is the spring and plunger on the right side of the trigger group that powers the lifter.
If this spring and plunger are fouled, or the spring is weak the carrier may not lift high enough, fast enough to position the shell for a clean feed and it catches.

Here's a schematic of the 870. The spring is part number 36. Check it for fouling or weakness. As a good measure, give the entire trigger group a good cleaning.

http://www.stevespages.com/ipb-remington-870.html

 

[gamestalker]

I have more 870's in my home than Carter has pills, and I have had zero issues with chambering or extraction, other than some factory Win. Universal that others have experienced identical issues with. As to the problem your experiencing, I would first break the shotgun down completely to make sure it is properly assembled. I know a guy who was hunting birds with my Boys and I a few years ago that was experiencing the same problem. My Son spent about 3 minutes field stripping it, and then putting it back together correctly, problem solved. If memory serves me right the bolt carrier wasn't facing forward.

And as to cleaning the trigger assembly, after each bird season, or after shooting a few rounds at the T&S range I will soak the trigger assembly in very hot soapy water for a few minutes and then scrub with a tooth brush. Rinse it off really well and let it dry completely, small amount of lube where needed, and your good to go. But even a dirty 870 will function flawlessly if you operate it with authority.

 

[Varob]

Where the shells deformed in any way?

A good cleaning and lube might fix things. There's not too many things that can go wrong on the 870.

 

[mister2]

Happened to me this morning.

Watching the reloading process in slow motion, the shell seemed to be bouncing around on the lifter and not aligning as the slide moved forward. And yes, a little tilt to the left makes a difference, so maybe I have to look at the dog, too.

Too bad, as the 870 is so much milder (IMHO) to shoot than the 590....