870 wear mark?

[Swilling]

Hi Guys, names Sam.

I'm Australian born, but moved to the US for work, and don't think ill be going home. My father was American so i hold a dual citizenship. For Christmas i was given my first ever gun. Its an 870 marine magnum and i LOVE it. I could never have something like this back in Australia.

Anyhow, i put 250 rounds through it on Christmas day, and went to clean it that night. While cleaning i noticed 2 marks inside the top of the receiver. They seem to have worn quite a way through the nickel plating.

Not knowing anything about guns, (i am however very mechanically inclined. restored plenty of muscle cars and built a chopper or 2) the wear marks just seem a little more heavy than they should be, can anyone tell me if this is normal for an 870?

I fired all 2 3/4 shells except for one box that were 3 inch (man it was fun)

Yesterday i put another 450 rounds through it and the action has already gotten really nice. In the firs 200 rounds i had a couple of stiff ejects. But after cleaning and oiling, yesterday i had not a single issue, even with the crap wally world ammo im using.

Point is, the marks are a little more "worn" looking now than they were after the first 200 rounds.


Anyway, is this anything i should worry about?? Will it just wear out enough to create clearance for whatever is rubbing and that will be that. Or is it something that will finally wear down enough to fail. I get the idea how the whole mechanism works i just cant really figure whats causing that?
Thanks so much for your time.
Proud to be American!!!!
Sam.

 

[woodsoup]

Are you sure they're wear marks and not burnishing from moving parts? Mostly from the rim of the shell. One from insertion the other from ejection.

 

[dfariswheel]

Those are pretty normal for the 870.
Those are bump marks from the bolt locking block.

There's going to be some wear in the top of the receiver in that area from both the bolt rubbing, and from the locking block impacting during operation.
Just about every 870 I've ever seen had at least some of this.
If it looks like it getting worse, or the finish is starting to flake or crack, contact Remington.

 

[Bullet Bob]

250 dense-loaded 12 gauge rounds in one day? Remind me to stay on your good side, I'd need a shoulder transplant for my old bones!

 

[Virginian]

Likely the top rear edge of the locking block on your gun is a tad sharper than it needs to be, and when it bounces it is hitting the receiver causing these marks. I can't remember if the Marine Magnum is coated or stainless, but either one is softer than the standard carbon steel receiver, and that may be making it look slightly worse sooner. I wouldn't worry about it. The area impacted grows larger greatly reducing the maximum force exerted. I have smoothed the top rear of the locking block very slightly to alleviate this problem on other's guns. Even after that they are still sharper edged than mine was to begin with, and my 1976 Magnum has a barely visible mark.

 

[Snarlingiron]

My thinking is that shotguns are somewhat like cars. If you want one to look perfect forever, you best not drive it, and by all means don't park it in a public parking lot. Same for shotguns. If you want them to look perfect forever, you probably shouldn't use them. Those are just normal wear marks. No worries. Take a look at an 870 with several thousands of rounds through it. You will feel better.