A few questions/concerns about my 870P

[Roman2in]

Well as the title says, got a few questions:

1. Parkerized finish does not seem to be perfectly covering all parts of the gun. There are a few tiny places here and there where you can see the metal. Is that normal?
Also, the welds appear yellowish.

2. The gun shoots a little high and to the right. (got ghost ring sights) Is it something that people new to shotguns do wrong, perhaps effect of recoil (I'm right handed if it makes any difference) or should I just readjust the sights?

3. I can't figure out how the rounds stay in the mag tube, what holds them in there against the force of the spring?

That's all, thanks in advance!

 

[JImbothefiveth]

The gun shoots a little high and to the right.

Bench-rested, or not? When I'm standing, I shoot my rifles high and to the right.(I think that you, like me, are lifting the gun up just before you pull the trigger, and the trigger pull is making you shoot to the right.)

 

[Roman2in]

Nope, not rested. I tried to shoot resting the elbow of the weak hand, but it does the same thing.

 

[DevilDog0402]

3. I can't figure out how the rounds stay in the mag tube, what holds them in there against the force of the spring?

If you look at part #'s 55 and 56 they are the shell latches - http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=0860z870

They basically squeeze inward and catch the rim of the shotshell as it tries to back out of the mag tube. When you pull the forearm back it pushes them outward, allowing a shell to slide backward and drop into the carrier. When you close the action, the shell rides up the carrier and into the chamber.

 

[Youngster]

1. Parkerized finish does not seem to be perfectly covering all parts of the gun. There are a few tiny places here and there where you can see the metal. Is that normal?
Also, the welds appear yellowish.

2. The gun shoots a little high and to the right. (got ghost ring sights) Is it something that people new to shotguns do wrong, perhaps effect of recoil (I'm right handed if it makes any difference) or should I just readjust the sights?

3. I can't figure out how the rounds stay in the mag tube, what holds them in there against the force of the spring?

That's all, thanks in advance!

1 - Is it a fairly recent 870P? I've noticed with a lot of the newer ones the Parkerizing tends to be poor, mine has bare spots and the finish seems to be a lot less durable than any other Parkerized gun I've ever owned. However I've never had rust problems and I live in a damp climate, just keep the finish properly saturated with oil.

2 - Could well be the sights.

3 - It's the shell latches that keep the rounds in the mag, two spring loaded metal tabs that are pushed out of the way when you work the slide, you'll feel them when you push in a round.

 

[Roman2in]

Great, thanks for your help guys!

Too bad that the finish is no longer as good as it used to be.

 

[earlthegoat2]

the yellow spots are probably brazing you see. Brazing leaves yellow looking welds because it is bronze/brass that is used as the filler.

 

[Youngster]

Too bad that the finish is no longer as good as it used to be.

Don't worry about it, it's just a good excuse to have it refinished in the future. I'll probably have mine done in Duracoat or the like, tougher, slicker, more rust resistant and IMO better looking than Parkerizing.