Preface for new folks to shotguns.
Four Rules Of Gun Safety Apply
Rules of Safe Dry-Fire Apply.
Do not buy a shotgun.until :
a. you have been with a seasoned shooter, whom knows about gun fit, and various shotguns to assist in what shotgun and loads for various tasks from target, to hunting game, to competition.
b.. Shoot with that instructor a VARIETY of shotguns to determine if that gun fits YOU, and gun fit encompasses a LOT of matters such as "can YOU reach the controls and manipulate them".
c. Ladies are strongly Urged to have ladies assist them , and/ or have a competent qualified seaonsed male instructor that has EARNED the confidence of ladies to work with Ladies and the ability to address the special needs of ladies.
--Now after shooting a variety of Shotguns, and with seasoned assistance you now KNOW what fits YOU and your tasks, have a seasoned shotgunner go with you to inspect shotguns, new or used, to look for any problems from the factory, or any deviations on a used one someone may have done to used for competition or anything else.
--You now have a gun.
d. Used, order the Instruction Manual.
It would be really great if the seasoned folks that have assited thus far , continued to assist you with the following steps below.
--
1. Read the Instruction manual at least 3 times.
Commonly referred to "RTFM"
2. From RTFM have the Proper tools to take apart the gun. Also have any Factory supplied/ suggested tools handy. Golf tees work well to punch out receiver pins to drop trigger group [TG] for instance.
3. RTFM as you "Step by Step" take gun apart. Putting parts on a cleared table, workbench, the floor, somewhere where they are in some kind of order removed, and will not allow parts to get lost, or other parts mixed in with them.
4. Do NOT force anything - if it does not feel 'right' - Stop! Do not force, slow down and RTFM. If you cannot figure it out - Stop and contact someone that knows that gun and can assist.
5. RTFM on how to Clean & Lube the gun.
[THR / TFL have specific threads on certain aspects of guns on how to clean. Such as chambers, Trigger groups, how to seal end grain...etc.]
Clean & Lube the gun according the instructions.
6. RTFM as you put gun back together.
Do NOT force anything. Again if something is not right, stop, take a break, RTFM and go back to last steps where everything was fine.
Ask for assistance if stuck.
7. Gun is back together, clean and lubed as per the instructions and now cycle the gun.
8. RTFM on what the Shotgun was designed to shoot.
9. Buy Quality Target loadings such as those used for Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays - that also fall under "what this friggin' gun is designed to shoot".
2 3/4" shells only please. Save the hulls. Make notes in notebook of any problems, and use a Sharpie Marker to put a number on that hull that matches in notebook the notes of any problems with that shell.
10. IF the gun ran fine - Great! RTFM and clean and lube again allowing you to inspect any wear marks, to see how gun wears, what gets dirty and needs cleaning, any areas you had not enough lube or too much lube...etc.
11. Go Buy more ammo and start Patterning the gun with various loads making notes in a notebook.
12. Gun Did NOT Work. RTFM as to any nuances the manual may suggest is common with shotgun when new until worn in some.
Used Gun - RTFM to see if any characterics are stated telling you a part is in need of replacing, such as a spring.
13. Ammo. Suggested to use Quality Target Ammo as these are most often made to better specifications.
Some guns do NOT like certain ammo. If you used Promotional Ammo, then you opened yourself up to possible headaches such as not being in spec, [bases, diameter of shell, length of shell...] inferior base material and constructions and - you just made diagnosing [ Dx] harder on yourself.
IF quality ammo was used-
14. Chambers are the number one reason a gun fails to feed and extract - no matter the action type. Plastic shells leave a "plastic" residue that the old waxed paper hulls did not.
Wisps of Finest grit of Scotchbrite Pad - or 0000 steel wool on a bronze brush on a cleaning rod in a battery operated drill will clean this fast.
15. Extractors come up as number 2 reason guns do not feed or extract.
(1a)On a barrel there is a "barrel cut" for the extractor to fit into. If this gets too much debris, or is gunked up due to grease or whatever used to protect the gun in the elements, to keep it looking nice, or protected - debris will buld up.
The Extractor cannot properly fit into barrel cut, and this can impeded feeding, and extraction.
(2a) Extractor is out of specificiation.
(3a) Extractor spring is weak or broken
(4a) Extractor is broken.
Some have reported MIM extractors breaking.
I am going to stop here and allow loonie to read and others to chime in.
My gut says the Extractor is the problem his new 870.
