How hard is replacing the hammer in an 870?

[lipadj46]

I need a new hammer, should I DIY or pay a gunsmith? Anyone ever attempt it?

 

[Virginian]

I've taken the trigger group apart. I could have replaced the hammer then if it had needed it. Wasn't that difficult. Oh, and I put it back together, too. That was a little more difficult.

 

[lipadj46]

Oh, and I put it back together, too. That was a little more difficult.

Yes that was the part I was worried about. I will give it a shot.

 

[JohnBT]

A digital camera will record every step of the disassembly process (if your memory is as bad as mine. )

 

[Pete409]

What the heck happened to the existing hammer? Hammers are not something that usually wear out or break.

 

[lipadj46]

What the heck happened to the existing hammer? Hammers are not something that usually wear out or break.

This shotgun was given to me because the prior owner almost shot his son with it hunting. It looks as if someone when a little crazy with a file trying to lighten up the trigger. It has barely any metal left to catch the sear so it will fire on safe with just a bit of pressure and also with any sort of jolt. Scary stuff actually, I swapped out the entire trigger assembly from another 870 and the gun is great I just need to replace the hammer now.

 

[mljdeckard]

Smart on replacing the whole assembly. I would buy a gunsmith lunch to help me do the hammer the first time.

 

[RetiredLawman]

Send kirbythegunsmith@hotmail your problem. I did and he sent me several photos detailing every move. No charge.

 

[lipadj46]

I will do that much thanks!

 

[dfariswheel]

When replacing the 870 hammer, you have to break the rivet on the shaft of the hammer pin. The hammer pin passes through the action bar lock and is riveted on the right side. All this retains the hammer and hammer spring, and the action bar lock assemblies.

I suggest just buying a new hammer pin and the collar for it since this eliminates having problems with the old part not re-riveting properly.

Here's an exploded view of the 870.

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

The hammer pin is part number 39. The round washer is not shown.

 

[lipadj46]

When replacing the 870 hammer, you have to break the rivet on the shaft of the hammer pin.

Yes I saw that and it made me pause as I have not seen that yet in the triggers I have had to deal with (A5, M1A, AR15 mainly) and is why I asked in the first place. How hard is it to rivet the hammer pin do you just use a punch or something?

 

[dfariswheel]

It's not that hard to re-rivet the hammer pin shaft.

Look at the existing rivet. I think they used a riveting tool that puts a cross pattern on the end. I think you can do it with a slightly sharpened screw driver.
The end of the pin is hollow so it rivets easily.