How is a pump shotguns forend supposed to feel?

[Joe Link]

I'm curious how a well cared for pump shotgun is supposed to feel, particularly the forend. I've felt quite a few in gun shops and such, and the only way I can really describe them is 'sloppy'. If you wiggle them they wiggle side to side and don't seem 'tight' like I would imagine they should be. If they aren't supposed to be sloppy, how can you tighten them up?

 

[dak0ta]

I believe that the fore-ends are inherently looser to allow for them to function if dirt or any grime gets in the way. By allowing for looser tolerances, the gun is more reliable. Think of the AK-47, its looser tolerances makes it able to shoot full of sand, water, snow, mud etc. The only difference is that accuracy of a pump shotgun isn't really related to how loose the fore-end is. I do believe that you can tighten them up as well. Just keep them oiled to avoid too much friction on the working parts.

 

[Sunray]

It should feel lose until the shotgun is loaded. Even then the forestock will wiggle a bit.

 

[Joe Link]

So I shouldn't necessarily avoid a shotgun with a loose forend?

 

[Milkmaster]

So I shouldn't necessarily avoid a shotgun with a loose forend?

The statement leaves too much to be interpreted. Do yourself a favor and go shuck a few new pump guns to get the feel of what "loose" is supposed to mean. Then try out a used gun you might like to compare. Don't confuse loose with "slick". A new pump gun will usually be stiffer to pump than a well used model. The edges and such in the action get much smoother and "slicker" as the gun becomes "broken in" as they say. Some will even fall into an open bolt condition when standing on the buttstock. That doesn't necessarily mean they are worn out. It just means they are broken in well. All that being said...There should not be much side to side slop in the forend. That's IMHO

 

[Joe Link]

Yeah I'm talking about side to side slop, not a 'broken in' action.

 

[machinisttx]

They're all going to have some "slop" in them. Even a new gun will have it.

IIRC, the service life of an 870 Wingmaster was/is supposed to be somewhere over 200,000 rounds.

 

[Regolith]

My 870 hardly has any side-to-side slop. It's one reason I bought it over the Mossberg.

That being said, a little bit of side-to-side slop isn't going to hurt anything. A lot may be a problem, though.

 

[zxcvbob]

I'm curious how a well cared for pump shotgun is supposed to feel

Contented?

 

[Rshooter]

One way to tell quickly about an 870 Wingmaster is by looking at the bluing on the slide rails. If the bluing is worn off it is probably safe to say this gun has seen some use, if the rails still have the bluing intact you might be able to assume the gun has seen much lighter use. There is no way to definitely tell how many times the gun has been fired but the slides can help tell how many times the action has been worked.

There will always be a little slop in the guns but as others have said that is built in.

If you want some really fine actions and do not mind a 2 3/4 inch chamber look for an older Wingmaster. I prefer the older guns made pre 1965/70. The barrel codes can usually tell you the date of manufacture, there are tables to assist in dating these guns or Remington will tell you if you call. These guns can usually be bought cheaper than new guns and their actions sing.

 

[Joe Link]

The particular gun I was looking at was a Mossberg 590 for $199. I have an 870P in the mail

 

[Milkmaster]

Joey does that Mossberg have a single forend slide rail or two? Single slide rails will flex a bit more with torque on the forend. Good Luck!