Mag Tube Plug Removal 870 Wingmaster

[zombie1210]

I just picked up a used 870 Wingmaster.

My question is this:

How do I take the plug out of the mag tube?

I unscrewed the cap, and I see something that looks like a disc with a hole in

the center, with 3 equidistant "slots" in it. Like a pie with three slices.

Do I need to get something in those slots and unscrew it, or do I just pry it out?

I don't want to bugger it up, its a nice, clean 870.

Thanks

 

[dak0ta]

1) Unscrew the magazine cap
2) Remove the magazine spring retainer (use a screw driver and gently pop it out)
3) Take the spring out
4) Remove the plug
5) Replace the spring, mag spring retainer, and magazine cap.

 

[zombie1210]

Thanks. I've read that procedure all over the net, but the "spring retainer" doesn't seem to want to "gently pop out".

What is the purpose of the hole in the retainer with the 3 slots?

I'm wondering it maybe the retainer is "stuck" with gunk or something. It doesn't act like it will succumb to "gentle" persuasion.

I watched a video on Youtube that showed a guy pushin down on it and turning it a quarter turn. But mine doesn't look like that at all.

 

[RyanM]

A hole with 3 slots sounds like the push-and-twist version, to me. The friction one just has one slot, that goes all the way to the edge. Not 100% sure though, I'm a Mossberg owner. Been awhile since I messed with an 870.

 

[zombie1210]

I pushed pretty hard, and it didn't budge.

 

[Virginian]

The push and twist is the much newer plastic un-improvement. The hole is in that retainer so you have some place to get purchase with the screwdriver. Go to www.remington.com and download an owner's manual. it shows how to remove the old good kind like you have and the newer plastic 'thingy' that goes with the dimpled magazine tube.
You don't push, you pry one side at a time UP, not down, looking at it.

 

[Fred Fuller]

The push-and-turn variety of mag spring retainers are made of plastic, protrude from the magazine tube when the magazine cap is removed and have teeth around the rim. They come on Express guns, far as I know old Wingmasters won't have that type.

The cup type is spring steel- those are what older Express guns and all Wingmasters I know of will have.

If the gun is old, the magazine spring retainer may be stuck in place by dried lube/gunk/rust. Some good penetrating oil might be in order if that's the case.

There's a specific tool made to get that type of retainer out, but a sufficiently large lag screw threaded just far enough into the center hole for a thread to engage the edges, but not so far as to expand the retainer against the magazine tube, should help you work it out by rocking gently and pulling.

Don't forget to control the magazine spring!

hth,

lpl

 

[ReloaderFred]

keep your hand over it when you pry it out or you'll be looking for it for days, or prying it out of your forehead. That spring is about twice as long as the magazine tube and exerts quite a bit of pressure on the retainer.

When I was rangemaster for our department, one of my jobs was to clean a couple hundred Model 870's as often as I could get them to bring them to the range, which wasn't nearly often enough. I've taken an awful lot of those retainers and springs out, and if this is your first time, you need to be careful and wear some eye protection.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[zombie1210]

Thanks guys. I think its probably been on for a LOT of years, and it just stuck. I'll put some oil on it overnight.

So, by the sound of it, it is the older type? That means if I want to add an extended mag tube, I don't need to worry about these "dimples" that I've read about?

Its in really great shape, and I'm thinking that I might put the wood away, and trick it out a little.

 

[dak0ta]

Yup, there aren't any dimples. Just screw an extension directly on.

 

[zombie1210]

Thanks.

Any recommendations for an extended mag tube?

Or are they all pretty much the same?

 

[dfariswheel]

Probably the best buy for quality/price is the Choate.
It comes as a complete kit with the extension, spring, a heavy-duty magazine follower, and the all-important barrel clamp with sling swivels.

It's available in satin blue or parkerized, and in lengths from 7 to 10 shot, depending on your barrel.