Magazine/feeding problem with a Rem. 878

[Sam1911]

Hi!

My sister and bro-in-law inherited my grandfather's beautiful 12 ga. 878. The gun has always worked flawlessly and is a lightweight JOY to shoot.

Recently they've been getting into clay birds more and more and have put a lot more shells through it than it probably ate in several decades. And now they report that it is not feeding correctly fairly often. From their descriptions it sounds like the mag is releasing shells too soon, perhaps, which ties the action up.

I know that the 58, 11-48, 878, and probably some others, are all in the same family line with the 870. And I've heard that there can be issues with the shell latches coming loose on an 870 which can cause similar jams.

Does this sound like the problem they're probably having? What's the proper fix?

Thanks!

-Sam

 

[Virginian]

The 58 and 878 are gas operated and the 11-48 is a long recoil design. If the shell latches come loose, it is only a problem when you remove the trigger group. With the trigger group in place, the latches are held in place anyway, and the pins go right thru them. The only reason they are staked in place is to keep them there when you disassemble the gun.
First, be sure what is actually happening. Don't go on "sounds like". It is easy to change a lot of parts and spend some money not accomplish a darned thing constructive.
If the magazine is releasing shells early, most likely it is bent latch(es). If it is releasing 2 shells instead of one; possible different issue. If the latches have come loose, thay often do get bent by people trying to put them back in place improperly.

 

[Sam1911]

The 58 and 878 are gas operated and the 11-48 is a long recoil design.

Oh, I understand. I simply meant that they seem to have "leapfrogged" the designs. Keeping a few parts from one gun as they moved to the next design. Funny how very similar they stayed, even when changing methods of operation.

If the shell latches come loose, it is only a problem when you remove the trigger group. With the trigger group in place, the latches are held in place anyway, and the pins go right thru them. The only reason they are staked in place is to keep them there when you disassemble the gun.

Makes sense.

First, be sure what is actually happening. Don't go on "sounds like".

Well, it's tough. They're in NH and I'm in PA. I might be able to get ahold of it in a few weeks, maybe. They've taken it to a gunsmith, I believe, though he didn't seem sure what was really the problem.

If the magazine is releasing shells early, most likely it is bent latch(es). If it is releasing 2 shells instead of one; possible different issue. If the latches have come loose, thay often do get bent by people trying to put them back in place improperly.

Understood. Thanks!

-Sam