my 870 is coming apart

[PlaneEngnr]

After a trip to the range today I was taking down my 870 and the left shell latch essentially fell out, which worries me somewhat. The gun was a police trade in, Miami PD I think, so I don't know it's history.

Is their a chance this is symptomatic of a larger issue?

Should I drop $45 on the staking tool and fix it myself or try to find a smith? Looks like a fairly simple fix from what I've read so far. Maybe completely replace both latches while I'm poking around?

 

[Fred Fuller]

No, it shouldn't be indicative of a bigger problem. It happens, sometimes.

Should be an inexpensive fix for a 'smith, and should also be a one-time job. I'd let a 'smith do it, if you have someone nearby who's set up to take care of it.

As to replacing the latches, 870Ps have heavier duty shell latches from the factory. If you want to replace them, IMHO you should replace them with the proper part numbers for the 870P. If they're working OK, I'd use the originals till they break/fail.

JMHO, YMMV-

lpl

 

[dfariswheel]

In order to be reliable the latches must be firmly staked in place.
Whether you spend the money for what should be a one-time job or find a gunsmith, is up to you.

This isn't necessarily symptomatic of other problems, sometimes a latch just works loose or some fool decides to remove them for some reason that seems good at the time.

 

[mljdeckard]

I would take it to a smith, and tell him to give the rest of it the once-over while he's looking at it. The gun was probably rode hard and put away wet a few times as a police gun.

 

[Virginian]

The only reason the latches are staked is for ease of reassembly after cleaning. With the trigger group in place and the pins in they can't move anyway. I put some super glue on one as a temporary thing about 5 years ago and now I can remember which one it was. I can tell you I will never bother paying for restaking another one.

Browning didn't bother with staking on the BPS, they just tell you not to take it apart. I also seem to remember Remington didn't stake the latches on the 11-48, and started doing it after people complained it was hard to put the gun back together.

 

[chas08]

The only reason the latches are staked is for ease of reassembly after cleaning.

I completely agree with this statement. I have a good friend who foolishly pryed it out with a screwdriver to clean behind it. He brought it to me in pieces and almost in tears to see if I could fix it. But aside from it being a PITA to reassemble, It still works flawlessly. Thanks Virginian for the tip on the super-glue. I will try it, when he brings it to me at the end of this hunting season.