New barrel, old shotgun

[84B20]

I have an old 870 and recently purchased a new 20" smooth bore barrel for it. As I installed it I felt a lot of resistance when the barrel extension contacted the barrel support. I had to use a rubber mallet to seat the barrel and in order to remove the barrel I needed to use the foregrip as a sort of slap hammer to drive the barrel off. My question is, given the fact that the barrel does seat completely without any play, is the gun safe to fire. I will be calling Remington in the morning and consulting with a local gunsmith as well but I thought I'd post the question here also.

 

[chas08]

Sounds like more of the sloppy work that Remington is quickly becoming famous for. You shouldn't need a hammer in either direction. Send it back to remington for repair or replacement. It's most likely safe to fire if it will go into battery, but you shouldn't have to settle for shoddy work.

 

[84B20]

After closer examination I discovered a small burr on the outside of the extension. I took a small file and smoothed it out, used some cold blue and it now inserts much more easily and seats properly. I'll test fire it to make sure it is safe.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good work. I've had no problems interchanging components but others have reported some.

 

[84B20]

Thanks Dave. After contacting Remington the tech assured me that if the barrel seats properly and there is no play it would be safe to fire. Given the state of our legal system, no company is willing to give an OK if there is a slight chance of a law suit so I'm sure it will be safe to fire. I, for one, would not sue a company for my negligence, however.

 

[Dave McCracken]

You're welcome.

Let us know how it shoots. My guess, no problems and lots of hits....

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have never seen a problem on a Remington factory barrel, I've HEARD of issues on 3rd party barrels, never seen one.

My dad always said, "Don't force it" when it comes to guns. You shouldn't need a hammer to put a barrel on an 870, ever.

 

[84B20]

I have never seen a problem on a Remington factory barrel, I've HEARD of issues on 3rd party barrels, never seen one.

My dad always said, "Don't force it" when it comes to guns. You shouldn't need a hammer to put a barrel on an 870, ever.

It wasn't a hammer as such, just a rubber mallet and and after, as I said, I filed the burr it now goes on much more easily with a firm fit. I will be test firing it today or tomorrow and will post the results. I will be using a stand with a pull string to be safe though.

 

[84B20]

Good news! I just got back from the range, or should I say, my local BLM shooting area and had no problems with the gun. I shot slugs, no. 4 and no. 8 shot and all cycled perfectly. The new barrel was quite accurate at 50 yards. I had to only make a slight elevation adjustment and an even less of a windage adjustment. Sorry no photos I was short on time and went with my wife so she could practice with her new carry purse, she just got her CCW.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Glad it turned out alright.