Winchester 1400 16ga. Can't lock back?

[Fish Miner]

So I am the owner of this gun for a second time- my friend sold it to me a couple years ago, I loved it, shot the heck out of it. He had sellers remorse so I gave it back to him. He apparently got over that and just gave it back to me last night.

He said he replaced the recoil spring but the new spring was really tight and would not lock back. So we worked with it and took the whole gun apart to see if the spring was binding or anything. I put the old spring back in yet still can't get it to go into a lock back position. In fact I cant even cycle the gun to dry fire.

Does anyone know if the recoil spring has to be screwed into the buffer tube or something? He says just shoot it and it will work itself out. Im not about to blow my gun apart cause I missed something simple.

Any advice on what to check for is appreciated. This is my only semi-auto shotgun, all others are pump.

 

[1KPerDay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QelRk2as1p8&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL8604C47B7FDE6F72

these vids may help

 

[mnrivrat]

He says just shoot it and it will work itself out.

NO ! & NO !

 

[Fish Miner]

well the vids sort of helped, I at least have confirmation that I did do the tear down and assembly correct. Now I just need to figure out what the heck is binding it up....

and no I will not shoot it till I know it is working

 

[chas08]

Turn the recoil spring around. Mine has a big end and a small end. If you get it backwards this will happen (don't ask me how I know). What I can't remember off the top of my head is which direction the large end goes. Too many different semi's to keep straight in my head. But the above advice I'm sure of.

 

[chas08]

Went and confirmed that the large end of the spring goes inside the long end of the piston, good luck....chas.

 

[Fish Miner]

Thanks- I had thought about that, I do have the spring in correctly. I am wondering if the bolt is actually getting hung up and not rotating. I am going to really lube it up and and resemble again. I may post a vid if I still cant get it to work

Thanks to all