Wrong mag spring retainer for older 870?

[btg3]

Pics below are a retainer from a 1956 Wingmaster (when the plugs were wood). Is it the right part? I'm not familiar with these older guns, but ask the question for these reasons:

1. Some 870 Wingmaster parts diagrams are not clear. Some that are clear show a retainer with a raised portion around the center hole, whereas my photos show that it is just flat across.
2. Moreover, with this retainer in the mag tube, the mag cap is hard to screw on/off. Without the retainer, the mag cap easily screws on/off. I've removed/installed the retainer a few times to confirm this. The retainer is very difficult to compress enough for insertion and once inserted, I suspect its spring strength is great enough to cause the mag tube to slightly deform to obround. (No calipers, mics, etc to confirm,) When the retainer is removed, the mag tube returns to a round shape and allows the mag cap to fit nicely -- at least that's the working theory at this point.

If it's not the right part, there's an abudance of available 870 mag spring retainers to choose from and I could easily end up with a different, but still wrong, part without guidance on part#, if known to anyone. Are all 870 mag spring retainers equivalent, or is there some significance to the various styles of the older metal retainers (not talking about newer plastic retainers).

If it is the right part, what's needed to make it behave?

As a last resort, I've read the mag spring retainer does not have to be installed, but take care whenever removing the mag cap. True?

Thanks for all assisitance with this!

 

[Virginian]

The flat ones like yours and the ones with the raised center part around the hole are completely interchangeable. They are both spring steel and fit tight so your spring doesn't go flying after you take the cap off. Both are 100% superior to the new plastic gizmo and dimpled magazine tube. The change from flat to raised happened about 50 years ago.

 

[btg3]

If we all agree it's the right part, then what is needed for it to function properly? I'll phrase the problem as follows: It "fits" so tight that it distorts the mag tube.

Couple of knee jerk solutions...
1. Use a vise to squeeze the retainer and close the slit somewhat.
2. Cut a pair of radial slits like the ones in the photo below.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Did the retainer in question originally come out of the shotgun in question?

What gauge is the shotgun in question? And what's the last letter in the serial number?

lpl

 

[btg3]

Lee, the shotgun came to me such nice condition that I don't think it has had much use for a 55 year old gun. The wooden plug was in the mag tube as was the retainer that I removed to photograph. Neither appeared to have been handled much, and may never have been previously removed. But it is possible that the retainer is not original, as this was purchased used.

The last letter in the serial number is V (I'm curious to know what that indicates). Also, Remington confirmed that the barrel is the original.

Your input is appreciated.

 

[Virginian]

The 'V' suffix means 12 gauge, 2-3/4" chamber. I have no idea why yours is so tight, but i don't see that as a big disadvantage. The new mag caps sometimes won't stay on, so you're ahead of the game.

 

[btg3]

Yes it is 12ga, 2-3/4 -- thanks! My first thought upon encountering the tight mag cap was that it has been forcefully cross-thread onto the tube and was stuck. I was relieved to find out that the problem was the retainer -- which I'm hoping will have an easy solution. Currently, I'm inclined to leave it off.

 

[Fred Fuller]

The last letter in serial numbers on modern Remington repeating shotguns is a receiver code. I wasn't sure what gauge your gun was, knowing the receiver code would tell me what size receiver (early 20 ga. 870s were made on a 12 ga. receiver, for example) you had. In later 20 ga. guns, all parts are sized appropriately - I was just wondering if someone had stuffed a 12 ga. retainer in a 20 ga. gun. It shouldn't be that hard to reinstall, if it's the proper size, though the older retainers are 'springier' since they lack the extra relief cuts of the newer ones. But if your 870 is an older one, that looks like the correct part the factory would have installed at the time.

Best approach IMHO, if you want to continue using the retainer, would be to get one of the newer retainers that has the extra relief cuts. Or just leave the retainer out and remember that you'll need to restrain the mag cap when you unscrew it.

Take good care of that old veteran... and enjoy it,

lpl

 

[btg3]

Lee, Your "best approach" options are much appreciated. For now, I'll stick with the latter and perhaps I'll stumble across one of the newer ones and be able to see what effect that may have at a later time. Many thanks.

 

[btg3]

Update...

Since I had decided to leave the tight retainer off the gun with the intention of replacing it, I figured why not just see if it can be "adjusted".

So first, for lack of a better gage, I closed the jaws of an adjustable wrench lightly on the retainer and rotated the retainer to find the "high spot" -- which turned out to be in line with the slit. Next, I put the retainer in a vise with that orientation and squeezed. Not enough on the first try, but on the second try -- bingo! Now it's much easier to install in the mag tube, still plenty snug enough to hold the spring, and the mag cap screws smoothly on/off with plenty of ball/detent engagement to keep it where it belongs.

I did not want to jump right to that solution in fear of an irreversible choice, but with everyone's input and confirmation of the right part, it seemed there was nothing to lose. Thanks to all.

 

[Rshooter]

I have a 1955 and the retainer matches your pictures.