870 cycling issue

SwifTst

SwifTst

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Okay so I got this 870 express a few months ago in a trade. It cycles my snap caps no problem.


For some reason it won't cycle live rounds properly. It feeds them just fine, but the slide gets stuck when trying to open up to eject the spent shell. It's like the shells get stuck in the chamber... I noticed the rims of the shells are a bit chewed when I finally get her to open up. I can get it open but it takes lots of wiggling and yanking in the slide with all my might. I noticed twice the action opened but the shell stayed in the chamber.

Any help would be appreciated
 
I've had 2 870 patern shotguns and a friend has one and none of them cycled Winchester brand shells properly, federal cycled flawlessly all the time in all 3 (1 wingmaster, 1 express, 1 dominion arms)
 
It's probably a combination of cheap ammunition and a relatively rough chamber. Very very common issue for the newer 870s.

Easy to DIY polish the chamber. Or switch to reasonable quality brass-based ammunition.
 
I had that exact problem with mine when it was new. I tried different ammo but that wasn't the issue. I took it back and they sent it to the Remington repair centre. They basically polished the chamber up and that fixed the problem.

It took months for me to get the gun back though. I was not at all happy.
 
As has been mentioned, it's most likely the chamber.
get it polished and it should fix this common issue with the 870 express
 
SwifTst said:
I've tried federal, and Hornady both same issue. Ugh I don't know.. It feels like it's metal on metal that's stopping it
Click to expand...

It is steel on steel that is the problem: Federal "Target Loads" have that steel base that's part of the problem. Federal Game Loads have an all-brass base. What Hornady rounds gave you issues?

It's possible that your barrel hood (or whatever that area is called) has a burr on it, I've seen that happen. But the ammo + rough chamber issue is very very common.
 
Mine did that, brand spakin' new, polished up the chamber and no problems since. I was able to shoot cheap ammo again.
 
Get a three piece cleaning rod and chuck the last section into your cordless drill. screw on a 12G bore brush and wrap it with steel wool. Apply a liberal amount of oil and spin the bugger through your chamber a few times. Problem solved.
 
I'm using Hornady tight flight or tight wad whatever. I'm really thinking there is a bur somewhere because the rims of the shells end up a bit dinged up. I really don't think it's the chamber because when it sticks, there is no give and when it opens it just pops open. There's no give in at all. It doesn't loosen a bit and then open.

I'll try polishing just in case though
 
The rims of the shells could just be getting roughed up by the extractor since you have to apply so much muscle to cycle. The "feel" of the stuck action that you describe is still consistent with the rough chamber issue.

If there is a burr, you would definitely be able to feel it by running your finger over the area, and it would be easily visible.
 
A pump should run any ammo, even the cheapest low aluminum base shells, no need to switch to premium ammo... Just smoothen up the chamber like others have said
 
GIGGIDY said:
Get a three piece cleaning rod and chuck the last section into your cordless drill. screw on a 12G bore brush and wrap it with steel wool. Apply a liberal amount of oil and spin the bugger through your chamber a few times. Problem solved.
Click to expand...

^ This. There's lots of vids on YT regarding this issue and doing the above remedy. Here's one for ya... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu9LIroAEuw
 
dmc_82 said:
^ This. There's lots of vids on YT regarding this issue and doing the above remedy. Here's one for ya... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu9LIroAEuw
Click to expand...

I don't think this guy in that video has a clue when he talks about these guns with this issue being "factory seconds" an 870 Express is an 870 Express no matter if you buy it at Walmart or Bass Pro or your local gun shop. But the instructions in the video once you get past the BS are not bad. Its a simple concept though.
 
I had same issue 870 super mag out of the box
Chamber had to be polished, Nd I polished area where bolt
Locked to barrel shank, it had burs
I can cycle ammo as fast as I can rack the pump now
Mine was sticking 3.5" mag ammo mostly
As burs in chamber were far in near forcing cone
Take 12 g brush, wrap with 000 steel wool
Spin it in drill on high for 1-2 mins back and forth
NO OIL, LET WOOL DO ITS WORK
AFTER, clean barrel out and I applied a tiny amount of
Carnauba wax and used polishing fob on dremel to
Slick the chamber, problem solved
 
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