870 express reliability?

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Reaper of the apocalypse

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As we know, the good ole' Wingmasters and Police are very smooth and awesome.
The express isn't as smooth, but still good.
I was shooting a bunch of slugs yesterday, and 2-3 time the action became seized up, requiring me to "mortar" the pump in order to eject the fired shell.
I think the issue was that I didn't lube it, it was almost completely dry.
Could this be the reason? What's your experience with express Reliability when firing sort of high volume?
 
This issue usually points to cheap target rated ammo as the culprit. I bet you were shooting cheap priced Winchester or other bargain brand shells. No worries the gun should cycle even the cheap stuff. All you need to do is polish your chamber. Take a section of shotgun cleaning rod, place a new bronze (12 gauge if your gun is a 12 gauge) wrap the brush with a thin layer of 00 steel wool. Now you can put some Hoppes on the brush or I prefer a metal polish like Flitz. Chuck up the rod in a cordless drill and place the removed barrel in a vice. Run the drill into the chamber and move it slightly fore and aft until some slight warmth is felt through the barrel. That usually solves the problem. More polishing can be done if needed. Remember you want to polish, not remove any material so no sand paper or grinding compounds.

EDIT: I see you were shooting slugs. Makes no difference the steel used in new ammo these days likes to stick. Express models will last a lifetime if properly cared for.

regards, Darryl
 
The issue is a groove on the edge of the barrel where the rim sits. 870s only have one extractor and the angle it pulls on forces the expanded rim into this groove. That and a rough chamber. YouTube it. Easy fixes.
 
As stated, give that chamber a little TLC...you'll be fine. Like any gun, there will be ammo types it may not like but with the 870 Expresses I've worked on...I'd rather smooth-out the chamber than avoid certain shell types. Only 1 barrel has ever needed more than about 10-15 minutes of polishing...and my 20ga. Express (youth/Laminate) came with a beautifully...shiny/smooth chamber. New from the factory that way.

Treat the Expresses well...they'll return the favor! :) I don't find them to be problematic guns either, and I've owned a couple of Wingmasters...and currently run an 870P with a 28" bird barrel for clays/hunting.
 
North of 7 said:
The issue is a groove on the edge of the barrel where the rim sits. 870s only have one extractor and the angle it pulls on forces the expanded rim into this groove. That and a rough chamber. YouTube it. Easy fixes.
Click to expand...

^yep. The "one barrel" I was referring to actually had a slight burr in that "shoulder" (groove the rim sits in) directly opposite of where the extractor is. About 8, careful seconds with a Dremel and fine stone remedied that...then a thorough polishing job=that gun gobbles-up everything.
 
North of 7 said:
The issue is a groove on the edge of the barrel where the rim sits. 870s only have one extractor and the angle it pulls on forces the expanded rim into this groove. That and a rough chamber. YouTube it. Easy fixes.
Click to expand...

Yup, this is most likely exactly what is happening, fairly easy to fix and you’re good to go.
 
DT741 said:
Polish the chamber and it should be good.

Usually it happens with cheap low brass target loads (winchester).
Click to expand...

inthehizzy said:
Could deburr and smooth the actions bars aswell.
Click to expand...

This right here, my express works nice and smooth. I polished the chamber because I felt like it but it wasn't nessessary, the action bar and track it rides in wasn't rough either. Cycles nicely and will no doubt get better with use.
 
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