870 Report (new gun)

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Bookworm

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Kelowna B.C.
OK - I have 3 other 870's but have a new shooter coming up and needed a 20 gauge for a smaller person. I purchased a Youth model (shorter stock and barrel) and got it delivered to my door for under $400.00.

Stripped it down completely, cleaned, oiled and reassembled. The fit and finish on this firearm was real good (especially like the youth forearm) and there were no internal burrs or problems.

Gathered up all my old ammo and some that was donated including some 10 yr old Imperials bought a bunch more and a case of birds and headed out to the mountain to check it out.

Ran 20 rounds through it (trap loads), swiped the barrel and gave it another shot of oil and settled down to do some shooting. At 50 rounds we disassembled and cleaned.

Fired off just over 200 rounds of everything from 3 inch to 2 3/4 --- trap loads to magnum buck loads, and a few slugs just for kicks.

I am impressed --- not one hiccup and this little thing is a shooter. By the time we had 50 rounds through it it was starting to wear in and by 100 was as smooth as silk.

I have read many posts here saying how poor the new 870's are and I now begin to wonder if anyone has even fired one of them.

All said ---- I don't think anyone who tries one of the newer 870's will be disappointed with their purchase.

By the way --- I am in no way connected to Remington or to any Sporting Goods field. What I am is a shooter and hunter who has been using many different rifles and shotguns for the past 60+ years.

JMHO

Dave:shotgun::):)
 
I'm cursing my 870 20 gauge youth right now! The red indicator for the shell tube comes too far out, and hits the ramp causing a jam. Its 2 years old.
 
Congrats on the new gun it should serve you well for many many years. For under 400 I assume it is an express version. I have express in 28 and 410 which also work flawless but no where near as smooth as my 410 and 28ga wingmasters.
I don't have a 20 ga express to compare but based on the others bet the farm the 20 ga like the 410& 28 being lower production have a lot of common to wingmaster parts in them.
The mass produced 12ga is a different story when you put one of those side by side part by part etc to a vintage wingmaster, poor fits etc and that is what causes problems and most complain about it seems.
 
I've also got one of the very first 870's in 20 gauge but it has a wooden stock and is too long for my grandson. Also have a 12 gauge Wingmaster and a 12 gauge Express.

None of them have ever had a problem except for the Wingmaster 12 once when I short stroked it and they have had a pile of shells through them.

Dave
 
S1de8urnz said:
My 870 jams up constantly, and so does my buddies. Its like the pump locks up after a shot, and is unpredictable. Anyone know why?
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You're probably using cheap ammo from Walmart? The base of the shell swells up after firing the round and causes it to get stuck in the chamber. I had the same problem using cheap Winchester rounds. The problem went away when I started using better ammo with the high brass shells.
 
ganymede said:
You're probably using cheap ammo from Walmart? The base of the shell swells up after firing the round and causes it to get stuck in the chamber. I had the same problem using cheap Winchester rounds. The problem went away when I started using better ammo with the high brass shells.
Click to expand...

I took my wife out shooting this weekend (brought her out Saturday and then SHE asked to go again on Sunday! WOOT! I'll make her a hunter yet...) and had this same problem.

I've always used the cheapo 100 pack of Winchester rounds from Walmart in this gun (870 is about three years old now) and it would have the odd jam now and again, but this weekend it was like 1 out of every 4 shots or so would do it. To clear it I usually just have to hold it by the forend, lift my knee, and then bang the buttstock on my knee with some force and it pops open, but it is still a pain in the bum.

When it used to happen in only one out of 20 shots or so with the cheapo ammo, I didn't think it was that big a deal (it's only happened in a hunting scenario once, all other times were just chucking clays) but now that it seems to be happening so much more I am really considering getting some better ammo.

What do you recommend shell-wise? I typically use #6 shot for grouse, and when tossing clays, and I don't want to break the bank on 12 gauge shells. Is there a brand/type you would suggest with the high brass that is reasonably priced when buying say 100 to 200 shells at time?
 
Ranger Dave said:
Polish the chamber. It makes a world of difference.
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The thought crossed my mind.... I recall seeing that mentioned here on CGN before but don't remember the details on how to do it...

I think it said to get a piece of wooden dowel, wrap the end with steel wool (secured with tape maybe?), put the dowel into a power drill, insert steel wool into chamber, and let 'er spin until the outside of the barrel around the chamber feels warm to the touch?

Is that right?

What type of steel wool?

Does it need to be lubricated with anything?

Do you wrap the wool around a bronze brush or something to make sure it is the right diameter?

If I do it too long can I screw up my gun?

How far into the chamber should be polished?



Bookworm, did you find it difficult to handle the youth model? I am thinking of getting that exact gun as I'd like something a little smaller than my 870 Supermag for my wife (and eventually son) to handle, but wondered if a guy of my size would have a hard time with a smaller shotgun since I'd likely try it out for birds on occasion too... I'm 6'1", broad shouldered, have big hands, and am round in the belly if that helps any. :D
 
I just used one peice of a Hoppes 3 peice cleaning rod. Used a brass cleaning brush with 0000 fine steel wool. I used some polishing compound from work and attached all to a cordless drill. In and out like honing a cylinder.

Remington just doesn't finish their guns worth a #### anymore. At least on the SPS/Express models. Dad's old Wingmaster cylces the cheap shells like nothing... My Express was a jam o'matic. My new Browning Citori has no issues with the Winchester or Federal cheap rounds. Spits them out like nothing. Remington makes a half ass gun these days.

My Express would jam up on the Federal High Brass loads too, not just the cheap stuff... Now works fine. My friend Tac 870 is horrible. Its next for the polish. I sure wouldnt go into combat with that jam o'matic.
 
Beer Ogre said:
I took my wife out shooting this weekend (brought her out Saturday and then SHE asked to go again on Sunday! WOOT! I'll make her a hunter yet...) and had this same problem.

I've always used the cheapo 100 pack of Winchester rounds from Walmart in this gun (870 is about three years old now) and it would have the odd jam now and again, but this weekend it was like 1 out of every 4 shots or so would do it. To clear it I usually just have to hold it by the forend, lift my knee, and then bang the buttstock on my knee with some force and it pops open, but it is still a pain in the bum.

When it used to happen in only one out of 20 shots or so with the cheapo ammo, I didn't think it was that big a deal (it's only happened in a hunting scenario once, all other times were just chucking clays) but now that it seems to be happening so much more I am really considering getting some better ammo.

What do you recommend shell-wise? I typically use #6 shot for grouse, and when tossing clays, and I don't want to break the bank on 12 gauge shells. Is there a brand/type you would suggest with the high brass that is reasonably priced when buying say 100 to 200 shells at time?
Click to expand...

For busting clay, if you can find it, Winchester AA works very well - it doesn't seem to have this same problem.
 
The youth shotgun comes with extensions you can add on as the youth grows --- we put them on to do the break in as we are all adults and then took them off when we got home so the young fellow can use it.

Dave
 
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