870 single shot....UPDATED post 15

[yorgi]

Many moons ago, I purchased a beautiful Wingmaster 870 LH Trap gun from an elderly friend who unfortunately is no longer with us.

Still own the shotgun and take it out to the trap range a couple of times a year to humble myself... My friend told me at the time, that the previous owner had altered the original gun, in such a way as to NOT chamber a round from the magazine. IIRC, it was only to be used by him for singles trap, so he did away with the "second and third shot" option altogether. The only way I can currently load the gun is to open the bolt and drop a round right in the chamber.

Without the benefit of a pic (for now) what simple modification could have the previous owner made to result in a no-feed situation ? I'm hoping that with your help, I can resolve this issue and bring the shotgun back to it's original operating status.

Edited to add: Will add pics as soon as I can...

 

[oldstarfire]

Wooden stick in the mag?
I did that to make my Auto 5 limited to one in the mag tube.

 

[yorgi]

Wooden stick in the mag?
I did that to make my Auto 5 limited to one in the mag tube.

I wish it were that simple... The magazine accepts rounds/round but does not cycle them into battery when cycling the forearm. I'll try posting a short video soon.

 

[guntech]

Take it to a gunsmith who - in a few minutes, can most likely diagnose your problem... It could be a very simple fix (for a gunsmith) concerning the lifter and/or feed latches.

Or do it yourself... take the gun apart and see why shells don't feed from the magazine... if you can't figure it out you should use a smith.

 

[yorgi]

Take it to a gunsmith who - in a few minutes, can most likely diagnose your problem... It could be a very simple fix (for a gunsmith) concerning the lifter and/or feed latches.

Or do it yourself... take the gun apart and see why shells don't feed from the magazine... if you can't figure it out you should use a smith.

Thanks guntech, about time for a complete disassembly, teardown and cleanup anyway, will follow your advice.

 

[VZ-fan]

The old timer was ahead of his time, pretty soon we will all have to convert our 870's to single shot only.

 

[just having some fun]

more than likely need a new internal rail and or the lower part of the bolt

if you have another 870 you can compare / swap parts

see
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1927017-New-and-used-remington-870-police-wingmaster-and-express-parts

 

[guntech]

The bolt will not function without the lower part of the bolt...

and what is an internal rail?

 

[Grizzly Adams]

The bolt will not function without the lower part of the bolt...

and what is an internal rail?

Compare parts here and check if anything has been modified.

https://www.rem870.com/2016/01/20/remington-870-parts-list-and-schematic/


Grizz

 

[guntech]

Compare parts here and check if anything has been modified.

https://www.rem870.com/2016/01/20/remington-870-parts-list-and-schematic/


Grizz

It was posted "more than likely need a new internal rail and or the lower part of the bolt"

I commented that the bolt will not function without the lower part of the bolt and then I asked what is an internal rail?

 

[gunrunner100]

Yorgi:
Do the shells stay in the magazine tube?
Were the action bars modified not to contact the shell latch, releasing a shell?

 

[blargon]

What advantage would this be?

 

[Wendell]

Highly recommended:

The Remington M870 & M1100/M11-87 Shotguns: A Shop Manual
by Jerry Kuhnhausen
<http://www.gunbooks.com/rem.html>

It's also available from Brownells.

<https://www.brownells.com/gunsmith-tools-supplies/books-amp-videos/books/shotgun-gunsmithing-books/remington-m870-m1100-and-m11-87-shotguns-shop-manual-prod25716.aspx>

 

[drill702]

You could try some new action bars.

 

[yorgi]

Well guys, seems that my issue is not the same as I originally described. Apologies are in order, I only use the shotgun very infrequently and I had resigned myself to the single-shot mode.

It turns out that the magazine CANNOT be loaded at all. The carrier does not travel up high enough to leave an opening sufficient for a shell to pass through, probably need another 1/4" of travel to get it to fit. Here's a pic with a dummy shell depressed on the carrier as much as it can to travel, front of shell does not clear receiver, can't be inserted into the magazine.

Upon closer inspection -and without any disassembly- I think that the second-previous owner had the original LH carrier, replaced with a RH carrier, at least that's what I think it is anyway. Compared pics of the two and the one I have installed sure looks like a RH one.

RH carrier

LH carrier

Actual carrier

If I am correct, all I need to do is to find a legit LH carrier and replace it. Thanks to all who took the time to give me advice, sorry for the wrong info.

 

[guntech]

The magazine may simply have a very long "plug" preventing shells to be loaded... remove the end cap, remove the spring retainer and the spring and see what is there.

 

[yorgi]

The magazine may simply have a very long "plug" preventing shells to be loaded... remove the end cap, remove the spring retainer and the spring and see what is there.

Checked there too thanks, no plug and the follower is easily depressed into the magazine, enough to load a number of shells. So far, the mismatched carrier seems to be the culprit.

 

[guntech]

Western Gun Parts in Edmonton can probably supply a new lifter... hopefully that will 'cure' it..

 

[maynard]

I can see the problem, it is now plain to see that your loading port is on the wrong side of the gun. I agree that it is the wrong shell carrier.