Rem Sportsman 870

[firefighter]

Hi All, I just picked up a Remington Sportsman 870 (83 - 86 years it was manufactured) on the EE and find that the action is very tight. It is so tight that when you cycle the forearm back to the open position, it feels like it gets stuck. Took it completely apart removing the action and trigger, cleaned, oiled and reassembled, no better. The action bars seem to be binding but I can't see where. I took another 870 (Wingmaster) apart to compare and see if anything looked out of the ordinary but all looks good. Tried the wingmaster action in the Sportsman and it is a bit better but still tight. Is this something that will loosen up with a couple hundred rounds shot out of it? Anyone else run across this before?

Thanks for any info.
Mike

 

[3macs1]

Hi Mike:
Very tough one to help you with on the internet. However if the wingmaster parts made it better focus in that area looking for sharp edges, bends in the bars, burrs etc.
The remington model12 sportsman were the pre express models and although much lower priced than a wingmaster proved to be good solid guns. That being said the fit and finishe we not as good so yes you may have to take some sandpaper and do some polishing and shoot it and it should free up if there is no obvious problem.
Wish I could be of more help but unless I have it in my hands hard to do. Good luck

 

[madtrapper143]

When I can hold my Express 870's by the forened and the weight of the gun closes the action. (vertical hold) I consider the gun on the way to being broken in. I think your gun just needs some shooting.

Darryl

 

[3macs1]

When I can hold my Express 870's by the forened and the weight of the gun closes the action. (vertical hold) I consider the gun on the way to being broken in. I think your gun just needs some shooting.

Darryl

Makes sense. I have an old skeet 870 here that I can just about look at it and it will open the action. Know the one ??? As smooth as a model 31

 

[firefighter]

Just spent some more time figuring out exactly where it seems to be catching and it is the ejector spring on the left side, looks like it has a crease where it has been bent and sticks out further than my other 870. So now just have to figure out if that can be bent back or will loosen up with time? Don't want to break it or make it worse. Can those be replaced?

Mike

 

[madtrapper143]

Ejector springs on 870's have very little tension. Certainly there should not be enough to impede the action. I wonder if someone in the past bent it out hoping to improve the ejection?

Darryl

 

[VLT79]

Check to see that the end of the ejector spring that isn't staked is sliding into the ejector. Sometimes they get bent and twisted just enough to catch on the edge of the ejector. Another thing to check is the clearance between the forearm and the chamber end of the barrel. I have seen wood that wasn't properly inleted and caused the last 1/2" of stroke to be a PIA and because the barrel is tapered it get wedged causing return stroke to require a little force to "free" it.