Rem 870 - break in period expected?

[jcaoloveshine]

Got my new 870 Hardwood Home Defense model out today for its first few rounds. Did some parts upgrades beforehand

- Replaced MIM extractor with Volquartsen Edge forged extractor
- Upgraded carrier dog spring with 870 police spring

First shots were done on the skeet range, single loading directly in the chamber. Noticed on one birdshot round (I think ~10th round or so) that it didn't seem to go fully into battery - I recall the pump was fully forward, but trigger was slack. Racked it back a bit, then into battery and was good to go (heard the click as it went into battery). Couldn't duplicate the issue.

I'm wondering if maybe this was operator error? I wasn't giving too much force when I was racking forward (because it was single load, not pumping back and forth). Or do 870s require a slight break in?

Chamber is smooth with no burrs. Ran a total of 50 birdshot (Winchester and Fiocchi #7.5) and 20 buckshot (00, Federal and Fiocchi).

[Carsgunsandchics]

Here's the resident 870 guys site how to. http://www.aiptactical.com/Breaking_In_the_870.html

[b.thomas]

It's been more then forty plus years but I recall my Wingmaster pretty much smoothed out with the second box of ammo through it.
I did spend a bit of time smoothing up any rough spots with a stone and dry fired/cycle the action a bit first.................not that it really needed it??

[bsg]

rack the round decisively, not softly.

[ysr_racer]

Put a thousand rounds thru it, then get back to us.

[bigbearbear]

If you were using cheap birdshots when it failed to fire, it is mostly likely due to the round and not your shotgun. I use tons of cheap birdshots for trap shooting and once in a while, I will encounter one or 2 rounds that requires me to chamber and shoot again before it will go off.

Buy good factory loads for home defense and you'll be alright.