Extraction probs with cheap shotguns

[sigstroker]

I finally got to shoot my Maverick 88. It hangs up on extraction sometimes. I was using Winchester Super X, but it still had steel bases. One friend thought that was the problem, but it seems like even expensive shells have steel bases these days, but just with a brass wash. I checked some expensive shells too, but same story, attracts a magnet even though it's brass colored.

I checked the inside of one of the barrels, and it's as smooth as a baby's butt. No burrs or ridges, or anything. What do I do? Get rid of these guns and buy real expensive ones? Anyone else have cheap shotguns that extract and feed without problems?

[hermosabeach]

Contact Mossberg...

The Extractor fits into a groove... something might not be to spec...

[NoNOS67]

I had to polish the chamber of my Remington 870 years ago. Prior to polishing, it took a LOT of force to extract shells when they jammed. You're not looking to remove a ton of material, just clean it up.

ETA: If the chamber is as smooth as you say, that may not be the issue.

[rromeo]

Did you try the other shells, or just check them with a magnet?

[hermosabeach]

Brass plates steel is normal. It should run those with out issue.

You can field strip and post clear photos for better guesses.

[sigstroker]

Did you try the other shells, or just check them with a magnet?

Just magnetated them. The other ones were not cheap Kazahkstani ammo, they were Winchester. But they didn't have the brass wash. Could that be the problem?

[sigstroker]

Brass plates steel is normal. It should run those with out issue.

You can field strip and post clear photos for better guesses.

Photos of what?

[BOBGBA]

The same problem you complained about in November in another thread.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=28242855#post28242855

Did you take any of the advice that was offered in that thread?

I'll offer some new advice.
Post a picture of the box of shells and pictures of actual shell - both the bottom of the base and what's printed on the shell plastic.
Then we can see exactly what you are shooting.

When the shells are fired the steel base expands and depending on the alloy used it may not spring back down to it's original diameter and it gets stuck.

I'm not sure when they started using steel based shells, but it sounds like there is no spec for what the steel alloy needs to be and/or how thick the steel needs to be.
It seems like the shells are just made to meet the same exterior dimensions.
I don't think it was as critical in the days of brass bases, because once fired the brass base would return to or close enough to it's original diameter to extract without a problem.

If you want the gun to eject any brand of shell reliably, you probably need to have the chamber honed.
I would call Mossberg and explain the problem you are having.
Or buy one of these hones and do it yourself.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007049254

Or try other brands of shells and if they eject reliably, only use those shells.

[squeeze]

Shells sticking in the chamber has been a problem that has been discussed many times. Hone with emery cloth or carry a broom handle to push the spent shell out. Brass colored steel is common and not the problem.
.........................................
I have two new/ unused trap shooting books/manuals for sale. See my posting here:

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=26822520#post26822520

[sigstroker]

The same problem you complained about in November in another thread.

https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=28242855#post28242855

Did you take any of the advice that was offered in that thread?

I'll offer some new advice.
Post a picture of the box of shells and pictures of actual shell - both the bottom of the base and what's printed on the shell plastic.
Then we can see exactly what you are shooting.

When the shells are fired the steel base expands and depending on the alloy used it may not spring back down to it's original diameter and it gets stuck.

I'm not sure when they started using steel based shells, but it sounds like there is no spec for what the steel alloy needs to be and/or how thick the steel needs to be.
It seems like the shells are just made to meet the same exterior dimensions.
I don't think it was as critical in the days of brass bases, because once fired the brass base would return to or close enough to it's original diameter to extract without a problem.

If you want the gun to eject any brand of shell reliably, you probably need to have the chamber honed.
I would call Mossberg and explain the problem you are having.
Or buy one of these hones and do it yourself.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007049254

Or try other brands of shells and if they eject reliably, only use those shells.

There was no advice in the other thread. That's why I posted a new one specific to my problem.

I pulled the barrel out of my Mossberg. The chamber is smooth as glass. No rough spots, no ridges.

I should have saved the empties on the problem shells but it's hard to identify them out of the pile of empties.

[BOBGBA]

Here's some advice from the other thread.

...What are the other shells that you have?
You'll have to try them to find out.

I'd recommend Remington Gun Club, Federal and Winchester (as long as they aren't the "Universal" ones)...

Maybe Super X need to be excluded as well.

To get it working reliably, I think you basically have a couple of choices.
1) Find a different brand (or brands) of ammo that ejects 100% reliably and only shoot that ammo.
2) Call Mossberg and explain the problem to them and ask them for a pre-paid shipping label so you can send it in to be fixed (I'm presuming it's still under warranty).
3) If it's a problem with the extractor (I don't think this is the problem it, but I've been wrong before) maybe it's best to send it to Mossberg (again, under warranty).


Personally, I'd go with choice #2, so that you can then shoot whatever ammo you want to without any reliability issues (whether it be HD, Upland Game or Waterfowl ammo).

A couple other questions:
Have you noticed a pattern when experiencing the problem?
Does it ever happen on the first shot from a cold gun?
Or does it happen after the barrel has been warmed up? If yes, after how many shots have been fired do you seem to have a problem?

[sigstroker]

Here's some advice from the other thread.
Maybe Super X need to be excluded as well.

To get it working reliably, I think you basically have a couple of choices.
1) Find a different brand (or brands) of ammo that ejects 100% reliably and only shoot that ammo.

I've only "test" fired both shotguns so far. Maybe 10-15 shells through each one. The difficulty of following this suggestion is the range that's closest to me only allows birdshot, and when I ever use it for serious purposes it will be only buckshot and slugs.

2) Call Mossberg and explain the problem to them and ask them for a pre-paid shipping label so you can send it in to be fixed (I'm presuming it's still under warranty).

That had been my original plan but it's a huge pain boxing a shotgun for shipping. Finding a box long enough is very difficult. When I last tried it and the first shell actually extracted, I had high hopes that I wouldn't have to ship it back. Then the second or third shell stuck.

3) If it's a problem with the extractor (I don't think this is the problem it, but I've been wrong before) maybe it's best to send it to Mossberg (again, under warranty).

Yeah, I don't think so either. The extractor doesn't slip off. Mild mortaring dislodges the empty.

Personally, I'd go with choice #2, so that you can then shoot whatever ammo you want to without any reliability issues (whether it be HD, Upland Game or Waterfowl ammo).

A couple other questions:
Have you noticed a pattern when experiencing the problem?

The pattern is the guns are loaded and I shoot once or twice.

Does it ever happen on the first shot from a cold gun?

It happened from the first shell I ever fired in my Mossberg and about the third shell in my Maverick.

Or does it happen after the barrel has been warmed up? If yes, after how many shots have been fired do you seem to have a problem?

I don't know. I've never fired more than 5 shells from my Mossberg and 1 tube full from my Maverick.

[hermosabeach]

one more set of questions

Do it load, extract and eject live rounds? Or do the live rounds also have issues

stating the obvious- be safe with live ammo.



If live unfired ammo cycles just fine....

that leads me to have you check the barrel.

Are you shooting 2 1/4" shells or 3" shells? What is on the barrel?


When a shell opens during firing, that is when a 2 1/2" shell becomes 2 3/4" long....


so hard extraction could be something with the front part of the chamber / forcing cone...

it could be a very oversized chamber... if a maverick 88 is highly polished... that is unusual as they are the cheapest pump in the market...

the chamber could have had a flaw and the removal and polishing made the chamber out of spec....

everything has a spec... springs, chambers... everything...

I would send it back to mossberg with 5 live rounds that you know will not extract once fired

[hermosabeach]

lastly- ask around your area... who else has an 88- can you swap barrels with them for some test firing...

[sigstroker]

one more set of questions

Do it load, extract and eject live rounds? Or do the live rounds also have issues

stating the obvious- be safe with live ammo.

Nope, didn't try it.

If live unfired ammo cycles just fine....

that leads me to have you check the barrel.

Are you shooting 2 1/4" shells or 3" shells? What is on the barrel?

2 3/4". Dunno what's on the barrel, shouldn't matter because no 12 gauge has a chamber for 2 1/2" shells.

When a shell opens during firing, that is when a 2 1/2" shell becomes 2 3/4" long....


so hard extraction could be something with the front part of the chamber / forcing cone...

it could be a very oversized chamber... if a maverick 88 is highly polished... that is unusual as they are the cheapest pump in the market...

the chamber could have had a flaw and the removal and polishing made the chamber out of spec....

everything has a spec... springs, chambers... everything...

I would send it back to mossberg with 5 live rounds that you know will not extract once fired

I didn't check my Maverick barrel. It doesn't have as big an extraction problem as my Mossberg. Mossberg has a smooth chamber.

My crystal ball is on the fritz so I don't know which shells won't extract after being fired.