870 Jamming

[Mahoneymik]

I just got back from shooting my brand new Remmington 870 (left handed model). It shot fine, but after the first shot, when I went to cycle the action, the fore-end would get stuck and I couldn't pull it back. It happened almost every time. I'm 6'2, 210, and I gave it everything I had. When I shook the fore-end back and forth, after a while, it would finally give up and (usually) release the spent shell. Then it would load the next shell perfectly.
One more thing... when it DID work, the spent shell would get hung-up while ejecting, and prevent the next shell from loading.
Anyone ever hear about a problem like this? This was the first time the gun was ever shot. Brand new.
Thanks

[tyrist]

Well normally when something as you described happens it's because you are not racking it aggressively enough. You might want to have somebody who is experienced with the 870 try it and if they also have problems then take it in for repair.

[evidens83]

I took my 870 out to the range for the first time yesterday also. My first few rounds I noticed the same hang-ups you had. But once I racked it hard after every shot it fed perfectly. Shotguns are made to be racked hard. Dont be easy on it or it may misfeed thats what I noticed at least.

[Meety Peety]

Loosen the barrel nut. Everyone always tightens it as far as it can go, this isn't how the gun was designed. Tighten it all the way, then back it off one click. Should be good to go.

[MAX100]

It shot fine, but after the first shot, when I went to cycle the action, the fore-end would get stuck and I couldn't pull it back.

Shells sticking in the chamber is a common problem with the 870 shotguns made in the last five years or so. The chamber needs to be polished and opened up a few thousands.

Being a common problem, there is plenty of info on the net on how to polish an 870 chamber.


GC

[BroncoBob]

Shells sticking in the chamber is a common problem with the 870 shotguns made in the last five years or so. The chamber needs to be polished and opened up a few thousands.

Being a common problem, there is plenty of info on the net on how to polish an 870 chamber.


GC

+1 on this.

[aippi]

Max advised you correctly. It can also be the ammo if it is low aluminum casings as these swell in the chamber. Winchester Universal is notorious for this.

Racking the weapon with authority should correct the ejection issue.

[MAX100]

It's the combo of the cheap shells and the rough and or under size chamber.

GC

[picasso]

I got this problem when my 870 was new, but after a couple of hundred rounds it cycles like butter now with any kind of ammo. I didn't even polish it.

[Notblake]

Buy a mossberg! sure everything rattles a bit, but just like an Ak, you cant get any more reliable!

Sorry ... I had too... everyone gives the mossberg **** and says the 870 is SOOO much better.

[butch952]

I had the same problem of shells sticking to the point the extractor was tearing through the rims sticking but only with low base shells.Have had no problems with high base loads.

[zhyla]

A friend has the same problem with his 870 express. Really frustrating, will have to polish that sucker before our next outing.

[Katana]

Call Remington. They will send you a shipping label and repair it free of charge.

[Mahoneymik]

Thanks all,
I WAS using the Winchester "Walmart" shells. I'll try the Federals, and try polishing the chamber too just to be safe.
Thanks for all your help.

[Rover]

Try some good quality shells with a brass base, my newer 870 still need more shells before it's "broken in" and will cycle the cheap stuff without problems, but it cycles higher end brass based shells with zero problems. The better shells will tell you for certain if it's an ammo problem, or perhaps a manufacturing defect.