870 extraction issues...

[-hanko]

Polishing doesn't always work because some chambers are under size and need to be opened up. I read one case on a forum where a Rem service center smith had to re-ream the chamber.

GC

If polishing doesn't fix the extraction issue, I'd have a smith go/no-go gauge it.

I'm sure aippi will respond sooner or later.

-hanko

[aippi]

I would not doubt that a barrel got out of that factory that needed honing. To have to completely ream one would mean that it would not accept a check guage and someone really messed up on the line.

As I said, if the polishing does not correct the issue then a light hone may be needed. But remember, this issue is mostly with the Winchester target stuff and if you hone the chamber out just to accomidate that crap you may be messing it up for better ammo. Go light on any honing and polish first to see if the issue is corrected.

I should also add that I have purchased hundreds of these same barrel and yet to find one with an issue serious enought to even hone. My home made polishing rod does the trick

[Bearclaw]

I have had these same extraction issues with my 870. It's absolutely the only problem I've had since I bought my gun a year and a half ago.

One question about the steel wool process....
Once I do this until the barrel heats up, should all the parkerizing now be gone? I just spun the steel wool with my drill until the barrel heated but there is still that black finish inside. Should I just continue to drill until the barrel heats a little, let cool, then repeat until all the black finish is gone? Or should I use a rougher steel wool? I'm using 00 right now.

Thanks for the help guys!

[slomofo]

Whoa, lots of good information in here. I've had this extraction issue on one of my 870s for about three years now and never really bothered to fix it, but I guess I'll get off my butt and head to home depot for some supplies.

[subrosa]

Had issues with mine on the cheap winchester target/wally special. I used slightly higher grade Remington shells and the problem went away.

I haven't gone back to the cheap ammo, but I can spend the extra couple of bucks. It is kind of sad when the "most reliable" of shotguns doesn't eat all the ammo you feed it.

Not to start the holy war, but my Mossberg eats and spits it all out just fine

[Bearclaw]

So...get rid of all the parkerizing, or just polish once until the barrel heats up???

[cindynles]

Shotgun chamber hone, $33.99 The right tool for the job. A few passes will give you a nice EVEN finish in the chamber.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=147884

What he said. I had the exact same problem with an Ithaca 37 M&P. Bought one of these and some honing oil and the problem was solved. Now I loan it out to any of my friends who get a new 12 gage. Use the right tool for the job, trying to polish your chamber with steel wool is like trying to use pliers to instead of a socket to remove a spark plug.

[Bearclaw]

Nice analogy....thanks!

[acorn]

PS: There is an area inside the barrel that is noticeably darker than the area before it and also the bore itself. Am I correct in thinking this is the division between the chamber and bore and thus the place I should not pass with the larger wool brush? Thanks again for all the help guys.[/QUOTE]

The area you are referring to is called the "Forcing Cone"

[darksands]

Great info here. I have this issue as well and there are no Remington repair places nearby.

[resident-shooter]

Should have bought a mawssberg in the first place

[jdg30]

I had the same problem with my 870 Express, the spent shell would get stuck in the chamber after firing and I was unable to extract it for a while. I used mainly cheap Walmart birdshot when the problem happened. I also used many reloads from a friend and I don't remember the problem happening with those. I think the problem is related to the steel case head of the cheap ammo expanding more than the brass case head of better quality shot shells.

I bought the 870 Express with the idea that they were bulletproof shotguns but was pretty disappointed when it had that problem, so I ended up selling it. I never thought I would be having reliability problems with a pump shotgun. It had some features I liked, but I got a Mossberg 500 with 2 barrels for a great price instead.

[SPE]

I had the same problem with my 870 Express, the spent shell would get stuck in the chamber after firing and I was unable to extract it for a while. I used mainly cheap Walmart birdshot when the problem happened. I also used many reloads from a friend and I don't remember the problem happening with those. I think the problem is related to the steel case head of the cheap ammo expanding more than the brass case head of better quality shot shells.

I bought the 870 Express with the idea that they were bulletproof shotguns but was pretty disappointed when it had that problem, so I ended up selling it. I never thought I would be having reliability problems with a pump shotgun. It had some features I liked, but I got a Mossberg 500 with 2 barrels for a great price instead.

Based on my experience, it's the cheap ammo. I've used JD's steel wool polish technique on my barrels and mag tube, and they turn out slick as glass. I've run hundreds of shells through and only had one shell get stuck, and it was the cheap WalMart blue box (Federal Game Load) shells.

I've never had an issue with high brass shells, and for that matter, have only had that one issue with the cheap stuff.

For anyone that is having the issue occasionally, try the steel wool polishing first (which does a fantastic job at cleaning the barrel too), and also try a hundred higher quality shells to see if that resolves the issue.

[MAX100]

With the 870 Express made in the last 10 years you don't always get what you pay for.


GC

[bucktooth7]

I'm a shootgun and trap shooting greenhorn. I purchased a used 870 and ran 75 shells through it on Sat , about 20 times of the the fore stock did not want to slide back easily. Giving it a wiggle front to rear, eventually extracted and ejected the spent shell. Is this the condition that a steel wool polishing will cure? The shells were Remington cheap ones.