problems with my 870

[jkgts1]

Hi, I know many people have been saying that the new 870s of today are not the same as the ones in the past. Well I bought a 870 express about 4 months ago and recently got to shoot it yesterday. I had some issues with extraction. A few times it was very difficult to extract a spent shell. Is there a way I can fix this, or is it the ammo? I was using Federal bird shot.

Thanks, jkgts1

[SFFRONTMAN]

Have you cleaned and lubed the gun since you purchased it? That might be one problem. If you having a hard time extracting the shells, if the gun is brand new, it might be because you need to break in the gun. After the first 200 rounds in my 870, the action smoothed out considerably.

[djslik408]

+1 I think for mine had to be close to 150 rounds to be all smooth!!!

[BaronW]

Do you have to fire it that many times, or can you just play with the action?

[mike100]

the thin based cheap azz shells expand and stick a lot more readily, even a little in my high round count wingmaster, but...

My express really gets sticky with cheap loads. You'll need to do a combination of
1) shooting a crap load of rounds and..

2) getting a dremel and a small cotton buffing drum and use metal polish in the back of the chamber where the brass sets.

It gets better, but wingmasters get better sooner.

[jkgts1]

Yeah, I cleaned and lubed it before I shot it.
Yes, I am also using the cheap Wally World stuff. I thought the ammo might be a problem also.

Thanks for all the replies

[CalNRA]

even with the cheap ammo the 870s should be pretty smooth after a while. best thing to do is just get a case of cheap shells and hit the range and clean it well afterward.

[roor1200]

you just need to put more shells through it and it'll be fine before you know it. had similar problems before... it just needs to be broken in.