870 express problems

[dandechino]

I'm another one who has experienced problems extracting fired shells from my Remington 870 express. The inside of the chamber feels smooth and I haven't seen any reason why this should be happening across a wide range of ammo brands. Now I am starting to notice damage to the chamber edge... WTF? I'm not an expert so I don't know if what I am seeing is normal... Please advise.

[vf116]

This happen to my 870 every so often when I first got mine. I have around 500 rounds through mine now and it doesn't do it as often, maybe 1 round per 100 will have that problem.

I don't have the damage you do either

[ivanimal]

If it were mine I would be talking to Remington.

[BigDogatPlay]

The damage I see in the picture looks like some peening of the finish. I wouldn't say it looks normal, but it doesn't really look out of bounds to my eye. Using / firing the gun is going to cause at least some of what I see.

The chamber as seen in the photo is not smooth at all. I can see the concentric rings from the machining process, which is what I'd expect in an 870 Express of recent manufacture. That seems to be the cause of a majority of failures to extract from what I've seen and read. I'd suggest polishing the chamber using Aippi's method as a start.

As to the apparent peening of the finish, you might contact either a gunsmith or a certified 870 armorer but unless the metal under the finish really starts to deform I'd just keep an eye on it for now.

YMMV.

[1911su16b870]

Clean the chamber really well, aippi has a how-to on his website, hopefully he will chime in as he is most 870 awesome!

I would also inspect/change out the extractor/plunger/spring.

[aippi]

With 500 rounds you should not be having issues. It could simply be a dirty chamber. How are you cleaning it? If a good cleaning does not correct the issue a light honing may be called for. If this is a new weapon under two years old I would send the barrel back.

I can't tell much from the picture. I would say Big Dog is right on about it.

[shellslinger]

I sometimes have extraction issues with my shotgun, but its due to the Winchester Universal 12 gauge wally packs.

[Rhythm of Life]

My brother used to have issues with his 870 extracting when new. After about 300rds it smoothed out and now the only way I can tell mine from his is mine has a sling.

[slikna99]

I sometimes have extraction issues with my shotgun, but its due to the Winchester Universal 12 gauge wally packs.

Me too, havent had it on anything else

[dandechino]

Aippi,

How is the steel wool placed exactly on the dowel? Is it wrapped around or just stretched over the end of it and taped down?

[dandechino]

I've been using a boresnake so far to clean the barrel. I might just make what is shown on that website though!

[aippi]

I stretch a full pad over the dowel and pull it down and tape the bottom for the chamber rod and 3/4" of a pad for the bore rod.

[12GuageMcgee]

I had this problem with 2 different barrels (it would fail to extract anything after 6-12 shots. the hulls would just get stuck). I flexhoned (MidwayUSA has them way cheaper than Brownells) both and haven't had a single problem with either since.

[dandechino]

Will the aippi method essentially do the same thing as flex honing?

[aippi]

No, honing removes metal. My cleaning/Polishing rod simply removes gunk. The barrel has a rust preventative in it since it could months from the time it leaves the factory till it gets to the end user. So, when you hit the range with a new one you cook that stuff into the chamber. Also, chambers get dirty on the range and that stuff need stripped out.

It would be rare that a chamber needs honing and if you simply hit the chamber with the rod before shooting the new weapon there should be no issue.