How to clean an 870?

[Waingro]

I have an 870 and I find it very difficult to take apart. I was told by the guy at the range all I really needed to do is to clean the barrel, the chamber and it's fine. Is this true - when I take apart my Glock 19 it is a breeze and every part of it is sparkling clean.

I also had a problem where a shell failed to eject a few times, I use Breakfree CLP and the the shotgun only had around +/-75 rounds though it.

[Bobula]

870's are the easiest ones to disassemble

[M. Sage]

All I ever cleaned on my shotguns (Ithaca 37 and Mossberg 835) was the barrel, breech face and squirt some oil into the action. Meh. 2 moving parts, what needs cleaning?

I always took the barrel off before I cleaned it.

[moulton]

I have an 870 and I find it very difficult to take apart. I was told by the guy at the range all I really needed to do is to clean the barrel, the chamber and it's fine. Is this true - when I take apart my Glock 19 it is a breeze and every part of it is sparkling clean.

I also had a problem where a shell failed to eject a few times, I use Breakfree CLP and the the shotgun only had around +/-75 rounds though it.

let me guess you were using walfart cheap winchester universal loads? I had the same problem. get some Federal next time and it will work

[ar15barrels]

http://www.hoppes.com/products/ca_boresnakes.html

[MrTuffPaws]

My 870 will choke on any shell that is smooth. I have to fire ribbed ones, or the action is a pain in the butt to use.

As for cleaning. Pop the cap on the tube, remove the barrel, squirt a good amount of cleaner into the barrel, let set, scrub with brush, clean with swab, replace barrel. The rest is a yearly complete break down and clean.

[vinny_land]

do 870 have a shell eating issue? i mean does it only eat one brand of shells? i ask this because i want a shotgun and there is one on sale on the "WTS" forum and im interested in the 870.

[mike100]

do 870 have a shell eating issue? i mean does it only eat one brand of shells? i ask this because i want a shotgun and there is one on sale on the "WTS" forum and im interested in the 870.

the express models lack the finish of the wingmaster units. you might need to polish the chamber where the brass contacts it. Extraction can be rough with cheap steel base loads. Either that or shoot about 1000 rounds through it which will self polish the thing. I used a dremel and a cotton buffing drum using aluminum polishing compound on mine.

[11Z50]

Normally, you can get away with a bore snake or a couple swipes thru the bore with an oiled patch without removing the barrel. I detail clean my 870's a couple times a year, or after a big shoot. Your owner's manual will give you details, but remove the barrel, depress the shell stops and pull the fore end forward and remove the bolt and carrier. Drift out the pins that hold the trigger group in the receiver and remove the trigger group. That's as far as you need to go. Clean everything with a rag, toothbrush and break free and re-assemble in reverse order. An air compressor helps to blow all the gunk out. It sounds a little complicated, but once you do it, it's a piece of cake.

[vinny_land]

the express models lack the finish of the wingmaster units. you might need to polish the chamber where the brass contacts it. Extraction can be rough with cheap steel base loads. Either that or shoot about 1000 rounds through it which will self polish the thing. I used a dremel and a cotton buffing drum using aluminum polishing compound on mine.

Yeah I have seen a the 870 with rough chambers and some people i know say the rough chamber causes "Rem Jam". I havent owned one but idk if thats true or not...please correct me if im wrong.

If i do go the with the polishing, will it be to the point where i have to put some cold blue on the spot or just leave it as it is?

[Two Shots]

do 870 have a shell eating issue? i mean does it only eat one brand of shells? i ask this because i want a shotgun and there is one on sale on the "WTS" forum and im interested in the 870.

My 870 (Wingmaster) will eat anything you have and I have not had any problems. I just take the barrel off and clean it and make sure you clean the ejector and chamber and oil it. So I don't think I'll be worried about buying a 870

[mike100]

All you have to do is polish it. The blueing comes off in all the high wear areas anyhow. Clean and lube like any other gun..well actually, lube sparingly on an 870. just in a few spots. My express model works as well as any of them. there are some differences between express's though.

[A'sDad]

The 870 is a low maintanance workhorse. I have the 870 Express Magnum 20 gauge. Screw in the IC choke, throw in some slugs and you have a pig gun.
Full choke and #4 shot and you have a turkey gun. Various buck loads and you have a home defense gun. Mine has shot a wide variety of ammo with no problems, and just routine wipe downs.

[Utha Schleigle]

I am going to make what suggested in the book I read.

Save worn out or buy cheap screwdrivers with a round shafts size aprox in the two knock out pin size in your shot-gun trigger group. Cut off tip with hack saw and file and polish tip. Use with polished/rounded tip or sand blast tip for more grip. I was thinking also about a drop of hot glue on the tip of the new tool.

It is said that these liitle cheat tools can save a gouge on a receiver or enlarged hole from missing with a punch. I used to use a .22cal pistol cleaning rod but it is not cool. Starting with a screw driver tip and the ripping out with plierers clean scratch and rough up pins. I am also going to hot glue thick leather pieces to a set of channel locks and a small/med pipe wrench. Vise grips tend to crush - maybe small ones.

I think any shotgun shooter should feel comfortable taking apart their gun and be able to put it back together with out excess wear of the gun. Eventaully any gun will need a good cleaning.

Not to available these days but if you find a surplus used up 20MM cannon brush BUY IT. You can weld it to a rod and have a cleaning/polishing/hone-ing devise that is hard to beat. I am still looking for one but you never know,

[gunrun45]

Pretty easy to take down.
I'm willing to bet you can do a search on youtube and find a "how to" video that will do a step by step.

Your local gun shop "expert" should be able to show you also. You do it once and its a breeze after that.

Don't take the trigger assembly appart. You don't need to and its a PITA to put back together if you haven't done it before.