play in my barrel

[wicked jesster]

i changed my barrel the other day and noticed a slight looseness or play when i would pull on the barrel. is this normal? did i mount it wrong? i just was curious before i go shooting.
Thanks

[alex45auto]

Barrel for what gun???

[wicked jesster]

rem 870

[BigDogatPlay]

You should not be experiencing looseness or play in the barrel of an 870, generally speaking. Take it down and put it back together again. Seat the barrel firmly and then put the mag cap on.

[m16]

Pull the forend back far enough to verify that the barrel is fully seated in the receiver.

If it is, install magazine cap or magazine extension and check barrel again.

If it's loose, something is wrong.

Where did you get the new barrel from?

[wicked jesster]

ill give those a shot and see if i can tighten it up, i got the new barrel off ebay used.

[wicked jesster]

I tried taking it apart, and tried both barrels, however, there was a 1/32" to 1/16" of play in the receiver. when i put my mag tube extension on and the bracket the barrel seemed stable and did not move.

[Sicarius]

There shouldn't be any play. The bracket isn't suppose to support the barrel, only the mag tube. Do you have the original mag cap? Give that a try just to see if the extension tube is the culprit and not seating the barrel on solidly.
Kevin

[DVSmith]

There shouldn't be any play. The bracket isn't suppose to support the barrel, only the mag tube. Do you have the original mag cap? Give that a try just to see if the extension tube is the culprit and not seating the barrel on solidly.
Kevin

We see a lot of students come through shotgun classes with extensions on. If they aren't properly installed and tightened down, the barrels either start out loose or work loose during class. Put everything back to stock and check it out. Then make one change at a time, to see what is causing the problem. I suspect you will find that Sicarius (Kevin) is right.

[hcbr]

shouldn't be any play with any barrel. I would either return it or have it swapped out.

[wicked jesster]

my 18" barrel has a small ball bearing that is under spring tension on the ring that goes over the magazine. when i push the barrel up the bearing is pushed into the ring. is this normal?

[m16]

Yes that is normal, it is a spring-loaded detent that helps keep the magazine cap tight.

Not all barrels have it, but it is common.