870P shell stop re-stake or just align when needed?

[RFB]

Hi everyone, stupid question about an 870P

Well after some internet research it looks like I displaced my shell stop on my 870 lastnight. It was a police trade in so I'm not sure if it was my fault or a negligent user 10 years ago. I was able to slide it back eventually with a punch and reassemble it but my question is:

Is there a need to have it re-staked by a gunsmith as it could cause a different critical failure? Or it just is held in place by the pin and I just keep an eye on it and slide it back if need be? As it stands now the pins and cycling are already tight and not how I read (This is my first 870 and I transitioned from Winchester 1300's which feel like greased lightning.) a dual-action armed 870P should feel so I wonder what other parts are mistreated.

Thanks in advance,

-RFB

[aippi]

The only purpose of the shell latches being staked are so they don't fall out when you pull the trigger plate assembly out. There is no effect on operations of the weapon if they are not staked in. So no, you don't need to have it staked. It is not falling out it is just shifting slightly. When this happens just move it some so you can get the front trigger pin in.

If it is not cycling smoothly you could have bent or twisted action bars or it could be as simple as your forend is rubbing against the barrel.

[wweigle]

I have the same problem with my Remington model 1100. As the above post indicates, once its installed it is held in place, and in the case of mine functions perfectly. The only time it is a problem is at re-assembly. Its somewhat of a pain in the *** to get everything back together holding it in there. I would live with it unless I had some other reason to visit a gun smith, then I would probably have them re-stake it. Mine is not the only Remington I have seen with this issue. My guess is they were probably staked by hand at the factory and consequently some where staked more positively than others. Good luck.

[m16]

No, they don't have to be staked and even if you did want to stake them you wouldn't have to go to a gunsmith.

Brownells has the staking tool, it's like $30.

I bought one because I have several 870's, the Wingmaster I inherited from my dad had two loose latches and he shot it that way for years.