Need Remington 870 Help.....

[Walter45Auto]

I have a Remington 870 youth model that belongs to a friend of mine. He and his dad went dove hunting last Monday. They were shooting some after the hunt was over, and the slide jammed up to where he couldn't move it. I couldn't either untill I got it loose with a deadblow hammer and a plastic drift punch. I got it taken apart, and put back together. Well, I racked the slide repeatedly and the first 15 or 20 were as smooth as they should be. Then it started sticking again. Not as bad, but I need to use plenty of force to get it to open all the way and close again. It seems like the left side shell stop lever is drifting down and slipping around onto the wrong side of the action bar and binding. I can drift it back into place with a punch, and it racks like normal, but after racking the slide again, sometimes once, sometimes 4 or 5 times, it'll slip back around the action bar and stick again. I'm thinking I need to replace the left shell stop lever and maybe that will do it. Can Anybody out there help me with this?? Does it sound like I have the right idea?

[TSB]

I've had an 870 for thirty years and never experienced the problem your having.  However, all 870 receivers are virtually identical in design so if you have one of the same gauge you could swap out some parts to see if it solves the binding issue.

I think the 16 gauge guns are built on a 20 gauge receiver as well.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

tim

[Big Frank]

Not familiar with the 870. I have an 1100. Is it staked in? Can you use a punch next to it to tighten it up? Maybe just a little dimple with a center punch to hold it?

[Walter45Auto]

Unfortunately I don't have another 870 20 ga (or any gauge for that matter.) to swap parts with.

No it's not staked in. I'm not sure how I could use a punch to tighten it up.... But maybe I could. I'll try to see what I can do when I get home from church. Thanks for the Idea.

[DesertMarine]

Go to http://www.remington.com/support/parts/model_870/zoomView_schematic.asp.  They have a schematic that has to be viewed via Viewpoint Media Player which you can download.  In the schematic the guide is probably staked in with one of the receiver pins keeping it aligned.  I worked for a short while at a large police department doing cleaning of pistols and shotguns, 870's.  Saw a lot of candy wrappers, gum, candy and other sorted items in the shotgun barrels but not the problem you are having.  I had the similar problem in an 1100 and I fixed it by replacing the shell guide.    Might try asking Remington support for help.

[Sponsor]

[Big Frank]

I just checked one of my firearms disassembly books and it shows nothing but the front trigger housing pin holding the shell stops in. I thought maybe it was staked in too but it's not. Unless the shell stop broke in half it shouldn't be able to move with the pin in.

[TSB]

My 870 manual clearly shows a difference in the left and right side stops.  Check to make sure that the correct one is installed in the correct side.  As mentioned, the front trigger pin is all that holds them into the receiver.

T

[California Lawdawg]

The shell latch is usually staked to the frame to prevent it from falling out. If this is the case, a pointed punch is all that is needed to solve the ptoblem, Had that problem with several 870,s when I was the department armorer.

Lawdawg

[TSB]

Some 870's have a magazine tube follower that is made of plastic that can break and jam the gun.  Should be an easy replacement. 

My daughter has the "YOOT" model as well, if it were here I'd take it down and do a little detective work but unfortunaltly she left it at the meatheads house!

Tim

[Walter45Auto]

Remington is sending me a new left side shell stop, but it's on back order, so it'll be 3 weeks before I'll get it. It's NOT the Plastic magazine follower (that would have been too easy a spot and fix. I wouldn't have needed to ask you guys if it was.). Magazine follower is in tact and perfect working order. It's held in place by small portrusions in the receiver that match with slots in the shell guide itself, as well as the front trigger pin. The end that flexes appears to be what's moving, not the whole part, of course. If replacing the pin doesn't do the trick, I'll give the gun back to my friend to take it to a gunsmith. His son (The owner/user of the gun) doesn't want me to fix it, because he wants an Over/Under. LOL. The boy even tried to sell me the gun (Which I actually would have considered if I could afford it.). LOL. And I HAVE looked at the schematic. I appreciate everyone's help. I'll keep you updated once I get the part from Remington.