Reassembled my new Remington 870

[Billy_Boy]

I have recently purchased a Remington 870 Express Tactical and disassembled it for the first time. I reassembled it, I thought correctly and now I cannot operate - engage a round unless I push down/operate the Action Bar Lock? This is true even if a shell is in the chamber.

[Synchronizor]

The 870's action is supposed to remain locked when cocked, whether the chamber is empty or not. You can only open it without pressing the action bar lock when the hammer is dropped (usually right after you fire a round, but dry-firing works too).

For reference, here's a disassembly/reassembly guide.