Barrel wear question

[whatintheworld]

I never owned a shot gun before and I recently got a 870 Super Magnum SPS turkey gun. It works wonderfully but after shooting it I notice the barrel extension, the part that goes into the receiver, has a ding on the edge. Best I can tell is that when you pump the action slide, the loading gate goes up. I believe the edge of the load gate is hitting the barrel extension (I'm seeing wear where the loading gate is supposedly hitting the barrel in the receiver).

I'm just wondering if this is normal? I'm looking at 870 barrel picks and none of them appear to have a wear at this particular area.

[Synchronizor]

The shall carrier (what you called the loading gate) should not be making contact with the barrel unless something's seriously screwed-up with your gun - which doesn't seem to be the case.

Does the wear you're talking about match what's discussed in this thread?

[whatintheworld]

Hey thanks for the link. No that is not the area I notice. I would expect that area to have wear to it as the bolt is slamming on it.

However the area I'm talking about is shown in your picture. The barrel slips into the ejector in the receiver and there is a little notch where it meets the ejector. The area I'm talking about is right below the notch that mates with the ejector/receiver. It is on the lower edges of that point.

Looking at your picture, the barrel in the middle has some rough edges near this area I'm talking about. Mine has it where I can feel metal raised up. I'm guessing this is normal and it'll smooth itself over use. The shotgun cycled beautifully and didn't have any issues.

I'm very concerned now the ejector might snap off over time if this corner is being hit by something. Hopefully it makes sense with the picture reference. Right now I'm on a different computer without a image editor. If you still don't know where I"m referring to, then I will hop on a different computer with a image editor and point it out for you.

[Synchronizor]

Can you upload a picture?

The carrier can brush the barrel extension in the location you're talking about, but it shouldn't do any damage to it. Maybe some finish wear over time, but that's not unusual with the 870's moving parts. As for the ejector, the carrier on my gun (a 12ga magnum) doesn't come up high enough to reach it, and even if yours does, the ejector should be recessed below the barrel extension to protect it.

[whatintheworld]

Thanks for the reply. Here's the best picture I can take of the wear in question.

See how it has a chip in the corner? I did use some snap caps earlier and I just wonder if that could have damaged it somehow? Or maybe a loose barrel? I'd imagine with that bad of a damage something else would be broke. I can't find any wear anywhere else on the bolt or action bar. The barrel is on tight and doesn't wiggle.

[Synchronizor]

Is there actually a significant chip or gouge there, or is it just a minor scrape or finish worn off?

Snap caps are a possibility if they're metal. Aluminum especially can be abrasive.

[whatintheworld]

I have no idea if it is significant. That's what I'm hoping you could tell me. It's actual dented metal in that area. I'm not sure if it was like that when I got it but I just noticed the edge isn't sharp and there's actual dented metal like something hit it hard. Yet I can't find any piece, on the bolt, or anywhere that would cause it. My guess is the magazine follower's damage is from the piece of metal sticking out rubbing on it. There's no actual damage to the magazine follower. I'd imagine whatever can cause that to become dented would have wear on it as well.

I'm thinking it is normal. I supposed all I can do is continue to shoot it and monitor it.

[Synchronizor]

The magazine follower doesn't come anywhere near there; that can't be it. The only two things I can think that might be hitting or rubbing that spot are the bolt and the shell carrier, but if neither of those show matching marks, then maybe someone at the factory just knocked that corner against something during assembly.

A nick in that spot shouldn't hurt function. I would color the bare metal with a Sharpie, then cycle the action a bunch and see if something starts rubbing the ink off.

[redgoat]

From the picture posted above, I think one other possible cause for that dent is that the barrel could've been dropped on that corner ( or otherwise accidentally dinged ) while removed from the receiver. Did you buy this gun new or used? I ask because if new, you'd probably remember the mishap. But if used, the damage may have already happened by the time you got it.