Following Cap

[Phattkopp]

I just ordered a SS magazine tube following cap(?) from Brownells for a buddy's 870 that seems to be hanging up while loading rounds into the magazine. I disassembled the gun and thoroughly scrubbed it thinking that was the problem, but it still seems stiff. Any suggestions? I am a Rem870 queer, and by no means a gunsmith, but I've used them for 35 years, and think they are bombproof.
Sincerely,
Phattso

[BurstBarrel]

How many Magazine Follower problems in 35 years have you seen in the 870? Don't believe all the sales hype. I like the factory polymer orange myself.

[Phattkopp]

BB--I am having no issues with my 870's (all seven of them!) But a turkey hunting buddy sent his 870 home with me to scrub up and fiddle with. I was just wondering if any of y'all have had similar experiences and if its a common problem. Sorry for the confusion,,,,,


Phattboy

[BurstBarrel]

I just ordered a SS magazine tube following cap(?) from Brownells for a buddy's 870 that seems to be hanging up while loading rounds into the magazine. I disassembled the gun and thoroughly scrubbed it thinking that was the problem, but it still seems stiff. Any suggestions? I am a Rem870 queer, and by no means a gunsmith, but I've used them for 35 years, and think they are bombproof.
Sincerely,
Phattso

Just so I understand. You ordered a Stainless Steel magazine tube follower or did you order a Stainless Steel magazine tube follower Cap?
These part(s) are to fix a hanging up or stiff loading into magazine problem?

What is the condition of the plug and the magazine spring?

[Phattkopp]

There is no plug in the gun. The spring appears to be in serviceable condition. I thoroughly (ultrasonically) cleaned the gun and figured the magazine tube was my buddy's problem, as the gun was filthy. It still snags and is hard to push a round into the magazine after the cleaning and fresh oil. Keep in mind that I am not a gunsmith, just an 870 queer!

Phattso

[BurstBarrel]

With all the guts (i.e. parts) out of the magazine tube will shells slide through with no hang ups?

[Synchronizor]

Does the gun have a magazine extension?

[Phattkopp]

Sync--there is no magazine tube extension.
BB--do you mean can I drop rounds through the naked magazine barrel? With no spring, either cap, or spring in it? I scrubbed it thoroughly and there is minimal rust inside the mag tube.

Phattso

[Synchronizor]

If there's no magazine extension, I would take a look at the spring & follower. The wrong spring & follower combination - such as a cup-style follower paired with a wide spring meant for tailed followers - can cause significant drag. Measure the outer diameter of the spring at its widest point, and compare that to the internal diameter of the follower. Also compare the follower's outer diameter to the magazine tube's internal diameter; some aftermarket followers are too large to move freely in the tube. Kinks or bends in the spring can also cause drag, and excessively strong aftermarket magazine springs can cause a number of issues, including hard loading.

If you still can't find anything obviously wrong, try swapping the magazine parts from your 870 into your friend's gun one by one until the problem goes away. That should help identify the source(s).

[codyphillips48]

Id agree with Sync on this one