Hello-
Bought an 870 Express before Christmas as a home defense gun. Love it!!! So, I bought a used Wingmaster today at a gun show. Feeds well, shoots good, but the bolt has a problem staying closed when a shell is fired, unless I physically hold it closed with the forestock. any idea what causes this, and the remedy? Thanks in advance!!
New Member 870 Question
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Synchronizor
- Elite Shotgunner
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Re: New Member 870 Question
Welcome to the forum.
What exactly is happening with the bolt? Is it flying open as soon as the shell goes off, or is it just sliding open a little if you point it up while the hammer's down? The action lock on an 870 is designed to unlock as soon as the trigger is pulled, but the bolt will not disengage from the barrel until the fore-end is brought back a centimeter or so. On guns that are broken-in and slicked up, the action will take very little force to open once unlocked, and even gravity can cause it to slide open. However, direct force on the closed breechface alone should never cause the action to open.
What exactly is happening with the bolt? Is it flying open as soon as the shell goes off, or is it just sliding open a little if you point it up while the hammer's down? The action lock on an 870 is designed to unlock as soon as the trigger is pulled, but the bolt will not disengage from the barrel until the fore-end is brought back a centimeter or so. On guns that are broken-in and slicked up, the action will take very little force to open once unlocked, and even gravity can cause it to slide open. However, direct force on the closed breechface alone should never cause the action to open.
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texasjarhead
- New Shotgunner
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- Joined: Sat Mar 15, 2014 8:26 pm
Re: New Member 870 Question
Synchro-
My gun show 870 is definitely "broken in and slicked up". I'm pretty sure it's a police trade-in. There isn't a single speck of bluing remaining anywhere, and the barrel and receiver are turning a beautiful brownish-bronze patina.
I feel certain gravity/inertia was causing the bolt to open upon firing. Now that I know this is not uncommon, not a safety issue, and to anticipate it, I'm relieved I didn't buy a "pig in a poke". For me, it actually shoots better than the new 870 Express I bought last year, for less than half the price. This latest 870 will be perfect for what I bought it for- a "just in case gun"for my truck.
Thanks for the welcome, and your reply!
My gun show 870 is definitely "broken in and slicked up". I'm pretty sure it's a police trade-in. There isn't a single speck of bluing remaining anywhere, and the barrel and receiver are turning a beautiful brownish-bronze patina.
I feel certain gravity/inertia was causing the bolt to open upon firing. Now that I know this is not uncommon, not a safety issue, and to anticipate it, I'm relieved I didn't buy a "pig in a poke". For me, it actually shoots better than the new 870 Express I bought last year, for less than half the price. This latest 870 will be perfect for what I bought it for- a "just in case gun"for my truck.
Thanks for the welcome, and your reply!