Stiff action after upgrading ancient 870 Police Mag

[JeffCooper]

I think I figured this out. Had a pair of 870 Police Magnums trade-ins and went to restore them. They were stiff out of the package, and my boy wanted wooden stocks and forend s. Mission almost accomplished. The original forends were cranked down tight (way over tight) AND corroded.

It took all my strength and the special castle nut tool to break the first one loose. It was BAD. So without assigning blame, the action was tight to start...removing the severely corroded castle nut to remove the forend stock, I ended up with action bars/tube that was clearly not round any more. The bars/slid on but were really tight on the mag tube. The result was stiff action. Like, if I keep pumping, I'll look like Popeye.

I think I can make it round again, but as a backup I found a tube with action bars for $50 shipped. Not worried about the tube any more...but want to make sure the bars are correct, as the bars are from an Express.

I think the lesson learned here is that if that forend looks tight and corroded, expect to either live with the forend as is, or twist the sh*t out of the castle nut and potentially twist the tube.

Folks - other thoughts? What about the action bars?

[JeffCooper]

Just a quick follow--up. I found a used 870 Action Bar and tube. Perfect replacement and now the action is buttery-smooth. $40. I'd like to make that the round again so I have a spare. I'll let ya know how that works out!

I'm past functional checks and need a trip to the range for a full safety chexk. This my son's gun, so I'll safety check it myself!

Anyway, I'm back in (smooth) action!