New 870 Express not Ejecting Fired Hull

[HikerHunter]

Not to hijack the thread... 

Has anyone seen an issue where you fire an 870, and the pump action sticks and won't come back.  After a couple quick pulls it comes back and ejects the shell just fine.

I have an older 870 (probably '91) that I have used and abused and has recently started doing this from time to time.

I have an 870 express of that vintage that had similar issues as you describe a few years back. One time when I had the gun apart, I noticed the underside of the wood on the pump was rubbed smooth. It seems like I had gotten the wood pump soaked enough times that it swelled and was randomly sticking, then just as you described, after a few tries it would eject just fine.

I sanded down the wood in that area and haven't had a problem since. Hope that helps!

[woodswalker]

Thanks for all the great feedback... I checked my barrel, and I honestly don't really feel any imperfections to dremel tool out. I feel very shallow ridges, they are tightly spaced, and they are very fine. I'll try and smooth these out, but man, they are very fine, and not sure if they would cause a hull to not eject. Looking forward to smoothing them out none the less.  I bought a box of Remington Peters 3" (blue hull) steel to try...Hope the issue goes away!!

Those "fine ridges" can cause a shell to stick, especially ones with a steel head instead of brass...the brass springs back more than the steel and is easier to extract.  As far as extractors, there is a SLIGHT difference in angle between the old extractor and the new one...my 0.02$ says that is an issue.

Aaron
Grumpys Gun Repair.

[ctwiggs1]

That pin must be worn or gummy or something.   870 pump is one of the most dependable guns God created

Mine is the least dependable I've ever owned.  Different strokes and maybe I got into it with a bad batch but I've had more problems with my 870 in 10 years than my Mossberg in 20.

[HikerHunter]

That pin must be worn or gummy or something.   870 pump is one of the most dependable guns God created

Mine is the least dependable I've ever owned.  Different strokes and maybe I got into it with a bad batch but I've had more problems with my 870 in 10 years than my Mossberg in 20.

My 870 express has been extremely reliable over the 25 years that I've owned it. I have heard issues about the more recent vintage 870's though

[C-Money]

I ordered a new extractor today from Midway USA. Since I can easily back emptys out of the barrel with my fingernail, figured it would be worth a try. I will also polish as recommended.

[Rob]

Not to hijack the thread... 

Has anyone seen an issue where you fire an 870, and the pump action sticks and won't come back.  After a couple quick pulls it comes back and ejects the shell just fine.

I have an older 870 (probably '91) that I have used and abused and has recently started doing this from time to time.

Yeah, I had that issue.  When it happens you need to hold the slide as tight as you can and slam the buttstock on the ground.  Obviously, muzzle control is difficult but important.

Most of the time in my case, disassembly and a thorough cleaning would help, particularly all the hard to reach parts in the receiver.  There are a couple flat springs that would get junk under them as well as leaves, grass, mud, etc.

Not to hijack the thread... 

Has anyone seen an issue where you fire an 870, and the pump action sticks and won't come back.  After a couple quick pulls it comes back and ejects the shell just fine.

I have an older 870 (probably '91) that I have used and abused and has recently started doing this from time to time.

I have an 870 express of that vintage that had similar issues as you describe a few years back. One time when I had the gun apart, I noticed the underside of the wood on the pump was rubbed smooth. It seems like I had gotten the wood pump soaked enough times that it swelled and was randomly sticking, then just as you described, after a few tries it would eject just fine.

I sanded down the wood in that area and haven't had a problem since. Hope that helps!

Thanks to both of you!  Will look mind over with a bit more detail.

[C-Money]

The new extractor came in the mail today. The swap was pretty easy, getting the old one out was a little tougher than putting the new one in. Tried 3 flathead screwdrivers, finding I needed one narrow and thin to work best. Ended up using a screwdriver on my Leatherman tool. I also ended up pulling out the bolt, as my fingers were not able to get the old one out while assembled. I went out and scouted for open water, and found all of the ponds I like to hunt were frozen over solid. While out, I fired one of the shells that were chronic non ejectors. It ejected with ease. I then fired 3 more in rapid succession, and all ejected as they should, very nicely. Hope I am set, need a good waterfowl shoot to really put it to the test.
New extractor on right, and new extractor installed.

[CP]

   Glad to see that you're up and running. 

[C-Money]

Got out this morning on a goose hunt. 870 worked perfect with the new extractor in a real hunting situation. My son & I brought home a few geese as well. Was a good morning, now on to an afternoon duck hunt.

[HikerHunter]

Awesome! Thanks for the follow-up