Jammed a 7th shell in a 6 shell magazine

T

TheKlawMan

Moderator
While experimenting with different procedures for loading my 870, specifically while trying to load a 7th 2-3/4 inch round in a 6 round magazine, 4 round plus a 2 round extension, I jammed the action up good. Somehow I had wedged #7 part way into the mag and then compounded the problem when I tried to clear thinks by pulling the forestock back.

I cleared it by removing the magazine extension and dumping the rounds out of the tube. I thought it the safest way to clear the rounds. In an emergency is there a better way to clear a jam of that sort? (I think I read that such a jam can also occur when one half racks a shell and then tries to rack another and in such cases LEOs are trained to hold the but to the ground and to pull back hard on the rack. I beleive police 870s now have a split elevator that is supposed to prevent the problem.)
 
I think not loading a 7th shell is a 6 round magazine would solve the problem.

I have short-stroked once and slid the shell back into the magazine with a knife. Probably wouldn't work in you overload the tube though.
 
Yeah, psycho nut. I intentionally tried to feed the 7th knowing it wouldn't take but to see what would occur. The better procedure to clear the jam was what I was after. I didn't try a knife, but thought of it, thinking the safest procedure may be to release pressure by removing the magazine cap.
 
Yea, you may need a new spring. Dont try that anymore. I ran out of shells one day and my buddy had 3.5" and I shoot 3" so I grabbed 3 and they loaded right up so I thought cool im good to go. Well first shot she was all jammed up. Ended up cutting the plastic part of the shell away with a knife and smushing the brass down with pliars to remove the fired shell. The other 2 I just dumped out the end
 
I doubt that I goofed the mag spring up as I didn't force things. It seems to feed fine, but will see how it performs at the ranbge. I will curb my curiousity.
 
This is easy to do, because shotgun shells vary in UNFIRED length. Some shells are shorter than others and you can almost get a 7th shell in.

This is why many shotgunners install a Choate or Scattergun Tech extended follower.
The "tail" on the follower prevents forcing in the 7th shell.
 
Upon reassembly I couldn't feed the 6th round into the magazine. Removed the spring and follower and didn't see any damage so I reassembled with care that the spring was nested inside the follower. Loaded 6 with no problem. Thanks to all for your advice.
 
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