Qs about changing mag spring in 870
- Thread starter eje
- Start date
Mag spring
www.brownells.com
Everybody should have a Brownells catalog!
If it is an old 870 without the dimples, just gently pry the retainer out with a screwdriver.
www.brownells.com
Everybody should have a Brownells catalog!
If it is an old 870 without the dimples, just gently pry the retainer out with a screwdriver.
brownells has a five shot scatergun tech. performanceb package, a real good spring and a solid high vic. follower. you can also buy a tool to remove and another to replace the retainer from them but i would not for a one time thing. just use a screwdriver or punch and carefully pop the retainer out. it's usually harder to put back in than get out you just have to hold the spring comp. in the tube and start working the lips of the retainer in .
Right on about putting it back in. I pad the jaws of a set of Channelocks with scrap leather and compress the retainer slightly to get it started in, then tap in with a plastic screwdriver handle. Go slowly.
But, while you've it apart...
Remove the spring and follower, and clean out the tube just like a barrel. Once all the grunge and stuff is gone, lube lightly, then run clean patches through until they stay pretty clean, and reassemble. I've seen agency 870s that gleamed on the outside, and had rust buildup inside from neglect and wet ammo.
But, while you've it apart...
Remove the spring and follower, and clean out the tube just like a barrel. Once all the grunge and stuff is gone, lube lightly, then run clean patches through until they stay pretty clean, and reassemble. I've seen agency 870s that gleamed on the outside, and had rust buildup inside from neglect and wet ammo.
A few tips for replacing the magazine spring gleaned from my garage shop gunsmithing.........
When you remove the retaining cap and old spring, hook the cap with a screwdriver tip and pry it out, BUT first cover the whole operation with a bath towel or similar cloth. This will prevent the spring from launching into the next county and your having to search for retainer plugs and followers all over the place.
Buy a 1/4 inch hardwood dowel, and use that for an installation tool for the new spring. Slip the dowell inside the coils of the spring, insert into the magazine tube, and compress the spring into the tube, then remove the dowel and replace the retainer. The hardest part of this operation is compressing the spring without having it kink. It really wants to come out of that tube! The dowel will prevent that.
It goes without saying that, if this is a hunting shotgun, this is the time to put the plug back in the gun while you are putting the new spring in. The same installation procedure applies, just put the plug in the end of the spring and insert it into the tube first, then work the dowel into the spring and proceed as above.
Good luck!
When you remove the retaining cap and old spring, hook the cap with a screwdriver tip and pry it out, BUT first cover the whole operation with a bath towel or similar cloth. This will prevent the spring from launching into the next county and your having to search for retainer plugs and followers all over the place.
Buy a 1/4 inch hardwood dowel, and use that for an installation tool for the new spring. Slip the dowell inside the coils of the spring, insert into the magazine tube, and compress the spring into the tube, then remove the dowel and replace the retainer. The hardest part of this operation is compressing the spring without having it kink. It really wants to come out of that tube! The dowel will prevent that.
It goes without saying that, if this is a hunting shotgun, this is the time to put the plug back in the gun while you are putting the new spring in. The same installation procedure applies, just put the plug in the end of the spring and insert it into the tube first, then work the dowel into the spring and proceed as above.
Good luck!