I was having trouble with a quick second shot with my new used 870 Special Field (which is a huge disadvantage in the grouse woods!)...The fore-end seemed to bind against the barrel when I'd cycle the action. I noticed that I tend to torque the fore-arm clockwise (I'm right handed, so my left hand cycles the action) when I'd try for a quick followup shot, causing it to bind. Upon disassembly, I noticed that the tube assembly was off-center, further compounding the problem by making the forearm ride off-center on the mag tube, causing more binding. Anyway...I rotated the tube assembly in the forearm counter-clockwise...now the action is sooooo smooth. Being curious, yesterday I checked several 870's at the local shop for thisbinding, and one had the same problem. Has anyone else noticed this on their 870's? Also, what should I use to further smooth up the action? I've used Tetra grease on the slide rails, which helps, but I'm hesitant to use something abrasive. Thanks.
Quick 870 fix
- Thread starter JohnPL
- Start date
lockandrock
New member
Don't own a SF model but in the past when changing fore-arm grips I have installed the fore-arm and it was cocked or rotated causing the fore-arm to rub into the receiver edge. I've found this to be really a problem with most 3rd party stocks. Never seen it on a brand new 870.Good that you caught it and got it figured out.
2 methods of smoothing and they can be used together...
1,shoot a few cases of shells through it. If still not silky, repeat.
2, with a shotgun known to be empty, cycle it by pumping all through Jeopardy, or other good TV show. When your arms tire, switch and do some more.
Next, disassemble, and lightly polish all the wear marks with a crockstick,Hard Arkansas machinist's stone, Jeweler's rouge, or emery cloth. Then, lightly radius the edges of the action bars and remove all the flashing irregularities.
Remove all abrasives and lube with CLP or SLIP 2000. Reassemble and use...
1,shoot a few cases of shells through it. If still not silky, repeat.
2, with a shotgun known to be empty, cycle it by pumping all through Jeopardy, or other good TV show. When your arms tire, switch and do some more.
Next, disassemble, and lightly polish all the wear marks with a crockstick,Hard Arkansas machinist's stone, Jeweler's rouge, or emery cloth. Then, lightly radius the edges of the action bars and remove all the flashing irregularities.
Remove all abrasives and lube with CLP or SLIP 2000. Reassemble and use...
