Shotgun Barrel

[TheShootist]

Yes sir. I thought I saw a line right past the bead in the closeup photo that looked like the end of a barrel and the start of an extended choke. I was guessing that thing on the end would screw into the same threads a choke would. But now looking at the photo I'm noticing a pretty significant flare in the end of the barrel.

[DbeforeD]

I’m sorry for awaking a old thread, but I used the ‘search’ button and this one popped up. After I polled the QP’s, regular Army, Combat Control, PJ’s, and LEO’s I know about what kind of shotgun to buy for home defense; they recommended that Remington 870 or a Ithaca. So away I went to a local gun store to add to my small collection. When I arrived at said gun store I asked to see an 870. They asked me what I was going to use it for, hunting or home defense. I told them “I have an old Smith and Wesson 20ga. for bird hunting, so show me the meanest looking tactical shotgun you have. You know, before I can’t buy one anymore.” The guy behind the counter handed me a 870 desert recon, with guess what, a ‘breach barrel’. I have no problem with the barrel besides the fact that it scratches everything it touches. However, when I took it to try it out and shoot clay pidgins when I went to Utah, it would freeze after I discharged a round. I would get one, maybe two rounds off before the slide wouldn’t come back. It took me grabbing the slide in both hands and slamming the butt on the ground just to eject the spent shell. I cycled it without rounds, no problems. I cycled it with rounds without shooting it, no problems. Went back to the line and shot at some pidgins, bang, and frozen. I took it apart and lubricated the action, still sticks after discharge. The breach release in front of the trigger wouldn’t depress unless with some force, but even with it depressed, wouldn’t cycle. Now my friends joke saying that if I know how to shoot it, I should only need one shot, but anyone can see that this is a problem. Any help with this would be appreciated. Oh, and I haven’t tried to use any other kind of ammunition with it beside the bird shot we used at the shoot. I don’t know if that is a variable of not.


Sgt. V

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by DbeforeD

I’m sorry for awaking a old thread, but I used the ‘search’ button and this one popped up. After I polled the QP’s, regular Army, Combat Control, PJ’s, and LEO’s I know about what kind of shotgun to buy for home defense; they recommended that Remington 870 or a Ithaca. So away I went to a local gun store to add to my small collection. When I arrived at said gun store I asked to see an 870. They asked me what I was going to use it for, hunting or home defense. I told them “I have an old Smith and Wesson 20ga. for bird hunting, so show me the meanest looking tactical shotgun you have. You know, before I can’t buy one anymore.” The guy behind the counter handed me a 870 desert recon, with guess what, a ‘breach barrel’. I have no problem with the barrel besides the fact that it scratches everything it touches. However, when I took it to try it out and shoot clay pidgins when I went to Utah, it would freeze after I discharged a round. I would get one, maybe two rounds off before the slide wouldn’t come back. It took me grabbing the slide in both hands and slamming the butt on the ground just to eject the spent shell. I cycled it without rounds, no problems. I cycled it with rounds without shooting it, no problems. Went back to the line and shot at some pidgins, bang, and frozen. I took it apart and lubricated the action, still sticks after discharge. The breach release in front of the trigger wouldn’t depress unless with some force, but even with it depressed, wouldn’t cycle. Now my friends joke saying that if I know how to shoot it, I should only need one shot, but anyone can see that this is a problem. Any help with this would be appreciated. Oh, and I haven’t tried to use any other kind of ammunition with it beside the bird shot we used at the shoot. I don’t know if that is a variable of not.


Sgt. V

SGT V,

I've never heard of an 870 "freezing".

Sounds like some thing is stuck in the action or breech etc. Have some one that knows 870's take it apart and take a look.

Do not shoot it again until you do so.

Team Sergeant

[BryanK]

I have had similar issues with my 870. She does not like a low based steel hull. From my understanding, the steel hulled rounds expand and excessively "stick" in the chamber unlike their softer brass counterparts. The 870 extractors are not known for their reliability either. Try a turkey load if you can. Probably safer to heed TS's advice though.

[DbeforeD]

Yes Sir! Should I send it back to the factory?

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

The Factory should know about this for sure.
I'm not knowledgeable on breaching barrels but why should that stop me.... I believe the barrel is designed to "stand off" the target and allow much of the gasses to be blown out the sides of the barrel at target surface. I think that is to decrease the amount of blow back gotten from placing a normal barrel against a target or shooting from close in. So it is possible that there isn't enough backed up gas to loosen the expanded/brass or steel. SCRATCH THAT!
Or just the opposite... having the barrel close the the open end of the bore may keep too much pressure on the hull causing it to expand as does an overcharged round will expand and lock down a bolt. (don't ask me how I know...lol). Blitzzz

[jlcoad]

Originally Posted by DbeforeD

However, when I took it to try it out and shoot clay pidgins when I went to Utah, it would freeze after I discharged a round. I would get one, maybe two rounds off before the slide wouldn’t come back. It took me grabbing the slide in both hands and slamming the butt on the ground just to eject the spent shell.

Sgt. V

I found an article about the 870 that might help you.
http://www.alpharubicon.com/leo/rem870.htm

"The 870 also utilizes twin shell stops to prevent shells from slipping from the magazine tube. It is possible that a shell can slip from the magazine and wedge between the shell carrier (the part that lifts the shell from the magazine) and the slide assembly (the part that moves the bolt itself). In the new models of the 870 this problem has been cured by the installation of the "flexitab kit". It is very easy matter to clear this type of jam. Clearing is accomplished by slamming the weapon against a hard surface while racking the action. "


I called a friend with an 870 and he said he had the same problem awhile back. He told me he found the answer for his problem on www.thefireingline.com. Might not solve your problem but it solved his. It was all about polishing the chamber with steel wool.

To be safe though, do what TS said and have someone who knows look at it for you. Or polish the chamber and have someone else test fire it.:-)

[Sten]

Did you try various shell manufactures? My 870 with an aftermarket (Remington) slug barrel hated Winchester white box "dove" loads until I deburred and lightly polished the chamber. It runs fine now.

Not all hiccups are the harbinger of the fall of civilized society and the death of quality.

[dadof18x'er]

I've been stocking up on home defense ammo for my 870. So far I get #4's,(thats what I use on turkeys so I thought it would be ok for wingless turkeys) but was considering some 00 buck, what do you guys recommend for home defense?

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by dadof18x'er

I've been stocking up on home defense ammo for my 870. So far I get #4's,(thats what I use on turkeys so I thought it would be ok for wingless turkeys) but was considering some 00 buck, what do you guys recommend for home defense?

I would ask what do you think OO wil do the #4 can't??

An indoor encounter with either will result in massive penetration of what ever it hits.

In a room where the shot is approx 20 ft max. Both loads will fit in a 3-4 inch circle.

Now if your chasing the perp down the street while he/she tries to get away in their 73 ford pinto,, THEN you need slugs. They will penetrate the length of the vehicle,, plus the perp..

Better yet,, If you shoot 2 boxes a month,, buy what you shoot,, rotate monthly..

Forget about that once in a life time hero shot at 3:37 AM on a dark and moonless nite while waring your Fred Flintstone jammies. Aint gonna happen...

[dadof18x'er]

Originally Posted by JJ_BPK

I would ask what do you think OO wil do the #4 can't??

An indoor encounter with either will result in massive penetration of what ever it hits.

In a room where the shot is approx 20 ft max. Both loads will fit in a 3-4 inch circle.

Now if your chasing the perp down the street while he/she tries to get away in their 73 ford pinto,, THEN you need slugs. They will penetrate the length of the vehicle,, plus the perp..

Better yet,, If you shoot 2 boxes a month,, buy what you shoot,, rotate monthly..

Forget about that once in a life time hero shot at 3:37 AM on a dark and moonless nite while waring your Fred Flintstone jammies. Aint gonna happen...

good answer, thanks....now I need to take the turkey barrel off and replace it with an 18 in.

[craigepo]

Originally Posted by dadof18x'er

I've been stocking up on home defense ammo for my 870. So far I get #4's,(thats what I use on turkeys so I thought it would be ok for wingless turkeys) but was considering some 00 buck, what do you guys recommend for home defense?

I have heard that a great load for home defense is bird shot(7 1/2, 8, 9). The reason articulated is that, for the distances inside a house, the smaller shot is going to still have a lot of knockdown power. Additionally, the odds of the small bird-load sized shot passing through a layer or two of sheetrock and hitting a loved one are pretty small, and if it does happen damage should be minimal. This is under the presumption that you are considering firing the gun inside the house at an intruder. If you are considering sticking the barrel out the window and firing your final protective fire, I would shoot the biggest thing my gun would shoot (i.e slugs, buckshot).

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by craigepo

I have heard that a great load for home defense is bird shot(7 1/2, 8, 9). The reason articulated is that, for the distances inside a house, the smaller shot is going to still have a lot of knockdown power. Additionally, the odds of the small bird-load sized shot passing through a layer or two of sheetrock and hitting a loved one are pretty small, and if it does happen damage should be minimal. This is under the presumption that you are considering firing the gun inside the house at an intruder. If you are considering sticking the barrel out the window and firing your final protective fire, I would shoot the biggest thing my gun would shoot (i.e slugs, buckshot).

Da Judge has a point,,

But be warned,, when the corner arrives,,
The perp better have left COOPIEST(sic) AMOUNTS OF BLOOD IN THE HOUSE,,,
and he is laying WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON IN HIS HAND,,
AND you pulled the trigger BECAUSE YOU FEARED FOR YOUR LIFE,,
or the lives of associated loved ones,, standing behind you...

[Sierra Bravo]

I went with a Vang Custom Barrel and ghostring sights on my 870
no complaints here