I have a Rem. 870 Wingmaster that is missing the magazine cap detent and spring. This is the small spring loaded detent located on the barrel collar that keeps the magazine cap from coming loose. I was going to order the parts from Rem. and try installing them myself. I'm certainly not a gunsmith, but it doesn't seem like a complicated job. Question - can this be done with ordinary tools or is a special tool required? I was thinking of pressing the detent in with a C clamp or using a punch to push it in place. Should I try this myself or is the job best left to a pro? If you go to the 870 Schematic http://remington.com/pages/sup...rts-information.aspx

the parts in question are #'s 40 & 41.

Thanks for the help.

The thing is the pin needs to be staked in place and this requires a special tool or at least something improvised. You have to push the spring and pin in place with a punch that is hollowed out a little to the diameter of the pin then strike the punch to stake the pin in place.

With the right tools it can be done. But if you don't have them or a way to make said tools then I'd take it to a smith. I don't recommend using a center punch to stake the pin as it looks like a Bubba did it.

If you could drill and tap the hole you could get a threaded spring loaded detent from many different hardware sources. Mcmaster Carr for one. then a drop of red locktite top secure it.

Thanks for the info. Definately want to do it right, so it looks like a trip to the smith is in order.

They shouldn't charge to much either. Like around $50 at the very high end. More like $20 in reality.