I have a family member dropping off a rem 870 that supposedly has an extraction problem when using steel shot. Apparently has no problem with lead, but steel hangs it up a bit. I briefly looked at it the other day and it seems to cycle smooth enough with no binding. Any ideas off the top of anyones head? I'll know more of course once I've looked at it but wondered if anyone out there has seen this before rather than me spending time reinventing the wheel.

Thanks,

Mark

Mark,

Extraction problems on the Rem 870 is not caused by using lead or steel shot. Extraction problems on this gun are the result of either chamber damage, broken/damaged extractor, extractor hooks or a broken/damaged ejector.

That said, if the chamber is rough or damaged, using a heavy load (steel) can cause the brass to expand into the damaged area and cause the case to stick. I would look here first.

Malm

I had the same problem with my 30 year old Wingmaster. It would not extract heavy duck loads but light dove loads were no problem. I got some good solvent and really scrubbed the chamber to get all the plastic out. I then had my gunsmith replace the extractor and extractor spring. Haven't had any problems since.

NoCAL

Mr. Malmborg,

I suppose I should really wait until I get the gun and look at it before I waste yours or anyone else's time, but I was wanting to get some ideas before I started poking at it.

To my way of thinking, it should almost certainly be a dirty or damaged chamber. I fail to see how extractor or ejector problems can cause the cases to be sticky on cycling of the action. I could see if the extractors slipped off the rim and left the shell stuck in the chamber, but other than that I am at a loss. Please wisen me up if I am missing something obvious here.

My plan of action was to clean and mike the inside of the chamber to see if any bulging is present, and shoot some different loads in it and measure the brass before and after and see how any expansion would compare to the ease of extraction on that round.

Of course I'll probably just find a lot of plastic residue in the chamber and when I clean it the problem goes away.....

I'll just make sure I pick the gun up tomorrow and look at it tomorrow nite.

Mark