Winchester 870 20 gauge reassembly problem

[Bill]

First, I feel like a rookie not being able to reassemble my daughter's Win 870 2.75"/ 3" youth model.

I was not able to get the 2 shell tabs depressed to replace the bolt/ carrier on the action bars. Somehow (frustration?) I pushed hard and it jammed up. She brought it to a local gun shop (not the smith) and they were able to pull it apart- but noted there is a problem.

What seems to have happened on the left side (opposite of the ejection port) is the long piece of metal ending in the shell tab has moved forward and is now covering a portion of the front hole, preventing the pin from passing through the receiver to secure the trigger assembly. The rear hole and pin are ok.





Without the trigger assembly, I can not get the left shell tab to depress fully to get the action bar to slide into the receiver. I am aware of using the hole in the action bar for an alignment point to push.

From the inside, it looks like the bar is not able to be pressed, being too far forward.





I gently tried to put a punch on the hole and slide the bar forward, but it would not move so I did not force it.

Is this user-repairable or do I need to get it to a gunsmith?



..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Texas Grown]

Did ya mean "Remington" 870?

Interesting. I've never had this prob on all the 870s I've own(ed). Shouldn't be to much of a prob to get back straight.

[Bill]

Stupid of me, Rem 870.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[Razorback01]

I have a 16ga Wingmaster that does the same thing. Get the bar lined up with the hole so the pin can go through. Once in line, put the trigger assy back in as well as the pins to hold the bars in place, then go back in with the pump slide/bolt.

Sometimes mine goes together first time, sometimes takes several times.

[IowaHunter]

Youtube has a bunch of videos. I always run to it when I get stuck.

Maybe this one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2wWNsWj0GI

[berettadave]

The "bar" that slipped is called the shell latch(left and right). They are notorious for slipping. With it slipped out of alignment with the hole in the receiver, it's whats keeping you from depressing the tab. The shell latches are simply staked in so you should be able to slide it back to the original position. Sometimes they even fall out and you have to fiddle with them to get them back in. I've re-staked them before with a punch. Once they are in and the trigger group is in, they will not come loose until you remove the trigger group again.

[Bill]

Do I insert something thin (like a small screwdriver blade) between the shell latch and receiver, separate them , realign the holes and press into the correct location? Not try to slide it in the track. Thanks- my wife said as the guys in Texas, they always come through for you.


..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[berettadave]

You should be able to just slide it back in alignment without separating it from the receiver. If you pry it outward you risk it coming loose from the receiver. If that happens, you can still get it back in but it becomes more of a pain. I would take a small screwdriver that will fit in the hole and gently tap the screwdriver it in the direction the latch needs to go. Shouldn't take much.

Dave

[Bill]

Dave,

Thanks. I will try to slide it back. What must have happened was when I jammed it without the trigger assembly installed, they forced the assembly forward and doing so, succeeded in moving the shell latch.

I now know more about Remington 870s that I did before.

You guys are the best. You know if I can ever help in return, I'm only a PM away.

[35remington]

[Bill]

Done, thanks.
I like my Browning Gold more and more with each duck season I shoot!




..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

[srcortez1]

Right!

[Bill]

The adjustment was done with a thin allen head screwdriver inserted in the hole, and gently prying the shell latch lever (bar w hole) to the rear.

If I had to do this often, I'd make a plastic tool to twist and push the 2 ends outwards. My fingers don't bend that way in the small 20 gauge receiver.



..... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.