[ElectricZombie]

I recently emailed Wilson Combat and asked them what model of 870 their line of shotguns was made from. I was somewhat suprised to receive an email back stating that they use Express Magnums. I assumed that they most likely used the Police models, but I guess there isn't a ton of difference in the Express. Knowing this, I'll probably end up building my own shotgun based on a basic 870.

 

[mike100]

the $500 marine magnum also has the plastic trigger assembly, but at least the extractor didn't look cast.

I guess my express project won't be a bad idea after all. might get an aluminum trigger set off ebay though.

 

[remster]

I know casting is cheaper - not as good and yall dont like crap on your shotguns, but has there ever been a real problem with an express model falling apart/failing/reciever or bolt cracking. Just want to be safe(i have express) thanx.

 

[mike100]

The only thing I hear about and have seen 1st hand is that inexpensive shells seem to stick in the chamber on expresses after the brass expanded a little.

never happened to me however. i'm sure the wilson one gets some special attention to such areas of concern.

 

[chips]

The only thing I hear about and have seen 1st hand is that inexpensive shells seem to stick in the chamber on expresses after the brass expanded a little.

that's a problem with the ammo, not the gun. in the thousands of rounds through them, i've never had brass stick in the chamber of either of my 870's.

 

[WingMaster]

that's a problem with the ammo, not the gun. in the thousands of rounds through them, i've never had brass stick in the chamber of either of my 870's.

No, it's the gun, not the ammo. Remington Express Super Magnums are notorious for this very issue.

My buddy's super mag does this, my express mag does not, standing side by side shooting the same ammo.

It's the chamber of his firearm that causes this problem, not the ammo.

 

[remster]

wouldnt it be the barrel since that is what the shell goes in? or is that what you meant? I had my gun (870 Exp SM) jam 2 times within the first two weeks of having it. Happy to say I've been JAM FREE for the past year!(yes that was supposed to sound cheezy :roll

I've shot all kinds of rounds from it, slugs, mags, cheap, exp - they all work. One last thing, if it does jam you just grab the forend FIRMLY and smack the buttstock on the ground. It jars the shell loose. (At first you may say "brutal :shock: " just remember it IS a shotgun )

 

[WingMaster]

wouldnt it be the barrel since that is what the shell goes in? or is that what you meant?

Where the "shell goes in" is called the chamber, not the barrel.

 

[CartridgeGuy]

Wingmaster, you are correct. The shell goes into the chamber, however the chamber is part of the barrel.

 

[WingMaster]

Wingmaster, you are correct.

Yes, I know.

The shell goes into the chamber, however the chamber is part of the barrel.

And the projectile(s) exit the barrel when discharged through the muzzle, which is part of the barrel, but it has it' own name.

Sorry, but I think a shooters should learn nomemclature, especially on a forum where you use the written word for communication.

 

[paradox]

And the projectile(s) exit the barrel when discharged through the muzzle, which is part of the barrel, but it has it' own name.
.

Shouldn't that be "the projectile(s) exit the barrel when discharged through the crown of the muzzle"?

:lol:

 

[mike100]

So I guess "shootin' iron" would be innapropriate.

 

[WingMaster]

Shouldn't that be "the projectile(s) exit the barrel when discharged through the crown of the muzzle"? :lol:

Only if the muzzle has actually been crowned.

 

[CartridgeGuy]

Never seen a crowned shotgun barrel.....

Anyway, Wingmaster it's good to have a person of your vast knowledge here to ensure that we are not leading newcomers to the sport astray.

Feel free to visit the other forums and correct as many poeple as you can. It's great for morale to constantly correct those members who have made this site what it is, and I'm sure you have impressed any newcomers. Keep up the good work!

Shotgunworld: The Friendliest Shotgun Site on the Internet!

 

[WingMaster]

Thanks Mr. Pot.

Sincerely, Mr. Kettle.

 

[urbanredneck]

Wilson seems always to try to use the cheapest components when building their guns. They haven't started using Tacstar magazine extensions yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon at the rate they are going.

Wilson: Build up Express shotguns.

Vang Comp: Build up Police models.

By the way, I suppose it's not that intereresting when we have such a gripping discussion of nomenclature happening here, but I'm sure the point remster was trying to make was that if the brass sticking problem was related to the chamber, then the problem was in the barrel, not the Express receiver. There aren't Express barrels of which I am aware, and if it was indeed a barrel-related problem it would manifest itself whether the barrel was installed on an Express, Police or Wingmaster.

I've never heard of the problem myself, but one way it could be related to the bolt and receiver (if it's actually a problem) is maybe an issue with the extractor.

 

[Slider]

urbanredneck,

Actually, Vang Comp offers both 870 Express and 870 Police. The Vang Comp website has a good explanation of the differences between the two models and informs the customer that choosing one or the other should be dictated by the amount of use/absue to which the firearm will be subject. In other words, the Police model is a better choice if the shotgun is to be subject to a lot of rough treatment.

 

[WingMaster]

There aren't Express barrels of which I am aware, and if it was indeed a barrel-related problem it would manifest itself whether the barrel was installed on an Express, Police or Wingmaster.

At the risk of being jumped on again by the cartridge guy, there are express barrels. Remington has separate part numbers for express, special purpose, wingmaster, and light contour barrels.

 

[John3200]

The shell sticking in the chamber of 870 Express guns is not terribly uncommon. I have an older 870 Express and some 3in shells would stick in mine when I got new as well. They would stick very tightly. 10 minutes with a drill, a piece of cleaning rod, a 12ga bronze bore brush, some cloth and some JB Bore Cleaner Compound fixed the problem.

I chucked the last section of a shotgun cleaning rod into an electric dril. Into that I put the 12ga bronze bore brush, I wrapped a piece of thin cloth around the brush and put a good amount of JB Bore Cleaner (it's slightly abrasive) onto the cloth. I then used that to pollish the chamber of my Express barrel by spinning the cloth covered brush for a few minutes in it.

My gun has worked flawlessly ever since.

 

[remster]

So what causes the shells to stick? is it that the bolt doesnt fully rotate to disengage or what? If so you could probly polish the bolt to help reduce friction.