Disassembling a Remington 870 Shotgun: A Step-by-Step Guide
The Remington 870 shotgun is a popular firearms among hunters and shooters worldwide, known for its durability, reliability, and effectiveness. As with any other firearms, regular maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance and extend its lifespan. One of the most important steps in maintaining your Remington 870 is to disassemble it. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to disassemble a Remington 870 shotgun.
Safety Precautions
Before disassembling your Remington 870, please ensure you take the necessary safety precautions:
- Wear safety glasses and gloves
- Ensure the shotgun is unloaded by removing the magazine and visualizing the chamber
- Ensure the trigger is separated or removed to prevent accidental firing
- Work on a flat surface, avoiding slippery or uneven surfaces
- Avoid handling the gun in a way that creates excessive noise or vibrations that could potentially trigger the hammer or firing mechanism
Contents
Removing the Muncie Receiver Cap
To begin the disassembly process, start by removing the Muncie receiver cap. Locate the cap on the bottom of the receiver, forward of the magazine tube and slightly to the right.
- Use a flat-head screwdriver or a screwdriver with a bent edge to pry the cap away from the receiver
- Be careful not to apply too much pressure, as the cap is glued to the receiver and may break if excessive force is used
- Once loose, remove the cap to expose the bolt and upper tang
**Removing the Bolt and Upper Tang
With the receiver cap removed, focus on disassembling the bolt and upper tang components:
- Remove the spring guide rod by pulling it straight out of the bolt
- Pull the firing pin assembly out of the bolt
- Remove the firing pin from the pin housing
- Remove the recoil spring from the recoiling assembly
- Rotate the bolt to the clock position (left side away from you)
- Place your fingers on the notch at the rear of the bolt and lift it upward
- Continue lifting the bolt until it comes away from the upper tang
**Removal of the Upper Receiver
After removing the bolt and upper tang, you can begin to disassemble the upper receiver:
- Locate the tang screw and remove the screw using a flathead screwdriver
- The upper receiver will now swing free from the lower receiver
- Carefully rotate the upper receiver away from the lower receiver
Disassembling the Lower Receiver
The lower receiver remains assembled with the magazine tube, trigger group, and safety:
- Remove the safety by lifting it from its tab on the lower receiver
- Pull the magazine tube away from the receiver by sliding it to the left
- Remove any internal components such as shells or obstructions
- Set the magazine tube to the side, keeping track of the order of all parts
Demilleding the Trigger and Safety
Demilling the trigger and safety components is an important part of disassembling the lower receiver:
- Remove any excess material on the surfaces to prevent interference with demilled parts
- Bend or grind the trigger or safety to render them unable to function
Reassembly
To reassemble the Remington 870 shotgun, follow these steps in reverse:
- Align the upper and lower receiver components and rotate the upper receiver into position
- Reattach the tang screw to secure the upper and lower receivers together
- Replace the recoil spring into the recoiling assembly, and then insert the recoil spring guide rod into the bolt
- Replace the firing pin into the firing pin housing and secure the pin
- Re-attach the spring guide rod and recoil spring
- Insert the firing pin back into the bolt
- Place the bolt back on the upper tang and reassemble the firing pin housing
Final Checkups and Storage
Before and after reassembling, conduct a visual inspection for any signs of wear or damage. Additionally, remove any residual grease or solvent used during disassembly. Place all components back in storage or containers for future cleaning, maintenance, or rebuilding. Label each compartment clearly to prevent mislabeled or misplaced parts
In conclusion, disassembling a Remington 870 shotgun is a task that requires patience, caution, and attention to detail. By following this comprehensive guide, you can achieve successful disassembly and potentially even rebuild your shotgun, keeping it in optimal operating condition. Always prioritize gun safety and maintenance to maximize your Remington 870’s performance and longevity.