Remington 870 trigger reset and barrel tightness

[Jeff Porter]

Gunsmiths - I have an 870 super magnum 3 1/2" receiver with 28" ribbed 3 1/2" barrel with removable chokes and a 3" slug barrel. I have shot this gun for several years and have just noticed today that it will occasionally not hold the hammer back when cocking. I run the slide and load a round but the hammer is not cocked. I noticed it when I recently swapped to the slug barrel on and tightened the magazine end cap fully, it would not cock at a higher percentage of the time. When I backed off the end cap 7-8 detent clicks, it runs like it should. I swapped to the bird barrel and confirmed that it was doing the same thing, but not as frequently as the slug barrel and backing it off 7-8 clicks made it run too.

WTF? I want to sell it as I have a new Bennelli but need to know what is causing this. If I keep it it is no big deal for me to remember to tighten the end cap and come back 8 clicks but, it aint right.

 

[Jeff Porter]

NVM - Figured it out. The castle nut in the fore end grip had backed off and made the slide short stroke. tightening that back up gave me more throw with the slide and cocks it every time now.