Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing Remington 870 Express spring?

I own an 870 that I have been having issues for some time. Problem begins WHEN I start to reassemble the slide action. It gets caught and most times will not allow the slide action/ejector to reassemble. The slide gets stuck and will not fit into receiver. Crazy question. Does this 870, 20 gauge actually have an ejector spring? I have disassembled to find none. Looked online for an exploded view and shows. S it possible that this was broken and went missing? I have an older 870 Wingmaster that has performed flawlessly since 1975. No problems whatsoever. But, the newer 870 Express always reassembling problems.
Yes, this may be a stupid question. But, here it is. MTG

The bbl. Retention guide is in place. Not broken to allow bbl. to move, but no obvious spring. MTG

Found solution.,MTG

I know you said you found the solution but let’s go through the questions for other’s education. The 20 ga. 870 does not have an ejector spring.
For some reason, the later 20 ga. 870 Express shotguns are a real bear to reassemble. The narrow receiver is not wide enough to get enough fingers in to depress the shell stops. Glad to know I’m not the only one to have the problem.

Let me be absolutely clear. Are you saying the 870 Express models do NOT have an ejector spring? Yes, they are a bear to reassemble. I have found that my 20 gauge Express needs considerable lubrication to reassemble. Once completed I remove what lube possible. MTG

The 20’s don’t use the ejector spring. 12’s have the spring.

Kp321, thanks for the information. Yes, my old 12 gauge 870 Wingmaster does have an ejector spring. Is there any reason Remington left out the ejector spring? MTG