I have fired three boxes of Rio game loads through my 1954 870. Discovered that every eighth time or so, the gun would fail to lock into battery. Gun is clean, including the notch in the barrel extension that the bolt locks into.
Right away, I suspected something worn inside the old gun, but before making a trip to the 'smith, I fired a box of Remington heavy pheasant loads through it. They fired and cycled through it perfectly (and I have the bruised shoulder to prove it!).
870 experts, what are your thoughts on this?
Last edited by JeffyD; 03/26/22.