Inspecting A Used Shotgun

[Mr. Designer]

I'm looking for a used shotgun, most likely a Remington 870 Police, and was wondering how I can check to make sure it's in proper condition while in the store.

 

[Pete409]

Ask the store manager what his guarantee is on used guns. If the gun is faulty, most gun stores will allow you to return it in exchange for another gun of equal value or apply the full purchase price to another gun of your choice.

 

[Dave McCracken]

With 10 million 870s out there, my guess is 9,999,999 or so of them are still out there working well and sans glitches.

If takes serious abuse and neglect to make an 870 NOT work.

A couple areas to check are....

The extractor should be unchipped, with a good hook showing. Look at one known to work as an example. A new extractor is inexpensive and easy to replace, I'm told.

The Ejector mounted on the receiver wall sometimes gets chipped on the forward corner. Feel for roughness, if none you're fine. A new ejector is a factory replacement.

Wear marks on the mag tube are simply indications the 870 has been pre-smoothed.

HTH....

 

[mswestfall]

Look for wear on everything. Look for pitting in the metal and dings in the stock. Look at the interior including all moving parts for glossy spots that show wear. Look at the face of the bolt for wear; many rounds thru the gun will show a ring where the shell base impacts the bolt face.

Hold the barrel up and ding it with something solid (like your wedding ring) and listen for a ringing sound or a thud. A thud is bad.

Compare it to a new 870 for looks and note any differences.

Be sure to look thru the barrel with a light. This will show pitting (rust) and wear in what should be a shiny tube.

Check the action to see how smooth it operates. Look to see that it is lubricated and compare it to a new gun. See if the forearm is sloppy (loose).

Remove the magazine cap and the forearm and see if the magazine tube is warn or scratched.

Sorry to ramble on but this is what comes to mind.

 

[Mr. Designer]

Thanks. I appreciate the comments.

 

[classic095]

A good shop should have SNAP CAPS that you can run through the gun..