Remington 870 Express magnum 20ga won't feed 3" shells.

[Jaymo]

Long story short, in the mid 1990s, I decided I was tired of lugging my 12 gauge around all day when hunting doves, squirrels, and rabbits.
So, I bought a nearly new 870 Express Magnum from a local shop.
I hunted with it and enjoyed how much less it weighed and kicked.
It's always cycled 2-3/4" shells without fail.
However, it never would cycle 3" shells through the magazine. I could load them in there, but they wouldn't feed out of the mag and onto the carrier/elevator when the action was cycled.
The shop I bought it from told me I'd have to send it to Remington to get it fixed.
I didn't want to be without my dove and small game gun in the middle of hunting season.

Flash forward 25 years, and I want it to cycle both shell lengths like it's supposed to.
It was unfired but previously owned, when I bought it.
I've kept it clean and oiled.

I'd like to be able to use 3" slugs and buckshot with it.
And, yes, the barrel is clearly marked that it is for use with 2-3/4" and 3" shells.
And, the receiver is clearly marked that it is an 870 Express Magnum.

Does anyone here know what would cause this oddly specific prejudicial feeding issue? Everything I've found online is about a pump shotgun that won't feed any shells at all. Nothing about one that only gags on 3".



TIA

 

[entropy]

Start with replacing the magazine spring. Cheap and easy to do.

When the action was cycled how? The 870, like most pumps works best when cycled vigorously. There are cuts in the bottom of the action bars that time the opening of the shell release, and the shell stop.

Is the action, or the barrel marked Magnum? It is possible for a 3" Magnum barrel to fit on a 2 3/4" receiver, and there is the possibility of this happening. (It shouldn't, however.)

The simplest solution is, of course, don't shoot 3" slugs or buck! There is no reason to; (especially in 20 ga.!) There is nothing a 3" slug will do that a 2 3/4" won't, and 3" buck doesn't pattern as well, and the couple extra pellets aren't worth the pain and flinching.

 

[Jaymo]

Vigorously. I always cycle my pumps vigorously.
Both the receiver and the barrel are marked Magnum.

 

[entropy]

I still recommend changing the magazine spring. Unless you've done so since you bought it, it is 25 years old.

 

[Jaymo]

Will do.
However, It's done it since 1995.