gasp...a gun question (Rem 870)

[Lee]

I took one of my 870's apart for grins yesterday (hadn't done so in a long long time).  Anyway, the right shell latch fell out at some point...and I had to fiddle with it a bit to get it to stay in the right place as I reassembled the gun.  I don't remember it coming out before.  Are they supposed to be staked in or something?

[Boomhauer]

I think they are supposed to be staked.

I hear about restaking them on high roundcount guns all the time...

[41magsnub]

That happened to me last year.  My gunsmith staked it right back into place in 2 minutes while I waited and didn't charge me a thing.

Is it an older one?  This is a common problem and Remington started adding an extra stake or two on newer builds.  My smith staked it in the newer pattern.

[Lee]

Yeah, it's an old Wingmaster that rode in a police cruiser trunk for a couple of decades I'd guess....or at least when they weren't putting tape, or gum, or paint on it.  I just replaced it in the pecking order with an 870 Tacticool magnum model. Maybe it just couldn't take the desertion.  Crap...now I'll have to take her to the doctor....unless someone can give me a home remedy...hint hint.  If a gunsmith can do it in two minutes...I'll figure it out by July or August.

[DJJ]

Brownell's has the staking tools. It's just a hardened steel bar with a point. (In short), put the gun on a solid bench, put the point where you want the stake, and whack it with a hammer.

Edit: they have a more refined one, that doesn't require whacking:

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9495&title=REMINGTON%20870/1100%20SHELL%20LATCH%20STAKING%20TOOL

[Lee]

Thanks.  I'll probably order one.  Then 5 years from now, I'll find it in one of my drawers and wonder, what the hell is that thing?  I have a number of unidentified and forgotten things in my drawers....but then I'm old and married.

[Bob F.]

Thanks.  I'll probably order one.  Then 5 years from now, I'll find it in one of my drawers and wonder, what the hell is that thing?  I have a number of unidentified and forgotten things in my drawers....but then I'm old and married.

Lee: I can relate......................

[Balog]

I remember a buddy of mine taking an 870 apart, then doing the "box of parts" thing afterward. Not sure if he ever got it put back together....