Remington 870 Return To Zero Post Cleaning/Barrel Removal?

[Magsz]

Hey guys,

Google search didn't yield much.

I recently took apart my Vang Comp 870 to change some furniture on it and after reassembly the zero was off at 5, 10, 15 and 25 yards with federal fight control buck. It was consistently off, ie patterning eight inches left of center.

Are these things supposed to be "return to zero" or do I have to confirm zero every time I remove the barrel? Barrels aren't removed all that often so it's not a huge deal I was more curious than anything.

I didn't check my zero with slugs so I can't really comment on how "off" those might have been.

Thanks guys!

[Hambo]

Hey guys,

Google search didn't yield much.

I recently took apart my Vang Comp 870 to change some furniture on it and after reassembly the zero was off at 5, 10, 15 and 25 yards with federal fight control buck. It was consistently off, ie patterning eight inches left of center.

Are these things supposed to be "return to zero" or do I have to confirm zero every time I remove the barrel? Barrels aren't removed all that often so it's not a huge deal I was more curious than anything.

I didn't check my zero with slugs so I can't really comment on how "off" those might have been.

Thanks guys!

My 870P with a ghost ring never changed zero.

[Rex G]

Is the “furniture” anywhere near the fore end or barrel? Some aftermarket fore ends will touch the barrel, especially if any twisting force is applied.

[Magsz]

Is the “furniture” anywhere near the fore end or barrel? Some aftermarket fore ends will touch the barrel, especially if any twisting force is applied.

Nope.

I wasn't putting any twisting force on the fore end so I can't imagine I was pulling on the gun that much. Hmmm.

[mmc45414]

Any chance it wasn't tight when you sighted it in?

[DDTSGM]

Check to see that the fore end is fully and firmly seated. If you don't have the fore end tube nut fully seated, it may keep the barrel from fully seating.

Put the shotgun together. Snug the mag tube end cap. Drop the shotgun a couple inches onto the recoil pad to fully set the barrel. Snug end cap again. Open the action and check to see if the ejector and barrel extension/hood are mated as in this picture:

115160

You shouldn't be able to grab the barrel and shift/twist it with any movement.

Additionally, make sure you are assembling and installing mag tube extensions correctly.

[Chuck Whitlock]

What, if any, mag tube extensions are you using?

I had an issued 870 police magnum that I ditched the factory +2 extension for a Wilson +1, because the factory clamp would push the extension and barrel apart, and creating hangups in the mag tube.

[gato naranja]

What, if any, mag tube extensions are you using?

I had an issued 870 police magnum that I ditched the factory +2 extension for a Wilson +1, because the factory clamp would push the extension and barrel apart, and creating hangups in the mag tube.

Some barrels were absolutely not compatible with some receivers/magazine tubes. I was once told why but can no longer recall the deal.

In other cases it was tolerance stacking.

[gato naranja]

Some barrels were absolutely not compatible with some receivers/magazine tubes. I was once told why but can no longer recall the deal.

I know for certain that on my current 870P/DEA-type low-profile XS sighted barrel setup, I need a factory clamp that has an "X" stamped on it right near the hole for the clamp's transverse screw. A clamp minus the "X" really tried to push the barrel and extension apart... as in "this is going to damage something" apart.

[Magsz]

It's a vang 870 with their plus two extension.

I am using a Magpul barrel clamp.

That could be what caused the point of impact shift. That actually makes sense. I torqued the clamp to the same spec but its' not oriented EXACTLY the same as it's impossible to put that back in the EXACT same spot every time.

Anyone think this is a valid theory?

The barrel is seated fully to the poster that mentioned it.

[DDTSGM]

It's a vang 870 with their plus two extension.

I am using a Magpul barrel clamp.

That could be what caused the point of impact shift. That actually makes sense. I torqued the clamp to the same spec but its' not oriented EXACTLY the same as it's impossible to put that back in the EXACT same spot every time.

Anyone think this is a valid theory?

The barrel is seated fully to the poster that mentioned it.

I think it is a valid theory.

Vang says their +2 is rigid enough to use w/o a barrel clamp. Maybe take the clamp off, remove barrel, reinstall and shot, then repeat to sif it holds POI. Then you will know. Then you will have a decision to make as to the clamp - I ass-u-me you're using it as a sling mount point.

[Magsz]

I think it is a valid theory.

Vang says their +2 is rigid enough to use w/o a barrel clamp. Maybe take the clamp off, remove barrel, reinstall and shot, then repeat to sif it holds POI. Then you will know. Then you will have a decision to make as to the clamp - I ass-u-me you're using it as a sling mount point.

Nailed it.

Sling point. Hrmph... lol.

I could go back to the vang/GG&G sling mount i've got for this shotgun and ditch the Magpul clamp.

I'll have to test all of this out eventually.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Shooting it with and without the clamp installed should tell the tale.

I'm sure that you are already aware that shooting slung up with a rigid sling can pull the barrel, too.

[Magsz]

Shooting it with and without the clamp installed should tell the tale.

I'm sure that you are already aware that shooting slung up with a rigid sling can pull the barrel, too.

Yeppers.

No sling was being run when I was patterning post cleaning.

I'll run the gun without the clamp the next time I'm at the range and report back. It probably wont be until March.

Thanks for the help guys!