Looking for 870 repair information

[vicmik35]

Greetings from new member. Am a long time 870 owner (1960/61), retired AF (27 years), currently living in FLA.

When I joined the AF, I stored my 870 in my parents basement in WI. It was damp down there, and the end of the barrel got badly rusted and pitted. I removed the rust with steelwool and oil, but the pitting remained, and the blueing went with the rust. A looking for someone who can repair the pitted area, and then reblue it. Don't want the pitted area just cold blued or something. Can the barrel be sent back to Remington for repair?? Appreciate any help.......

[Zebra62]

While I understand the want for repairing the original barrel, it may be a much less expensive option to replace it, especially if it is badly pitted.

Not having much experience in gun repair, I do have some knowledge in body repair on cars. Pits in metal are basically the same no matter if it is the quarter panel of a Mach 1 or the barrel of an 870. Filling pits takes either many coats of a sandable primer then a nice top coat or some sort of filler to be sanded out, primed and coated. I don't know of any filler you can use on a gun barrel, but there are several different gun coating products on the market.

Strongly recommend you consult your local gunsmith for an estimate and weigh the option of a replacement barrel.

Hope you find a happy solution for your vintage 870.

[vicmik35]

Thanks Zebra62, yes have considered that. Am simply trying to keep the gun all original as the rest of the gun is about 95%. The area in question is only about the size of a dime, so cold blueing it would pretty much hide the area, it would just be slightly rough to the touch. It is a cosmetic thing, has nothing to do with function of the gun. Have a Hastings barrel with choke tubes I use mostly on the gun anyway. I spoke to Remington repair and they said there is no way to fill in small pitting and then have it blued like original. Will give it some more thought. Gunsmiths in my area are few and far between...............

[Synchronizor]

What type of barrel is it, and is the pitting confined to the muzzle? If you want to keep the barrel for sentimental reasons, shortening it to remove the damaged end might be an option.

[vicmik35]

It's the original barrel that came with the gun, 28" Full Choke, 3" magnum.

Also bought a 20" slug barrel with the gun since our county in WI was slugs only. Pretty much restricted to Foster Type Slugs though as the barrel is a smooth bore. Works OK, have taken a couple deer with it.........