Hello from Tucson.

[Gregory M.]

I have a Rem. 870 that is 45 years old. It is my air loom to pass on to my sons. I have all available barrels. Chokes, slug, 18 inch barrel for home protection. Awhile ago, I shot my 870 and I can only describe it as blowing up. Magazine end cap shot out. Walnut stock damaged. The magazine
is stripped, and I believe it is damaged beyond repair and needs replaced. So I am glad I am here, and that I too can share my experience.

[gWebber]

Holy smokes, that sounds scary. Hope some of the more experienced post thoughts on what might have happened.

[Scorpion8]

Awhile ago, I shot my 870 and I can only describe it as blowing up.

Well, howdy and uh, welcome. Any ideas on what happened? Got any pics of the damaged parts? Those 870 receivers have been proof tested to destruction at 80,000psi, far and away above any normal commercial load so am very intrigued by what happened? Barrel blockage?

[Gregory M.]

The only thing that I can think is that I might have pushed the magazine spring stop to far in after I cleaned it. I know I can get a hardwood model for about $500. Want to see if I can rebuild my current one. Do anyone of you know where they will repair the magazine? Thank you. Greg

[gWebber]

I have a Rem. 870 that is 45 years old. It is my air loom to pass on to my sons. I have all available barrels. Chokes, slug, 18 inch barrel for home protection. Awhile ago, I shot my 870 and I can only describe it as blowing up. Magazine end cap shot out. Walnut stock damaged. The magazine
is stripped, and I believe it is damaged beyond repair and needs replaced. So I am glad I am here, and that I too can share my experience.

When you say “stock damaged” I assume you mean the forward forearm as you mention the magazine tube blowing it’s cap off.

Now I’m not an expert but about the only thing I can think of is somehow when it fired some of the chamber pressure went into the magazine tube and blew it.

Maybe the barrel wasn’t locked down tight enough or improperly somehow or the shell brass blew out ear the base .... I don’t know, but pretty wild.

Pretty sure a good gunsmith can repair it and get it working but it’ll cost a few bucks , then again it’s a family heirloom so worth saving maybe.

[Scorpion8]

Do anyone of you know where they will repair the magazine? Thank you. Greg

As long as the receiver itself hasn't been damaged, then yes, the mag tube can be replaced. It's not easy, but might be cheaper to just buy a new receiver/tube assy online if you can find one.

[gWebber]

The only thing that I can think is that I might have pushed the magazine spring stop to far in after I cleaned it. I know I can get a hardwood model for about $500. Want to see if I can rebuild my current one. Do anyone of you know where they will repair the magazine? Thank you. Greg

I’m assuming you mean the magazine spring retainer that’s in the top of the tube just under the screw on cap. The retainer should just sit flush with the top of the tube. Personally, can’t see how the retainer being down the tube a bit more (unless it was numinous inches) would create a problem that would cause the described problem you had. It would just make the spring tighter and make it hard to load to full capacity.

Assuming “blowing up” wasn’t an exaggeration, again the only thing I can imagine is a shell in the tube somehow fired blowing the cap off (very bad) OR the shell in the chamber passed enough compression gasses into the tube to fire a shell in the tube (also very bad) or if tube was empty , just blow the cap off by compression.

The only way I can see any of that happening is a compression leak from the chamber to the tube, like the barrel left too loose OR AS YOU SAID “you had just cleaned the gun” , maybe there was highly flammable liquid or gasses in the tube from cleaning fluids (tube should be absolutely dry, any lube should be a dry lube and not flammable).

As to Repairs ..
I don’t know where you’re located, but generally speaking if you ask around at a few different gun shops in your area, they are likely to have a gunsmith they recommend.

As to repair or replace and such, you’ll need to let the smith evaluate the gun and give you a repair estimate. Then see if it’s worth the heirloom value to you or better to just get a new gun.

If you replace the gun, keep the parts as 870 parts have value these days.

Just my opinions on the subject, again I’m not an expert.

[Scorpion8]

Some pics would help us help you.

[ChillyB]

This event interests me because it all seems so unlikely.
It's much easier to post photos than to blow up an 870 so I'll refrain from any speculation or advice until we have some photos. Your turn.

[Scorpion8]

Makes ya wonder why we're doing all the discussion and the OP hasn't been back.