Irregular wear on 870 action bars

[Jbotto]

Alright guys this has been bothering me since I bought this shotgun 7 years ago. On my 870 the left action bar is glossy smooth and bear metal. The right one, factory finish yet. I can speak honestly and say this shotgun has over 5,000 rounds through it. It works, like it should, but is this common? Anything I could do to fix this situation?

Thanks!
-Jb

 

[444]

I am not the guy to ask about something like this, but I can tell you that all of my 870s are the same way. I have thought about it. Tried to decide if this is an issue. Tried to figure out why it is happening.

I kinda think that one side or the other is worn based on whether you are right handed or left handed, putting more pressure on one side when you work the action ???

In the end, I decided that this is an obvious wear point, so I lubricate it.

I don't THINK it is a problem. You and I have both shot our guns extensively and nothing happened, so I assume it isn't a serious issue.

I am sure someone will come along shortly and give some kind of real answer.

 

[Jbotto]

444, are your bars identical to mine? Left is shiny/ right is new-ish looking? Do you shoot left or right handed?

 

[notlikeyou]

Synthetic foregrip? Mine wears uneven as well, and after further inspection the pump forend was cutting into the plastic on the synthetic foregrip.

 

[444]

No, mine are worn on the right hand side. I am right handed.

 

[Jbotto]

notlikeyou, Nope. Wood stocks.

444, Hmm... there might be something to your theory. I shoot lefty but with a right handed 870.

 

[444]

Ok, that is interesting. That was just a wild guess on my part.

I just figured that when I was pumping the action, I was pushing from left to right and not just straight back.

 

[Jbotto]

Who knows... it may be coincidental, but man is it weird if it is.

 

[CajunBass]

It's normal. I don't think I've ever seen a pump with double bars that doesn't wear one more than the other. I suspect it is a torque thing also. Or just that one side of the gun is different than the other. It's not like pump guns are real good examples of precision fitting, especially Remington Express and Mossberg 500's.

 

[hdbiker]

870 action bar wear

There is a tendency for pump action shooters to twist the forarm while pumping the action causing wear signs.

 

[jaguarxk120]

The left action bar actuates the shell stop releasing the next shell in the magazine. So there is pressure on the action bar holding it against the reciever as it moves rearward.

I'm assuming that is the cause as my 870 has some wear on the right action bar, it's a lefthand model.

 

[Jbotto]

Thanks guys! I had kinda figured it was no big deal, but I've noticed it for a long enough time, that I had to ask. Thanks again!