Wet 870

[Mainah]

I spent yesterday hunting in a light to steady rain, my 870 Magnum Express got wet. When I came home I took the barrel off, dried the everything, applied a little lube, and kept the barrel off for the night.

I just put the barrel on and the slide is really stiff and stubborn. Is it possible that the wood is swollen? How can I remedy this? Thanks.

 

[GoGo]

My guess would be to let it dry out good. Then switch the stocks to synthetic if you are going to be getting it wet again.

 

[Mainah]

Good advice, thanks. A buddy recommended a coat of linseed oil. Second straight rainy opening day, I should of thought it through a little more.

 

[chris in va]

And if you go the synthetic route, why not just get a Knoxx Compstock. Comes with the forearm piece too.

 

[Ruger4570]

Linseed oil on a Remington finish will never dry. Linseed is probably the LAST thing I would use on any gunstock and I have built many from scratch and refinished more than I can remember. Remington uses a DuPont synthetic finish, not an oil finish. It may be possible your gun sucked up some moisture, but beleive me,, linseed oil is not the answer.

 

[sjsfire]

Same thing happened to me about 10 years ago. My forearm on my express swelled up and I couldn't operate it. Good thing I had a backup slug gun. Unfortunatly when mine dried out I had a nice hairline crack right down the middle of the forearm. I bought a synthetic Remington replace set, butt stock and forearm from Cabelas for about $80 if I remember right. Every gun I own now that I hunt with has synthetic stocks and forearms

 

[Mainah]

Thanks, it's better now, just a little sticky.

Ruger, thanks for the linseed info.