Remington 870 Express FTE Problem

[SubieGuy4]

The gun is a Remington 870 Express Tactical Magpul edition. It is only a few months old and has around 800-1000 rounds through it. The last 250 rounds or so I've been having rounds fail to extract. I did some research and found people saying to buy the MIM extractor (or is it the non-MIM... I know it's the one I don't have) but I read that there are serious fitment issues in the express models. Next I read that the tried and true alternative is to polish the chamber, so I got some flitz polish and a demel and buffed it to a near-mirror finish. Just took it to the range and shot about 20 rounds of 00 buck high brass (10 Hornady defense shells and 10 remington). The problem is persisting.

10 of each isn't a huge sample size but I had three FTEs with the Hornady and none with the remington, but then I shot all the remington quickly and shot the Hornady more slowly. I observed that if I loaded a shell and fired immediately it would extract, but if I loaded one and waited more than 10 seconds to fire it would stay in the chamber after firing.

This is bad news because this is my HD gun. Any suggestions?

 

[squatch413]

Steel wool wrapped around a pencil chucked in a drill and lots of oil.

 

[OldNorth]

The express comes with a metal injection molding (MIM) extractor. If you are going to replace it, buy a non-MIM extractor. They are pricey, though, around 15 bucks.

Have you taken out the extractor and checked to see if there's anything gumming up the works in there?

 

[SubieGuy4]

The express comes with a metal injection molding (MIM) extractor. If you are going to replace it, buy a non-MIM extractor. They are pricey, though, around 15 bucks.

Have you taken out the extractor and checked to see if there's anything gumming up the works in there?

$15 is a small price to pay for reliable defense but I've read in many places that the non-MIM extractor does not fit properly in the express and causes even worse reliability issues. I've also pulled the extractor and made sure the spring, plunger, extractor, and their channel are completely spotless and clean. The extractor is also in good shape with a nice sharp claw.