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How to Clean a Remington 870 Magazine Tube and Spring

The Remington 870 is known for its straightforward pump-action design, but its magazine tube still needs regular attention. Dust, powder residue, moisture, and tiny fragments from shot-cup wads can collect inside the tube and affect the movement of the spring, follower, and cartridges.

A clean magazine system helps the shotgun load smoothly and reduces the chance of sluggish feeding. The job is usually simple, although the spring and retaining parts can be under pressure. Work slowly, keep every component organised, and follow the instructions for your particular 870 variant.

For Australian owners, cleaning should be treated as part of responsible firearm storage and maintenance. State and territory rules differ, and your licence conditions, secure storage requirements, and access arrangements still apply while the shotgun is being serviced. If you are unsure about a part or procedure, speak with a licensed firearms dealer or qualified gunsmith.

Safety Before Maintenance

Before touching the magazine tube, point the muzzle in a safe direction and remove all ammunition from the work area. Engage the safety, open the action, and visually and physically check the chamber, loading port, and magazine tube. Do not rely on the safety catch as a substitute for unloading.

Place cartridges well away from the bench, including shells in a range bag or pockets. In Australia, transport and storage expectations can be strict, whether you are cleaning a shotgun after a morning at a range near Brisbane or returning from a property outside Bendigo. Your firearm should remain under your direct control and handled in accordance with your state or territory requirements.

Gather the Right Cleaning Materials

Use a clean bench with good lighting and a tray or cloth to prevent small parts from rolling away. You will generally need a nylon cleaning brush, lint-free patches or cloth, cotton swabs, a suitable gun-cleaning solvent, a light firearm lubricant, and eye protection. A plastic or wooden tool can help with stubborn fouling without scratching the metal.

Avoid household oils, abrasive scouring pads, and excessive solvent. Heavy oil can collect dust and create a sticky film inside the tube. If the shotgun has spent time around coastal air in Perth, salt spray near Newcastle, or damp bush conditions in Tasmania, a dedicated rust-preventive product is preferable. This storage corrosion guide provides useful background on protecting metal surfaces.

Unload and Inspect the Shotgun

With the action open, check the chamber again from several angles. Look through the loading port and feel the chamber only when it is safe to do so. Inspect the magazine follower at the front of the loading port if visible, noting whether it moves freely or appears stuck.

Examine the outside of the tube for dents, rust, damaged finish, or an obstruction. A dent can restrict the follower and may require professional attention rather than more force. Check the magazine cap, sling swivel, and any extension carefully, since 870 configurations vary and some aftermarket parts use different retention systems.

Remove the Cap, Spring, and Follower Carefully

Keep the muzzle oriented safely and place a hand over the magazine cap area as you loosen it. The spring may be compressed, and the retainer can move suddenly when the cap is removed. Some 870 models use a spring retainer that must be released carefully; others may have a different arrangement because of a magazine extension or aftermarket accessory.

Consult the owner’s manual for your exact model before removing the retainer. Do not pry aggressively or force a part that does not move as expected. Once the spring is released, control it as it comes out, then remove the follower and lay the components in order. If a retainer is damaged, stop and have a gunsmith inspect it.

Clean the Tube and Its Components

Run a solvent-dampened patch or cloth through the magazine tube, followed by a nylon brush for loosened residue. Work from the receiver end where practical, and avoid pushing dirt deeper into the mechanism. Cotton swabs can clean the forward lip and the area around the tube opening, but do not leave fibres behind.

Wipe the spring from end to end and inspect each coil for rust, kinks, or uneven spacing. Clean the follower and check it for cracks, burrs, or deformation. A small amount of clean lubricant on a cloth is usually enough for the spring and interior surface; the tube should feel lightly protected, not wet. Replace a badly corroded or distorted spring rather than trying to restore it with oil.

Parts Worth Checking During Cleaning

Reassemble Without Forcing Anything

Insert the follower in the correct orientation shown in the manual, followed by the spring and retainer. Keep pressure controlled as the spring enters the tube. If your 870 has a magazine extension, ensure its coupling and retention parts are correctly aligned before tightening.

Thread the magazine cap or extension by hand first. It should turn smoothly; resistance at the beginning may indicate cross-threading or misalignment. Tighten it securely without excessive force, then wipe away any oil that has reached the outside of the tube or stock.

Function-Check the Empty Shotgun

With the firearm still unloaded, cycle the action several times and observe whether the follower moves smoothly. The action should operate without scraping, binding, or unusual spring noise. Check that the magazine cap remains secure and that the loading port is clear.

A basic maintenance check can include these steps:

If the follower stops, the spring feels weak, or the action behaves differently after reassembly, do not load the shotgun. Separate the firearm from ammunition and seek advice from a licensed dealer or gunsmith. A fault that appears minor on the bench can become a feeding problem at the range or in the field.

Build a Sensible Maintenance Routine

Clean the magazine tube after exposure to rain, mud, salt air, or heavy use. Routine inspection is also sensible before a hunting trip, especially if the shotgun has been stored in a safe for months. Australian conditions can change quickly, from dry inland dust to humid tropical weather around Darwin, so the interval should reflect where and how the firearm is kept.

A compact routine may include:

Use the correct replacement parts for your exact 870 configuration. Remington has produced many variants over the years, and availability can differ between models and markets; this guide to discontinued Remington models may help when identifying an older shotgun or sourcing compatible components. Do not assume that a part advertised for one gauge or generation will suit another.

For owners who also use rifles or other firearms, keep ammunition and maintenance equipment clearly separated. A product page or retailer policy may describe shipping to a nominated dealer in some markets, but Australian buyers should confirm local import, dealer-transfer, licensing, and ammunition rules before placing an order. Firearm components and ammunition can be treated differently under Australian law.

If you are selecting a firearm for a different purpose, identify the platform before buying accessories or ammunition. For example, information about 300 Blackout hunting uses applies to a rifle cartridge and platform, not to the 870’s 12-gauge or 20-gauge magazine system.

Make this inspection part of your normal range or property routine: unload safely, clean deliberately, check the spring and follower, and store the shotgun securely under the rules that apply where you live. When a part looks worn or the mechanism does not function smoothly, stop using it and arrange an inspection through a properly licensed Australian firearms professional.