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Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:11 pm
by GA34
Hello,

I've had my Remington Versa Max for a while now but I've only put 200 rounds through it.

I was shooting it at the range and the gun jammed. I could not get the bolt to go back and asked the range master for help unloading the Versa Max. He couldn't do it so took it the resident gunsmith.
He came back and said he had good news and bad news. The good news was he got it unloaded.
The bad news is the bolt would not go all the way back. Also, a piece of "pot metal" he said fell out of it while extracting the shotgun shells.

I've posted pictures of how far the bolt goes back and stops, and the little piece of pot metal (both sides and next to a penny.) I was really surprised that a gun would malfunction this badly as much as I paid for it, but if anyone can give me an idea what happened and what I should do about it, I sure would appreciate your input. Thank you.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:12 pm
by GA34
Screenshot_2019-07-29-20-44-17.jpg
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This is the piece of "pot metal" the range master said fell out of the Versa Max when extracting the shell.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 9:15 pm
by GA34
Another shot of the piece of "metal" that fell out of the Versa Max.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 11:32 am
by mauser9
Wonder what kind of metal it is? Should be steel I would think but never know these days with cost cutting BS. Funny how my 1980 Remington 1100 trap gun has never failed me in all these years. Love to tear it down and see how the parts compare to new models today. Sorry for your grief.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 12:04 pm
by John A.
Either something has fallen down in there, or something is broke.

The next thing I would do is see if something inside of there is broken.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Thu Aug 01, 2019 5:26 pm
by Virginian
There is no "pot metal" on it. Probably aluminum.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:55 pm
by GA34
Just following up on my original post to let people know what happened when my VersaMax jammed at the gun range and I was unable to clear the round.

I took the VersaMax to my gunsmith and had him check it out.

Again, this is a VersaMax with 200 or less rounds through it.

He said the link assembly broke where it is pinned to the bolt assembly.

A couple of pics to follow.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:58 pm
by GA34
011.jpg
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Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 6:59 pm
by GA34
Point of breakage.
022.jpg
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Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:01 pm
by GA34
What do you think I should do next? I don't trust this gun because I've barely used it and it's already falling apart. Should I demand my money back from Remington? Demand a new replacement? Sell it? Did I get a lemon?

Any input is good for me. I thank all who have left previous comments.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 11, 2019 9:26 pm
by Virginian
I believe it has a lifetime warranty. I would contact Remington and have them fix it. In any mass produced product stuff happens. My local car dealership got in a brand new Corvette once, and could barely get it off the trailer. Long story short, it had no - none, zip nada - piston rings installed. GM sent them a new crate engine.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 10:50 am
by GA34
Pretty incredible story about the Corvette. Thanks for responding.
I have been reading on the internet some pretty negative things about the quality of the Remington Versa Max. I really wanted to like the gun. It shot so smoothly.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Thu Sep 12, 2019 4:17 pm
by Virginian
There is about a 390 PAGE post on shotgun world on the VersaMax. Some people had some issues, but as far as I am aware either they or Remington took care of them and almost all are now happy and satisfied. I have two acquaintances with them and they love them. One made a trip back to Remington for something, I forget what now.
I am still shooting 1100s since 1963. I have replaced one (1) broken extractor in 1982. On the original gun with about 80,000 rounds thru it at the time - it is now over 115,000. Have had 14 1100s/11-87s over the years. But, as a retired gunsmith I believe I have replaced every single part on them at one time or another, oftentimes more than once for the same person. In light of my personal experiences
this makes e believe that some shooters do make a difference.
I do not have a VersaMax because I find 3" tungsten alloy shells adequate.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Fri Sep 13, 2019 2:57 pm
by mauser9
Wow!! 80,000 rounds. My TB 1100 should last several lifetimes. Great purchase new for $330 back in 80. The fancy figured walnut is worth that alone. My son will get mine for years of clay bird shooting I hope.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 8:27 am
by oyeme
Contrary to your experience the Versa Max is a proven platform now. There are just too many testimonials that indicate such. Should it have broken? Heck no! But it happens to many guns and products due to faulty materials or just something in the production line that slipped through. I think you should contact Remington and get it fixed properly. I don't think you should give up on it due to this initial issue. Actually many if not most problems in my experience came up early in the use cycle rather than later.

Remington has been doing the right thing from reports of others who have had to ship guns back for repair. In short, I think you have a good gun but it just had a birthing issue. Hopefully, it will get fixed and you will enjoy it for many years.

Ask Remington for a return label and be firm but polite and I think you will be happy with their response. Good luck!

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 5:43 pm
by GA34
There is about a 390 PAGE post on shotgun world on the VersaMax.


Thanks. I'll head on over to Shotgun World and read it.

Contrary to your experience the Versa Max is a proven platform now. There are just too many testimonials that indicate such.


My gunsmith had contrary things to say about the quality of the manufacturing of the VersaMax.
Who do I believe? It just hasn't been a proven platform for myself. But many semi-automatic shotguns have problems. Thanks for your comments and advice. It has been enlightening and helpful.

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 5:51 pm
by GA34
I see from Shotgun World I am not the only person with a broken link assembly!

https://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewto ... w=previous

Re: Versa Max jam and a piece of metal

PostPosted: Wed Sep 18, 2019 5:54 pm
by GA34
What do you think of using Benelli parts to replace prone to failure parts of the VersaMax to get it reliably working for me as posted here?

https://forums.brianenos.com/topic/2111 ... -versamax/