Am I correct in thinking the bolt did not lock in place when she closed the action and the gun went off. SOunds like the action wasn't locked... I would be calling Remingtons 800 number and requesting that gun be exchanged for an 1100 or an 11/87. 3 things could have happened 1. bolt picked up the shell and the firing pin was partially protruding and when it slammed shut it went off. 2. The gun does not lock properly and the shell went off when the bolt slammed shut. The bolt on any semi-auto has to be fully forward for the hammer to hit and set off the charge. 3. the ammo was defective and the primer was not fully seated but I think a misfire would have happened and not this.