Any Decent Smiths Out There?

[SeanMTX]

I need a plug made for an old Mossberg 20 gauge "Country Squire." Gun isn't worth a ton, but it was my father's and the first gun I ever shot, so the sentimental value makes it priceless to me.
Mossberg hasn't made this gun in years, and I've been using a wooden dowel as a plug....unfortunately, this means you can only fire 2 out of the 3 shells for migratory bird hunting.

Anyone out there able to make a plug for this?

 

[BigV]

I assume that you can only load one shell in the magazine and have one in the chamber? Wooden dowel rods work just fine, but it sounds like yours is a little too long. Just cut 2” off your dowel and give it a try. If it’s still too long, cut off another ½”. I have used wooden dowels in autoloaders for years with no problems.

 

[SeanMTX]

I can load 2 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber.

Problem is, the dowel is inserted on the side of the spring that the shells are. (When removing the barrel to get to the magazine, the hole is too small to put a dowel in.)
Because of this, I can only use 2 out of the 3 shells. If I use the last shell in the magazine, the dowel is pushed into the the far wall of the receiver, and I have to use a nail, fingernail, screwdriver etc, to push it back into the magazine so I can reload.

I got sick of doing this, so I pulled the plug. (Pun intended) Knowingly taking a gamble, I paid for it on opening day....$200.

Before anyone jumps on my ass for using a shotgun with no plug, I fully accept all responsibility for the fine...I have no one to blame but myself.

SO...$60 for a plug is a better deal than $200 for taking a risk in the future.

 

[JohnBT]

Have you talked to Mr. Havlin?

www.havlinsales.com

"Welcome to Havlin Sales & Service, your one-stop shopping site for Mossberg® parts. Established as a mail-order Mossberg parts company in 1988 by Victor and Cheryl Havlin, Havlin Sales & Service specializes in parts for obsolete models, but also carries quite a few parts and accessories for current production shotguns as well. The Havlins also co-founded the National Mossberg Collectors Association®, a club for Mossberg collectors. More information on the NMCA may be found at www.mossbergcollectors.org "

 

[SeanMTX]

John.....I just sent Vic Havlin an email...thanks for the link!