Can't get more than 2 shells loaded

[Ryanxia]

Ok so I feel embarrassed asking but I have an issue with 2 shotguns I just purchased. I can't seem to fit more than two 12 gauge 2-3/4" shells before it stops like it's full. I bought 3 shotguns and am having this issue with 2 of them. I'm guessing it's something simple I'm just not getting.

The two guns are:

Maverick pump action 12 gauge (5 round capacity I believe)

Remington 300 12 gauge semi-auto (also 5 round capacity I believe)

I can get the 3rd shell half way in.

I don't believe there is any kind of plug for legalities but I could be wrong, any help would be appreciated. I just bought these so I don't have any pictures yet.

 

[SDC]

The problem is almost certainly that there is a magazine plug installed to make these shotguns legal for hunting (no more than 3 shells in the gun allowed while hunting); the normal way for these mags to be plugged is with a wooden or plastic dowel inside the mag tube, which has to be taken out before the tube can be fully loaded. You may be able to hear something inside the tube rattle back and forth if you shake it. To remove the plug, you'll need to unscrew the retainer cap, possibly take out a stamped steel cup inside the tube, and then tip the plug out. Reassemble in the reverse order, and you'll be ready to go.

 

[tbutera2112]

theres a little rod that goes in there to prevent you from using more than 2+1...thats the legal limit for hunting

read your owners manual on how to remove it...on mine, pop the cap off the mag tube, pull the spring out, remove rod, reassemble...but read your manual to find out for sure

 

[chrt396]

You may want to open up the cartridge cylinder under the barrel. There is a wooden dowel in there that prohibits you from putting more than 2 or 3 shells in at a time. Take that out and load it up!

 

[Ryanxia]

Dam I should have known, thanks a lot both of you. I didn't think there was a law like that in my State so didn't think that would be the case.

Thanks SDC/tbutera2112.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

I didn't think there was a law like that in my State so didn't think that would be the case.

It's a federal law for migratory species.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Federal law on migratory birds, like waterfowl and doves. My state also has a three round limit for all shotgun hunting.

 

[Ryanxia]

Oh wow, good to know Jorg/Larry I only went duck hunting once and I had 5 rounds loaded up

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

You were lucky. That's the first thing they check for and the next is to check for lead shot. They used to do that with a magnet. Not sure how they do it now with all the lead substitutes out there.

I hunt with an O/U, so they don't check my gun.

 

[JimKirk]

Be careful taking the spring cap/holder out ... it will go flying to who knows where... I have one in my shop somewhere... been 10 yrs ago ... still have not found it. Got to love the Benelli set up ... looks like a big aluminum nail ... that slides inside of the spring holder... no need to take the spring out to get the plug out.

Jimmy K

 

[Ryanxia]

Thanks Jim, luckily I remembered when I was stripping my 870, I've had my fun with tube springs

 

[oneounceload]

Oh wow, good to know Jorg/Larry I only went duck hunting once and I had 5 rounds loaded up

Where I have lived, getting caught like that would have cost you your truck, gun, lot of money, etc.......

There really isn't any need for more than 3 shots total outside of HD use - clays, hunting, etc, can all be done with 3 shots max

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

There really isn't any need for more than 3 shots total outside of HD use - clays, hunting, etc, can all be done with 3 shots max

Yep. I remember what my dad said when I bought my Citori and my brothers were giving me grief over it:

Third shot's usually a prayer anyway.

BTW, both of my brothers hunt with Citoris these days.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Third shot's usually a prayer anyway.

Not when you have a tree full of squirrels. I have killed as many as 5 grey sqirrels from the same tree with a Mossberg 500 pump. Here in Alabama there are no magazine restictions except for the federal one. More than 3 rounds can also be useful when shooting crows(if you're fast enough).