How do you clean your mossberg 500/ maverick 88

[Motodeficient]

I got a maverick 88 recently. It is my first pump shotgun. I have not shot it yet, decided to fully tear it down today just so I would know how. Well it was kind of a bitch to do, more difficult than I had expected. Now that I know how to do it I could do it again much faster, but the worst part is I have to remove the knoxx stock and tacstar side saddle to complete a field strip.

How does everyone else clean your 500 or 88? Do you fully field strip it, removing the bolt and everything?

 

[deanpf]

Check this out:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/edu9.htm

 

[Al LaVodka]

No you don't do that!

Some little rags, toothbrush in there, Q-Tips, and the amazing Bore Snake -- woo hoo!

Al

 

[bensdad]

The Mossberg 500 is indestructable. It resents being cleaned.

 

[scotyg]

really, all you need is a boresnake, a cloth, and some break free clp. maybe a little powder solvent if you want.

 

[chuckusaret]

The only cleaning my Mossbergs get is a patch down the bore and an external wipedown.

 

[bikerdoc]

Welcome Scottg, you got it right

 

[MCgunner]

I pull the barrel and clean inside and out. I wipe off the inevitable mud and oil the outside. Sometimes I have to take the water hose to it to get the mud off. If the gun is dropped in the water (it happens), I pull the receiver completely down and wash out the salt water in the sink, clean, and oil. If not, I don't do that until the end of the season. I did it recently when I tripped over a clump of salt grass and it fell in the drink.

My Mossberg ain't for lookin' at. It ain't for home defense. It gets used HARD and requires requisite care. After 20 years of abuse, it's still lookin' pretty good and it shoots flawlessly. It is a 28" camo/polymer model which really helps. The salt marsh ain't for pretty guns and hunters who are afraid to clean their guns.

 

[Sawblade]

I guess I've been doing it wrong all this time. You could eat out of the receiver after I'm done with it.

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot add, if dunked, my gun's choke also gets removed for a clean and greasing the threads. That happens, too, at the end of every season along with the receiver strip.

 

[thadj]

I do not believe that you need to do all of that. Just make sure you clean the barel and other moving parts with a tooth brush. If you shoot a lot maybe once a year I would do a complete tear down.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, if you use your gun for hunting and it gets exposed to salt water, strip it. If you just shoot clays or upland with it, I'd still strip it now and then, every couple of years, depending on round count. I put in quite a few days during the season hunting bays and salt marsh. It's a rough environment that demands proper gun care. Be lazy at your own peril IMHO.

I sat the gun up one year after a long season without pulling the trigger group. The hammer was back sitting in the safe. First shot next season, the hammer sear had rusted together and it took too fingers to break the rust. It was fine after that, but I learned my lesson on that one. I'd rather take it down for cleaning than let the rust monster rule.

 

[Zach S]

I dont clean mine very often. If it gets drenched, or it ends up in mud or sand. Mud and sand has happened once, drenched, well, if it starts raining while I'm shooting...

About once a year I'll clean it real well. Lots of brake cleaner, lots of scrubbing with a bore brush. I missed a year once, and ended up with a nylon brush in a variable speed drill... I dont think that will happen again because most of what I shoot now is plated (Federal LE132 and its commercial cousin, H132).

Most of the time, I just wipe down the exterior and pull a bore brush through. Works well enough.

Not only are tampons good 12 gauge bore mops, but pads make great field dressings. And if you keep some knee socks with them, you wont have to cut up your t shirt.

 

[devildog32713]

Dont strip whole thing, till you know what you are doing, do you have a manual? If not, call Mossbergs toll free number: Telephone: (203) 230-5300 (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. E.S.T.)
I bought a used Mossberg with no manual, I called them, and they were very helpful and freindly, love Mossberg