How to remove the limiting plug from my Mossberg 500

[Ricky B]

Actually, a regular pencil won't necessarily work in Mossberg 500, at least in my test. Not that it won't fit; it will. It's just too short with 2-3/4" shells. I was able to load 3 shells with a standard, unsharpened pencil.

The length of the magazine tube on the 5-round Mossberg 500 is 14-3/4" from the back of the follower to the top of the tube. The end of the tube is around 5/8" thick. So the internal length of the magazine tube is 14-3/4" - 5/8", or about 14-1/8".

An unfired 2-3/4" shotgun shell is about 2.3" in length (2-3/4" is the unfolded, fired length). Two unfired shells come to 4.6", or, say, 4-5/8" in length.

Subtracting 4-5/8" from 14-1/8" leaves 9-1/2". A hunter would want to be able to push the shell in a bit beyond the shell stop. Thus, a plug no longer than 9-1/4" would needed.

So Megiddo's recommendation is spot on. A 1/4" dowel with a length of 9" should be just fine for any Mossberg 500 with a standard 5-round magazine tube. You can fit a 3/8" dowel in the hole, but getting it out might be trickier.

 

[chrisbronco95]

Just bought a 500A today and have searched and searched on how to get the limiting rod out of the magazine tube. The problem I'm running into is the wooden dowel is wedged to the side of the spring so it won't come out just by shaking it. Any ideas on how to remove it? Or should I just take it to a gun shop tomorrow so I don't damage the gun or tube?

 

[PT1911]

I have seen where some people will actually use 2 shells as their "limitiing device"... hehe

 

[Ricky B]

You could probably remove the magazine spring retainer, which would release the spring.

Per the manual:

The magazine spring exerts pressure on the retainer. Use caution when disassembling. [Translation: Make sure the cap doesn't hit you in the eye when you pry it loose because it can fly off. Eye protection is a good idea.]

To disassemble: Pry up at various points around the small hole in the center of the magazine spring retainer. Cup hand over retainer and magazine so as to keep spring and retainer confined. Use caution not to bend or distort the magazine tube end and or threads.

Here's a link to a page that links to a video that might help:

http://mrcompletely.blogspot.com/2005/11/mossberg-500-12-gauge-shotgun.html

Google "Mossberg 500 shotgun manual" and you will come up with links to manuals.

If you don't feel comfortable doing it, take it into the shop.

But if you are careful in prying out the magazine spring retainer (and don't bend it or bung it up), the worst that I see happening is that you lose the retainer or spring if they fly out and get lost (not going to happen if you do it in an empty area where you can easily find stuff) or that you won't be able to get the spring and magazine spring retainer back into place. The cost of putting them back won't be more than removing them, taking out the dowel, and putting them back. If you can't get the magazine spring retainer out without damaging it, give up and take it into the shop.

 

[tdog69]

I Know this is an old post, but taking the spring retaining plug out is a simple task and the spring should be removed and cleaned every year or sooner depending on weather, grain fields or dirt.

You would be amazed at how much dirt and seeds build up in the tube after a day of dove or upland bird hunting at field.

(use common sense make sure the gun is unloaded first)

Take the Barrel retaining screw off, then take a small screw driver stick it in the center of the retaining plug and gradually work your way around it to take it out. While you’re at it take your cleaning rod and some oil and clean the tube out and then wipe the spring down.

Also what I did to make my plug was take the entire spring with plug attached to my local hardware store and find a wooden dial that will fit freely in the hole in the plug. Once you find the wood dial that fits, lay the gun down take two shells lay them below the loading tube and then lay you stick in front of them and mark it at the end of the tube.

This is my opinion, but if you do not know how to break down and properly clean every firearm you have, then you have no business owning one.​

 

[natman]

If you make your own a bit of wooden dowel is perfect. Be sure to bevel the ends. I left one cut off square once and it manage to snag itself in the spring and turned my 500 into a single shot. Fortunately that's all the turkey I was hunting required.