Is this normal? Mossberg 500 again

[Third_Rail]

I was looking over my Mossberg 500a, and I noticed a gap between the magazine tube and the barrel lug that screws into the tube. Is this normal?

 

[Onmilo]

Yes it is normal.

 

[P95Carry]

Mine looks same - if not sl worse!

I'd not be too worried. Mine has no free play or rattle.

No good pic but cropped this out of my main pic. Hard to see probably.

 

[Third_Rail]

Okay, good. I didn't want Murphy on my shoulders, as this is my first shotgun and my only HD gun.

 

[BluesBear]

Yes the gap is normal. Mossberg has been building them this way from day one.


DO NOT overtighten the barrel. It should just be finger tight. The ball and detent locking system will keep it from shooting loose.

Too much tension will not only mess up your point of aim but extended useage of heavy loads with the barrel too tight can cause cracking in undesirable places.

 

[Third_Rail]

Yep, I knew that much, but I thought maybe a burr was preventing it from closing that little gap.

 

[foghornl]

My Maverick 88 by Mossberg has the same gap. May vary a bit with different barrels.

BTW, don't torque that bolt down too much. Normal finger-tight is plenty. It has a ball-detent thingy that keeps it from shooting loose. (I had asked Mossberg about that several years back. The barrel 'seats' at a depth determined by mating surfaces in the receiver, not by the barrel attachment bolt.)

p.s. still a great looking shotty, with that dark walnut finish.

 

[Third_Rail]

Turns out that it's actual walnut, not just a finish.


No serial number either, so it's pre-68.

 

[BluesBear]

And here I thought I was the only person still using an old 500 with only a single action rod. Mine was purchased new in 1970.

 

[Third_Rail]

Mine was purchased used just before x-mas last year. I still have yet to use it!

 

[BluesBear]

Well what in the Sam Hill are ya awaitin' fur?
An in-graved en-vi-ta-shun?

Get out there and shoot it. That's what they were meant for.
Mines only got about 15,000 rounds through it and it feels neglected.

 

[Third_Rail]

Well, I'm actually waiting for range time. I don't have a membership to any ranges around here, my neighbor does. He's been busy, so I've got to continue waiting.

 

[foghornl]

p.s. still a great looking shotty, with that dark walnut finish.

Aw, nubbins. What I meant to say was dark walnut wood with a nice finish. Sis-in-laws shotty (her late Dad's gun) is Mossberg's 'Honey Blond', not sure what type wood.

Richly grained dark walnut & deep blue for the steel...well there just ain't a better match fer shootin' irons.

 

[Third_Rail]

No kidding! I love the look and feel of this...


I was going between it or a new Remington 870 for $250. The Mossberg was $98.


Easy choice for someone who is basically broke!