Maverick 88 Magazine Tube Issue

[twofewscrews]

Hi,

So I recently purchased a Mossberg Maverick 88 Security/Field Combo (my first shotgun) and am having some issues with the magazine tube. Prior to taking her out to shoot I disassembled, removed and re-lubed the relevant parts (bolts, extractors, etc). I took her out yesterday and to my dismay I was only able to load two rounds into the magazine tube. She was a little stiff and jammed/binded up a couple times (3 in the first 25 round, none after that) but as I understand it pump guns are always a little stiff at first. I put 79 rounds through her hoping maybe the spring in the magazine tube would loosen up or something but no dice.

Has anyone else had this issue with the magazine tube? and if so how did you fix it?

As I understand it I'm going to have to separate the magazine tube from the receiver in order to gain access to the spring and the thing that push the rounds down the tube (not sure what its called). There's a bit of red stuff where the receiver meets the magazine tube which I assume is loctite. I've looked up how to remove the loctite and while it may be a b*$%^ I think I can manage it.

Am I missing anything here in regards to gaining access to the magazine tube? Are there any replacement parts that you would recommend?

Thanks for your time,
Screwy

 

[Kp321]

Most shotguns are plugged to two rounds in the magazine from the factory. This makes them legal for migratory bird hunting. Most Mossberg shotguns are plugged with a small wooden dowel rod that can be removed through the screw hole in the front of the magazine tube where the barrel takedown screw screwed in.
If the plug can’t be removed through the screw hole, the magazine tube will have to be removed. I have not seen one that was LocTited in but from your description, yours might be. Heat will soften the thread locker but use caution, the plastic follower can melt with too much heat. Use padded pliers, Channel Locks work well, on the end of the tube to unscrew it. The tube can be damaged if you grip it in the middle.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

The magazine tube most likely has a plug installed so you can only load 2 rounds, a few states require that a shotgun can only hold 2 in the magazine. I would check state regs first, then look at the mag tube a bit closer. Mossberg may have installed the plug for compliance with some silly regulation.

 

[twofewscrews]

Most shotguns are plugged to two rounds in the magazine from the factory. This makes them legal for migratory bird hunting. Most Mossberg shotguns are plugged with a small wooden dowel rod that can be removed through the screw hole in the front of the magazine tube where the barrel takedown screw screwed in.
If the plug can’t be removed through the screw hole, the magazine tube will have to be removed. I have not seen one that was LocTited in but from your description, yours might be. Heat will soften the thread locker but use caution, the plastic follower can melt with too much heat. Use padded pliers, Channel Locks work well, on the end of the tube to unscrew it. The tube can be damaged if you grip it in the middle.

Hahaha and here I was thinking that rattling sound I was hearing in the tube was indicating something was broke. I took the barrel off and shook her facing downwards. Behold the cause of problems. Thanks for your advise, you saved me a bunch of time and most likely a burned finger or two.

 

[twofewscrews]

The magazine tube most likely has a plug installed so you can only load 2 rounds, a few states require that a shotgun can only hold 2 in the magazine. I would check state regs first, then look at the mag tube a bit closer. Mossberg may have installed the plug for compliance with some silly regulation.

It would seem that Mossberg sells it installed with a plug reducing the capacity to 3 rounds as required by federal and state migratory fowl hunting requirements. That or they like messing with people. We may never know.

 

[George P]

Migratory birds, period, not just waterfowl (doves comes to mind)