Mossberg 500 Loose Forearm

Status
Not open for further replies.

robMaine

Member
Joined
Apr 1, 2011
Messages
251
I just purchased a Mossberg 500 Mariner used and the forearm has quite a bit of rotational wiggle to it. Is this normal? This is my first 500, I have always had 870's.
 
Yeah, that's pretty typical. Most of the Mossberg 500 and Maverick 88's I've handled have that rattle. As long as it locks up tight, I wouldn't worry.
 
The forend on a 500 is riveted. Yes, this does allow the forend to wiggle. It will not affect the reliability nor will it scare game. Ask the freezer full of deer I have if the they heard the forearm wiggling. They won't have much to say.
 
The wiggle isn't between the forearm and the action bars. The action bars are actually loose in the receiver. The bolt locks up good, but the action bars have about 3/16" of play in them.
 
There have been many changes in the fore end design of the 500. The current production is the worst design possible as it is indeed riveted. The one you have is likely the version with the action tube which has the twelve dimples (six top and six bottom) in a circular pattern. Your tube is probably the 7 5/8" (I think) tube. I currently have two and one is a transition model in which they actually did improve the rattle and this helps to make their extremely loose tolerances less noticeable, but feeding is still rough in comparison to an 870.

You might be able to find an action tube with the circular springs which will make it considerably quieter, but it will never be as quiet or smooth as what you are used to...an 870. It will never feed as smoothly either. I really like the one i have with the spring loaded action bars and Mossberg should have kept that design. If you reload your shotshells you will also find that it wont sling your empties over in the bushes like an 870 will though as it has two extractors.
 
Thanks guys. On the bright side, these loose tolerances mean I could probably dunk the thing in cement and it would still run!
 
Thanks guys. On the bright side, these loose tolerances mean I could probably dunk the thing in cement and it would still run!

I've dunked mine in about everything else tripping over salt grass and cow tracks in the mud and getting stuck in the mud in my wadders over the last 20 years of duck hunting salt marsh. Hasn't quit, yet. :D The camo finish has kept it looking rustless. By comparison, your average 870 express is a rust magnet and the ergos suck for a lefty like me, so yeah, I like my Mossies vs any Remington pump. :D A BPS would be nice, though, maybe in the future, but I don't see the real need from a utilitarian point of view.

My newer 535 has a tighter fit than does my 20 year old 500. Neither gun has a riveted forearm. Both guns function for me just fine.
 
Is the 590A1 different? I don't notice any rattling at all.

It probably has the spring tension on the action bars. I haven't handled one, but have been considering getting one.
 
and the ergos suck for a lefty like me

I would think they would be better since the safety can be operated through the trigger guard. Is it the position of the slide release that's harder to operate left handed?
 
Trade it for an 870 so you can shoot, pump, click, pump, bang, pump, click, pump, bang. I don't have to worry about short stroking a 500. Recoil is enough to kick the empty out and put a live shell in the lift. All I have to do is slide the forearm forwards.
 
I would think they would be better since the safety can be operated through the trigger guard. Is it the position of the slide release that's harder to operate left handed?

Nah. In fact, this is one of the reasons why the military likes Mossberg's so much. Because the safety position on top of the receiver which makes it ambidextrous.
 
It probably has the spring tension on the action bars. I haven't handled one, but have been considering getting one.

You should definitely try to find one. I was contemplating for a long time whether on not to get a Magpul Edition 870 Tactical or the 590A1. In the end, I went with the 590A1. It just felt like a better quality firearm.
 
Quote:
I would think they would be better since the safety can be operated through the trigger guard. Is it the position of the slide release that's harder to operate left handed?


Nah. In fact, this is one of the reasons why the military likes Mossberg's so much. Because the safety position on top of the receiver which makes it ambidextrous.

Exactly and the 870s is in the worst ever position at the back of the trigger guard. Not only do you have to loop your finger under it to disengage it, but your trigger finger will occasionally re-engage it on firing. There's probably a left handed safety available, but I still don't like the location at the back of the trigger. My Winchester is AT LEAST in FRONT of the trigger. I did install a lefty safety on it.

I much prefer the thumb operated tang safeties. They're very natural to use, especially when you also own doubles which also have tang safeties.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top