Mossberg 500 repair question

[Ashcons]

Hi guys,

My dad recently gave me a 20-GA Mossberg 500 at my request after he told me it was a piece of junk. When I asked him why, he told me that he bought it used, but had problems with soft strikes. When he took it to someone (I assume a gunsmith) to get a repair estimate, the guy he took it to told him that Mossberg used plastic firing pins and if he wanted the repair done, he would have to replace the entire receiver because the pin could not be independently replaced. I told him it sounded a bit fishy because a plastic firing pin sounds like a load of PR trouble, however my interest in guns is newly found, so that's just my opinion.

Thinking that I could do something with the gun since he doesn't get around to shooting much, I asked him to give it to me and I'd see about getting it repaired. I did some research (Google) on the gun and found no mention of plastic firing pin problems. At this point, I figure a replacement firing pin or firing pin spring would make it good as new (found replacement pin & spring here for $20). Once spring rolls around, I'll pull it out of storage and take it apart to see what I can see.

What do you think about the plastic firing pin and receiver replacement story the guy gave him? Based on a youtube video of a guy disassembling his Mossy, it doesn't look like a hard do-it-yourself project. I would rather get some second opinions to support what I found online than jumping blindly into this.

Thanks for your time & opinion.

 

[evan price]

A good disassembly and cleaning and lube job may do wonders for the shotgun. Often there is crud that winds up in the firing pin channel. The bolt is easy to take out and clean.

 

[rmfnla]

An irreplaceble plastic firing pin? I don't think so!


First, keep the Mossie because it's a damn fine gun.

Second, find out who spun that BS to your dad and never go near that person again, at least not for anything related to guns.

 

[Uncle Mike]

Often oil and crud will cause light strikes, oil that has evaporated and turned to sticky, glue like grease is notorious for this phenomenon!

Clean it good, and I bet it works great, if not a simple firing pin spring replacement is in order.

The plastic firing pin and receiver replacement story is total BS! Funny though!

 

[mnrivrat]

LOL ! Don't know what that guy was smoking, but that's quite a yarn to spin !

As indicated, clean it and it will most likely be OK. They are easy to take down and clean . They are very reliable guns and also very easy to work on if something does go wrong.

 

[Riss]

Firing pins and springs can be had a www.e-gunparts.com, Numrich. You can also try Brownells.com or Midwayusa.com for lots of parts.

 

[Ashcons]

Thank you for the replies.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I have worked on 5 different Mossberg shotguns and have never seen a plastic firing pin. I don't recall ever seeing a plastic firing pin on any gun I have ever taken apart. You can remove the firing pin without disassembling the entire bolt. I would not recomend removing the bolt lock from the bolt. A good scrub down with the firing pin removed and a light lube afterward will do wonders. If the problem still continues afterward I would take a serious look at the hammer mechanism for build up.

 

[1KPerDay]

What taurus said.

 

[natman]

the guy he took it to told him that Mossberg used plastic firing pins and if he wanted the repair done, he would have to replace the entire receiver because the pin could not be independently replaced.

Both statements are complete and utter nonsense.

Mossbergs use steel firing pins and they are relatively easy to replace, if needed.