Mossberg 500 safety switch not working

[Geckgo]

Hello all, got a question about shotties.

I was cleaning my dad's Model 37 and his Mossberg yesterday (after all these years he finally got a cleaning kit) and noticed that the safety switch on the mossberg seemed to be stuck in the fire position. I tried cycling the pumps and activating the safety in different positions but could not get the gun to go on safe. He doesn't really use the safety as he won't load it until he's ready to shoot, so no telling how long this has been a problem. I'm not familiar with shotguns yet (the cleaning process was a learning experience with a couple of different shotguns for me) and wondering if anyone had seen/hear of this kind of problem before or knows how to fix it.

Thanks guys for the input,
Marty

 

[ruddy]

Try this link for disassembly instructions.

 

[Geckgo]

Thanks for the video. I think we watched that yesterday. Still no closer to figuring out why the safety is stuck.

 

[fatcat4620]

My guess was that the spring loaded ball that allows the safety to snap into safe/fire is so gunked up that it will not push down allowing the safety to move back and forth. You will need to take the screw out that holds the safety together (center of the safety button) to clean. If the screw is cut so it can only be screwed in and not out it will be a pain in the butt. There is also a thin metal plate between the safety button and the reciever. It my be dented in a fashon that will not allow the button to move. Take it off and you should find the source.

 

[Geckgo]

thanks fat cat. I think the screw is cut that way, but I will take a look tomorrow at the house maybe.