Mossberg 500 Trouble

[JohnnyCal55]

I recently picked up a nice used mossberg 500 at a local pawn shop, and i was finally able to shoot the gun today. Right off the bat, I was faced with two problems-

A. The safety slides back down to safe and re-engages from the recoil of shots. This happens about every two shots, and it is a little annoying

B. The slide/pump becomes stuck randomly right after firing a round, and seems to become stuck more when I am using a heavier load. It will not eject the spent shell until i very forcefully yank it, which is a big safety hazard i do not want to have occuring.

I am thinking about taking the gun to a local gunshop and having him work on it, but for what i paid for it, i would love to try and fix it myself to keep the costs low. Any suggestions or opinions would be awesome!

Thanks

 

[baylorattorney]

Just my opinion here, but judging from your shotguns problems, I would not hesitate in getting to a competent gunsmith. The Mossberg 500, I found, was a lot more complicated to work on. This compared to other shotguns like the 870 which was easy to do work on. If you saved money on the purchase, put it towards the repair and have a shotgun you can keep for years and hand down even. Good luck.

 

[bikerdoc]

First go to the sticky at the top of the shotgun page and do a complete breakdown and cleaning per the directions.

 

[blackDdefense]

I have three mossys. The safety is no big deal. Go to midwest gun works and buy a new safety detent ball and spring. When you do the complete breakdown for cleaning you will see in the bottom of the reciever (looking from underneath) the screw to take out to replace it. I buy mossys all the time with this problem for pennies on the dollar because somebody didn't want to take the time to fix a $150 gun. Good luck...one of my mossberg 500's has been with me for 19 years of great hunting fun.

 

[BADUNAME37]

It sounds as though someone took it all apart and ended up with a couple of leftover parts, not to mention, jamming the L&R action bars in or out of position! Those action bars may show some signs of wear, where they are jamming. I presume that to be the 'lockup' cause.

 

[baylorattorney]

Ok if you do decide to go it alone I offer this valuable advice that will save you time and trouble. Do it in a well lit and clean room with a hard floor like tile. Have a workbench where you can sit comfortably and have a gun vise to hold your gun in place. The reason for the clean well lit room with hard floors is those little springs and detents like to play space shuttle with you and launch themselves - sometimes quite a distance, so safety glasses might also be an option to consider. you probably already knew this, but it took me a lot of lost springs and a sore back bf i fell in line. good luck.