Mossberg 500c - Restriction Plug

[doctorj77]

I recently purchased a used Mossberg 500c 20 gauge. This is a home defense shotty and I'd like to get to hold as many shells as possible. I recently learned that you cannot add a mag extension to the 500 series. Rather that I'd have to change out the tube & barrel. Not worth it in my opinion. Currently it holds 4rds in the tube. I also recently read how to remove the wooden dowel "restriction plug", sounds pretty easy.

What I don't know is, will the tube feed shells without the wooden plug present? If so, whats the max capacity the tube can hold? It was a 28in barrel, but the previous owner cut it down to 20in.

Thanks

 

[natman]

Yes, it will feed without the plug in place. It should hold 4 in the magazine w/o the plug.

 

[rcmodel]

If it already holds four rounds in the tube, it doesn't have the plug in it.

The plug restricts mag capacity to two rounds + one in the chamber for 3-shot max capacity for migratory bird hunting.

rc

 

[doctorj77]

Dam, I was hoping to squeeze one more round in there. Oh well, 4rds is plenty for HD anyway. Thanks for the info guys.

Also, does anyone know of a dis-assembly tutorial on a Winchester 1300? I'm thinking of adding a mag extension for that 20ga but never learned how to remove the mag plug.

 

[rcmodel]

Just take the mag cap off, take the plug out, & screw the mag cap back on.

Heres an owners manual.
http://media.winchesterguns.com/pdf/om/model1300_manual_om_s.pdf

rc

 

[doctorj77]

Cool, thanks RC

 

[RandKL]

A Mossberg 500 is a 5+1. You've got something in the tube blocking that last one.

r

 

[ishida]

Rand, all my research says that the 500c holds only 4+1. Mossberg specifically markets their shotguns INCLUDING the +1 in the mag capacity.

 

[RandKL]

Nopers, Ishida. They market them as "5+1", "7+1", "8+1" etc. The "+1" is the chamber, the other is the mag tube capacity. A 500C is a standard model 500 receiver in 20ga with a 5+1 mag tube/capacity for a total of six shots. Mossberg doesn't make nor market a four shot mag tube.

Remington 870's, basic guns, are 4+1....Mossbergs, basic guns, are always 5+1 (six shots).

If the OP is only getting four into his mag tube, he's either not pressing the fifth one in hard enough or he has something in the tube blocking it.

rich

 

[ishida]

Funny, I guess mine is messed up too!

I have a Mossberg Persuader in 12, the "eight round" model. It's got a 7-round tube with one in the chamber. Like it's designed. Mossberg does market them with the +1 added in right off the bat. The 6-shot model has a 5-round tube, and the 8-shot model has a 7-round tube.

Now, tell Bud's Gunshop what the 500c can hold.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/47852
Or American Hunting and Firearms.
http://www.americanhuntingandfirearms.com/item.asp?item=015813542821

Go to Mossberg's site, and go to "specifications" for a given pump model. The capacity will be one more than what actually fits in the tube. YOu'll notice all the "basic" models say "6" instead of "5".
On the bottom of the specifications page for the 500...
"IMPORTANT NOTES: CAP: Capacity - includes one in chamber. One less for 3" shells. (Pending ammunition tolerance variations, total capacity may be reduced by one additional round.) "

Go right ahead and take off the barrel, turn the shotgun where the hole in the top of the magazine tube is pointing down, and shake the dickens out of it. Likely, you aren't going to get anything else out of it.

 

[brandnew]

The guy should just take the dowell out and it will hold what it will hold. And if you want to have more, look into a side saddle on the receiver.

 

[RandKL]

Ishida, I don't think you're quite understanding that post of mine. You're working to confuse yourself there.

I have a Mossberg Persuader in 12, the "eight round" model. It's got a 7-round tube with one in the chamber. Like it's designed. Mossberg does market them with the +1 added in right off the bat. The 6-shot model has a 5-round tube, and the 8-shot model has a 7-round tube.

Your Persuader is a "7+1" gun, though. That means it can hold SEVEN in the mag tube plus one in the chamber for a total of EIGHT shots. Yes, you can call it an "eight shot gun" if you want because it is....but it's not an eight shot mag tube. It's a "7+1" gun. The OP's gun is a "5+1" for a total of SIX shots. Mossberg doesn't make nor market a FOUR shot mag tube for the 500. If he's only getting FOUR into his five shot mag tube, he's either not pushing it hard enough or it's got an obstruction in the mag tube.

Funny, I guess mine is messed up too!

I don't know what you're referring too. You seem to know already that you have a 7+1 (total of eight shots) capacity in your gun.

Bud's is simply wrong. Again, Mossberg doesn't make nor market a four shot mag tube for the 500. It's either a FIVE shot mag tube with one in the chamber for a total of SIX shots, or it's a 7+1, or it's an 8+1. There are no FOUR shot mag tubes for the 500. Again, if he's only getting four into his tube....

Go to Mossberg's site, and go to "specifications" for a given pump model. The capacity will be one more than what actually fits in the tube. YOu'll notice all the "basic" models say "6" instead of "5".

Yes, they do. That's my point. A FIVE SHOT MAG TUBE ***plus ONE IN THE CHAMBER*** is a SIX SHOT TOTAL. Do you see now why he can't be getting FOUR shots into his mag tube if it's working properly???

His gun is a "5+1"....it holds FIVE 2 3/4" shells in the TUBE and one in the barrel for a total of six shots. Yours is a "7+1". It holds SEVEN 2 3/4" shells in the mag tube and one in the chamber for a total of eight shots.

Go right ahead and take off the barrel, turn the shotgun where the hole in the top of the magazine tube is pointing down, and shake the dickens out of it. Likely, you aren't going to get anything else out of it.

If he's only getting FOUR rounds into his mag tube, he's either not pushing the fifth shell in hard enough or there's SOMETHING in it. It's a FIVE SHOT magazine tube, not a FOUR shot.

r

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My Mossy 500 actually holds 5 2&3/4" shells in the mag tube. That makes it a 6 shot or if you prefer a 5+1.

 

[RandKL]

My Mossy 500 actually hold 5 2&3/4" shells in the mag tube. That makes it a 6 shot or if you prefer a 5+1.

Exactly, Jimmy. The original poster said he can only fit four into his mag tube....and with one in the chamber, his would be a five shot gun. Mossberg doesn't make a 500 that only holds four 2 3/4" shells in the mag tube.

If he can only fit four 2 3/4" shells into his mag tube, where it should hold five, he's got a problem as I said.

richard

 

[Jubjub]

He didn't specify 2 3/4" shells. Maybe he's using 3"?

 

[RandKL]

He didn't specify 2 3/4" shells. Maybe he's using 3"?

Could be....but then he wouldn't be getting "as many shells as possible" as he said. It's up to him to say whether or not he's using standard 2 3/4" shells or 3". I'm not a psychic. That's not his first shotgun nor is he a newbie at shooting one, though, so I choose to believe he's using standard 2 3/4" shells and knows the diff but is simply having questions about his Mossy.

rich

 

[doctorj77]

So I looked last night, there wasn't any dowel in the tube. But what I failed to realize, or mention, I was trying to load Five 3in shells. Which it does not fit. But I realized I can load Five 2 3/4in shells, or Four 3in + One 2 3/4in. So its a 5+1 setup.


Thank you every1 for their input on this. Not that +1 really should matter much, I just like knowing it can hold that many now.

 

[natman]

Yes, it will feed without the plug in place. It should hold 4 in the magazine w/o the plug.

Correction. Yes, it should be 5 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber for a total capacity of 6. Mea culpa.

 

[RandKL]

all good. as usual, we all seem to be arguing the same thing, just confused over the wording. semantics.

be safe, all

r