Mossy 500 Issue

[Flyincedar]

Ok, normally I can figure this stuff out, but I have to admit that this one has me stumped....

I have an older Mossberg 500 that will not unlock on it's own to cycle after firing. It will unlock and cycle if you push the action release button. Despite being old, it is in really good shape and has been well taken care of. When taking it apart, everything looks like it should, nothing appears broken or damaged. Looks like every other one I have ever seen.

Anyone ever had this issue? Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[RaceM]

There's two springs to work the slide release, one for manual operation, and one to pull the release bar when the hammer has gone fully forward. Pull the trigger group (hammer cocked) and release the hammer (under control of your fingers) and see if the release bar moves at the end of the hammer stroke. If it doesn't it's either that the spring is broken, or the pin for it in the hammer has fallen out.

 

[Flyincedar]

It definitely doesn't move when the hammer falls..... When the hammer is cocked, you can see a hole toward the front of it, hopefully this picture shows what I mean....



Is this by chance where the pin goes that you are referring to?

 

[RaceM]

Yup. On my relatively new 500 there’s a pin in that bottom hole on the hammer which will push down on the lower spring leg to drop the bar and unlock the slide. Aside from minor differences in hammer shape because yours is older it should function the same, so I reckon the pin has gone away. They must've changed the design because of that very problem cuz on mine the pin can't come out of there unless the hammer is removed from the trigger group. Looks like you'll need a pin, and stake it in place. While you've got it apart might as well check the lower spring leg to make sure it's there, and give the trigger group a good blasting out with the front end down and see if the pin falls out.

 

[Flyincedar]

Thanks for the help. Any idea where to get one? I normally do the work myself, but I may end up taking it to a real smith

 

[RaceM]

Ain't much to that pin. I'd just take the hammer/hammer strut/ and spring outta the trigger group and make a new pin out of mild steel (think nail). With the hammer/etc. out it'd be easier to work on & make staking the new pin a breeze. Shouldn't be anything there you can't handle.