Mossberg 500a problem

[EddyBusa]

Hello all, I just purchased a Mossberg 500a, black synthetic, 12gauge, pump combo at Big 5. it is my first shotgun, actually my first gun of any kind and i have a problem. upon cleaning it i noticed that it seems the forearm grip is cracked a little on the inside portion near the back end of the forearm, when i brought it back, i was told that i could exchange it for another, but i would have to wait another 10 days, not a real big deal as i didn't need the gun right away, upon inspecting the other 3 shotguns at the dealer all 3 shotguns had the same crack in the same place. i have attached a pic sorry about size and focus, only have a phone cam. anyways it should give a good idea of where the crack is. and the question i have is if this a manufacture defect that is known and is on all and will have no effect in performance and such... or is it something that is gonna be potentially dangerous, like it explode and take some digits with it, or something in between, any info would be great thx in advance

[B.D.Dubloon]

I can't make it out in the pic, but since it is just part of the grip it won't explode on you or anything although it might break when you shoot it. You should get a pistolgrip for it anyway.

[The Cable Guy]

Its nothing dangerous, but that stock forend is a piece of crap.

I would invest $55 and get a real slide action tube.

I got mine at uh...
havlinsales.com ? I think it was.

Get the dual/double-arm version and choose a forend of your choice on another retail site. I got my houge overmold forend for about $20 on midwayusa.com

[EddyBusa]

thanks bd, pistol grip is something i'm thinking about for future, but the slide portion is my main concern, i knew it wouldn't explode, just covering the extremes.

[mtnfolk mike]

that is the same stock forend that is on my gun... i have heard they weren't that great, but now i can see... so i guess i'll eventually just have to upgrade to something esle too...

[EddyBusa]

thx cable, i figured as much, most other forums i've been reading through pretty much came to the same conclusion about the forearm grip, guess i'll submit something to mossberg and wait for it to break in the mean time.

[The Cable Guy]

My stock big-5 forend fell apart after about 300 rounds. The retaining pins that keep the slide action bars onto the forend itself popped out and got lost at the range. Piece of crap.

[mtnfolk mike]

man.. what a bummer... so i still need one of these, http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=643889 if i wanted to put on any other kind of forend...

[The Cable Guy]

man.. what a bummer... so i still need one of these, http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=643889 if i wanted to put on any other kind of forend...

Not if you just get the 7 5/8" tube right off the bat.

EDIT: Be sure to also get the slide nut for $12 if you get it at havlinsales.

[mtnfolk mike]

Not if you just get the 7 5/8" tube right off the bat.

EDIT: Be sure to also get the slide nut for $12 if you get it at havlinsales.

please forgive my noob questions...

are you refering a 7 5/8 mag tube?? if so where can i get one...

[The Cable Guy]

please forgive my noob questions...

are you refering a 7 5/8 mag tube?? if so where can i get one...

No, I mean the actual slide action tube/bars. The sturdier non-big 5 models come with a metal constructed tube that you can then attach your forends onto.

[philthy209]

Get the Hogue kit from Midway. First thing i did when i got my 500A. Plastic sucks.

[redbull addict]

I have the same crack in mine...strange.

[mtnfolk mike]

No, I mean the actual slide action tube/bars. The sturdier non-big 5 models come with a metal constructed tube that you can then attach your forends onto.

thanks for the info... are these pretty easy to install??

EDIT: do any of you folks have any experience with www.havlinsales.com they have a great selection of parts..

[EddyBusa]

hey folks, just keeping anyone that had a crack in the forearm like i did, i just called mossberg and they said they would send me a new one. no charge of course, at least thats what the customer service agent said. but considering that i have seen with my own eyes 4 shotguns with the same crack and other members here and on other forums with similar cracks, i am for sure investing in a different forearm in the very near future. thx to everyone for the insight and info