How do I get this screwed back on? Mossberg930

[DogSac]

I've had this Mossberg 930 Field model for over a year, and I've put 1500+ rounds through it.
I took apart the gas piston assembly for the first time for cleaning, and noticed this other side of the piston housing looked dirty.

So I remove this threaded collar, and now I can't get it back on. I don't have a spring compression tool that works for this.

What do I need to get this back in?

By the way, this doesn't even appear on the part schematics.

I tried inserting the tapered end of an old rake handle into the collar, and this takes over a 100 lbs of compression. By the time that kind of pressure is applied, that collar isn't true and the threads can't start.

Thanks

[pennstater]

Hmm.Looking at what you show and cannot figure out the problem. I have a 930 "Duck Commander" model and have had no such issues. Pretty straight forward with disassembley, clean, reassemble. On mine, the retainer ring is metal or aluminum, not plastic. Stumped as to why your problem exists. Ought to go right back together; just in reverse. Damn!

MLC

[CessnaDriver]

I vaguely recall some kind of method, but it's been years.

I'd search here or make a post.......

http://mossbergowners.com/forum/index.php?forums/mossberg-930-autoloader.14/

[32spoke]

[9mmrevolver]

I almost made the same mistake on my 930 when I was having issues with it. I remember reading somewhere when I was about 90% done unscrewing and thought how do I get this thing back on. Turns out my issues is that the 930 collects unburned powder and crud very easily by the Safty mechanism. Actually had to take the trigger group out and wash it and the receiver off in a duck blind.Good luck to u.

[CheapBloke]

That spring is called the gas piston recoil spring.

It should never be removed. (As I can't find a forum/site that explains removal and reassembly, but found many talking points regarding that should never be removed.)

I imagine a gunsmith is your next step. You'd have to compress and screw that in. I can't tell by your pic, but that assembly goes in from the front of barrel.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

[sealocan]

If all else fails I think Mossberg might put those pieces together for you if you send it to them explaining that you were just trying to clean out a dirty area, especially since you've only owned it a year.

[DArBad]

Send it back to Mossberg. They could have used a hydraulic press contraption of some sort to put that in.

[Enthusiast14]

I did that. Sent it back to Mossberg, told them I'm an idiot, and could you please fix it. They did. There's a return form on their website.

[DogSac]

Thanks for the responses so far.
There seems to be a non-zero possibility of using a pilot bearing puller to compress the spring down from the other side. Probably with a risk of injury or property damage.

[DogSac]

That spring is called the gas piston recoil spring.

It should never be removed. (As I can't find a forum/site that explains removal and reassembly, but found many talking points regarding that should never be removed.)

I imagine a gunsmith is your next step. You'd have to compress and screw that in. I can't tell by your pic, but that assembly goes in from the front of barrel.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

There are a couple of local gunsmiths I'll talk to this week. I've seen cautionary tales of gunsmiths leaving out the chamfered metal o-ring gas seal that sits between the inner retention lip and spring.

I was actually able to get the collar screwed on without much trouble if I left the seal out.
The spring has a progressive design, the further its compressed the harder it becomes, and that additional 4mm the seal adds makes a huge difference.

[ysr_racer]

A big vice or a hydraulic press.

[DogSac]

Gunsmith wasn't able to get it installed either. It's not possible to compress the spring from the top of the collar, and also start the threads.

Using a socket and vice to compress the spring doesn't help. It doesn't work, but you want to try using the vent holes on the side to pin the spring with a screwdriver, back out the socket, and then thread the collar on by hand. You just can't get on top of the spring from those holes.

Looking at the manual I don't see any warning about not removing that collar. Everything and everyone, including Jerry Miculek's "comprehensive" cleaning video completely glosses it over.

I'm sending the barrel back to Mossberg, which really sucks because I know it will take 2 months, and now I can't do my weekly clays.

Thanks for the input.

[DArBad]

See my post #8 above. Good luck.

[sonofeugene]

You can do it, but it requires some custom tools.