New Shotgun woe

[Solidux]

I purchased a brand new mossberg 500 and noticed an issue right away as I pumped the action using snapcaps.

The cycling itself is good, but the magazine tube and the action slide bar on the left side is getting scratched a lot too soon.

The only thing I did was take off the barrel to clean it.

Added a picture of the scratching and a gap I have in the takedown mount ring. Not sure why only one side is wearing out so soon.

[meaty-btz]

Exactly the same with my Mossberg 500. EXACTLY.

Still works great cases of shells later.

In fact it got THAT scratched up before I even took it down for the first cleaning. The gap though only appeared after I gave the gun a full cleaning and disassembly.

No idea here other than cheap finish and poor quality fitment is responsible. It should be noted that I did not get "additional" wear over time, it just wore those exact spots on mine then stopped getting worse. YMMV

[Solidux]

Is the finish on your right side action rods pristine though? If only one side is being rubbed against like that doesnt it mean its not put together right?

After reading the manual. I think we may have our barrels on wrong.

On page 16 paragraph 7:

"Position heat shield so that the rear (large ring) butts up against the front of the receiver."

After putting the barrel back together it looks like there's now a small gap between the heatshield and receiver.


Edit: Just tried multiple times to put the barrel back in straight. It always leaves that small gap now. Must...fight... OCD

[meaty-btz]

yup, only one side shows the excessive wear. Double checked just now and pulled the barrel again, it is as true as I can make it an appears properly installed. I also still have a gap at the front like yours.

I shoot slugs true at 100yards for good groupings so I don't think my barrel is off center. I keep those rails very well oiled to try and prevent further wear. I usually keep my guns well oiled on wear parts anyways so.. nothing new there.

Truth is I have only had two malfunctions in the gun since I got it and I've put probably 400 shells at least through it. Both were a few days ago when I was doing secret mixed bag shooting training with the wife. We would blind load the gun with a mix of shells to try and reveal if we are "anticipating" the heavier loads and to get consistent no matter what is coming out of the barrel. I had two shells go click, which in a way was good as I had to react to the failure to fire and cycle in a new round. Turns out I was probably short stroking it and the firing pin may not have been properly engaged. Neither of the two shells that failed in a row had any indications of a primer strike at all. I put them back in the tube and cycled again and everything was normal till we had to retire with sore shoulders. It is always fun going from a Universal shell to a Rifled Slug! Suddenly recoil!

[Solidux]

Ah i see. Blast.

Thank you very much for your time. I would have lost sleep over my hd weapon not being put together right.

...tommorow though... I will ... Try endlessly to... Close that gap... Its almost as bad as looking at a glock. I kid. I kid... maybe

[meaty-btz]

HAHA, indeed the gap annoyed the hell out of me at first, then I got over it. If this was anything other than a arm I would probably whip out the rubber mallet to bash the barrel down as far as it was from factory. I recall that bolt being very very tight from the factory so that might be it. I tried using a bunch of strength while re-seating the barrel tonight and I got my gap smaller, but it wont go away completely. I gave up too. Then I learned to live with the gap. I am considering making a movie titled: The Mossberg 500 Gap, or How I learned to relax and love the gap.

[Solidux]

whip out the rubber mallet to bash the barrel down as far as it was from factory.

Eureka! Gotta buy one of those tommorow

[pontiacpratt]

I've got the same on my 590. The first trip out with it I got a few marks on the side or the receiver from my holster. Its a sure sign of using and enjoying your firearm

[meaty-btz]

You know what I love about my mossberg? The adjustable trigger group. I lightened the trigger up to as much as it would allow. I love it.

[shafferds]

Just shoot and enjoy and repeat.

[shellslinger]

It's normal, my 590a1 does this too. Just got have fun with it

[Dutch3]

I have a Mossberg (actually "Coast To Coast Hardware") 12 Ga that has to be at least 35 years old. It was beat to hell and back before I got it 20 years ago.

I bought an 18 1/2" barrel for it a couple of years ago, and guess what? It has the same gap when installed. No worries, it still shoots as well as it always did.