Mossberg 930 problem

[Ken O]

I took out my Mossberg 930 for the first time yesterday. I'm not sure how, but I ended up with one in the chamber, one sitting on the elevator, and rounds in the tube. Now, I cannot bring the charging handle back to eject the round in the chamber. I took off the mag. tube and removed those rounds, I removed the trigger action and removed the round on the elevator, but still cannot open the action. Can a shell be stuck in the chamber, or is something not releasing? Anyone have any ideas? I don't want to pull too hard on the handle and break something.
thanks for any ideas.
Ken

[Ken O]

update on my 930. I discovered that the round in the chamber has been fired.
Ken

[speeddreamz]

Have you tried "mortaring" the handle?

Sometimes you can also get a little leverage on the same area where the charging handle feeds into the bolt with a small screwdriver. Put a hammer on the other end of it and tap lightly and then more forcefully.

[neomentat]

guess i'm staying away from one

[1MAG1KiLL]

bang on the charging handle with a rubber mallet

[trigger hippie]

A similar malfunction has happened to me a few times early on with my 930 JM; for me, the bolt unlocks, but the shell is just plain stuck in there. I haven't had a bolt-stuck-shut malfunction yet.

It is most frequent with cheap steel-base shells, particularly cheapo Winchester and Kent birdshot loads. I've never experienced this problem shooting high-base brass buck or slugs.

Repeatedly cycling the action does not remove the expended shell as all you are doing is ripping a small extractor-sized hole into the base of the shell. The only solution when this occurs is either to pry out the shell using a knife blade or to push out the shell from the barrel end.

If you are unsure if the shell fired, you should only do this after SUPER-CAREFULLY waiting a LONG TIME, with the bolt closed preferably (I would, don't know if this is a real safety concern) to make sure that it isn't like, a hang fire or anything, as this seems to me to be a stunningly easy way to lose your hand and/or get a cleaning rod shot into your palm. And for the love of god point the shotgun in a SAFE DIRECTION while you are waiting.

I believe what is happening is that the base of the shell expands, "locking" the expended shell into the chamber. Carbon build-up around the chamber might contribute to this; it certainly doesn't happen early on in firing sessions, but becomes irritatingly frequent as the gun heats up.

As I've run my gun more and more this problem occurs much less frequently. It is, however, something that I'm very aware of, and I'm planning to send the shotgun out for a reliability job soon (with maybe some forcing cone work too).

[Ken O]

Trigger hippie was correct on all counts. Cheapo winchester shell, knocked it out with a cleaning rod. the shell was getting bent up from the extractor. After the 3rd time out, shooting some 00 buck through it I have not had any more issues. I'm starting to trust it again.
thanks again, Ken

[trigger hippie]

by the fact that you are typing, I am pleased to note that you did not lose your hand attempting to knock out a hangfired shell

I found Remington Gun Club #7 1/2 3 dram equiv. seems to cycle pretty well in my 930 JM for a budget load, you might try that if you're looking for a practice load. Federal #00 buckshot is also 100% reliable (the military-themed stuff with the green hulls).

FWIW, I'm planning on sending it to Don Lazzarini in Santa Clara once I get some money together.

Now just wait until you get your thumb stuck in the lifter for the first time. It's a lovely experience, trust me

[rmatt]

thumb in lifter, did it first time shooting the gun today.

off topic somewhat, i read all sorts of stuff online that the 930 does not like to cycle cheap or light loads unless it's been broken in with lots of buck rounds first.

truth? half truth? lie? i wanna start my gun out in such a way it shoots the cheap crap as reliably as possible.

[osis32]

Its partially true. Its on a gun to gun basis. You'll find out if you try lighter loads

[trigger hippie]

Also detail strip and clean the everliving crap out of EVERYTHING. When there is no more red factory protectant coming out on your patches you're good. Remember to get all of the firing pin if you don't fully disassemble the bolt, as well as the extractor. Take your stock off fully and clean and lube the recoil tube area too, there can be factory gunk too I've heard.

edit: also, mobil 1 for lubricating the piston area, and kroil for cleaning it, help I think. Remember that you can take off the piston rings and clean under there too, just like on your car.

[rmatt]

yeah, having read stuff i did do a full diss assembly before even shooting it. remoil on everything then wiped off. then froglube where needed. special attention to bolt and gas piston.

i made a mistake and grabbed the 20g ammo when i went to the range today and just put the odd 10 rounds of 00buck through it i had in the rig. will try some of the light loads right off the bat monday. thanks for all the help and sorry for a little thread deviation.

[rmatt]

yeah, having read stuff i did do a full diss assembly before even shooting it. remoil on everything then wiped off. then froglube where needed. special attention to bolt and gas piston.

i made a mistake and grabbed the 20g ammo when i went to the range today and just put the odd 10 rounds of 00buck through it i had in the rig. will try some of the light loads right off the bat monday. thanks for all the help and sorry for a little thread deviation.