Mossberg 500 Pheasant 12ga, problen?

[John S.]

Ok I bought this cheap. I removed the foreskin, I mean foestock, and now it doesn't lock when a shell is pumped in. I haven't shot it yet, thank god. But also, I'm a lefty and the pump release is on LH triger side. I don't bump it but the pump will not lock when it is pumped and loaded. Is there something I might have done putting it back together? I also want to grind that Pump release button down, because it would be very easy to bump it while triger is pulled with lh forefinger. Any real good videoes on forstock removal instal, and the release button? If not I will grind that release button flush and use a push pin or something to release the forestock pump. It'a great Pheasant gun, and I want to fix it. Especially for 6ft Pheasants in house in middle of night, lol

Makes a great cane too! lol

[benny]

What are you located? If your up on the North side near Coon Rapids your welcome to stop by with it. I have owned the Mossberg 500AT in 12 ga. for many , many years. They are pretty simple to work on till you get into the trigger assembly. Then your better off going to a good smith for that.

The Forstock comes off by removing the cap on the mag tube then pop out the pin holding the trigger assembly in and pul out the assembly.
Then remove the two flat rods on either side of the receiver , drop the bolt assembly out the bottom of the receiver. Then you have to push the pump slide rails in to clear the buttons on end of them inside the receiver, then pull forward out of the receiver.
The mag tube just screws into the receiver but if you take it off remember the spring in side that will fly out on you.

Benny

[John S.]

Live in Morristown. Thinking about running out to Ahlmans but, I took all that off,and screwed something up when putting back together. Not sure what. Followed a youtube video, tearing it down, but, going back together it wasn't REAL clear, so, I think I screwed somethin up. Plus, I'm LH, so that damn pump release button needs to be cut off flush so I don't bump it with my trigger finger. But, that is NOT why the receiver doesn't lock, I'm positive about that. But very easy to bump that release button with my LH trigger finger. If I cut it off flush, I hope to still be able to push the release button if needed, but not by accident. I don't want to pay a gunsmith. It seemed pretty straight forward coming apart, but, I think I reassembled it wrong. Just glad I never tried to fire it, wouldn't be pretty if fired and receiver came open. lol Thanks

[bleukahuna]

It's been a while since I've been in a 500, but I have seen this problem. As unlikely as it would seem, the bolt carrier can get inserted wrong. The slide will move back and forth but bolt can't lock. If you pull the trigger group you should be able to see the bolt carrier. Next you need to align the notches on the carrier with the recesses in the receiver and lift out. Properly oriented, there is a wedge shaped projection on the upper side of the carrier that fits in to the recess in the bottom of the bolt, you may have to move the bolt a bit for it to line up. Make sure the hammer is cocked and reinstall the trigger group, and you should be GTG.
BTW my left handed brother has been shooting 500's for over 30 years and never had an issue with the slide release, but he has put the carrier back in wrong a time or two.

[John S.]

It's been a while since I've been in a 500, but I have seen this problem. As unlikely as it would seem, the bolt carrier can get inserted wrong. The slide will move back and forth but bolt can't lock. If you pull the trigger group you should be able to see the bolt carrier. Next you need to align the notches on the carrier with the recesses in the receiver and lift out. Properly oriented, there is a wedge shaped projection on the upper side of the carrier that fits in to the recess in the bottom of the bolt, you may have to move the bolt a bit for it to line up. Make sure the hammer is cocked and reinstall the trigger group, and you should be GTG.
BTW my left handed brother has been shooting 500's for over 30 years and never had an issue with the slide release, but he has put the carrier back in wrong a time or two.

Thanks yeah, that bolt carrier seem like a biotch, I prolly screwed that up. I'' do surgery again.