Mossberg 500 malf question

chris in va · June 30, 2008, 11:09 PM

If I'm getting light primer strikes, what part of the trigger group needs replacing?

I called (edited!) Mossberg and they basically told me to just send the whole thing in. Unfortunately I don't have $60 knocking around and would rather just replace a $3 part myself if that's what it takes.

BTW the firing pin spring on this thing is uber strong. I can't even press the firing pin with a screwdriver...

Slopemeno · June 30, 2008, 11:13 PM

Why does Ruger want to see a Mossberg 500?

3 gun · July 1, 2008, 01:13 AM

If you have a Mossberg 500 it's a simple matter to replace the hammer spring. Don't know what to say about Ruger firing pins.

mikenbarb · July 1, 2008, 01:27 PM

Try a good cleaning first with a good spray cleaner. Mine had the same problem and a cleaning with powder blaster and light oil did the trick.

chris in va · July 1, 2008, 10:21 PM

Ha ha...sorry guys, I've got too many gun names floating around in this head of mine.

Called MOSSBERG.

I did hit it with Powder Blaster, didn't seem to change anything. The strikes are pretty shallow when I checked the fired shells. But I'll try again, maybe I just need to hose it down a lot more.

Scattergun Bob · July 2, 2008, 12:37 AM

Have you removed the bolt and checked that your firing pin is not broken. This sometimes causes this malfunction. Check closely, sometimes the crack is hidden by the firing pin spring.

The other common issue is that the locking lug is not allowing the bolt to travel all the way into battery. Please check the locking lug recess in the top of the receiver to make sure it is clean.

Good Luck & Be Safe

Red_Eagle · July 2, 2008, 03:22 AM

Is the barrel screwed in tight?

Icopy1 · July 2, 2008, 06:52 AM

Have you tried different ammo? You could have shells with hard primers.

ebutler462 · July 2, 2008, 09:05 AM

I had such a problem. I disassembled the bolt, cut a coil off the firing pin return spring. The spring was too strong to allow the firing pin to move forward with enough strength to ignite the primer. Might be a good idea to replace the hammer spring if the above doesn't work.

As a side note, Remington shells have extremely hard primers. Athey generally require more punch than other ammo to ignite.

chris in va · July 9, 2008, 02:33 AM

Quote:

The spring was too strong to allow the firing pin to move forward with enough strength to ignite the primer.

That seems to be the case here too. Any particular reason why the pin spring should be so #$%@ stiff?

hogdogs · July 9, 2008, 08:15 AM

Maybe you have a different Mossberg 500 model than me... Mine has NO firing pin spring what so ever....
Here There is a cantilever inside the bolt that resets it when you rack it to reload a round. If that canti is seized.... Don't know nothin' about the trigger group as folks say not to tear into it.

Brent.

June 30, 2008, 11:09 PM	#1
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Mossberg 500 malf question If I'm getting light primer strikes, what part of the trigger group needs replacing? I called (edited!) Mossberg and they basically told me to just send the whole thing in. Unfortunately I don't have $60 knocking around and would rather just replace a $3 part myself if that's what it takes. BTW the firing pin spring on this thing is uber strong. I can't even press the firing pin with a screwdriver... Last edited by chris in va; July 1, 2008 at 10:20 PM.

July 1, 2008, 01:13 AM	#3
3 gun Senior Member Join Date: December 23, 1999 Location: N41 24.283 W81 43.370 N.E.Ohio Posts: 561	If you have a Mossberg 500 it's a simple matter to replace the hammer spring. Don't know what to say about Ruger firing pins. __________________ Change you can believe in... Pre-65 US silver coins NRA RSO & Certified Instructor in rifle, pistol, shotgun. An unloaded pistol is a paperweight. Opportunity knocks..Trouble kicks down the door.

July 1, 2008, 01:27 PM	#4
mikenbarb Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2007 Location: N.J. Posts: 1,111	Try a good cleaning first with a good spray cleaner. Mine had the same problem and a cleaning with powder blaster and light oil did the trick. __________________ Mike B. Gun control= Being able to hit your target. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pifinnercircle

July 2, 2008, 12:37 AM	#6
Scattergun Bob Senior Member Join Date: February 29, 2008 Location: Nine Mile Falls, Washington Posts: 1,186	chris in va Have you removed the bolt and checked that your firing pin is not broken. This sometimes causes this malfunction. Check closely, sometimes the crack is hidden by the firing pin spring. The other common issue is that the locking lug is not allowing the bolt to travel all the way into battery. Please check the locking lug recess in the top of the receiver to make sure it is clean. Good Luck & Be Safe __________________ First, with the most, WINS! Regards, Scattergun Bob

July 2, 2008, 03:22 AM	#7
Red_Eagle Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2007 Location: Western NY Posts: 598	Is the barrel screwed in tight? __________________ My Calibers: 22 Hornet, 223 Rem, 22-250, 243 Win, 270 Win, 280 Remington Ackley Improved, 30-30, 308 Win, 30-06, 300 Winchester magnum, 7.62x39mm, 380 Auto, 9mm Parabellum, 38 Special, 357 magnum, 40 S&W, 10mm Auto, 45 GAP, 45 Auto, 12 & 20 Guage

June 30, 2008, 11:13 PM	#2
Slopemeno Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2007 Posts: 2,663	Why does Ruger want to see a Mossberg 500?

July 1, 2008, 10:21 PM	#5
chris in va Senior Member Join Date: December 26, 2004 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 13,806	Ha ha...sorry guys, I've got too many gun names floating around in this head of mine. Called MOSSBERG. I did hit it with Powder Blaster, didn't seem to change anything. The strikes are pretty shallow when I checked the fired shells. But I'll try again, maybe I just need to hose it down a lot more.

July 2, 2008, 06:52 AM	#8
Icopy1 Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 415	Have you tried different ammo? You could have shells with hard primers.

July 2, 2008, 09:05 AM	#9
ebutler462 Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: NC Posts: 437	I had such a problem. I disassembled the bolt, cut a coil off the firing pin return spring. The spring was too strong to allow the firing pin to move forward with enough strength to ignite the primer. Might be a good idea to replace the hammer spring if the above doesn't work. As a side note, Remington shells have extremely hard primers. Athey generally require more punch than other ammo to ignite.

July 9, 2008, 08:15 AM	#11
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Maybe you have a different Mossberg 500 model than me... Mine has NO firing pin spring what so ever.... Here There is a cantilever inside the bolt that resets it when you rack it to reload a round. If that canti is seized.... Don't know nothin' about the trigger group as folks say not to tear into it. Brent.