Comedy of Errors starring Me and a Mossberg 590

[GreenMtnTac]

Okay, I admit it. I'm mechanically challenged. Today's episode is a typical example...

I keep a 590 around the house for home defense. Chamber empty, 5 rounds of 00 buck in the tube. Mostly the gun sets on a shelf high enough that the grandkids can't get to it, gathering dust. Maybe a couple of times a year I'll take it to the range to test for function and practice with it. I did that Saturday, and made the wife take a turn in case she ever needed to use it.

Sunday morning I decided to field strip the gun and give it a good cleaning. So I pull out the manual and turn to page 7 and start following directions: remove magazine tube cap, remove barrel, remove trigger group,...

At this point the manual reads "Field disassembly is now complete. The firearm should not be disassembled any further for routine cleaning or maintenance. Further disassembly should only be performed at an authorized Product Service Center or by a qualified gunsmith." "Cool," I thought, "now to start cleaning."

At this point I rotate the receiver and a part falls out of it. WTF? I turn it over the other way and another part falls out. WTF? Great. Horse feathers. The manual doesn't say anything about this.

"Might as well keep going," I think, as I continue to follow directions and remove parts. I finally get to "Field disassembly is now complete! The shotgun should not be disassembled further for routine cleaning or maintenance. Further disassembly should only be performed at the factory or by a qualified gunsmith." I shake the receiver, but nothing else falls out.

So now I have a small pile of parts and components, which I clean with Kroil, which causes me to sneeze incessantly. That stuff's a great solvent, but I'm pretty sure it causes cancer in rats.

The reassembly goes better. Remember those parts that fell out of the receiver? They have a name, which I learn is "cartridge interrupter" and "cartridge stop." Everything goes back together and I have no parts left over. Things are looking up. Then I cycle the action and it sticks. WTF? More mucking with things and now the action cycles but the trigger will not operate. WTF? Time passes, maybe an hour. I probably dismantle and reassemble the receiver internals a dozen times, to no avail.

Finally I notice the problem. The barrel wasn't fully seated in the receiver. I manipulate it a bit, tighten up the magazine retaining cap, and suddenly, as if by magic, the gun begins behaving like a working shotgun.

Whew! What a morning. It's a good thing I don't have to make a living as a gunsmith. I suppose I should look at the bright side. Next time I have to detail strip a 590 I will probably be able to do it with my eyes closed. Until then I'll continue to feel like a mechanically challenged moron.

Does this ever happen to any of you fellas?

[Rad Diver]

I hate taking mossbergs apart. There are way to many parts. Remington 870's are much easier.

[Welpe]

That happens sometimes when I'm disassembling the internals on my M1. I have put the piece that forces the magazine up in backwards. That's a pain in the *** to reverse because there is spring tension against it so you have to work it just right or it's stuck. :(

[TX-LEO]

haha Sounds like the first time I took my Ruger mk2 apart...PHEW!


As was said, the 870s are much easier, and nothing falls out when you take the barrel off!

I would suggest however that once the kiddies can reach the shelf on a chair that you know enough to pick a different method of storage :D

[GreenMtnTac]

...I would suggest however that once the kiddies can reach the shelf on a chair that you know enough to pick a different method of storage :D

Not to worry. In truth, when the kids come over-- which is not often --I unload everything and put it in the safe while they are here. Just easier not to have to worry about those industrious little critters. At least until they master the art of safe cracking. ;)

[rdp]

An 870 must be easier to take it apart. You have to clean it sooo often to make sure it still might work, it needs to be simple;)

Mossbergs just keep on ticking!

[TX-LEO]

An 870 must be easier to take it apart. You have to clean it sooo often to make sure it still might work, it needs to be simple;)

Mossbergs just keep on ticking!

Ohhhhhhhhhhh!!!!

You set off my BS detector there bro! I've never met an 870 that didn't work every time.

[rdp]

Never met an 870 that didn't work???

Next time you swing by our lovely land, I'll take you up to the range. I guarantee you will see a double feed within a few minutes. Then there is an action lock which is part of the double feed.

There is a reason they developed the 870 remedial drill of slamming the butt of the gun on the ground while holding the slide release.

Had plenty of malfunctions right out of the box......ohh, the joys of an 870!!!!

[nikon]

This is actually good timing for this thread because I am in the market for a new shotgun. I have been HEAVILY looking at the 500/590 and have been comparing it to the 870. I seem to like the 500 best (for my purposes and the price) but I want to hear it from you guys. Seems that the weight and the ease of assembly/disassembly of the 870 are perks but the Moss ability to take abuse is a perk on its side.

Which would you recommend and why? Thanks.

[Sorry if I jacked your thread GreenMtnTac]

[GreenMtnTac]

Nikon, not a problem. Now that I've done it once I'd say taking down and reassembling the 590 is pretty straightforward. That first time was a real ordeal for me, though. But draw no conclusions from that. The first time I detail stripped a 1911 it took me several days to get it back together. Like I said, I'm mechanically challenged. ;)

I think 500/590/870 are all pretty good and pretty close in quality/reliability. For whatever reason the 870 seems more popular, but the 590 was used by the military, which is good enough for me.

[nikon]

Good info. Thanks. I can't afford the 590, although I drool thinking about it, and I am really leaning towards the 500. Does the manual give good information about the stripping (hehe)? :D

[GreenMtnTac]

Not that I could see. Most factory manuals suck big time. ;)

[rdp]

Spend the extra 80 and find a 590.

Kind of like a straight 870 over the police model. There is a difference.

[nikon]

Spend the extra 80 and find a 590.

Kind of like a straight 870 over the police model. There is a difference.

I will see what I can do. I recently found out that my Dad is going to give me his old shotgun so that I can trade it in and see about a better price. Anyone here got a good deal for me? Who's a gun dealer that will ship to a FFL in VT?

[Would be a little difficult with a trade in but if I don't do a trade in I would be looking for someone to give me a good price :D]

[TX-LEO]

Never met an 870 that didn't work???

Next time you swing by our lovely land, I'll take you up to the range. I guarantee you will see a double feed within a few minutes. Then there is an action lock which is part of the double feed.

There is a reason they developed the 870 remedial drill of slamming the butt of the gun on the ground while holding the slide release.

Had plenty of malfunctions right out of the box......ohh, the joys of an 870!!!!

I've never had a problem with my 870, and it's not the P version...