Changed Mossberg 500 mag tube spring

[gitarmac]

I couldn't believe the difference in size when I compared the two springs.

Anyway, it easily came apart, no surprise there. My heat gun finally died but I carefully used a torch. Luckily I didn't have to use the strap wrench because I could not get it not to slip.

It took awhile for me to get it back together because the bolt wouldn't go forward enough, I had to actually press the ejector to get it in it's little slot and didn't think to do that the first few times.

The trigger group didn't just snap right in either. It's a simple little gun but parts really have to be in the right place.

But eventually I got it. Big difference! It's one of my bedside guns. I used to just keep one of my handguns on the nightstand but I came to my senses. I have lights on them and an eotech on the AR. Me and the beagles are the only ones here so leaving a firearm near me when I'm at home is fine.

Pics of spring comparison and Mossberg. I can't decide on the best spot to mount the light, I had it closer before the spring installation but decided I could risk hitting my hand so I moved it out a little.

 

[DustyGmt]

Is it a rifled slug barrel or smoothbore. I know in a previous thread you mentioned using segmented slugs. Just thinking that if you do have a rifled barrel on that shotgun, you may want to run a few shells of buckshot at around 20-30ft to see how they pattern. I know I would. Unless you are strictly going to stick to slugs, but I would just want to know how buckshot would pattern for defensive range, inside the home.... just a thought.

 

[gitarmac]

It's a smoothbore slug barrel. I was under the impression that buckshot through rifled barrels makes the shot do weird things. The slugs I got are the Winchester ones that break after they hit the target. I also have some federal 00 buckshot that splits when it hits the target. I got these things mostly because I was concerned about penetration. It's unlikely where I live but I don't want to take chances if there are options available.

But I do need to take it out and shoot it with my new ammo, just to be sure.

I actually have a rifled barrel that I got to hunt in a shotgun only area but never got to do it. That barrel is too long for HD and those slugs too expensive. Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky someday and get to use it.

I hope I never have to use it in defense but I'm comfortable knowing that I won't be an easy victim in my own home. I have my mom and dad to thank for that. They were pretty passive people that grew up during the depression but were under no illusions that things could go sideways when people were desperate. Mom always had a revolver in her tackle box when she went fishing. She said it was for snakes.

Sure mom. Especially those two legged ones.

 

[DustyGmt]

Yeah buckshot pretty much grenades passed 10 to 15 feet in a rifled barrel but it could be an option at bad breath distance. But it sounds like you don't have to worry about that because you have a smoothbore....

 

[1KPerDay]

My Mossberg 590 spring looked somewhat similar, though not that bad. Didn't cure my occasional issues with an empty chamber though. I wonder if I need to try fresh shell stops.

Usually it runs like this





Lately I've been getting "short shucks" once or twice a match where I get a click. Like this. 2X in this stage

https://youtube.com/shorts/mRlkkTWAHU0?feature=share

 

[Jenrick]

The slugs I got are the Winchester ones that break after they hit the target. I also have some federal 00 buckshot that splits when it hits the target. I got these things mostly because I was concerned about penetration.

The Winchester segemented slugs upon fragmenting have the energy of a .40 S&W round at the muzzle almost and can end up traveling almost perpendicular to the original line of travel of the slug. If I can find the pictures from my agencies testing of them, one segment went almost straight up and exited the top of the block of gel at close to vertical. If you are picking that round specifically to reduce overpenetration concerns, it is probably not the best option as you have very little idea where the segments are going. A reduced recoil/"tactical" lead slug flatness out to large lead disc in about 14-18" of gel and travels in a pretty straight line tearing a massive permanent wound cavity.

Can you provide any details of the fragmenting buckshot? I am not familiar with that product.

 

[gitarmac]

The Winchester segemented slugs upon fragmenting have the energy of a .40 S&W round at the muzzle almost and can end up traveling almost perpendicular to the original line of travel of the slug. If I can find the pictures from my agencies testing of them, one segment went almost straight up and exited the top of the block of gel at close to vertical. If you are picking that round specifically to reduce overpenetration concerns, it is probably not the best option as you have very little idea where the segments are going. A reduced recoil/"tactical" lead slug flatness out to large lead disc in about 14-18" of gel and travels in a pretty straight line tearing a massive permanent wound cavity.

Can you provide any details of the fragmenting buckshot? I am not familiar with that product.

It's made by federal and looks like copper plated split shot like you use for fishing. There are some YouTube videos of this vs various materials including ballistic gel, I would be interested in real world results but don't think searching for that would be a good idea.

There's more info on the slugs and some info about it being used for hunting.

I'm thinking that by the time the segmented slugs break and change direction the pieces will lose enough energy that it wouldn't penetrate the neighbors house. Or even the next room.

It would be nice to read about actual results though.