Need help with a Mossberg 500 safety malfunction

[JKimball]

I recently purchased a used Mossberg 500. I took it shooting today and found that the safety has a tendency to engage when the slide is racked firmly back, so that I couldn't make a follow up shot without reaching back up with my thumb to disengage the safety. It doesn't happen if I gently rack the slide. When I firmly rack the slide, the tang safety slips back only an 1/8 inch or so, but it is enough to prevent the trigger from being pulled.

Anybody know if there is an easy fix to this, or should I just plan on getting it to a gunsmith?

I already tightened the screw in the middle of the safety button, but it still happens.

The dealer I bought it from warrants it for functionality, but I gifted it to my brother who is visiting from out of town and will be returning home tomorrow, so I'd prefer to fix it tonight if possible.

Thanks

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

Don't know why, but it's not an unusual problem.

No personal experience, but will one of the popular "Safety Kits" (metal replacement slide) remedy this?


http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=9476&title=Mossberg 500 Safety Button

Anyone?

 

[jonmerritt]

There are replacement parts you can get for that Mossberg 500. And replace the plastic safety parts with machined aluminum parts. Something in the safety catch isn't molded properly, ie the detent. Or email Mossberg, they would probably send you replacement parts for free.

 

[Two Cold Soakers]

You might gain a few days by removing the safety slide all together, cleaning out the (assumed) powdered plastic residue, lubricating and reassembling....
That'd be my first move.

ps I DO have an 835, with a similar (if not identical) safety, FWIW.

 

[LTB15J]

the plastic safeties are junk, upgrade to a metal one and be rid of the problem

 

[BruceRDucer]

JKimball:

I haven't had that problem with mine, but the AGI (American Gunsmithing Institute) DVD on "Mossberg 500 Series Shotguns" will show how to replace that safety with a metal one. Good luck with that. I shouldn't be too hard to correct.

/

 

[JKimball]

You might gain a few days by removing the safety slide all together, cleaning out the (assumed) powdered plastic residue, lubricating and reassembling....
That'd be my first move.

Well, I just took the safety apart, cleaned it up, and put it back together and it seems to have solved the problem. At least I can not get it to duplicate the problem I was having earlier. Thanks for your help everybody.

I don't think the plastic button was the problem, though I have heard that they can break and cause problems.

When I pulled the safety block out, it looked like the back of the firing pin had been hitting it (there was a shiny spot in the hook area suggesting reapeated metal on metal contact.) So I don't know how what I did would prevent that, unless the block just hadn't been sucked up tight and was out of alignment or something. Anyway, it seems to be working for now.

Many thanks,

JKimball

 

[Dgreno]

FWIW, I had the same problem with mine. The reason was that the little ball bearing had fallen out from under the switch. Got a new kit off ebay for $5. It also included the metal selector.