How to Disassemble a Mossberg 500 for Cleaning and Maintenance

ByBuffalo Rifles Blog

How to Take Apart a Mossberg 500

The Mossberg 500 is a popular shotgun for both hunting and home defense. It’s a reliable and easy-to-use firearm, but it’s important to know how to properly take it apart for cleaning and maintenance. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of disassembling a Mossberg 500, so you can keep your gun in top condition.

We’ll start by removing the magazine and bolt assembly, then we’ll take apart the action and barrel. We’ll also show you how to reassemble the shotgun so you can put it back together again.

Disassembling a Mossberg 500

1. Remove the magazine.
2. Lock the bolt to the rear.
3. Press the release button on the bottom of the receiver and slide the bolt assembly out of the receiver.
4. Remove the action bar assembly by pulling it straight up out of the receiver.
5. Remove the barrel by unscrewing the barrel nut at the front of the receiver.

Reassembling a Mossberg 500

1. Insert the barrel into the receiver and screw on the barrel nut until it’s snug.
2. Insert the action bar assembly into the receiver.
3. Slide the bolt assembly into the receiver until it’s seated.
4. Release the bolt to the forward position.
5. Insert the magazine.

Important Safety Tips

  • Always make sure the gun is unloaded before you begin to disassemble it.
  • Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire.
  • Be careful not to drop any small parts.
  • If you’re not comfortable disassembling your gun, take it to a qualified gunsmith.

    Step Instructions Image
    1 Remove the magazine.
    2 Unlock the action by depressing the tang safety and pulling the slide back to the rear.
    3 Rotate the bolt stop lever down and out of the way.
    4 Pull the bolt assembly straight back and out of the receiver.
    5 Remove the forend assembly by depressing the two retainer clips and sliding the forend forward off of the barrel.
    6 Remove the barrel from the receiver by pulling it straight forward.

    How to Take Apart a Mossberg 500?

    The Mossberg 500 is a popular pump-action shotgun that is known for its reliability and ease of use. It is a versatile gun that can be used for hunting, home defense, and competition shooting.

    If you need to take apart your Mossberg 500 for cleaning or maintenance, it is important to do so safely and correctly. This guide will walk you through the process of disassembling and reassembling your Mossberg 500.

    Safety Precautions

    Before disassembling your Mossberg 500, make sure it is unloaded and the safety is engaged.

    • Unload the gun. Remove all shells from the magazine tube and chamber.
    • Engage the safety. Move the safety lever to the “safe” position.

    Wear eye protection. Wear eye protection to protect your eyes from any debris that may be released during disassembly.

    Work in a well-ventilated area. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling any harmful fumes.

    Disassembling the Action

    To disassemble the action of your Mossberg 500, follow these steps:

    1. Remove the magazine tube cap.

    The magazine tube cap is located at the rear of the receiver. To remove it, use a flathead screwdriver to pry it up.

    2. Pull back on the bolt handle and lock the bolt open.

    The bolt handle is located on the right side of the receiver. To pull it back, grasp it with your hand and pull it straight back until it locks into place.

    3. Rotate the bolt release lever 90 degrees clockwise and push it down.

    The bolt release lever is located on the left side of the receiver. To rotate it, use your thumb to push it up and then rotate it 90 degrees clockwise. Once it is rotated, push it down until it locks into place.

    4. Remove the bolt from the receiver.

    To remove the bolt, grasp it with your hand and pull it straight out of the receiver.

    5. Remove the action spring assembly from the receiver.

    The action spring assembly is located at the rear of the receiver. To remove it, grasp it with your hand and pull it straight out of the receiver.

    Reassembling the Action

    To reassemble the action of your Mossberg 500, follow these steps:

    1. Insert the action spring assembly into the receiver.

    2. Insert the bolt into the receiver.

    3. Push the bolt release lever up and rotate it 90 degrees counterclockwise.

    4. Lock the bolt open by pulling back on the bolt handle.

    5. Replace the magazine tube cap.

    By following these steps, you can safely and correctly disassemble and reassemble your Mossberg 500. This will allow you to clean and maintain your gun properly, and ensure that it is always in working order.

    Here are some additional tips for disassembling and reassembling your Mossberg 500:

    • Be careful not to drop any small parts.
    • Keep track of the order in which you remove the parts.
    • Use a clean cloth to wipe down the parts before reassembling them.
    • Lubricate the moving parts with a light coat of oil.

    By following these tips, you can help to extend the life of your Mossberg 500 and ensure that it continues to perform reliably.

    3. Disassembling the Barrel

    To disassemble the barrel of a Mossberg 500, you will need the following tools:

    • A 10mm socket wrench
    • A flathead screwdriver

    1. Remove the magazine from the shotgun.
    2. Lock the bolt to the rear by pulling back on the slide assembly and then pushing down on the bolt release.
    3. Locate the barrel nut at the front of the receiver. It is a large, hexagonal nut that is secured to the barrel with two roll pins.
    4. Using a 10mm socket wrench, loosen the barrel nut until it is free to turn.
    5. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry out the two roll pins that secure the barrel nut to the receiver.
    6. Remove the barrel nut and the barrel from the receiver.

    4. Reassembling the Mossberg 500

    To reassemble the Mossberg 500, you will need to reverse the steps above.

    1. Insert the barrel into the receiver.
    2. Align the barrel nut with the two roll pins in the receiver.
    3. Using a 10mm socket wrench, tighten the barrel nut until it is snug against the barrel.
    4. Use a flathead screwdriver to drive the two roll pins into the barrel nut.
    5. Lock the bolt to the rear by pulling back on the slide assembly and then pushing down on the bolt release.
    6. Insert the magazine into the shotgun.

    Disassembling and reassembling a Mossberg 500 is a relatively simple process. By following these steps, you can safely and easily maintain your shotgun.

    Here are some additional tips for maintaining your Mossberg 500:

    • Clean the shotgun after each use.
    • Lubricate the shotgun with a light oil or grease.
    • Check the action for wear and tear regularly.
    • Replace worn or damaged parts as needed.

    By following these tips, you can keep your Mossberg 500 in good working condition for years to come.

    How do I take apart a Mossberg 500?

    1. Remove the magazine.
    2. Lock the bolt to the rear.
    3. Rotate the takedown button 90 degrees counterclockwise.
    4. Pull the bolt assembly forward and out of the receiver.
    5. Remove the forend assembly by depressing the two takedown pins and sliding it forward.
    6. Remove the barrel assembly by unscrewing the barrel nut.

    What tools do I need to take apart a Mossberg 500?

    You will need a Phillips head screwdriver and a small punch or awl.

    What is the difference between a Mossberg 500 and a Mossberg 590?

    The Mossberg 500 and the Mossberg 590 are both pump-action shotguns, but there are a few key differences between the two models. The Mossberg 500 is a more basic model, while the Mossberg 590 is a more advanced model with some additional features.

    • The Mossberg 500 has a 5-round capacity, while the Mossberg 590 has a 7-round capacity.
    • The Mossberg 500 has a shorter barrel than the Mossberg 590.
    • The Mossberg 590 has a heat shield, while the Mossberg 500 does not.
    • The Mossberg 590 is available in a variety of different configurations, including a rifled barrel for hunting and a shorter barrel for home defense.

    Can I take apart a Mossberg 500 without tools?

    It is possible to take apart a Mossberg 500 without tools, but it is not recommended. The takedown process is more difficult without tools, and you run the risk of damaging the gun if you are not careful.

    What should I do if I get stuck while taking apart a Mossberg 500?

    If you get stuck while taking apart a Mossberg 500, the best thing to do is to stop and consult with a qualified gunsmith. Trying to force the gun apart could damage it.

    In this blog post, we have discussed how to take apart a Mossberg 500 shotgun. We started by discussing the safety precautions that should be taken before disassembling the shotgun. We then provided step-by-step instructions on how to remove the barrel, action, and bolt from the receiver. Finally, we reassembled the shotgun and discussed some tips for cleaning and maintaining it.

    We hope that this blog post has been helpful and that you now feel confident in your ability to take apart and reassemble a Mossberg 500 shotgun. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

    Here are some key takeaways from this blog post:

    • Always wear eye protection when disassembling a firearm.
    • Before removing any parts, make sure the firearm is unloaded.
    • Follow the steps in the reverse order to reassemble the shotgun.
    • Clean and lubricate the shotgun regularly to maintain its performance.

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