Can see behind bolt

[Voltaire44]

I bought a Maverick 88 yesterday, and gave it a detailed cleaning. After a frustrating reassembly, in which I scratched some pieces and got a few badly stuck several times, I got it back together. However, I realized, with the action completely closed, there's some visible space behind the bolt, large enough for junk to fall into. As this is my first shotgun, I assumed the ejection port would look similar to my rifles (i.e. completely closed). Is this okay?

 

[Sam05]

I wouldn't think you should have that much room behind it, but it has been a long time since I have had a mossberg and I don't remember the exact assembly if you could post a picture that would be a huge help.

I'm also new to the forum! I'm Sam and I've learned a lot here and finally joined!

 

[Voltaire44]

Here's a picture. The end of the bolt and the space behind it is pretty visible. Let me know what you guys think.

 

[g.willikers]

Here's a decent picture of a 500 for comparison:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mossberg_500_2_barrels.png

 

[TheKlawMan]

Was your barrel firmly seated and the barrel screw tightened before you closed the bolt? This will take you to a copy of the manual http://www.google.com/#hl=en&gs_nf=...pw.r_qf.&fp=5413da6e2a50865c&biw=1011&bih=474

 

[MagnumWill]

My 590A1 has about 1/4"-3/8" gap behind the bolt as it is closed. Looks just like your picture. Normal.

You're not planning on filling it with dirt or glue or something, are you?

 

[jaguarxk120]

Isn't that where you pack grease into the gun for lube????

 

[g.willikers]

I keep my loose change there.

 

[Scorch]

Send the gun to me along with 500 rounds of ammo (the good stuff, not that cheap value pack stuff) and $1,500 for transportation (it's a long way to South Dakota from here), and I will clean, oil, and reassemble your shotgun, thoroughly test it, then return it to you (uncleaned, of course, so you can get the aroma of burnt powder).

 

[scottd913]

yours looks a little tighter of a space than my 500a and im sure its is normal but is a good thing ya asked. never be afraid to ask as we all will help you as best as we can and when we do not know we refer to a you to a smithy but after grabing mine i keep by my bed im sure yours is fine i also have a mav88 ...great shotgun thousands of rounds thru it ...works great

 

[scottd913]

went to my sons house today and checked his mav88 i handed down to him which has had many many rounds run threw it and i believe you shotgun is fine but by all means take it to a gunsmith if you feel unsure.
remember your safety is much more important than all the advise you can get on the INTERNET