Hey guys... I'd like to replace the plastic switch control for the safety on my Mossberg 500A with a metal one. Problem is, the attachment screw is designed to allow only tightening, if you try to loosen the screw, the driver has nothing to push against... it's a one way screw head! How does one deal with that? Brownells sells a new screw and the metal switch pad.
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Replacing plastic safety switch on Mossberg 500A
- Thread starter ZWolfgang
- Start date
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
Z, if we don't get an answer in a day or so, I'll switch this thread to the Smithy.
There are two ways that I do it.
1. Use a screw driver with a blade that is square and sharp. By that I mean that is does not have the usual tapered blade. Most good gunsmiths use them so they don't bugger the screw slots. Clamp the receiver in a padded vise and use a lot of downward pressure. The blade will usually bite into the screw head and turn it out.
2. With the gun in a padded vise, use a sharp edge drift punch to work the screw in a counter-clockwise direction. Tap it with a light hammer.
You can also try to cut a new slot with a Dremel tool. Sometimes you can pry under the safety and break it off. This will leave enough of the screw to grab with pliers. All these methods work and I'm sure others will post more.
Hint: If you use any of these methods, open the action all the way and push the safety forward in the fire position. If you're careful, the bolt will hold the parts inside in place so you don't have to take the gun apart. The screw may be glued (Loctite) and could require a fair amount of force to remove.
1. Use a screw driver with a blade that is square and sharp. By that I mean that is does not have the usual tapered blade. Most good gunsmiths use them so they don't bugger the screw slots. Clamp the receiver in a padded vise and use a lot of downward pressure. The blade will usually bite into the screw head and turn it out.
2. With the gun in a padded vise, use a sharp edge drift punch to work the screw in a counter-clockwise direction. Tap it with a light hammer.
You can also try to cut a new slot with a Dremel tool. Sometimes you can pry under the safety and break it off. This will leave enough of the screw to grab with pliers. All these methods work and I'm sure others will post more.
Hint: If you use any of these methods, open the action all the way and push the safety forward in the fire position. If you're careful, the bolt will hold the parts inside in place so you don't have to take the gun apart. The screw may be glued (Loctite) and could require a fair amount of force to remove.
I have done this mod to all Mossbergs I have ever owned. I had no real problem just putting some good grunt and muscle into it as I bore down on the "screwy" screw. Just be careful not to slip off and mar the gun. Also, once you get the screw dohicky starting to come off be careful because there is a small detent ball and spring under there. You don't want to lose them or your safety will not operate smoothly (if at all). In fact that was the hardest part of the whole procedure, keeping the detent ball and spring positioned corectly while installing the new steel safety. Give her a whirl, good luck.