Shotgun "malfunctions" and ways to address them

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ezmiraldo

New member
Folks,

As a semi-auto pistol person (and shotgun noob), I wonder if shotguns (in my case, pump Mossberg 500) experience such malfunctions as "stove-pipes" or "double-feeds" or "failure to eject", or other malfunctions? From what little I know, I understand that short-stroking the pump (either when pulling it back, or when pushing it forward) can create all sorts of problems, and the solution is simple: Just rack it forcefully both backwards and forwards. But, are there any other pump shotgun-specific malfunctions one should know about? And how to address them?

As always, your expertise and willingness to help are very much appreciated!
 
Anytime you experience any of the issues you mentioned with a good shotgun, something is wrong, and you need to fix it. None of those or normal, nor are they to be expected. A Remington LT20 Model 1100 went over 24,000 rounds with no nothing but loading and pulling the trigger, and a pump should go much longer. The Mossberg 500 is a good shotgun.
Short stroking is pure operator error.
 
ezmiraldo; Most of the time, any malfunction is indeed user error as you mentioned 'short shucking' or not pushing the slide forward hard enough to lock the bolt. It should be a very deliberate and controlled action when you cycle the gun. I have a Model 97 Winchester that you definitely cant treat like a prom queen when you throw the bolt forward...

I would suggest getting some range time in with standard bird shot just to familiarize your self, muscle memory wise, with how your shotty cycles and behaves. Don't be afraid to put some 'oomph' behind it when operating it, you wont break it! ;)

...and if you run into issues, you always got that Army manual to fall back on!
 
I would suggest getting some range time in with standard bird shot just to familiarize your self, muscle memory wise, with how your shotty cycles and behaves. Don't be afraid to put some 'oomph' behind it when operating it, you wont break it!
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MoGas is 1000% right!

On a couple of other thread I Have mentioned Skeet as a very good way to become familiar with your shotgun.

Ask your Puller to pull only singles in till you lean the sight picture of each station, and are breaking the birds.*

Next, ask the Puller to pull "On Report". You call for the first bird when you are ready, and the Puller will send the second bird when he hears your shotgun go off.*

And lastly, shoot regulation with "True Doubles" on stations #1&2, and #6&7.*

My motto for shooting a pump is "Slow & smoooth, is super fast"


Add: * The Wally World 20 bucks a box shells will be fine when you first start out.
 
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Ya man, a pump action shotgun is a bit of a different animal... You kinda gotta beat it like a red headed stepchild.
 
The Mossberg 500 can get failure to ejects if you shoot a lot.

If I go shoot clays and go through 100-150 shells things get dirty and the shells can stuck. If this happens unscrew the barrel and wipe the chamber. I've also use a mop on a short cleaning rod. Then put it back together and you're good to go.

I had to do this with those cheap Federal bulk packs they were selling for $20 at walmart. Some ranges also keep a dowel on the gun stand to pop the shell out.
 
Something is wrong and it's usually the operator with a pump.
Short stroking will cause feeding issues, but rarely the other malfunctions you mention. Dry fire practice helps there. Mind you, if you switch guns in the middle of a plate shoot bad things can happen. Busted my 870 at a plate shoot one time(split muzzle that I'm very glad I caught soon enough.). Guy lends me his ported Winchester(shooters are just like that) that had a slightly longer stroke than an 870. BANG, clack-clack, click, nothing. Threw it too short. Muscle memory.
"..."stove-pipes" or "double-feeds" or "failure to eject"..." These are usually seen only in semi-autos unless there's a broken part. Most semi's are ammo particular too. Pumps, not so much. Except for patterning, they'll function well as long as you do your part as the motor.
"...like a red headed stepchild..." Niece. She's exactly like her grandma. Same temperament and looks like the old bat too. Scares me. snicker.
 
I spend a fair amount of time teaching the Shotgun Merit badge at Boy Scout camp.

The kids have a tendency to short stroke the pump, both closing and opening.

I always tell them to pump it like they mean it, and "C'mon you've seen Terminator Two."
 
The kids have a tendency to short stroke the pump, both closing and opening.
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That's probably why the youth model Mossberg 500 has the forend carved out to come way back.

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I never had a Remington or Mossberg pump shotgun malfunction, I've never seen one malfunction that wasn't attributed to the shooter's weak manipulation of the fore stock during the "pump".
 
The Mossberg 500 can get failure to ejects if you shoot a lot.
If I go shoot clays and go through 100-150 shells things get dirty and the shells can stuck. If this happens unscrew the barrel and wipe the chamber. I've also use a mop on a short cleaning rod. Then put it back together and you're good to go.
I had to do this with those cheap Federal bulk packs they were selling for $20 at walmart. Some ranges also keep a dowel on the gun stand to pop the shell out.
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Sounds like your chamber needs polishing. A 500 should go waaaaay more than 150 rounds before needing anything.
 
MoGas is 1000% right!
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Well, except for the "shotty" part......:p

IF there is a part malfunction with a pump, it will generally be an extractor for FTE, the carrier or mag spring for FTF (feed); if parts are working, then it generally is operator error as mentioned above
 
Oh jeez, I just looked that up "Shotty" on the urban dictionary. I must be living with my head in the sand and yeah, I don't blame you Virginian, I cant say I would help them either! *smh*
 
phrase

One specific phrase I learned on this forum re pump shotguns was "failure to feed up". Briefly, the carrier or "spoon" as some call it, was not raising the fresh shell high enough to enter the chamber, and was lodging, wedged by the bolt, against the receiver and chamber mouth.

This annoying problem was manifesting itself on several agency 870's of some age and dubious pedigree, and more importantly, on my personal, long reliable turkey gun (also an 870, but near 30 yrs old) . The pestilence only seemed to appear when the guns were being run hard, as in timed quals, or in my gun, when a gobbler was flopping about and I'd be trying to get another round up....just in case. (RARELY needed, BTW) But still, agitating. What I heard, regularly, was the guns were being "short stroked" under pressure..."operator error under stress", etc.

I didn't buy it, and embarked on a project to resolve same. The park guns got cured by installing new " carrier dog springs", and my old faithful is now up to par with a new complete carrier assembly.

Worn, tired parts equals malfunctions.
 
Actually, Remington has the "normal" carrier dog follower spring and a "heavy duty" one, that is the same as the one on the 1100. Working the slide very hard it may be possible to overcome the spring so the carrier does not lift a round fully. The heavier spring addresses that.
 
MoGas1341 said:
Oh jeez, I just looked that up "Shotty" on the urban dictionary.
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I think it's mostly used by the people who spell the word "you" as "U" and the word "for" as "4" when they write.
Personally, I prefer "fowling piece".
 
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