The truth about TOSSBERG shotguns

I have 2 new Mossberg 500's a Persuader and a Mariner with three months of heavy use no problems from either. I have a ooold Mossberg I got when I was a kid aside from being a heavy sonofabitch it to has been a 100% reliable gun.

I dont care what you buy, top of the line or bottom of the budget sometimes you get a lemon from the higher end guns and sometimes you get a completely reliable gun at a deal and its been my experience with Mossbergs that they are very reliable. the new safety is the only thing I read complaints about.

Im still laughing at Nates Molex comment
 
Change the spring.

I changed the spring on my Mossberg SPX two weeks after buying it and there wasn't a thing wrong with it, technically. Why did I change? Because I found out that for a few bucks I could increase my magazine capacity by +1 by exchanging a SPX spring for a 500 spring when shooting Federal LE132-00 buck. Didn't really cost anything except a few dollars to do it.

My safety hasn't done anything it shouldn't, yet. I'm undecided about changing it out for a metallic one. I might, but it's not exactly a high priority. Finding a purple ink pen is higher right now.
 
i own a few 500's and 1 870. i just like the safety better on the mossys. i have however broken 2 shottys on deployment. knocked the safety off a 500, and bent the mag tube on a 870
 
cc,

Just install a Wolff magazine spring and run the gun until you are confident it will work for you. IMHO 100 rounds isn't enough to prove a gun reliable, but that's just me 8^).

You wouldn't trade cars if you had a flat tire, would you?

lpl (still an 870 fan, but there's sure nothing wrong with a 590)
 
Even good manufacturers will let out lemons every now and them. The real test of a company is how they treat you when they do. Mossberg is a reputable company, and I'm sure if you contact them and tell them about this, they'll make it right.
 
Last edited:
I have great dealings with them for CS. They sent me a long (reg stock) bolt at no cost and thru in a couple window decals I asked about. No shipping, postage or costs...
Brent
 
I know more than a few people with Mosbergs who are very happy with them - I've never owned one so I won't bash Mossberg. I will say they feel cheap compared to other brands, but they seem to get the job done.

I do own an 870TB Wingmaster with 250k through it and I just picked up a 1918 vintage Winchester Model 1912 - I know what I like and what I trust. For the money I think the 870 is a better shotgun all around and the M12 is the best pump ever made; if you buy a Mossberg I won't bash your decision.
 
"If puppy cops and soldiers can't break something- then it can't be broke."

Just for S&G's, I asked a friend of mine about the ones they used in the military , and he said they do kill the springs fast but thats about it, the 590A1s. Thats really all I need to hear. How much does a spring cost? 5 maybe 10?
lol.
 
I like guns.
Mossberg makes guns.

Therefore, I like Mossberg guns.

Now I know that brand bashing is a favorite pasttime on the internet, but it's still silly. Both Mossberg shotguns that I've owned have been completely reliable and held up well to a TON of abuse. I also like Remington shotguns, but they don't fit me as well as Mossbergs, so I don't buy 'em.
 
i need to apologize a bit. as you can understand, it's a REAL downer to put your hard earned money into a product marketed for extreme self defense and have such issues consecutively with it. so at first i was little overwhelmed. but now im finding some hope in switching out the spring. i didn't mean to engage in any brand bashing. im not an 870 vs mossberg guy, i love both and even prefer the mossbergs exterior design but id be lying if i said id had as many problems with the 870s vs the mossberg. although my last 870 express hd 7 shot liked to catch shells in the bolt as they were ejecting if i rapid fired. but that couldve been just an issue of the gun not being broken in.
 
i did the same thing with this new one yesterday, swabbed and oiled the barrel spotless, lightly oiled the working parts and cleaned all surface oil off. took the gun out. loaded to capacity. shot ONE round. went to eject, foreend hung up in bottom position. i worked it loose. shot second round, heard a POP. round ejected and heard the remainder of my shells sliding back and forth in tube. another broken gun. at that point i decided i was done with the Tossberg nonsense.

Sounds like a problem with the mag spring itself (the stock spring is known to be sub-standard...buy a different one). Try replacing it with one of the "generic/universal" 12g. Wolff springs. If going with one of these, you will need to use a wire cutter to shorten the spring length.

Now, from what I hear, dont bother buying the "standard" Mossberg replacement spring offered by Wolff as these are of the same shape (tapered at both ends) as the original Mossberg spring. But, as mentioned before, go with the universal 12g. spring (I believe it is 40" in length and labeled as "XP") and then cut it down as needed.

Remember...ANY weapon can have problems, regardless of the name stamped on it or how much was paid for it. Most things can be fixed; for those things that cant be fixed, well...they usually get sold.

Regardless, and this goes for anyone, enjoy the weapon(s) you have. It seems as if many people, myself included, become so obsessed with finding various faults with weaponry that we fail to actually have fun just owning/shooting them. Ive started looking at various faults and/or problems (with weaponry) as a chance to learn more about them and what goes into fixing these problems. It truly can be an interesting and educational experience. Otherwise, Id go absolutely crazy with worry/frustration and would probably end up selling every weapon I own, just in order to avoid the headache(s) of owning them in the first place.

Anyway, good luck with your "issue" and I hope its only a minor thing. Keep us updated on what you find out.
 
Last edited:
My own Mossberg 500 came out of a pile of beat riot guns at a gun show, and cost $75.
The wood was missing most of it's finish, and the barrel was half covered with an old coat of green camo paint.
I have owned it now for 10-15 years, and it has never broken a part, has always functioned perfectly. Pretty accurate with slugs, and shoots a nice pattern with buck. The 18" barrel was originally 26" and had been nicely shortened by the previous owner. It came with a steel safety.
I like my $75 Mossberg just fine.
 
shotguns

mossbergs:I have 5 mossberg 22 rifles.couple pre WW2.my fathe bought a mod 43B target.$17.50 with $7.50 worth of lyman sights better than a 52 win for accuracy.I have a 500 its fine got for $100 like new.I have a 870 its all right.
NOW TO THE GIST.instead of complaining get ahold of the factory.they are the only ones that should fix it.if no one says any thing they wont know.
springs should run $ 4.00 as I bought from Numrick several.and I would guess that no matter what make you ask for you will get a universal.likely same as mossberg.
mossberg is an american company
cerbrus?(spelling)owns REMINGTON,who owns MARLIN who owns H&R.and I think cerbrus is an Australian financial company.:rolleyes::eek::D
 
update - i contacted mossberg support 3 days ago through email. still no response. i was asking for advice should another one of their rpoducts run into problems. i am going to put the wolff spring in sooner or later (sooner if another spring goes bad :>)


regardless, i am taking my mossberg 590 special purpose security (blued with heat shield) replacement out right now and im going to run about 175 rounds through it. will post about results later
 
gun performed great but the spring is starting to act up again by the end of the 150 shots or so i took today. will post back when it's been replaced/modified and shot again.
 
I think once you get past this little spring thing, you'll enjoy the gun quite a bit. I can understand your sentiments about it- this kind of thing should be caught by the mfg., but at least it's an easy and inexpensive fix.
 
Back
Top