TexasCHLforum.com

Flint, not saying it can't happen.....just saying I've never heard of this malfunction until now.

I know. That's why I am taking the time to point it out. I don't want you or anyone else finding out the hard way.

I'll have to investigate.

Manually try to duplicate the problem with ANY shot shell you intend to use for defensive purposes. IF you can cause it to hang up on the S/E or worse...fall through then it is 'possible'. Most shells that measure 2-5/16" or less (unfired) are suspect. Anything longer than that should be O.K.

You can google it if you like, you'll find it is not unknown and I am not the only one to experience it. You understand...I am not suggesting it is inevitable or that it occurs 'often', but I've had it happen about six times now over the years and its very disconcerting.

I wonder if - since this is a known problem - anyone sells an aftermarket piece that corrects the problem?

Not that I am aware of. I have purchased other Shell Elevators to see if any had a longer tab and none did. I thought about lengthening the tab on mine by welding on a small piece, but in the end....I just decided to use 3" shells and couple of other 2-3/4" that are 2-1/2" to 2-5/8" long. No problem with them.

The Annoyed Man wrote:I have a 590 and I keep those Hornady Critical Defense 2-3/4" shells in it. I have cycled the shells through the action several times (unloading for cleaning), and I've never had the malfunction happen. But perhaps I'm doing it with enough authority to prevent it.

TAM,

Unload your shotgun, rack the slide back all the way, hand feed an un-fired shot shell into the receiver. Reach in and move the brass base as far backward and upward as you can and see if the front of the shell CAN slip past the Shell Elevator 'tab'. IF it 'can' then the potential is there. Doesn't matter if it hasn't yet happened to you. What matters is if it is possible.

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/inde ... 36172.html See second photo provided in his post.

Most malfunction complaints with the 500 concern shells dropping out the bottom ( a shell stop issue) and another matter entirely, so if you search you will find that more often. The link above is but one example of what I am talking about. You can find more if you want to spend the time.

I suppose one could point to the ammo manufacturer as the source of the 'problem' but I look at it differently. Shot shells are going to vary in length....depending upon the shot load and what method is used to crimp the shell. If you get one that is short enough (and the Hornady is NOT the only one), then you can experience a jam. Mossberg could easily eliminate that possibility.

It doesn't happen every time, far from it, but it has happened to me a half dozen times. I'm of the mind 'If it can happen it WILL happen' and it will be at the worst possible time. To remedy that....I keep the weapon loaded with 3" shells for home defense.

Just passing this info along....for what it is worth.

Pawpaw wrote:Thanks for the clarification. Now I understand. I've only used my 500 for duck hunting, so I've only put 3" shells through it. I'm well aware of the varying lengths of "2-3/4" shells, but had not heard of this issue with the 500.

Yes, Sir.

You'll be fine with 3" shot shells, no chance they will can fall through because they can't achieve the angle necessary to do so.

But many 2-3/4" shells (that don't fall through) are right on the 'cusp' of creating a jam. In the pic below....you can see that this shell can almost cause a jam. If the S/E tab were just a little bit longer (even 1/4") this just wouldn't ever be a problem.



Of the shells short enough to cause a jam, they don't have to actually 'fall through' to do it (though most do). I've had them end up in this position too:



They are more likely to do this if you don't rack the shotgun hard to the rear. When racked hard...the shell tends to rebound off the bolt/firing group and settle more forward in the receiver. IF that doesn't happen...then on occasion, the brass bounces upward (being lighter) while the front (containing the shot/slug) remains down. It creates an angle that allows the shell to fall through the S/E.

Its a bugger to clear....and you KNOW it would happen at the worst possible time.

One caution when using the really short Aguila's, it is possible for them to turn completely around backwards in the receiver of a Mossy 500. Yes, its one of those 1 in a 1000 occurrences, but it is possible and has happened to me. I don't use them for home defense for that reason (not to mention they fall through the S/E).

Pawpaw wrote:I've never had that problem, but I have not put many rounds through my 500.

A shell dropping through the Shell Elevator on a Mossy 500 is pretty common. It can occur with any shot shell that in its un-fired state measures 2-3/8" or less. Remember a shot shells length represents the 'fired' hull not the loaded length which can (and does) vary widely.

Here is an example...from just a few shot shells I use. Note the difference in lengths.



IF Mossberg would extend the S/E tab just another 1/4"-5/16" it would eliminate the possibility that this could even happen.


Here is one sticking down through the S/E as proof:


That shot shell is a Hornady Critical Defense Load (2-3/4") a fairly popular round.

The Hornady is not the only shot shell to produce this stoppage.

IMO....ALL modern pump shotguns should be manufactured such that they reliably feed the full spectrum of 2-3/4" shells (commercially loaded). These range in length from 2-5/16" to 2-5/8".

Its an easy fix, Mossberg should do it.

The Annoyed Man wrote:What's the point of those mini-shells? Meaning, I guess, what use are they intended for?

TAM,

I am sure most folks would not have 'need' for them, but I use them to dispatch Armadillos that get our yard and they are well suited to any application where reduced recoil and a lesser payload is appropriate.

On this forum....it is our nature to think in terms of self defense and I can see an application there, but consider also:

1. Certain hunting or varmint control situations not requiring the firepower of a conventional shotshell.
2. Introducing a person to shotgun sports where the recoil of conventional shells might be unwanted (Kids, Women, Elderly, Recoil Sensitive).
3. Any application where you would benefit from having increased shell capacity in a pump gun (survival).

Not sure I see how it works? Does it wedge into the receiver rather than attach to the shell elevator?

In any case, IF it attaches solidly and stays in place, then its a step forward for sure.

It would be useful not only for Aguila Mini-shells but other shorter (2") shot-shells and for that matter STANDARD 2-3/4" which regularly fall through the shell elevator of a Mossy 500 and jam it up!

Why Mossberg doesn't extend the tab on the S/E another 1/4"-3/8" is beyond me. For years....their reply (and others) has been:" Rack the shotgun forcefully to rear and then to the front".

Well....I've always done that and guess what, it is still possible for a 2-3/4" shell to bounce the wrong way in the receiver and end up dangling through S/E. How about they just FIX IT!

3" shells...no problem.