[ShotgunPro]

My father in law has a mossberg 500, 24'' fully rifled 12 ga, but its not one the new Slugsters. Took it out today and found it only holds 2 shells (2 3/4) in the mag tube. I've seen the newer advertised to hold 4+1. Now, I havent taken it apart to look at it nor have I had the chance to ask him about it. I'd like to buy it from him in the near future but I want to know if this is suppoed to be like this or not, figured I'd throw it out there and see if anybody in the forum could help me with this.

 

[ShotgunPro]

it might have a plug in the tube that limits capacity to make it legal to hunt with.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Bet it has a mag plug. Most states limit shotty capacity to 3 for hunting. And a 500 should be 5+1 with 2 3/4 inch shells. Not sure how you remove the plug. May have to use a strap wrench to remove the mag tube from the receiver. Not sure if folllower and spring can be removed thru the receiver.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Removing the plug is easy.

Just remove the barrel, and then point the action/mag tube down towards the ground. Give it a few shakes, and the plug (about a 6" dowel) should fall right out of the hole that the barrel screw goes into.

This all should be in your manual.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Yup. Mine was a wooden dowel with two orings on it. I have no idea what I did with it...

 

[ShotgunPro]

ok, great. not familiar with the limit capacity for slugs here in illinois, but im sure he used it for hunting so that makes sense. thanks for your input guys

 

[ShotgunPro]

My 590 has an ice scraper in the mag tube. I needed a plug, had a couple extra scrapers, and cut the handle to the appropriate length.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I took the plug out of my mav88 when I first got it. After I was happy it would function fully loaded, the plug went back in and hasn't come out since. Still check it every year before dove season to make sure Im legal.

 

[ShotgunPro]

As far as I know, that 2+1 limit is only effective if you're using your shotgun to hunt migratory birds. If you're doing anything other than that, you should be good to remove the plug. There are plenty of videos on youtube that show you how.

 

[ShotgunPro]

That's the only reason. I've always felt limiti.g capacity for hunting was a stupid practice anyway.

 

[ShotgunPro]

My 590 has an ice scraper in the mag tube. I needed a plug, had a couple extra scrapers, and cut the handle to the appropriate length.

The 590 is different than the 500. Instead of having the screw captive on the barrel assembly (500), the 590 uses a large nut, similar to the Remington 870.

As far as I know, that 2+1 limit is only effective if you're using your shotgun to hunt migratory birds. If you're doing anything other than that, you should be good to remove the plug. There are plenty of videos on youtube that show you how.

Depends on state laws. Some states have mag restrictions for other game as well.