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Mossberg 500 - What Tools are needed ??

3756 Views 15 Replies 1 Participant Last post by  ShotgunPro
Hello all. Just wondering what tools are needed to disassemble my Mossberg 500.

On the shotgun, I was also wondering what needs to be taken apart for cleaning and what main parts need to cleaned regularly (after use).

Thanks.
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A brass punch set is preferred but you can usually knock the pins out with a small screwdriver and a light tap on the handle. A spanner wrench is needed to pull off the foregrip. When I clean mine, I seldom tear it all the way down. Usually just spray clp in the receiver and wipe down with a rag and brush the bolt face with an old toothbrush. They're a robust gun and much more really isn't needed for a quick cleaning. It's not a bad idea to tear it down once in a while though. Just a pain in the ass to put back together the first few times. That video posted above is a good resource on the process.
i used the above video for learning how to take down my 500. very good. i also had the unfortunate experience of having a bad shell open in the mag tube and spill the salt/packing stuff all over the the internals... after i had already taken it down completely. needless to say after taking it down again i'm pretty sure it's committed to memory.

as for tools, a punch is really all you need. i have no idea why devjames says you need a spanner wrench for the foregrip. when he says foregrip i'm thinking of the piece you put you hands on to work the pump... and that just needs a pinch and it pops right out.

the only tool i could really see you needing is a wrench for the nut on the end of the magazine tube for removing/changing barrels. i personally use my hands to put it in and then pliers to give it a little snuggness. i do wrap a cleaning cloth around it so the pliers don't scratch up the metal.
I don't usually mess with the trigger group on mine. But it only comes out a couple weekends a year for slug season. I just take the barrel off and then forarm. Pull the bolt and other doodads out and clean everything the best i can and put it together. I do the same with my 870 that i use more often, but i usually don't try getting every nook and cranny because i figure the gun will work regardless.
To take the foregrip stock off. The whole assembly will slide off the mag tube when you pull the bolt and squeeze the action bars. You can improvise something to pop it off too but the right wrench makes it less of a pain in the ass.
Thanks again for the replies.

I plan on possibly upgrading the stock and forend. Is that Spammer Wrench and a forend wrench the same thing? Are there any other alternative tools that I can use that is similar and can be found at local home depot type store?

Sry for the newbie questions...this is my first Shotgun.
You will need a philips screw driver for the butt pad, if I remember correctly on my stock, it was a 1/4in allen wrench, but I got it out and in with a long, wide flat tip screw driver. The foregrip that I ordered came with the tool to remove the nut. If whatever you get doesn't come with one, a butter knife will suffice in most cases. The tool mine came with just looks like a fat "T". Funny thing, I just googled this and it's exactly what I said. lol
To take the foregrip stock off. The whole assembly will slide off the mag tube when you pull the bolt and squeeze the action bars. You can improvise something to pop it off too but the right wrench makes it less of a pain in the ass.
what special version of the 500 do you have? i don't need to improvise anything. i hold the receiver with one hand and pinch the bars with my other hand... no fancy tool needed... and definitely not a pain in the ass.

i can't even fathom how a tool would make this simpler. please, post a pic, i want to see what it is you're doing.
Actually swapping out the foregrip. Not just sliding the assembly off the magtube. See the above video. The 500 is a pretty simple and robust gun.
The video gives a rough idea. The guy, well, isn't that bright. But he gets the job done. Just weird to say that he would be without a shotgun for a while because this grip didn't work was retarded to say the least. I swapped 2 different forends without any tools other than the one to take the nut off. Anyways, I suggest knowing what year your shotgun is, they came with different foregrips in different years. After that, maybe make sure that the nut isn't going to seat inside of the grip, so you don't have to fight with it like this guy did.
The video gives a rough idea. The guy, well, isn't that bright. But he gets the job done. Just weird to say that he would be without a shotgun for a while because this grip didn't work was retarded to say the least. I swapped 2 different forends without any tools other than the one to take the nut off. Anyways, I suggest knowing what year your shotgun is, they came with different foregrips in different years. After that, maybe make sure that the nut isn't going to seat inside of the grip, so you don't have to fight with it like this guy did.
Thanks for the replies. The date of my Mossberg is March 2012 and it was purchased August 2012.

Will I have any difficulties swapping out forends?

Also wondering if you guys know where I could find those OEM mossberg forends with the hand-sling on it.

Thanks.
You can probably order them from Mossberg or someone like Brownells. You shouldn't have a problem as long as you know how big the grip should be.
Thanks for the replies. The date of my Mossberg is March 2012 and it was purchased August 2012.

Will I have any difficulties swapping out forends?

Also wondering if you guys know where I could find those OEM mossberg forends with the hand-sling on it.

Thanks.
i doubt you'll have any problems. i believe the issues with years is that older model 500s won't take the newer model parts.
Well some of these replies make me feel like I'm taking crazy pills. And I have no idea what DevJames is talking about.

Tools you need: nothing!

If you have a pen cap, small stick, 5.56 bullet, anything longish and skinny to get the push pin started.

The barrel nut should NOT be tightened with pliers.

Just know how to field strip your shotgun and take it down that far every time you clean it. Dump out the internals, use some CLP and a brush to clean out the inside of the receiver and internals. Your done.

I won't put a TacStar side saddle on because needing an allan wrench to field strip your weapon is unacceptable.

The magazine tube will be locktited from the factory. The first time breaking it loose may be hard, but should be done. I've never found anything on this series to loosen while firing.
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Thanks for the replies. The date of my Mossberg is March 2012 and it was purchased August 2012.

Will I have any difficulties swapping out forends?

Also wondering if you guys know where I could find those OEM mossberg forends with the hand-sling on it.

Thanks.
Ah, swapping forends. I know a couple Mossy armorers that have the special wrenches for it. If I was doing it, an allan wrench across the nut in the cuts and a vice or friend would be my way.

Buying that forend, try Midway USA. They have almost ALL the OEM parts.
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