How to increase capacity on a Mossberg 500????

[Magiccarpetrides]

Im new to shotguns and got an old beat up mossy 500 that im working on turning into a HD gun. I finally loaded the gun today and found that it would only hold 1 in the chamber and 2 in the tube Is this normal or is there a plug that can be pulled out/removed to increase capacity. I was under the impression a factory mossberg 500 would hold 4+1 shells. Any help/info appreciated. Instructions on how to modify would also be helpful if that is a possibility.

thanks again guys/girls!

[Guest Verbal Kint]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_500

The name "Model 500" covers an entire family of pump shotguns designed to chamber 3" (76.2mm), "magnum," shells. The standard model holds five 2 3/4" (70mm) or four 3" shells in the magazine and one in the chamber. The Model 500 is available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410 bore, with the 12 gauge being the most popular and having the most optional features available.

The Model 500 comes in a variety of different receiver configurations, whose main difference is the magazine configuration. The basic Model 500 comes with a magazine tube capable of holding five 2 3/4" shells, which is called a six shot model (a full magazine plus a round in the chamber). The 500 is also available with an extended magazine tube that holds seven rounds, making an eight shot model. The 590A1 is available with five and eight shot magazines, sold as six and nine shot models respectively.

The variants with the extended magazine tubes use different barrels, as the barrel is held in place by attaching at the end of the magazine tube. The shortest barrel length available for the eight and nine shot models is 20 inches (51cm), which fits flush with the long magazine tube. A ribbed 28 inch (71cm) modified choke field barrel was also manufactured for the 8 shot model 500. The shortest barrel for Title I six-shot models is 18.5 inches, while military and law enforcement personnel (as well private persons in NFA states) can also get a 14 inch barrel (the 590 Compact), which is flush with the six shot model's magazine

[Magiccarpetrides]

"All Mossberg models including the 835, 535, 500, 505 and 590 are shipped with a wooden dowel located in the tube magazine. This is to comply with U.S. migratory bird laws. This dowel reduces and regulates the number of shells that can be loaded in the gun. This can be removed by taking off the barrel and pointing the shotgun downward and shaking it back and forth lightly until the dowel falls out."

Verbal you da man! Thanks for the quick help and info....I cant believe this ancient gun still had the dowel in it...big orange looking thing...just dropped right out.

Edited May 12, 2008 by Magiccarpetrides

[Guest dotsun]

Mine came with a wooden dowel that was installed in the mag tube for hunting (I think waterfowl is restricted to 3 rounds) that would only allow you to load 2 in the tube. It sounds like that dowel is still in place in yours. I haven't seen or used one in years but if I remember right, you need to remove the barrel and it goes in the screw hole where the barrel attaches.

Edited May 12, 2008 by dotsun
Sorry I was late, my internets seems to be broke. Calling AlGore now.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Verbal you da man! Thanks for the quick help and info....I cant believe this ancient gun still had the dowel in it...big orange looking thing...just dropped right out.

Glad I could at least point you in a helpful direction. My knowledge on shotties is pretty limited, but I knew that limited capacity didn't sound right. Glad you got it resolved.

[nightrunner]

if you want to go even further, im sure they make a magazine tube extension, i know they do for the 870.

and then there's the sidewinder kit....

[Magiccarpetrides]

ARGHHHH...the plastic dowel that came out was at least 6in long but the dang thing will now only hold 3 + 1 Any help appreciated.....

Edit: you still da man verbal.... :-D

[nightrunner]

are you using 2 3/4" shells?

[Magiccarpetrides]

Yeah 2 3/4 Federal Field and Target from Wally World...the one I have has walnut wood stock and it says 500AT Looks pretty old I think it might be the Model 500 High Rib Trap as it had a 28in Vent Rib Barrel so I wonder if that has something to do with it only holding 4 shells. As far as I can tell theres no easy way to get the stock off either...might have to put this one out to pasture....any ideas?

The original barrel is a 28in Modified Choke

Edited May 12, 2008 by Magiccarpetrides

[Guest mw.]

Pull the recoil pad then you'll see the hole to pull the stock.

[Magiccarpetrides]

Thank you oh wise one.....so...anyone have ideas on why she will only take 3 + 1 with the dowel out? Before the dowel fell out it felt like it had a spring or tension in it when I loaded the shells...now it just feels like an empty tube with no tension...yet wont hold more then 3 +1

[strickj]

How long is the mag tube?Maybe the dowl broke or something like that

[Magiccarpetrides]

Quite long...definitely a full size. Type in mossberg 500at on gunbroker and you will see what I got to work with.

Edit: before the dowel came out it made a rattling noise in the tube...I dont hear any more rattles.

[strickj]

Is the tube bent or have a dimple keeping the shells from going in?

This is weird,mine will hold 5 in the tube and its mag tube is around 17~ inches

[Guest price g]

This is my 870 set up for 3-gun. Very simple and reliable. It holds 8 total.

[Magiccarpetrides]

Not that I can see...it is very strange....I have pretty much disassembled the thing to get a better look and it didnt help...I wonder If I can get her back together lol.

[strickj]

Just a little gun porn. As you can see mine does not have a full length tube because its only an 18 inch barrel + the door breacher.

Oh,and someone said get a mag extension,well Moss 500's wont take them because of the way the mag tube attaches to the barrel at the end.You would have to buy a new barrel and new tube to get extra capacity

[ame]

[/ame]

[strickj]

Hehe,watch the last video

[strickj]

You ever get it going?

[tnroadrunner]

I have a 500 and took the dowel and now holds 6 rounds total. I also replaced my 28 inch barrel with a 20 and no problem works fine. As of right now there is no tube extention available, maybe some day.

[Magiccarpetrides]

Still no luck...im gonna take it to Coal Creek here in a bit along with a Star 9mm I need inspected and see what they say.

[Guest Grout]

This is my 870 set up for 3-gun. Very simple and reliable. It holds 8 total.

Damn,that is the cleanest looking reloading/gunsmithing table I have ever seen.