Mossberg 500 bolt interchangeability question

The #1 community for Gun Owners of the Northeast

Member Benefits:

  • No ad networks!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    So, I have a nice wood stocked 500 I planned on fixing up to hand down to my daughter in a couple years. It has a newer style bolt, with a spring loaded firing pin. I bought a nicer jeweled bolt and elevator to install but looking at the pictures noticed it has a free floated firing pin and longer internal blocks. It comes with the carrier which looks similar in shape to the one I have but mine has more of a hook on the top. So, with the carrier, would it swap in ok? And once in, is there any danger without the spring loaded firing pin? I know it happens with the SKS rifles, but I don't want it to be at the range and have the 500 go full auto on me. Would tire my arm out quick. Thanks
    (I don't physically have the jeweled bolt in my hands yet. Should arrive early next week)
     

    Attachments

    • 78753056_2949932948374531_1971182125331775488_n.jpg
      78753056_2949932948374531_1971182125331775488_n.jpg
      10.2 KB · Views: 628
    • 78741623_2949936131707546_8949293225756065792_o.jpg
      78741623_2949936131707546_8949293225756065792_o.jpg
      56.9 KB · Views: 723
    • 74236330_2949938185040674_2800559534462992384_o.jpg
      74236330_2949938185040674_2800559534462992384_o.jpg
      61.2 KB · Views: 602

    aht2131

    Active Member
    Aug 5, 2011
    134
    Not sure about the other questions, but there is no chance your Mossberg 500 could ever go full auto under any circumstance. It happens with SKS because the action is cycled every time a round goes off, not the case with manual actions like a pump shotgun.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk
     

    Doco Overboard

    Ultimate Member
    I would think having a pile of parts in hand a swap could be done. You may have to go back and forth with the new bolt body and trial fit parts to get the action working smoothly. Once your done make sure firing pin protrusion is the same as the original bolt components, firing pin port diameter is the same and headspace is in the correct range.
    Also I would pay particular attention to the fit of the locking lug and fit to its opposing mating surfaces by carefully studying the original components bearing surfaces. Extractor and ejector fit would more than likely need some adjustment as well. Measure to make sure length and width is the same between the two bolts.

    The original bolt body is also easy to jewell in itself. With the bolt parts stripped its flat and is relatively easy to mirror polish brite and then engine turn in a drill press. I did it on a m500 20g one time.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    Not sure about the other questions, but there is no chance your Mossberg 500 could ever go full auto under any circumstance. It happens with SKS because the action is cycled every time a round goes off, not the case with manual actions like a pump shotgun.

    Sent from my A0001 using Tapatalk

    I guess I should have used the sarcasm emoji after that point, but commenting that my arm would tire quickly, I know it is manually cycled and can't really got full auto like the SKS when the firing pin sticks.
    But thank you. But, who wouldn't want a full auto 12G for clays, lol.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    I would think having a pile of parts in hand a swap could be done. You may have to go back and forth with the new bolt body and trial fit parts to get the action working smoothly. Once your done make sure firing pin protrusion is the same as the original bolt components, firing pin port diameter is the same and headspace is in the correct range.
    Also I would pay particular attention to the fit of the locking lug and fit to its opposing mating surfaces by carefully studying the original components bearing surfaces. Extractor and ejector fit would more than likely need some adjustment as well. Measure to make sure length and width is the same between the two bolts.

    The original bolt body is also easy to jewell in itself. With the bolt parts stripped its flat and is relatively easy to mirror polish brite and then engine turn in a drill press. I did it on a m500 20g one time.

    I doubt I have the skill to jewel one myself, plus it comes with a jeweled elevator, spare extractor, and shell stops, so she'll have spare parts if ever needed. Mainly worried about the non spring loaded firing pin working properly. I will compare when get the chrome one in my hands.
     

    67temp

    Active Member
    Jun 25, 2009
    901
    Gettysburg, PA
    Typically when I'm swapping parts between my 500's I'll keep the bolt with the carrier.

    If you can get the trigger group from the gun that had the jeweled bolt that would be a nice too. Most of mine that have the jeweled bolt have a nice lite and crisp trigger pull. Those are typically better than a modern trigger group with the mcarbo spring kit.
     

    Sirex

    Powered by natural gas
    Oct 30, 2010
    10,380
    Westminster, MD
    Update;

    So the bolt came in this week. I installed the bolt, and the included carrier, along with the jeweled elevator. The elevator looks very nice, and visually appears physically identical to the original black one, but is pretty tight. Got the bolt and carrier in, and seems to function, but the action is tighter and requires more torque to cycle. I am probably gonna fiddle with it more on my Christmas vacation. I will post a pic a bit later.
     

    Users who are viewing this thread

    Latest posts

    Forum statistics

    Threads
    274,919
    Messages
    7,258,926
    Members
    33,349
    Latest member
    christian04

    Latest threads

    Top Bottom