The Mossberg 500 is a popular pump-action shotgun used by many shooters for hunting and home defense. While the shotgun is relatively easy to operate, it is important to know how to disassemble the weapon for cleaning and maintenance. In this blog post, we will show you how to take apart a Mossberg 500 step-by-step. With a little practice, you will be able to disassemble and reassemble your shotgun quickly and easily.

How to safely disassemble your Mossberg 500 shotgun?
Assuming you are referring to the process of unloading and disassembling the Mossberg 500 for cleaning:
- With the shotgun unloaded, cycle the action to make sure there are no shells in the chamber.
- Remove the trigger group by depressing the release lever in front of the trigger guard and then pulling the trigger group straight out.
- Remove the magazine tube cap, which is located at the end of the magazine tube, by unscrewing it counter-clockwise. With the cap removed, the magazine spring and follower can now be removed from the magazine tube.
- Remove the barrel from the receiver by loosening the two screws that hold it in place, located just above the chamber. With the screws loosened, the barrel can now be slid forward and off the receiver.
- The bolt can now be removed from the receiver by pulling it to the rear and then up and out. Be careful when removing the bolt as the bolt spring is under tension and can cause the bolt to fly out of the receiver.
- The final step is to remove the stock from the receiver. This is done by loosening the two screws that hold the stock in place, located at the rear of the receiver. With the screws loosened, the stock can now be slid off the receiver.
Tools you will need to disassemble your shotgun.
Assuming you would like a list of the tools you will need to disassemble your Mossberg 500 shotgun:
- A screwdriver
- A hammer
- A cleaning rod and brush
- A punch
- A set of allen wrenches
- A set of Torx wrenches
First, you will need to remove the magazine cap, which is located at the end of the magazine tube. To do this, unscrew the magazine cap clockwise. Next, you will need to remove the barrel from the receiver. To do this, open the action and unscrew the barrel nut, which is located at the front of the receiver. Once you unscrew the barrel nut, you can remove the barrel from the receiver.
Next, you will need to remove the trigger assembly from the receiver. To do this, first remove the stock from the receiver. Once the stock is removed, you will see two screws on the back of the receiver. These screws held the stock in place. These screws hold the trigger assembly in place. Unscrew these screws and remove the trigger assembly.
With the trigger assembly removed, you can now remove the bolt from the receiver. First, make sure the gun is unloaded. Then, open the action. Then, look inside the receiver and you will see a small pin at the top of the receiver. This pin holds the bolt in place. Using a punch, push this pin out and the bolt will come out of the receiver.
The final step is to remove the magazine tube from the receiver. To do this, first remove the magazine spring and follower from the magazine tube. Then, unscrew the magazine tube nut, which is located at the front of the receiver. Once you unscrew the nut, you can remove the magazine tube from the receiver.
How to clean and maintain your Mossberg 500?
First, make sure the gun is unloaded and the safety is on. Then, remove the magazine cap and slide the forend assembly forward. Next, remove the barrel by unscrewing the magazine tube nut. With the barrel removed, you can now take out the action slide assembly. The final step is to remove the safety button by pushing it in and turning it counterclockwise.
To reassemble the gun, simply follow the steps in reverse. Once you have the gun back together, you can now clean it. Start by cleaning the bore of the barrel with a bore brush and solvent. Then, clean the outside of the barrel with a damp cloth. Next, clean the action slide assembly, being sure to remove any dirt or debris from the inside of the action. Finally, wipe down the stock and forend assembly with a damp cloth.
Once you have cleaned the gun, you can now oil it. First, apply a light coat of oil to the bore of the barrel. Then, apply a light coat of oil to the action slide assembly. Next, apply a light coat of oil to the outside of the barrel. Finally, apply a light coat of oil to the stock and forend assembly.
With proper cleaning and maintenance, your Mossberg 500 should last for many years.
Tips and tricks for disassembling and cleaning your shotgun.
The first step is to make sure the shotgun is unloaded. Then, remove the magazine cap and slide the forend forward to expose the magazine tube. Next, unscrew the action bars retaining screw and remove the action bars. Be careful not to lose the action spring.
With the action bars removed, you can now remove the barrel. First, unscrew the barrel retainer nut, then slide the barrel forward and off the receiver.
The next step is to remove the trigger assembly. First, unscrew the trigger plate screw, then remove the trigger plate. Be careful not to lose the trigger plate spring. With the trigger plate removed, you can now remove the trigger assembly.
With the trigger assembly removed, you can now remove the bolt assembly. First, unscrew the bolt release, then pull the bolt assembly out of the receiver.
The final step is to remove the stock. First, unscrew the stock screw, then remove the stock.
Now that you have the shotgun disassembled, you can clean it thoroughly. Be sure to pay special attention to the barrel and receiver, as these are the parts that will be most affected by the elements.
Troubleshooting tips for your Mossberg 500.
Assuming you are referring to the process of disassembling a Mossberg 500 for cleaning purposes, the following tips may be helpful:
- First and foremost, make sure the gun is unloaded and the safety is engaged.
- Next, remove the magazine tube cap by unscrewing it counterclockwise.
- With the cap removed, you should be able to see the magazine spring and follower. Carefully remove these components from the magazine tube.
- Now it’s time to remove the barrel from the receiver. First, loosen the action slide lock, which is located behind the trigger guard. Then, slide the action slide forward until it can be removed from the frame.
- With the action slide removed, the barrel can now be separated from the receiver. Simply pull it forward and away from the receiver.
- The final step is to remove the forend from the barrel. To remove the forend from the barrel, start by unscrewing the forend cap, located at the front of the barrel. Next, slide the forend forward until it is able to be removed.
- With the gun successfully disassembled, you can now proceed with cleaning all of the components. Assemble the gun in the reverse order of disassembly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I disassemble my Mossberg 500 shotgun?
To disassemble your Mossberg 500 shotgun, first remove the magazine cap and unscrew the barrel from the receiver. Next, slide the forend assembly forward and off the receiver. Finally, separate the bolt assembly from the receiver.
How do I clean my Mossberg 500 shotgun?
To clean your Mossberg 500 shotgun, first disassemble the shotgun as described above. Next, clean the barrel with a bore brush and solvent, and clean the receiver and other parts with a gun cleaning solution and cloth. Finally, oil all the metal parts and reassemble the shotgun.
How often should I clean my Mossberg 500 shotgun?
It is generally recommended that you clean your shotgun after every use. However, if you do not use your shotgun often, you may only need to clean it once every few months.
What parts of my Mossberg 500 shotgun need to be lubricated?
The parts of your Mossberg 500 shotgun that need to be lubricated are the bolt assembly, receiver, and any other metal parts. You should use a gun oil or other suitable lubricant.
What should I do if I have trouble disassembling my Mossberg 500 shotgun?
If you have trouble disassembling your Mossberg 500 shotgun, you may need to consult the owner’s manual or contact a gunsmith.
Conclusion
Assuming you have a basic understanding of how to disassemble a Mossberg 500, there are only a few screws to remove in order to take it apart. The first step is to remove the stock by unscrewing the two bolts that hold it in place. Next, you will need to remove the trigger assembly. To do this, you will need to first remove the magazine tube cap, and then the trigger plate assembly. Finally, you will need to remove the barrel from the receiver.

A. Wilcox Head is a lifelong shooter, hunter, and firearms enthusiast. Head grew up in a family where firearms were a way of life, and from an early age, he was taught the importance of firearm safety, accuracy, and proper hunting techniques.