Problem with brand new 88??

[boomer92266]

I Bought a new 88 a few months back and finally got it out today to shoot. I loaded 5 in the magazine and when I brought the forend back, nothin happened. The elevator won't go all the way down as it hits the metal piece on the right side. The piece that has the sharp point is it, it catches the shell rim. If I push in on the shell and release the forarm just a little back, then release the shell and bring the foearm back it releases the shell and elevator comes all the way down. It comes all the way down when empty, just jams when ammo is in the mag. What could cause this? Thanks for any help.

 

[Ernst]

Boomer, I've got to think about your writeup to make sure I understand what's happening. First thought you have something not seated correctly.

In the mean time take a look at this video of the 500 (and 88) action. It explains in great detail the action.

Regards

 

[Husker88]

Sounds like something was not aligned right when they put it in the box to ship. First thing I did with my '88 was take it apart for a clean/lube using a couple of very good GooTube videos. Other than that, I'm worthless for diagnosing problems. Fingers crossed for you!!!

 

[Ernst]

Boomer, I've attached a link to the 88 parts schematic. I'm assuming the part your describing in your OP is the CARTRIDGE INTERRUPTER (item 10).

It should seat into the receviver machined hole but sounds like it is not seated. I'd recommend you disassemble the gun and check the parts plus see if any debris is preventing the interrupter from moving correctly.

Let us know what you find. If still an issue post a picture or two so we can see what's happening.

Regards

Maverick Schematic / O.F. Mossberg & Sons

www.mossberg.com

 

[boomer92266]

Boomer, I've attached a link to the 88 parts schematic. I'm assuming the part your describing in your OP is the CARTRIDGE INTERRUPTER (item 10).

It should seat into the receviver machined hole but sounds like it is not seated. I'd recommend you disassemble the gun and check the parts plus see if any debris is preventing the interrupter from moving correctly.

Let us know what you find. If still an issue post a picture or two so we can see what's happening.

Regards

Maverick Schematic / O.F. Mossberg & Sons

www.mossberg.com

It is seated in the hole, I took it apart twice to make sure and I can see it in the hole from the outside of the receiver. The end of the piece is catching on the rim of the shell and the little pointy piece about halfway is raising up and hitting the elevator as it comes down preventing the elevator from coming all the way down. I am posting a pic of the piece hitting the elevator on the way down stopping it. It only does this when ammo is in the mag.

 

[Ernst]

Boomer, thanks for the update and we're on the same sheet of music.

With a shell in the mag tube turn the gun upside down and take a look at the interrupter as you cycle the foreend. Is the leading edge moving to the outside into the machined slot to release the shell as you cycle the action?

That movement should move the interrupter bar into the slot which will both release the shell and move the pointed protrusion out of the way of the elevator.

If this is not working correctly I'd take a look at the interrupter itself and see if it is bent excessively. I unfortunately don't have time right now it pull an interrupter and take a picture of it.

I assume the elevator arms are also seated properly? You can check slots.

Let us know.

 

[Ernst]

Boomer, I think the video of the action I attached above explains the movement much better than my words.

Let us know what you find.

Good Luck

 

[boomer92266]

I got the gun back out and and as I work the forarm back the piece that I posted a pic of tries to go inside at that hole it goes into. Which makes the part I circled come out enough to block the elevator from coming down. Now I know what it's doing but I don't know how to fix it. A friend brought his 88 over and he took his apart and loaned me his part to try in my gun, it still did the same thing so it isn't that metal part as his did the same. I am stumped.

 

[Ernst]

Boomer, good that you have narrowed it down. At this point I'd recommend you contact Mossberg and discuss the issue. They will likely have you ship it back to the factory for evaluation and correction.

Regards

 

[boomer92266]

I contacted Mossberg, they believe that it is either the elevator, the cartridge stop or the interrupter. They are sending all three to make sure I get it fixed and they are sending all three free. A++ service fromMossberg.

 

[Ernst]

boomer, that's excellent. The more I thought about it, I came to the conclusion that the problem was the elevator arm.

Hope that fixes it. Please let us all know the results.

Glad the service from Mossberg is still great.

Regards

 

[Jmm14534]

Boomer. When you get the parts please post side by side pics of the three parts so we can understand what the differences are and hence the root cause.
Thx!

 

[Ernst]

boomer, just a thought for consideration. In the past elevators have at times come with different finishes. Some were painted black while others had a nickel chrome finish.

Some of us have actually stripped the painted finish off and polished the elevator to smooth out the action.

No matter which finish you get on the replacement parts I'd inspect each part for sharp edges and burrs. While the manfacturing process is good it's not perfect.

Regards

 

[boomer92266]

Boomer. When you get the parts please post side by side pics of the three parts so we can understand what the differences are and hence the root cause.
Thx!

I didn't have my phone when they came in but they looked the same. The parts got here in just a few days. I decided to install them and the problem is still there. Aren't any burs on the parts but a good sanding wouldn't hurt none either. A friend who does some amateur gunsmithing just for a hobby offered me $175 for the gun. I decided to take it as my local Rural King had a sale one day only for a 20" barrel 88 for $195. I got the 20" home and it is smooth and works great. My friend hasn't got the other one fixed yet. When and if he does I will post on here and letting everyone know what was wrong. Thanks everyone for helping.