blacksmith
.270 WIN
Today we'll go through basic safety info, servicing, and a look at Mossberg Safeties over the years. The model for our pictures is an ancient New Haven 600AT.
The most frustrating thing about our safeties is the secure 'one-way' screw. As we will see it wasn't always this way, but we get to deal with them now! Surprisingly this tamper-resistant screw is usually easy to get out.
First we need the Largest & Widest flat-head screwdriver that will fit. Use this driver, while pushing down into the screw, to back the screw off in the standard counter-clockwise motion. If this won't work it is time to get out the PB Blaster and start tapping with a hammer to loosen things up. If that won't work we will have to get a hacksaw and cut a slot in the screw. Note: this is a destructive method that will involve a new safety button.
With the safety assembly removed we can now service (clean) the shotgun, and be able to do so in the future if we don't put the factory screw back in! When reinstalling our bolt always be sure to use Blue (medium) threadlocker.
There are several small parts in the safety assembly. Do not lose them, especially the ball detent. It will roll away! At least some Mossbergs in yesteryear used a captured detent which was swaged into place. Not only was it fixed into place, but these shotguns also had the most positive safety engagement. The only gun that I confirm had this was a lowly Western Auto Revelation.
Many different safety buttons have been used over the years.
The standard plastic safety button is by far the most common and they come in two flavors. These are good buttons but be mindful that they can and will crack at the center.
The other style of plastic safety button is the wide / extended safety. This is a fairly new button that is shipping with late-model guns. It both wider and taller than the common plastic one. It is easy to recognize with the 'wings' on each side of the safety. This button is a hollow design but is still a nice upgrade.
Next we have the coveted Aluminum Safety Button, a.k.a. the 590A1 safety. Although it only comes on the M590A1 this button is readily available and will fit any standard 500/590. Unlike the aluminum trigger group from the 590A1 the Aluminum safety is a worthwhile upgrade at a low cost.
There is another plastic button: the antique checkered button. Although this button offers a unique look & feel I cannot recommend them. The age of these buttons combined with a very thin structure allows them to crack easily. These buttons were secured from the factory with a flat-head screw.
Perhaps the most rare, and desirable, of all the safeties is the Solid Steel Button. Mossberg used these on some shotguns years before the aluminum 590A1. Like the checkered plastic button these had flat-head screws.
The most frustrating thing about our safeties is the secure 'one-way' screw. As we will see it wasn't always this way, but we get to deal with them now! Surprisingly this tamper-resistant screw is usually easy to get out.
First we need the Largest & Widest flat-head screwdriver that will fit. Use this driver, while pushing down into the screw, to back the screw off in the standard counter-clockwise motion. If this won't work it is time to get out the PB Blaster and start tapping with a hammer to loosen things up. If that won't work we will have to get a hacksaw and cut a slot in the screw. Note: this is a destructive method that will involve a new safety button.
With the safety assembly removed we can now service (clean) the shotgun, and be able to do so in the future if we don't put the factory screw back in! When reinstalling our bolt always be sure to use Blue (medium) threadlocker.
There are several small parts in the safety assembly. Do not lose them, especially the ball detent. It will roll away! At least some Mossbergs in yesteryear used a captured detent which was swaged into place. Not only was it fixed into place, but these shotguns also had the most positive safety engagement. The only gun that I confirm had this was a lowly Western Auto Revelation.
Many different safety buttons have been used over the years.
The standard plastic safety button is by far the most common and they come in two flavors. These are good buttons but be mindful that they can and will crack at the center.
The other style of plastic safety button is the wide / extended safety. This is a fairly new button that is shipping with late-model guns. It both wider and taller than the common plastic one. It is easy to recognize with the 'wings' on each side of the safety. This button is a hollow design but is still a nice upgrade.
Next we have the coveted Aluminum Safety Button, a.k.a. the 590A1 safety. Although it only comes on the M590A1 this button is readily available and will fit any standard 500/590. Unlike the aluminum trigger group from the 590A1 the Aluminum safety is a worthwhile upgrade at a low cost.
There is another plastic button: the antique checkered button. Although this button offers a unique look & feel I cannot recommend them. The age of these buttons combined with a very thin structure allows them to crack easily. These buttons were secured from the factory with a flat-head screw.
Perhaps the most rare, and desirable, of all the safeties is the Solid Steel Button. Mossberg used these on some shotguns years before the aluminum 590A1. Like the checkered plastic button these had flat-head screws.
