My M590 is light-striking like crazy - need help

[lloydkristmas]

Got a Mossberg 590 (actually belongs to my brother but its in my care) and I'm having some problems with it.

Aside from the safety switch not wanting to remain in the OFF position while shooting, the gun is light striking like crazy. It used to happen about once in 30-40 shells, now it happens almost every other round.

I have cleaned the hell out of this thing, including a detail strip and cleaning of the firing pin channel.

Im thinking about sending it in to Mossberg then selling it once they fix it, but does anyone here have an idea about what the problem might be?

This gun has seen about 1000 rounds and is only just now starting to act like a bitch. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[TOrrock]

I've had this happen to me on a personal 590.

One big reason I'm not a fan of Mossbergs anymore.

Check to make sure that the magazine end cap isn't coming unscrewed and allowing the barrel to move forward under fire.

[lloydkristmas]

Thanks for the input. My advice to him was sell the M590 and get a Remington 870, but I dont know what kind to suggest. Never been a big shotgun guy. Thoughts?

[DMR]

Call Mike at Aimpro/Mossberg LE Service. Preety sure I now what the issue is, but you better talk to him(expert him vs. educated me)

Did you or the previous owner replace or remove the safety? It sounds like the detent ball or the detent plate (thin tab) is missing. It's the part with five holes in the picture(Source Brownells):

[lloydkristmas]

no, he bought it brand new, dont think he has modified the safety at all

are you saying the safety would cause the light strikes, or are you suggesting that as the reason the safety wont stay put?

The safety is kind of second priority to the light striking at this point

[DMR]

PM on the way.

The detent plate has to do with the safety staying in place. If the detent is not inplace then the safety will not stay in place. Also if the stock is over tightened, say from having been changed and correct washers not being re-installed. If so the stock bolt might be touching the safety which could cause it to rebound. That said I would check the detent first.

Click here for AimPro/Mossberg LE Service

[michael word]

In regards to the light strikes, I would check the firing pin spring. Some times they are made overly strong and prevent the pin from hitting the primer hard enough. I would remove it and test at the range to see if you are still getting problems. If it works you can just leave the spring out, it wont hurt anything. The spring was only added about 10 years ago to satisfy the lawyers and is still not included on the 20 gauge models. It would be no different than the floating pin on the ar15.

[ST911]

I have cleaned the hell out of this thing, including a detail strip and cleaning of the firing pin channel.

Check to make sure that the magazine end cap isn't coming unscrewed and allowing the barrel to move forward under fire.

Did you or the previous owner replace or remove the safety? It sounds like the detent ball or the detent plate (thin tab) is missing. It's the part with five holes in the picture(Source Brownells):

In regards to the light strikes, I would check the firing pin spring. Some times they are made overly strong and prevent the pin from hitting the primer hard enough.

All of this is good advice and likely to ID the problem. All can create light strikes or otherwise impede the FP.

[Thomas M-4]

no, he bought it brand new, dont think he has modified the safety at all

are you saying the safety would cause the light strikes, or are you suggesting that as the reason the safety wont stay put?

The safety is kind of second priority to the light striking at this point

Sounds like the screw has backed out on the safety.

[tpd223]

We have had several of our 500s start giving light strikes after years of use as range guns. Our issue was the hammer springs being worn out.

Mossberg makes good guns, but their springs are low bid.

We've also have issues with their magazine springs, but a phone call to Wolff fixed that problem.