Reworking an old Mossberg and have it ready to reassemble but the dang safety is giving me one heck of a hard time. The safety detent keeps getting hung on the last hole of the detent plate making the thing impossible to return to safe position. I'm afraid to push too hard as i could ruin the spring and I've already bought the repair kit once, I sure don't want to have to do so again. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Anyone?

Do a Google search for M. 500 assembly vid!

I have, quite a bit, but nothing shows the safety. Plenty of field stripping. No safety....

I have a source I can try. I will get back to you if I find anything.

OK, here is what I found in The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Part V Shotguns: "When replacing the safety block inside the receiver, note that it must be installed with it's lower projection at the rear." The safety block is kind of hook shaped and the back of the hook, opposite the radius, should be to the rear. Also in the NRA Guide to Firearms Guide to assembly it indicates that there is a direct relationship of the safety to the elevator assembly. The safety should be in the "on safe" position to remove the elevator. I would assume on reassembly the safety should be installed first before installing the elevator.

Both books can be purchased on Amazon.

GREAT information Geezer. Thank you! I'll give it a shot. I'm beginning to think the spring is just 1 or 2 coils too long as I don't think the safety detent fits all the way down inside the hole.

Was it working OK before you disassembled it. If OK then there is probably nothing wrong with the spring. You can order parts from Numrich Gun Parts (sp)

Nah, I got it w/o the safety detent spring or ball. I got a replacement kit from Brownells.

Found You Tube on complete disassembly/assembly of Mossberg 500: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHmZzsLSZLE

THANKS!!!!

Dang, good vid, but didn't include the safety install. This is the typical M500 video I've found. Complete take down, sans safety. The search goes on.

I'll keep looking

You're a good man Geezer. I'm looking too!

Here are a couple other instructions

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPVgWduJ2ts

http://www.jerzeedevil.com/forums/showthread.php/54381-Mossberg-500-Safety-removal-amp-install

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8OWUlYfAOo

Man, this thing is kickn my butt. I got the safety on ok but can't select fire or safe with just my thumb.

sounds like the internal safety linkage is binding.

Maybe a call to Mossberg is in order or a visit to a gunsmith.

On the plate under the safety button is the detent ball in the hole closest to the rear. Also, when you installed the new safety did you keep the action open. And finally, could there be a broken piece of something floating around in the internals that is binding the safety.

Finally got it working. The spring was just 1 coil too long. I cut 1/2 a coil and it was easier. Cut another 1/2 and viola, working!! Thanks for the help!!

Great, glad you got it working.