Can anyone here point me to a good place to ask gunsmithing advice, particularly one where I could get some competent help with a Mossberg 500C shotgun?

I wanted to respect the Armorer's Forum here that is for SIGs, and not post questions on other firearms there.

Give shotgunworld.com a try. They have a section just for Mossbergs.

Good information!
Thank you.

Unlike some, I won’t presume to say what the forum policies are, but I believe it’s okay to point out that the title of the Armorer section includes “gunsmithing questions,” and I have seen many posts there that didn’t refer to SIG pistols.

^^this.
A 500 is a 500. I’m sure someone can help you figure it out

I've never owned a 500, and don't currently have access to to one, but I've taken an armorer's course that included them. What problem are you having with your gun?

You're welcome. Hope it helped.

quote:

Originally posted by 92fstech:
I've never owned a 500, and don't currently have access to to one, but I've taken an armorer's course that included them. What problem are you having with your gun?

Removing the magazine tube.

One of mine had blue thread locker in the magtube threads the maverick didn’t

Blowtorch. Just a smidge.

I used a heat gun and there was some sort of lok-tite present.

As others have said, it takes heat. The 500 mag tube is threaded into the receiver (unlike the Remington 870 which is permanently brazed, so if you damage one of those you're pretty much screwed). They do use thread locker, so you've gotta heat it to soften it up. I'd start slow with a heat gun or hair dryer, and only escalate to something more drastic if absolutely necessary.

Thanks for the replies!

So heat is required. Would it be wise to get a receiver vice to keep from bending the receiver when the tube is muscled off?

I had searched YouTube and saw those videos. Some of them demonstrated removing the magazine tube without heat, just muscle.

The one that did mention heat was pretty much just a "point and talk" video, no actual demonstration of the process.

ShotgunWorld was a great suggestion too.

I like the idea of trying a hair dryer or heat gun before escalating to a blow torch!

^ no OP you don’t need a special receiver vise, just put the receiver in a padded vise, or sandwich it in between 2 pieces of wood like plywood, or wrap it in leather, or rags-so you don’t scar the finish on the aluminum receiver-you are just holding it while you unthread the mag tube.

Then use a heat gun, KROIL, or a torch to warm the tube and receiver junction (don’t heat the receiver it’ll ruin the finish if you use a torch)to where you just can’t touch it (mag tube).

Then spin off the mag tube with a set of pliers padded with tape(think blue painters tape or wrap a rag around the tube, or a leather glove)

Once the thread locker is warmed it will give way. Once I remove mine on a 500, I didn’t use any to put it back. mine is on hand tight now and doesn’t take anything to take it off if I want.