Tactical Mossberg 500 - Part 1 - How to Replace Pinned Forend (Maverick 88 Style)

This is a full step by step guide on how to replace the factory pinned forend with an aftermarket tactical one on a Mossberg 500 Persuader/Cruiser. It is fairly easy to do if you buy the right parts. This should work for just about any Mossberg with the Maverick 88 style pinned forend. The hardest part of this job was actually finding the right forend and parts to make it all fit. I'll post the links to the exact parts I used below. Be warned, if you use different parts you may have a hell of a time doing this project.
UPDATE - as of Dec 2015, the exact forend I used is no longer in stock on Amazon. However, here is the link to it anyways, incase you want to look at it or if it comes back in stock. goo.gl/9Engzv
Link to the only other aluminum forend I can find on Amazon that may fit (as of Dec 2015): goo.gl/VDNSiv
Link to Action Slide Tube: goo.gl/YaoEnh
Link to Forend Wrench: goo.gl/QHGxif

[@billymcfuggin7549]

Very good video, I changed my Maverick 88 8 shot Security pinned fore end using your video. I decided to use real Mossberg parts because I had read some reviews of the Promag tangs breaking. If anyone is interested here are the parts you need direct from Mossberg: Mossberg part numbers: Slide (long) Tube: 11603BL - $34.00 Slide Tube Nut: 3408 - $12.00 Order direct from Mossberg

[@sergeantblack2408]

Glad the vid helped - thanks for the parts list.

[@jeffreybell7015]

Thanks for taking the time to show us how to make this modification. Before I found this video, I watched several others. They were all missing crucial steps. Yours was complete and showed me enough detail so that even though I am not a gunsmith and have minimal skills I was able to complete the job. I did it slowly and carefully and took about an hour. But it came you great and I am happy with the results. I used the Streamlight 1,000 lumen forend grip with built-in light that was originally designed for the Mossberg 500 series. Thanks!!

[@willacewallace5905]

Hey, brother. To prevent possible damage or maring marks. Put the forend in the oven warming it to 250 thoroughly. Put the slide action tube in the freezer for about 30 minutes. The two parts will slide freely long enough to mate up.

[@Ghostpr787]

Dude. You are my hero haha funny my gunsmith told me i cannot change the forend because it was pinned.. guess what im gonna tell him next time i see him.. thanks for the video and explaining everything step by step.

[@charlesterwilliams1736]

Thanks so much for showing how to remove the forend all of the other videos I watched on replacing the forend assumed you knew how to remove the stock forend. Your direction was really clear and precise. You did a great job of not assuming anything. Thanks so much

[@scottgraham1153]

I put a 7 5/8'' action slide with a vintage walnut corncob forearm and stock, on my Maverick 88, it does not mare or scratch up the mag tube. it functions perfectly. the wood furniture added a little weight but that helps ease recoil, adding the wood furniture and the new action slide improved the look and function of the already good looking and great functioning shotgun.

[@MG-wi1eq]

Is your Maverick 88 the 18.5 inch version?

[@scottgraham1153]

@@MG-wi1eq I have a 20' barrel with a 7 round mag tube and a 18.5'' barrel with a 5 round mag tube. they function great.

[@MG-wi1eq]

@@scottgraham1153 Nice. I'm thinking about attempting this mod on mine so that I can put wood furniture on it to give it that "trench gun" aesthetic.

[@scottgraham1153]

@@MG-wi1eq You should do it for sure, such an easy upgrade. The synthetic stock and forearm are good quality but the wood and new action slide just gives it more, with all that I have into it $$ wise is about equal to a new Moss 500 but with an extra barrel and mag tube. with just a few minutes I have 2 different looking shotguns The Mav 88 is an amazing platform for the money. I have no regrets buying this shot gun even if I would have keep it factory OEM.

[@MG-wi1eq]

@@scottgraham1153 For sure man. The only issue I'm having now is finding a 7 5/8 forend assembly. You think I could get away with a 7 3/4 assembly on the M88?

[@denisdegamon8224]

WD40 is not a oil lubricant. It is a water displacement spray. Best to use oil on that action tube.

[@hcyobo2553]

Even though it's blurry, with the explanation, we were able to put it all back together! Great video!

[@stoked208]

Thanks a lot! This is the only video I could find to help me with changing out the fore end on my Maverick 88.

[@sergeantblack2408]

You're welcome. That's why I made the video, I couldn't find a good one myself either. I had a nightmare of a time trying to put a different forend on. I had a shorter plastic forend, the shorter action tube assembly that was not the pro-mag brand, and a hogue adapter nut and I would have had to use a dremel tool or something on the inside of the forend to have any chance of making it fit. This metal forend fit tight but perfect and the pro-mag action tube assembly came with the required correct sized nut. If you buy a different brand action tube assembly (not pro-mag), it will probably not come with the nut. Also, the seperate hogue adapter nut you can buy is unnecessary and won't fit right unless you're using the hogue forend (despite what alot of internet message boards may tell you).

[@robertdaniel4204]

Thanks for the video could not figure out how to do this until I watched this video I had a 500 with the pinned forend that broke it was a pain and I couldn't find any videos on how to replace it until this one Mossberg was kind enough to to send me a brand-new forend for free and now it works like new thanks

[@johnelder4273]

Good video/instructions. Who knew Ray Romano was a Sergeant and knows shotgun stuff? LOL! Just kidding brother, but your voice does remind me of him.

[@justjohnny6559]

This is the most helpful video to disassemble my Maverick 88. Thank you

[@Oni_wrangler]

I'm upgrading my first shot and this video was extremely helpful, if a bit long winded. lol But thanks Sergeant Black.

[@sergeantblack2408]

You're welcome. Good luck with the upgrade!!

[@ericcasas1974]

Awesome job, Sgt. Black! Thanks for the tutorial & part numbers!

[@sergeantblack2408]

+Eric C Thanks, your welcome.

[@Harleyguy03]

Informative video. I like the fact that you had some little glitches here and there that the average person may run into and how you worked through them. Your narrative was very thorough in plain English. Better video equipment would vastly improve your tutorial, however.

[@DH-bd4xq]

You cut away at the part I needed to know how to do

[@anonymous.369]

There is a bolt relase button right behind the trigger guard. Press it up n you can push the bolt back without pulling the trigger every time.

[@sevenrats]

That part right there is called the Bolt Carrier. It and the Bolt are a pain in the ass to get back in and lined up with the Ejector arms and the action bars.

[@kingofslimecity]

Great video. When I order the action tube slide assembly, how do I know if I need 7 5/8 inch one? My aftermarket foreend came with an adapter for that size. It can be used with shorter ones too. I dont know which is better for my mossberg 500 or if only one length is the right one. Any help is appreciated

[@eames1988]

You shouldnt be banging metal on metal, next time use a wooden block or dowel to push the action tube assembly in

[@jasoncox9960]

That made me twitch

[@superbug1977]

Good video. I have done this replacement. However, my tactical forend has more play than i care for. But it holds a nice light. Perhaps the Ultimate Arms forend fits better.

[@asaturn]

hard to see since it's blurry and all black, but the key part of re-assembly is that the bars on the new forend tube go into the slider piece you took out. otherwise, the forend can't "rack" the mechanism and will just be jammed. the other little bars will only go back in one way as described in the video. once you have the forend lined up, the metal piece back in, and the little bars in place, the trigger will go right in and you can reinsert the locking pin and you're set.

[@brianturner9035]

This was just what i needed, thank you!

[@kevinjones6033]

Which assembly did you use?

[@brianturner9035]

@@kevinjones6033 I went with the Hogue Tamer shotgun and pistol grip.

[@marcussmith9804]

Am I able to buy a walnut stock and forend that you would find on a mossberg 500 and slide it into the maverick 88? Are the action bar designs the same?

[@MrZipperhead16]

Cool looking foregrip. You can get lights, lasers and a forward grip on there. Question is, WTF FOR?? Every time you rack the action the light or whatever moves off target. The other universally dumb idea is a pistol grip. Unless your thumbs are 6 inches long you can't reach the tang safety without shifting your grip. Put a clamp on light holder just ahead of the foregrip and operate it with your thumb. If you MUST have a pistol grip, get a Mav. 88 so your finger will rest next to it on the trigger guard. The more shit you put on the gun the more your asking for a failure.

[@itsiFailTIME]

any suggestions if the barrel doesn't fit on after the forend. tried without forend only the tube and it's the metal molded part at the end that connects the tube to the arm that is too far to allow the barrel back on

[@robertdaniel8277]

Nick Gibbs I had the same problem also you have to actually push the forend down as if you were to chamber a round but don't push it up while it's down try to put the Barrel in screw it half way in and then pull the forend and back up screw it the rest of the way in

[@bennytroung]

Very thorough. Thanks.

[@trousersnake1486]

Your finger nails bothered me the whole video.

[@terrydavis5850]

be rude why dont you?

[@yumad9609]

😂

[@TheMultisportGeek]

Trouser Snake, Do you work at a nail salon?

[@jeromeknasinski3862]

Sergeant Black....great video. I am unable to find the forearm or the action slide tube you mention. Your Links are broken. Would you please supply either the links or the actual part numbers, models, names etc of the stuff you are replacing. I did find the wrench. Thanks so much.

[@jeromeknasinski3862]

BTW...everything I AM finding says out of stock no backorder . HELP

[@Grinnec]

Check Midwayusa.com and search Mossberg 500. the parts will all show up for relatively cheap.

[@sethgibson9418]

The little pin on the original for end fell out and the pump is hella lose do you have any fixes for that? Thanks

[@terryswinney1339]

I can't find your list of items. I listened and looked at your items, but can't find the FOREEND IN ALUMINUM nor can I find the ACTION SLIDE TBE ASSEMBLY anywhere on line - so far.

[@2BitSlow]

MidwayUSA and Brownells has the 7 3/4 slide assembly

[@DrBongloadZ]

Is the 20inch 88 the same size action tube as the 590?

[@ecf150king]

Sgt Black, man I love the video. it helped me out a lot. only thing is I now have a problem. when I put the barrel back on and go to slide the action it is froze. the damn thing won't budge. with the barrel off it works just fine. any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. thanks for your knowledge.

[@sergeantblack2408]

Hmmm.....Only thing I can think of is maybe something didn't go back together right - take it apart and put it back together one more time maybe? On mine, if there is no ammo in it, I can only slide the action 1 time then it locks too. But there is a small lever and if you push up on it, it will release it and you can rack the gun again.

[@ecf150king]

I did exactly that. It seemed to help. But it gets stuck when I rack the action all the way back. I think it's the forend was over molded. I used a Dremel to shave it down just a bit. Thanks for the reply

[@sergeantblack2408]

Yeah thats probably it ....other videos I've seen people have often had to break out the dremmel tool on this project

[@ecf150king]

thanks again for the reply. the video really helped out a lot.

[@itsiFailTIME]

what did you and up doing. I have the same problem

[@aaronriney]

Listen... you did a fantastic job explaining the install, however, that was just too much dry firing! There is an action slide release on the upper back side of the trigger.

[@RudiusSwagrid]

hi there I like your videos very informative however I am unable to locate the aluminum forend on Amazon the ones I am able to find people say that they won't fit the 12 gauge that they only fit a 20 gauge and also the link posted for the aluminum forend is no longer found the web address. if you know of another location or another website to find said aluminum forend that would be very wonderful thank you for your time

[@Ghostpr787]

Can i install the streamlight racker?

[@frankmiller4550]

Yes, but if you have a pinned forend, you must replace the forend first. Which is what he did in this video.

[@TomKeown]

Your Maverick is different than mine. Yours has the tang safety like the Moss 500. My Maverick has the safety at the front of the trigger guard.

[@ThaColonel]

because that's the Mossberg 500. you are correct the safety is the easiest way to tell the style

[@sevenrats]

Some of the Mossberg 500's also have a pinned forend. That's not mentioned frequently in reviews and youtube videos. So basically the Maverick 88 is even more a 500, except for the safety the whole gun is the same.

[@angelowilliams7497]

Where can I find the fore end slide now a days. I already have the grip just need the slide to attach it to my guy. The one that came with the gun can not come off the slide. Please help

[@Floridaman1780_]

Just google "mossberg 500 action slide assembly" make sure it's the 7 5/8 length. You can go to the mossberg website, I think brownells has them, Amazon, Ebay, etc.

[@angelowilliams7497]

Donny Fraley thank you

[@RVProject]

The link to your forend seems to be broken. You have any additional information on the forend?

[@eldean0]

+awboater heres a similiar one www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/aim-sports-mossberg-500a-series-forend?a=1720203

[@prestonsuggs66]

looking to replace my action slide tube who makes a real good one

[@ErikOutDoors]

What did you end up using?

[@patrickwooton966]

No need to pull the trigger every time, engage your action release to open the action.

[@hoytarchery5302]

dude you don't have to pull the trigger everyone to rack it, that will damage your firing pin and you won't be able to shoot it anymore. hold down the slide release if you want to keep racking it, that is located behind the trigger guard.

[@davidrolon3251]

Nice video, what brand is that forend?

[@sergeantblack2408]

+David Rolon Ultimate Arms. However, its no longer in stock on Amazon (as of Dec 2015)

[@terryswinney1339]

I did find the wrench but none of the rest of the items.

[@sladestreet6086]

This is idiot proof. Excellent video!!

[@garretlashmet3383]

Don’t understand why you would want rails where your hands are going to be, it’s not like you’ll be mounting anything there

[@davidfaria6194]

WD-40 is not a lubricant

[@rhino062465]

Good vid Thanks

[@R_K_S2401]

Thanks for not showing the most important part of the video.

[@mailliw75]

Obviously a recent graduate of Colorado school of gunsmithing......

[@marcosm65]

Will you sell me the original foreend? Mine broke.

[@robertdaniel8277]

Marcos Morales contact Mossberg they'll send you a new one for free that's what they did for me I didn't even have to pay for shipping

[@Thefoxsaiddingding]

💅

[@terrydavis5850]

can u list the parts

[@terifarley4770]

SLide release is for testing the slide, not abusing firingpin on empty chamber

[@terrydavis5850]

that appears to be a 500

[@lmaolmoo4147]

He said it was. It just has the same foregrip assembly as a maverick 88

[@7667T]

😆🤣😂

[@brianlepage5128]

Talking in circles...cant watch no more,sorry