Mossberg 535 broken forend fix?

[JVFriday13th]

Hey all,
Friend of mine gave me his 535 (from cabelas) and it's one of the ones with the pinned forend as opposed to the vastly superior 'action slide tube' that comes on the higher end models.

Long story not-so-short, the pins themselves fell out so now the grip is detached from the action bars. I have not found any info on repairing this other than the standard "buy an action slide tube + forend grip and call it a day" but here's my dilemma:
I can't seem to find a Canadian retailer of mossy's parts, just a Promag version (I would rather not drop $80 on promag junk). The gun itself is a little rough, a fixer-upper so to speak so I am hesitant to start throwing money at it when a couple hundred bucks would get me a brand new Mav 88 anyway.

Has anyone fixed this pinned forend problem? I'm thinking about tapping threads into the holes in the action bars and securing the grip with machine screws and lock tight. If any of you guys have some advice for me or know where to get mossberg action slide tubes in Canada (BC) that would be cool.

Thanks to all who may reply.

 

[cdn1canhunt]

Call Grech outdoors in Mount Forest Ontario. www.grechoutdoors.ca
I believe he is the authorized mossberg distributor in Ontario. He should be able to at least help?

 

[JVFriday13th]

That's a start. Thanks for the reply!

 

[JVFriday13th]

Just a quick update...
I drilled the holes in the action bars out slightly larger, 9/64" and tapped 8-32 threads into them no problem. Buttonhead machine screws worked perfectly to secure the foregrip to the bars where the pins used to be. Forend is solid now. If anyone is looking for a quick fix on their busted Mav 88 or low end 500 this will do the job. $1.50 in screws and access to a drill and tap is all you need, I did it at the kitchen table.

 

[cdn1canhunt]

Glad you got her fixed up!

 

[JVFriday13th]

Just a couple photos of the process...

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