I have a Mossberg 500 and don't like the wooden dowel plug, I was thinking about using a piece of aluminium rod as a plug (1/4" x 9" same as the wooden one). This way the plug will not keep moisture in the mag tube. What do you guys think? Is there any downsides to using aluminium?
Shotgun Plug
- Thread starter fralic76
- Start date
- Location
- Eastern Ont.
Just go to a hunting store that sells plastic "green" ones for about $2.50
Stay with the wood.
If moisture in your plug is an issue, then you have greater problems to contend with.
Down side with aluminum? Yes, it bends instead of flexing like wood.
When you fire a shotgun, the gun recoils fast enough that the shells stay stationary in the mag tube. The mag spring compresses and the plug slams into the follower which is resting against a shell which is heavy. The wood plug flexes then straightens, over time aluminum bends then destroys the mag spring. This was an issue with the Beretta ES100's that used the aluminum plug.
If moisture in your plug is an issue, then you have greater problems to contend with.
Down side with aluminum? Yes, it bends instead of flexing like wood.
When you fire a shotgun, the gun recoils fast enough that the shells stay stationary in the mag tube. The mag spring compresses and the plug slams into the follower which is resting against a shell which is heavy. The wood plug flexes then straightens, over time aluminum bends then destroys the mag spring. This was an issue with the Beretta ES100's that used the aluminum plug.
Thanks for the information guys. I think I will varnish the wood plug or wipe it down with gun oil (told to do this by an old hunter, he said that is what they did back in the 70s). As for the "Green plastic ones" I would have to remove the mag tube to install. The wooden plug is installed through the bolt hole that holds the barrel on.
