My maverick came out of the box with one and I was in the same damn situation as you.
For future reference (if somehow this is found via the search function), to remove it you must:
1) Ensure the gun is unloaded, then do it again
2) Remove barrel
3) Hold gun, minus barrel, and shake it living s**t out of it
4) You will see the end of the dowel poking through the hole that the barrel screws into, pull it out
Thank you SLICKNICK I am glad I am not the only one that went through this.


















































