The Solid Foundation of the Mossberg 930
The Mossberg 930 is a workhorse shotgun, a favorite among hunters, home defenders, and competitive shooters alike. Known for its reliability and user-friendly design, the 930 offers a solid platform for a variety of shooting needs. However, out of the box, the 930’s magazine capacity might not always be ideal for every situation. This article dives deep into enhancing your 930, specifically focusing on the importance of optimizing its magazine system for increased firepower and performance. We’ll explore the upgrade to the 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring configuration, providing you with the knowledge to elevate your shotgun’s capabilities.
The 930 series, manufactured by O.F. Mossberg & Sons, is a semi-automatic shotgun celebrated for its durability and value. It’s a gas-operated shotgun, utilizing a gas system to cycle the action, making it operate smoothly and reliably, reducing felt recoil in the process. The 930’s popularity stems from its balance of functionality, affordability, and ease of maintenance. The 930 is often chosen as a versatile platform for hunting, offering a great balance between weight and handling. Many owners also find it ideally suited for home defense, and the gun’s reliability has earned it a spot in competition shooting. The design is straightforward, allowing for quick disassembly and cleaning, a major plus for regular maintenance.
Why More Rounds Matter: Examining Magazine Capacity
When it comes to shotguns, magazine capacity plays a crucial role in overall effectiveness. The standard configuration of the 930 typically holds a more limited number of shells. This is often due to various factors, including legal restrictions in certain areas and design choices. The original configuration balances capacity with ease of handling and legal regulations.
However, there are scenarios where increased ammunition capacity can be highly advantageous. In a home defense situation, having additional rounds readily available can provide a critical advantage, offering more opportunities to neutralize a threat and potentially avoid reloading under pressure. In hunting scenarios, where follow-up shots are sometimes necessary, a larger magazine can allow hunters to take more follow-up shots without needing to reload. Competitive shooters also benefit from a larger magazine, enabling them to spend more time focusing on the target and less on reloading, increasing their speed and efficiency in any competition. In essence, increasing the 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring capacity can be a game-changer.
Understanding the Components of the Enhanced Magazine System
To achieve a higher capacity, the key is to replace the stock components with parts designed for a larger capacity. The primary components you’ll need to upgrade are specifically designed and manufactured to work together, which are designed to increase the magazine capacity of the 930.
The magazine tube itself is the most prominent part. It’s a long, cylindrical component that holds the shells, and upgrading it provides the most significant capacity boost. The new tube will be extended to accommodate the extra rounds, requiring the correct dimensions to guarantee optimal functionality with the rest of the system. Proper dimensions are essential to ensure shells feed correctly.
The follower plays a crucial role in the feeding process. It’s a small part that resides inside the magazine tube and guides the shells towards the chamber when the action is cycled. The follower is designed to move smoothly within the tube, ensuring that the shells feed reliably. A good follower is made of materials designed to reduce friction and wear.
The magazine spring is perhaps the most critical component, as it provides the force required to push the shells towards the chamber. A strong and reliable spring is crucial for smooth feeding and overall performance. The spring’s ability to consistently push shells up into the action of the firearm is what makes it work reliably. A worn or inadequate spring can cause feeding failures, jams, and reduce the effectiveness of the 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring.
The Significance of a High-Quality Magazine Spring
The magazine spring is often the unsung hero of a shotgun. It’s responsible for ensuring that the shells are reliably fed into the chamber. A weak or worn spring can lead to a variety of problems, including failures to feed, failures to eject, and inconsistent performance.
A good spring is made from durable, high-quality materials, capable of withstanding the stresses of constant use. A well-designed spring maintains its tension over time, ensuring consistent feeding even after extended periods. The construction quality of the spring greatly impacts its longevity and reliability. Poorly manufactured springs can wear out quickly, leading to malfunctions. Replacing your spring often is not difficult, but it is a crucial consideration to keeping your 930 running at peak performance. The spring’s design also plays a role, as it impacts the pressure exerted on the shells, which can further impact the smooth feeding of the 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring.
Installing the Enhanced Magazine System: A Step-by-Step Guide
Before you begin any work, make sure your firearm is unloaded and the action is open. Safety should be the first priority. It’s always advisable to consult the Mossberg 930’s owner’s manual for specific instructions related to your model.
Safety First: Before beginning any modifications, ensure the firearm is unloaded. Verify that the chamber is empty. Always wear appropriate eye protection.
Tools You’ll Need:
- Screwdrivers (a set with multiple sizes is advisable)
- Pliers
- A vise (optional, but helpful for securing the firearm)
- Cleaning supplies (for cleaning the tube and spring)
- Lubricant (gun oil)
Step-by-Step Installation:
- Disassembly: Begin by disassembling the 930 according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This typically involves removing the barrel, forend, and bolt assembly. You will need to remove the existing magazine tube from the receiver.
- Magazine Tube Removal: If the original magazine tube is held in place with a retaining nut or similar mechanism, carefully unscrew it using the appropriate tool. If it’s secured with a set of screws, use the screwdriver to remove them.
- Spring and Follower Removal: Once the magazine tube is removed, carefully remove the existing magazine spring and follower. Take note of their condition, as these might be re-used if they are not replaced.
- New Tube Installation: Place the new magazine tube into the receiver. Align it correctly, ensuring it is flush with the receiver. Secure the new tube with the appropriate nut, screw, or any other attaching mechanism as you took it off.
- Spring and Follower Insertion: Insert the new magazine spring into the magazine tube. Then, insert the new follower, ensuring it moves freely within the tube.
- Reassembly: Reassemble the 930, including the barrel, forend, and bolt assembly.
- Testing: Once reassembled, cycle the action several times, loading dummy rounds to test for proper feeding and ejection.
Troubleshooting: Addressing Common Problems
Even with a high-quality 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring upgrade, issues can arise. Here’s how to address them.
Failure to Feed: The most common issue, failure to feed, can be caused by a variety of factors. Inspect the follower and spring to ensure they are moving smoothly. Check to see if the shells are loading properly. Make sure the magazine tube is clean. If this continues, consider replacing the spring.
Failure to Eject: Similar to feeding problems, failures to eject can arise from faulty springs. Another common cause is the ammunition. Ensure that you are using the correct ammunition and that the ejector is functioning correctly.
Loading/Unloading Issues: If you have problems loading or unloading shells, examine the follower for any damage or obstructions. Also, look at the tube for debris that may be causing an issue.
Selecting the Right Components and Where to Find Them
When shopping for a 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring upgrade, quality and compatibility should be your primary focus. Here are some suggestions.
Retailers: Check out major online retailers that specialize in firearm parts and accessories. Look for stores with reliable reviews and customer service.
Brand Recommendations: Some reputable brands specialize in shotgun upgrades. Research the brands and read reviews to get a better sense of their quality.
Material and Warranty: Prioritize components made from high-quality materials. Look for springs made from durable steel. Verify the manufacturer’s warranty, as it can give you an idea of their confidence in the product’s longevity.
Cost: Pricing can vary depending on brand, quality, and retailer. It is best not to be tempted to save a few dollars at the expense of quality.
Always prioritize safety. Make sure to verify that the components you’re purchasing are specifically designed for the Mossberg 930. Double-check product specifications to ensure a proper fit.
Concluding Thoughts: Maximizing Your 930’s Potential
Upgrading the 930 magazine 7 shot tube spring configuration is a worthwhile investment for those seeking to boost the versatility of their shotgun. By increasing the capacity, you can enhance the 930’s effectiveness in various scenarios, from home defense to competitive shooting. Remember to prioritize safety, follow installation instructions carefully, and perform regular maintenance to keep your firearm functioning optimally.
The upgrade, when installed correctly, can drastically transform your 930 shotgun. Don’t be afraid to take on the upgrade.
This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified gunsmith or armorer for any gun-related work, and abide by all local and federal laws.