liquidorange,

I think what you percieve as a problem with your pump is actually a benefit. I own several pumps and different name brands, all release the action when fired, some move the action farther than others, which makes for easier pump action, which makes a follow up shot quicker.

I don't know if Mossberg has a web site that explains this action, but Winchester does. Just type in Winchester guns and then pull up their web site. You want to see the info on Winchesters' Model 1300 (pump gun), they explain their action in detail, which is called speed pump.

Personally, if I bought a pump gun (shotgun) and it didn't do this I would be ready to do a little work on it to loosen it up. I might add that if it didn't release the action when fired, you would have to push a release button/catch every time to pump a new shell into the barrel, which would slow the firing process drastically.

Hope this helps.

dog1