My trusty Mossberg model 3000 3" pump 12 gauge let me down this weekend after 15yrs of trouble free service. We were trap shooting when the fore-end stopped locking forward after racking the action.
I played around with it and found that if I loosened the cap that secures the barrel at the end of the magazine it will work, but if I tighten it right down the action will not lock closed.
My question is; Being fairly handy with tools and a bit of a jack of all trades, should I tear into it and start stripping it down, or should I start looking for a gunsmith? Has anyone ever encountered this before, any suggestions?
Any help would be appreciated.

After 15 years of service your Mossberg has probably got some worn parts. If so you will need to get parts for it. Chances are a gunsmith will either have them or have a source to get them.Is this Mossberg still in production?I looked it up in Gun Trader's guide and don't see that model listed.If it was mine I would take it to a smith and have throughly gone through. Ruger Redhawk

I have a vintage model 870 from the early 70's. It was handed down to me from my dad. 30 years old and keeps on ticking. The only thing wrong with the gun is that the bluing is rubbed off. But I like that. It makes the gun look &quot;old school&quot;. <img src=icon_smile_tongue.gif border=0 align=middle>

If it breaks down like the model 500 I would disassemble it and see what was out of wack ( or try to) if then I was stumped I would find a gunsmith It might be something simple and you can replase it yourself. I'm not familiar with your model sorry I can't help more.