Stuck Choke Tubes in Shotgun

[1nmartin]

The other day I took a Mossberg 5500 Mk II s/a 12 gauge in on a trade. Despite some bad reviews about these models, I have to say I'm pretty impressed. Anyhow, the guy I got it from gave me two extra chokes as well. The gun has the full choke in it, and since I'm primarily going to be hunting dove with the gun, I was going to change the choke out for modified. So I got the little rinky-dink choke wrench and tried to unscrew the tube. Tried to tighten first, then loosen... Not budging one bit, and judging by the size of the wrench, the tubes should not be that tight...

I've read that you can try heat, cold, penetrating oil, and a bajillion other magic tricks but I'm wondering if any of you guys have ever encountered such problem? I soaked the muzzle end of the barrel in Kroil last night, picked it up this morning, tapped on the outside of the barrel with a rubber mallet and then tried to loosen it. Still no budging. So back into the Kroil she goes.

If it comes to it, I will likely use a jumbo sized EZ-out, but I'd rather not.

Thanks.

[Dockey 454]

Had the same problem with my 835. Soaked it in aero kroil over night. Stick the barrel in a long tall container, and fill with oil ( 4" ). Next day used heat gun on outside of barrel. Be careful not to heat the choke tube, and expand it to. Be sure to use a good fitting wrench. Good luck.
Tom

[1nmartin]

After soaking in Kroil for almost 22 hours, I got it to loosen 1/8 turn. now its jammed up again.
How did you heat the barrel but not the choke tube?

[Dockey 454]

The trick is to use the heat gun around the barrel without blowing air up the inside. Keep the heat moving around, so it heats evenly. Don't let the heat soak all the way thru. Is it possible that someone forced the tube in there crossed. All I can offer is just keep repeating the cycle, if it doesn't work a gunsmith would be my next choice. I always use a little never-seez on my threads.
Tom

[robert w]

I was goin to say anti seize if you get it out. I have took a quarter and helt down on it hard and used a cresent wrench on the quarter. rocked it back n fourth . took several times and when I was about to quit , it moved a little more. after a while it gave up . I think it was shot chokeless for a while as the other choke wouldn't screw in. took it to my gunsmith and he had a thread tap. he opened it up. I got a replacement for the bad choke

[1nmartin]

Thanks for the advice guys. I called a local gunsmith and he said he could get it out, but it might damage the barrel in the process. He recommended shipping the barrel back to Mossberg and letting them take care of it. That way, if they screw it up, its on them.

When looking down the bore from the breech end, you can see where the end of the choke is mis-shapen so much that part of the wad catches on it when you fire the gun.

I think I'm just gonna leave this one to the experts and save my self the frustration.

[Rescue912]

I've seen chokes close off almost completely from the back side kinda like you are talking about. The owner was shooting lots of steel through a lead-only choke and it really beat it up. Could have ended in catastrophe.

I have cut barrels and had them retapped for chokes before, wasn't too horrible expensive. That was for a youth size shotgun I made my son but you could do the same thing. Might be cheaper to just pick up a new barrel at some point though.

[Bullit]

Ouch!.....good plan.

[Motorhead]

Yup ... blasting STEEL SHOT out screw in choke rifles really does beat the snot out of the choke tubes.

Hope they can take care of it !!

[RedFeather]

If you ship it back, let us know how it turns out.  Might be surprised.  Mossberg has stepped it up lately.