How to Clean a Mossberg 930 Semi-Automatic Shotgun

Ensuring the safe and proper maintenance of firearms is a responsibility and vital aspect of gun ownership. Whether you're a seasoned gun enthusiast or new to the world of firearms, understanding how to clean and care for your weapon is essential. This guide will walk you through the meticulous process of disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling the Mossberg 930 shotgun, a popular choice among firearm owners. Safety is paramount, and every step outlined here reinforces the importance of responsible firearm handling.

The 4 Rules of Firearm Safety

• Treat Every Firearm as If It's Loaded
• Keep the Firearm Pointed in a Safe Direction
• Finger Off the Trigger
• Store Firearms Securely

Essential Gun Cleaning Supplies for Your Mossberg 930

Gun Cleaning Supplies:

• Cleaning rod
• Cleaning patches - large size
• Cleaning Solvent (I use Hoppe's No.9)
• Lubricating oil (I use Hoppe's no. 9)
• Clean white rags
• Dedicated toothbrush
• Appropriate-Caliber Copper Bore Brush (optional)
• Safety glasses
• Latex gloves

Disassembling Your Mossberg 930: Step-by-Step Guide

1. Make sure the safety is on.

2. Keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

3. Pull the bolt to the rear.

4. Physically check the chamber with your finger.

5. Visually and physically inspect the chamber for a shell/cartridge.

6. Put on safety glasses.

7. Unscrew the magazine tube counterclockwise. Prepare yourself; the magazine spring will want to shoot out.

8. Pull the spring out, forend off, and tilt the muzzle end down, and the magazine follower should slide out.

9. While laying the gun flat, support the gun with one hand and place the other hand on the barrel. Slowly and authoritatively pull the barrel out from the receiver. After you have it off, place it aside. Remove the gas piston from the lower portion of the barrel.

10. You can now remove every part of the magazine tube. You may want to take a picture with your phone of the order these parts went on and how they are positioned. Set these parts aside in their designated area to avoid confusing them.

11. Hold the operating handle while pushing the bolt release with your other hand. Slowly guide the bolt forward until it stops. Get a good grip on the operating handle and pull it out. After it is out, hold the bolt release down and use your other hand to maneuver the bolt assembly out of the receiver. Be careful when removing the bolt assembly; a little pin will fall out if you turn the bolt assembly too far sideways. Set this assembly to the side.

Cleaning of Your Mossberg 930: Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Put on your latex gloves. Apply a quarter-sized amount of cleaning solvent to a new patch. Using your finger, rub the patch into the chamber area of the receiver. You can use the toothbrush to scrub the inside of the chamber. After that, continue wiping and swapping out patches until little or no gunk is left on the patch. I also like wiping down the liftgate's exterior to provide the shells with a clean, smooth surface to slide on.

2. Remove the upper half of the bolt assembly and set it to the side. With the toothbrush, forcefully scrub both main parts of the bolt assembly. Ensure you do not lose the pin that will want to fall out on the lower half. Apply a quarter-sized amount of cleaning solvent to a new patch and wipe down the bolt assembly, paying particular attention to the grooves on the side of the lower half and the face of the bolt.

3. Let's move on to the parts that you removed from the magazine tube. The only part prone to getting dirty is the gas piston. With your toothbrush, vigorously scrub the gas piston's inside and outside. Apply a quarter-sized amount of solvent onto a new patch and wipe all areas of the gas piston. Grab a new patch with solvent and wipe down the other parts onto the magazine tube, forearm retainer, gas return spring, pusher assembly, spacer tuber, magazine spring, and magazine follower.

4. Take your large cleaning patch and apply roughly two-quarter-sized amounts of solvent. Thread the patch through the cleaning rod tip and insert it into the chamber end of the barrel. Push the rod through the barrel. After repeating this a few times, use a bore light to inspect the barrel for any fouling particles stuck inside the barrel. If you see this, then screw on the 12-gauge bore brush. Insert the bore brush the same way you inserted the cleaning patch; push it through before changing direction.

5. Use your toothbrush to clean the gas port area of the barrel where the gas piston is located. This area is where dirt likes to collect, so apply solvent to a clean patch and scrub this spot. When you no longer see gunk on the cleaning patches, this area is clean, and you can set the barrel aside.

6. Another area that can use a quick cleaning is the magazine tube. Take a large cleaning patch and add two quarter-sized amounts of cleaning solvent. Thread the cleaning rod with the patch and insert it into the magazine tube from the muzzle end. Repeat until there is no more gunk on the cleaning patch.

How to Lubricate Your Mossberg 930 Shotgun

When oiling any firearm, make sure to use it sparingly; over-oiling will cause your gun to gum up quickly.

1. The first area you will want to oil is the gas piston. Apply two small drops of oil to the exterior of the gas piston work the oil into the rings with your finger and rub it into the inside as well.

2. Apply one drop of oil on each side of the lower half of the bolt assembly, as shown in the picture. Place the upper half of the bolt assembly on the lower and move it back and forth to work the oil in.

3. It also helps if you place a drop on the outside of the portion of the barrel that enters into the receiver. This makes it easier to insert the barrel when assembling.

4. Lastly, apply two drops on the barrel and wipe the oil with a rag. The oil will help prevent the formation of rust.

How to Reassemble Your Mossberg 930

1. Guide the bolt assembly into the receiver. The link that extends off the back of the bolt assembly will have to be fed into the rear portion of the receiver in a certain way. You will know when you are wrong because the bolt will not go in all the way. Once you have the bolt assembly in the receiver, push the bolt handle back into its slot. Lock the bolt to the rear.

2. Now is the time to pull up the picture you took of the parts on the magazine tube. In case you forgot, first is the forearm retainer, gas return spring, then align the two prongs on the pusher assembly with the groves on the forearm retainer, after that slide on the gas piston spacer tube.

3. Next slide the gas piston into place on the barrel; it only goes in one way. After that place one hand on the receiver and guide the barrel into it with the other hand while aligning it with the magazine tube. You may have to use some force to get it to slide all the way in.

4. Double-check that all of the parts on the magazine tube are in the correct direction and position. Slide on the polymer forend, insert the magazine follower flat side first, and the magazine spring pointed end first. You can then slide on the magazine extension, or in some models, the magazine cap over the spring and thread it onto the magazine tube. If you are having a hard time screwing on the magazine extension or cap, there may be an issue with the position of the parts that are on the magazine tube. Once you have this figured out, you can tighten down to hand strength.

Make sure the chamber is empty visually and physically and press the bolt release. Do this a few times to ensure the gun is functioning properly. Also, push up on the liftgate and look to see if the magazine follower is facing the flat side of you.

The Importance of Regular Firearm Cleaning

Safety is the highest priority

• Treat every gun as if it is loaded
• Never point the gun at something you are not willing to destroy
• Always be sure of your target and what is behind it
• Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on target

I am not the end-all-be expert of firearms, but this is the best way I know how to safely field strip, clean, and lube a Mossberg 930 semi-automatic shotgun.

I believe in cleaning a firearm after every use. This is especially important for home defense firearms or a gun you concealed carry.

Never leave your gun unattended while you are cleaning. Yes, even though it is disassembled, a child or someone can get into it. Clean it all in one sitting and lock it back up.

Make sure to clean your firearms in a well-vented area due to the fumes of whatever solvent you may be using.

Dispose of the dirty rags properly, as they are now highly flammable.

Responsible Firearm Ownership and Maintenance

As you conclude your journey through the meticulous process of cleaning your Mossberg 930 shotgun, it's crucial to reiterate that safety should always remain your top priority. Responsible gun ownership goes hand in hand with proper firearm maintenance, and we hope this guide has empowered you with the knowledge and confidence to keep your shotgun in excellent condition. By following these steps diligently, you can ensure the longevity and reliability of your Mossberg 930 and contribute to a safer and more responsible firearms community. Remember, a well-maintained firearm is reliable, and that reliability is essential when it matters most. Stay safe, stay responsible, and enjoy your firearms responsibly.