Mossburg 51M

[Lethemgo]

This rifle followed me home from a gun show so had to have a range day. Didn't go real well as she had a extremely hard trigger unlike another one of these I had that one had a sweet trigger. Plus wouldn't feed ammo i was using. Will try different ammo next time after a strip down and clean up but want to fix a couple of the problems first. Front sight flops around could just be a clean up and looks like it locks in after adjusting. Not sure haven't seen one like this or taken one apart. Doesn't look to bad to take apart gun but will take pics as i go. Hopefully a clean up and different ammo will fix the feeding problems.
Most certainly want to do something with trigger pull. That's different too with fingers on trigger that push a bar and lift it off of sear looks like by rocking the two parts together lifting it but for some reason it doesn't disengage until its forced to pop off. Pin that trigger fingers push on are bent forward I'm sure contributing to the stiffness.
Any suggestions on any of these problems would be greatly appreciated...thanks! Dont see a serial # anywhere except a date on trigger guard.

[Elroy]

I had a 51K a few years ago,and it would not feed the last two,or three from the tube ,but it done fine until it was almost empty.Some did not have a safety,but mine did,and it was sloppy.I would adjust the angle of the mag tube if you can .Does it have the right pusher tube in the magazine?,and if so does the spring feel decently strong,even with one,or two rounds?If not it may be your issue.Is ejection good?..I also remember that mine had something like AcuGruv stamped on the barrel.I assume it was similar to Marlin's Micro Groove.

[oldhenry]

I had a 51K a few years ago,and it would not feed the last two,or three from the tube ,but it done fine until it was almost empty.Some did not have a safety,but mine did,and it was sloppy.It looks like your tube is homemade from a centerfire casing .I would adjust the angle of the tube if you can .Does it have the right pusher tube in it?,and if so does the spring feel decently strong,even with one,or two rounds?If not it may be your issue.Is ejection good?..I also remember that mine had something like AcuGruv stamped on the barrel.I assume it was similar to Marlin's Micro Groove.

AcuGruv is not the same as Marlin's Micro groove: it's more or less a trade name for their conventional rifling. I have a 151K: same action. The 51M & 151M models are sought after by Mossberg collectors (there are more Mossberg collectors than one would think). My 151K collects grime & carbon deposits in the stock under the feed tube & requires frequent cleaning (the hollow space allows this). My 152 (5 of them) & my 152K do not have this problem: they are clip fed (no hollow space).

I'll try to find time to remove the action from my 151K & photo the trigger hinge mechanism.

Henry

[oldhenry]

I stand corrected.
The 51M & 151K do not have the exact same action. They are identical in design, but the 51M seems to be more sophisticated in execution. My 151K has some stampings in the trigger mechanism where as it looks like your 51M has machined components. Also it looks like the distance between similar components is closer on the 151K.

They don't make 'em like the used to.

[Lethemgo]

No they don't! I love old guns especially 22's (I can afford one) when you look inside one all you can say is they don't make stuff like this anymore.

[Lethemgo]

All dressed up and ready for a trip to the range tomorrow. Going to redo stock more than likely mostly because there are some spots where something got spilled on it and finish is a little messed up. While cleaning up front sight realized it has 3 different sight inserts a round open, a small post and a large post. Think I have trigger pull fixed at least enough for a go at shooting it.

[oldhenry]

Nice looking 51M. The 51M, 42 & 46 are the crown jewels of Mossbergs.