Mossberg 500 wood furniture not quite fitting?

[SouthPaw]

I picked up a Mossberg 500 and replaced the synthetic stock with an older wood set. It all fits fine but the forend sticks when you rack the action to the back. It will come free but it definetely takes a little effort. I took it apart and sanded down the 'high' spots on the inner/center valley of the forend and the bottom edges with little effect. I am probably over looking this but does anyone have an idea on what might be buggering it up?

[ray1970]

Fuzzy on the details but I think Mossberg has used different length pump tubes over the years. Something like a five inch and maybe a five and a half or something? Not sure if maybe your wood and the tube where it mounts are maybe incompatible?

Beyond that, I?ve got nothing.

[SideShow Bob]

Fuzzy on the details but I think Mossberg has used different length pump tubes over the years. Something like a five inch and maybe a five and a half or something? Not sure if maybe your wood and the tube where it mounts are maybe incompatible?

Beyond that, I?ve got nothing.

You are on the right track, but I can’t remember the lengths or the years of the differences.
To the OP, take both foregrips and do a side by side comparison, then you will see the differences.

[SideShow Bob]

It is actually the action slide tube......
(Quoted from the interwebz.)
“There are two different lengths for the Model 500. Prior to 1973 all action slide tube assy. utilized a length of 7-3/4". In 1993 production changes, changed over to a tube of 6-3/4" in all gauges.”

[SouthPaw]

Sorry, been meaning to update this. I finally took a look at it again this past weekend. The action tube was the correct size but it seemed to be rubbing between the barrel and foreend at the rear position. I am not 100% exactly sure where but 30 min with a dremel took care of it. I sanded it down, test fit, sanded more, test fit etc till it felt good.

[ray1970]

but 30 min with a dremel took care of it.

Amateur. Thirty minutes with a dremel and I could have reduced that entire stock to sawdust.