How to plug your shotgun magazine

Installing a plug in a pump action shotgun

Although firearms vary greatly, this advice applies to most pump action shotguns. 

 Since most firearms are built for the American market, most shotguns come with a plug to limit your shotgun to three shots.

If you don’t have a plug, one can be made from a wooden, plastic or fiberglass dowel.  Your shotgun owner’s manual will also describe how to insert a plug. 

If you don’t have an owner’s manual, you can usually find one online.

1. Remove metal forend (part of gun underneath the barrel, where it's supported by the hand) end cap.
2. Insert plug inside magazine spring (If making your own plug measure the magazine and allow for two shells and cut your plug to the appropriate length).
3. Reattach metal forend cap
4. Check with different-sized dummy (i.e. unloaded) cases to ensure no more than two can enter the magazine.

Installing a plug in a Remington 11-87 semi-automatic

Firearms vary greatly, but this example may help explain what is needed.

 Remove metal forend end cap and then forend.

1. Remove plastic magazine end cap by inserting a screw driver blade into slot, depress about 50mm, then rotate 90 degrees,  then withdraw slowly, (WARNING: contents are now under spring pressure). Detatch plastic cap from magazine spring.
2. Insert plug inside magazine spring.
3. Insert spring and plug into magazine.
4. Secure plastic magazine end-cap.  Push it well in again then give it a 90-degree turn to lock it in place.  Withdraw screwdriver carefully until you are sure the magazine end-cap is secure (WARNING: contents are again under pressure).
5. Assemble forend back onto magazine and screw on metal forend cap to secure it in place.
6. Check with different-sized dummy (i.e. unloaded) cases to ensure no more than two can enter the magazine.