mossberg?
- Thread starter gfgunner
- Start date
Pure BS.
I bought a Mossberg 500A brand new last spring. It came with 3 chokes, lock and recoil pad for 290$. I have put probably 200 rounds through it and have never had a single problem with it. It may be true that they aren't made they way they used to be, but that is the same way with every brand of firearm.
I bought a Mossberg 500A brand new last spring. It came with 3 chokes, lock and recoil pad for 290$. I have put probably 200 rounds through it and have never had a single problem with it. It may be true that they aren't made they way they used to be, but that is the same way with every brand of firearm.
Mossbergs are fine shotguns and offer good quality at a reasonable price. Some people will purchase a steel thumb safety to replace the plastic one on their shotguns, and steel trigger groups (available on the M590) can also be purchased for the M500, though unless you're using it for survival in the high arctic, that probably does not matter.
The M500s are fairly light as a consequence of the aluminium reciever, which is not terribly expensive to produce. Since they use either synthetic or walnut stained hardwood, the butt/forend is not particularly costly either (though I have to admit having to replace my M835 forend after it shattered in my hand). The accessories such as three multi-chokes for the M500 or M535s (3.5" chamber), inexpensive smoothbore/rifled barrel combos, the sling swivel studs on newer models and availability of parts/aftermarket assemblies make them perhaps one of the greatest deals out there. The 835 was one of the premier 3.5" chambered shotguns but unfortunately usually comes with just the modified choke tube, though the others can be purchased seperately.
While the super short barrels on the DA Grizzlies or Norinco HP-9s make them especially popular on this site, the basic M500 and M535 shotguns come with three chokes for less, and in the case of the M535 smoothbore/rifled bore combo cost about the same or even a bit less than a standard Grizz or HP9. That would make a perfect beginner's shotgun and would suffice for most hunting situations, though I'd probalby add a centrefire rifle and .22 to a basic hunter's arsenal.
Sure, the milled steel reciever or nicely finished/checkered walnut on an 870 Wingmaster are nice to have for a couple hundred dollars more, but for most hunters the Mossberg is fine.
If you want to save even more money, there's an economy version of the Mossberg called the Maverick. The home defence model or normal length, vent-ribbed version with modified choke tube go for about $200 and have gotten decent reviews from most users on this site. Not every reliable, inexpensive gun comes from China, lol!
The M500s are fairly light as a consequence of the aluminium reciever, which is not terribly expensive to produce. Since they use either synthetic or walnut stained hardwood, the butt/forend is not particularly costly either (though I have to admit having to replace my M835 forend after it shattered in my hand). The accessories such as three multi-chokes for the M500 or M535s (3.5" chamber), inexpensive smoothbore/rifled barrel combos, the sling swivel studs on newer models and availability of parts/aftermarket assemblies make them perhaps one of the greatest deals out there. The 835 was one of the premier 3.5" chambered shotguns but unfortunately usually comes with just the modified choke tube, though the others can be purchased seperately.
While the super short barrels on the DA Grizzlies or Norinco HP-9s make them especially popular on this site, the basic M500 and M535 shotguns come with three chokes for less, and in the case of the M535 smoothbore/rifled bore combo cost about the same or even a bit less than a standard Grizz or HP9. That would make a perfect beginner's shotgun and would suffice for most hunting situations, though I'd probalby add a centrefire rifle and .22 to a basic hunter's arsenal.
Sure, the milled steel reciever or nicely finished/checkered walnut on an 870 Wingmaster are nice to have for a couple hundred dollars more, but for most hunters the Mossberg is fine.
If you want to save even more money, there's an economy version of the Mossberg called the Maverick. The home defence model or normal length, vent-ribbed version with modified choke tube go for about $200 and have gotten decent reviews from most users on this site. Not every reliable, inexpensive gun comes from China, lol!
i just bought a maverick and it is a fairly nice gun.same design as the 500 and everything that fits the 500 should fit the maverick.(except the forestock).ive put about 750 rounds through mine without any problems.
Last edited:
The mavrick brand new is $199. How good could it be? A friend bought one for bear protection when fishing and after about 1000 rounds (not at any bears) the thing cycles all harsh and jammed while pumping it quite a few times. Mossberg shotguns however are top notch. But their rifles suck too. Mossberg 4x4?? WTF is that thing??
I'm not a huge fan of the Maverick either but am a big fan of the 500. I prefer it to the Remmy 870 for it's tang safety and shell lifter positioning. I think that Mossberg has come out with some good firearm's lately and have come a long way from the dreaded bolt action shotgun.
I have 3 Lakefield Mossbergs 500's; 410, 20 & 12 and have one more brand new 500 20ga on the way (Thanks Marlin). What can I say? These are great shotguns and IMO are on par with Remington if not beyond.
The Mossbergs come in plenty of different models for every shooter type's need.
I also have one 410 b/a which is what I grew up with for gettin all my small game.
The Mossbergs come in plenty of different models for every shooter type's need.
I also have one 410 b/a which is what I grew up with for gettin all my small game.
Old or new they are great shotguns IMHO.
Methinks any #####ing about the old bolt action shotguns comes from not knowing to stagger the rounds in the mag. Pure operator error.
I sold my Maverick 88 last year, but before that I couldn't kill it with an axe, and I'm sure it is serving the new owners well.
As for the old .22's, they are also great deals, that were built in a time when the firearm had to shoot well as is out of the box without fancy after market mods.
Methinks any #####ing about the old bolt action shotguns comes from not knowing to stagger the rounds in the mag. Pure operator error.
I sold my Maverick 88 last year, but before that I couldn't kill it with an axe, and I'm sure it is serving the new owners well.
As for the old .22's, they are also great deals, that were built in a time when the firearm had to shoot well as is out of the box without fancy after market mods.
thats odd cause mavs are the little sister to the mossy 500, maybe just needs cleaned
I was under that impression aswell that Mossberg was a lower quality offering than the others. That is until I held the 930, I have bought a 930 in max-4 camo for all my waterfowling needs. It has been evreything I could ask for and more!! Its a good solid gun made of all steel parts with good fit and finish and it has never malfunctioned on me yet!! Great gun!!
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
Another plus for the 500's is that the ejector can be changed out with the removal of a screw rather than sending the gun out to a gunsmith because the ejector is riveted in like the 870's.
Between a few of us at work we have a 590, a 500, and an 88. The 88 is the roughest of the 3, but the parts are interchangeable with the other two guns and the action can be slicked up. I prefer the magazine cap on the 590 compared to the 500's but even so, I have never heard of a 500 magazine failing unless the gun was very badly abused.
When I bought my 590 I assumed I would probably go with the Remington 870 Marine Magnum, but by the time I accessed both guns my choice was the 590. The only real mistake I made was that I over stated the need for a large capacity magazine, so the gun is both longer and heavier than is optimum. With the Speed Feed stock feature, the 8 shot magazine and the 6 round side saddle is that the gun carries 18 rounds, which is a fair bit of weight, but it allows me to carry a mix of shells without my pockets bulging. In hindsight, a 5 shot magazine and an 18 inch barrel would of been a better choice.
Issues with the Speed Feed stock are that over time the springs will eat the back side of the recoil pad, so I installed a thin stainless steel spacer behind my recoil pad. I also found that the pressure of the springs is enough to wreck folded crimps of shotshells, so I reserve the stock capacity for extra slugs, and 23/4" slugs are easier to feed and extract than are 3". One minor problem with the factory synthetic stocks on all 3 guns, the 590, 500, and 88 is that the length of pull is too long (for me anyway).
mossberg has been making guns for a long time and doing it right i shoot a 535 super mag and just love it . no problem with short shells and it takes the three and a halfs with no complants i would buy another one in a minute DUTCH
Mossberg and Remington are analogous to Ford and Chevrolet. Both companies make some nice product, both companies make economy models. I personally prefer Remington, but that's just because I have trained with that brand - My Express Combo certainly isn't a "nice" shotgun, but it is functional.
I have held a maverick once, and it did certainly seem... "subpar"... ALMOST as crappy as those chinese things that all the kids are clapping thier hands over... But at least the Maverick didn't feel like it had been machined out of a boat anchor by blind rats.
YMMV!
(I am considering a Mossberg as my next 12ga, BTW).
I have held a maverick once, and it did certainly seem... "subpar"... ALMOST as crappy as those chinese things that all the kids are clapping thier hands over... But at least the Maverick didn't feel like it had been machined out of a boat anchor by blind rats.
YMMV!
(I am considering a Mossberg as my next 12ga, BTW).
I have shot 870's, defenders and Benelli's. I have always come home to the 500 and 590 series of shotguns. The placement of the safety and slide release and the easiest to use.
The only things that I would change is to get a steel trigger group. I had one break after 2000 rounds and It still worked and I was able to finish the day with a broken gauge.
The price is respective and the quality is where it needs to be. The 870 has the market in Canada due to history and being there first. The Mossberg line, I think is a better gauge.
Just my thoughts
The only things that I would change is to get a steel trigger group. I had one break after 2000 rounds and It still worked and I was able to finish the day with a broken gauge.
The price is respective and the quality is where it needs to be. The 870 has the market in Canada due to history and being there first. The Mossberg line, I think is a better gauge.
Just my thoughts
I'm a happy 835 owner probably put at least 1000 rounds through it and it cycles and function like the day I bought it. Came with choke tubes, ported barrel, FO front back sights and a pretty good recoil pad on it as well.
