Just buy a 500, because I’ve been looking for a Mossberg 500 complete receiver to go with all parts I have left from when I swapped to a 14” kit, haven’t been able to find just a receiver and now I keep my eye open for a cheap 500 to build.
Buddy has an old 88 and the things pretty sweet with a 30” full choke, I think the single action bar causes some hard extraction with cheap shells though, the new ones have 2.
I shoot left so I bought the mossberg because the controls suit me well compared to the other options out there
Love the 14” 500, especially when it sleeps beside me in the tent.
I did just recently buy a 500. New with 28" and 18".
I have already on hand some extras.
I can't find a 14" barrel used, so am looking at the 14" new package.... but it is more than the cost of a used 500.
As for the single action bars, my understanding is they went to two bars some time ago.... I did check for the ones I was looking to purchase.
I too shoot LEFT, and really appreciate the tang safety.
I also have a Ruger 1, and it has the tang safety. not nicely meshed with the receiver, but it is located where I like it.... Forward to fire!
As for cheap mossy's, IIRC, there are a couple on the EE for under $200. Should be a good deal if all you need is the receiver.
+1
Don't know how much your time is worth and how much $$$ you are willing to loose but you will definately not recoup that money on a bastardized Mav88
So, you take a 500 and an 88, move over the barrel, and furniture, and you call it "Bastardized"???
do you have ANY firearms that YOU have Bastardized with a scope base or a different stock?
Perhaps you bastardized your rifle with a sling??
Sheesh!
did you read my post?
Actually - there ARE a few more differences than Just the Safety.....!
1. The M500 has a receiver mounted slide tang safety.
The M88 has a trigger guard mounted cross-bolt safety.
The trigger assemblies are interchangable
2. The M500 USED to have a slide tube which slides over the magazine with attached action bars for cocking the action. It has a seperate forearm which in turn slides over it and is secured by a nut that threads over the end of the slide tube. Now it is the same as the M88 listed below.
The M88 has a molded one piece forearm which has the action bars pinned to it. The forearm has plastic ribbing inside of it to take up the space where the slide tube would have been. It does not have a forearm nut
The forearm assemblies are interchangable.
3. The M88 is basically a cheaper version of the M500. Every other part on the M88 will Interchange with an M500. The only difference is the M88 will not accept some aftermarket goodies that some people would install on their M500. Mainly forearm replacements, such as: Pistol Grip forearms and SureFire Integrated WeaponLights. Besides those two things or related parts, anything you can put on an M500 you can put on an M88. The M500 you should notice that the top is not drilled and tapped for mounting optics. This is one of the key differences between the Maverick and the Model 500.
4. One interesting fact is this: They are made in the same Factory, but do not carry the same warranty. The M500 carries a Ten Year Warranty, while it's cheaper sibling only carries a One Year Warranty.
5. I have noticed that the M500 tends to wear the bluing off of the magazine much faster, than the M88. This is due to the constant contact from the metal slide tube, I suppose.
6. Both of the action bars on these guns are much looser than comparable guns in their price bracket. They are known for this, but are still very reliable. Although, the M88 can have its action bars come unpinned. Whereas the M500 has them covered by the forearm, and not pinned through it, like the M88.
7. M88's are only offered with synthetic stocks because of their cheapness to mold. M500 comes in Black Synthetic, or a Honey Satin Finished wood, stock and forearm.
8. Both the M500 and M88 are 3" chambered guns, and all barrels interchange between gauges. Even the 20" 8 Shot models.
9. The safety locations and method of function differ. Trigger assemblies as a result are not interchangeable without modification. If you install an M500 trigger assembly in a Mav88 receiver, you will have a safety-less shotgun. If you install a Mav88 trigger assembly in an M500 you will have at least 1 safety, possibly 2,..
10. The receiver of Mav88's are not drilled and tapped for rails/scopes/what have you's,.. (at least the field models aren't, not sure about the security models.)
11. The M500 comes with swivel studs ready to accept s strap/sling
1) Yup, as I was informed by a gunsmith. Being lefthanded, the cross bolt safety is awkward, hence my preference to a tang safety.
2) Now THAT I didn't know! I have owned TWO old mossy's. Sold them for what I paid. $150 each in near new condition. Neither fella will sell them back to me!
3) I am aware of the D&T issue. But didn't know about the aftermarket parts.
SO, if the NEW mossy's use the same forearm assembly, why don't the 500 parts that fit NEW 500's not fit Mav88's?
I wish I had BOTH of them in front of me.... actually 4 of them, old 500/88's and NEW 500/88's to compare.
4) My understanding is it is near impossible to get any warranty work done on them in Canada. And the work that does get done is very poor workmanship.
5) I usually rub them smooth all over, and deburr/polish up the innerds anyways.... I'm a function over form kinda guy!
6) I have NEVER had a 500 jam, or know of anyone who has.
I have twice seen an 870 jam on another shooter, and I have had an 870 jam on my twice also.... I TRUST the LoosyGoosyMossy! I expect it will go bang when I want it to!
7) I have left the wood behind, and now when it comes to working guns, I choose plastic. My old mossbergs were thick and clunky feeling. and I can paint the plastic and not feel bad about it!
8) I have also been told that you unscrew the shorter mag and add the longer mag to allow the longer barrel.
9) I don't mess with the workings of the triggers on a working shotgun. If it works, I leave it well enough alone, 'cept to spray some cleaner in there if need be.
I WAS initially looking at just swapping the trigger assemblies, but after learning of this issue, I chose to look for complete receivers.
To me, a Safety is just like a trigger.... and I have learned to treat it as such.
my safety is ON until I NEED it off.
my finger is OFF the trigger until I NEED it on.
When walking with my loaded gun, the safety is on, and finger is off. In one motion, I bring up the gun, pushing forward on the safety, align my sights, put finger on the trigger, and squeeze.
This gets to be an easy motion once practiced. Something I CANNOT do with a cross bolt safety, so tend to have them OFF when I am anticipating game.
10) another good reason to get a 500 if you want any sighting system on them. it is getting hard to find 'smiths around locally to trust to D&T a gun.
11) Neither of my old 500's came with swivels. Nor do I want them.... they are located in the wrong place. I only use a sling to carry, and prefer my gun to be flat on my back or chest.
having the sling swivels on the bottom only allows the trigger guard et al to dig in and make it very uncomfortable.
The Germans figured this out on their military 98's
12)
AND MOST IMPORTANT:
THANK YOU NHunter!
THIS is the type of info I was looking for!
not once did you tell me to just "Buy a 500" ( well, in this post anyways!
I really appreciate that!
