need some input on mossbergs

[coon-hunter1]

I am looking at  a mossberg youth 500 for my son but I dont have much knowledge about them, as I have only owned remingtons in the past.  I like the short stock and the way the forend is closer to the shooter.  And it fits him better than the remington.  Any input in the pro's and cons of these guns is very appreciated.

[corbanzo]

The 500 is a good performing proven shotgun.  It was the first shotgun I ever used, though the first one I owned was a rem 870.  I can see no reason why you shouldn't buy your son one for his first.

[Patriot_1776]

Good day, coon-hunter1.  To tell you the truth, I grew up on Mossbergs.  I've never had any qualms with them before.  My first shotgun was the 500 HS410, which of course was .410 caliber.  Never any problems.  Used to shoot at a trap club with the .410 when I was younger, and my best score was 17 out of 25, at I believe was 16 yds. Its been a long time, so I have since forgotten most of the numbers involved with that.  I eventually moved up to the 20ga. (can't remember exact model.)  After that, it was a while before I had a shotgun again, but the time came later last year to get one.  I decided on the 590 Special Purpose in 12ga., and never a problem as usual.

In my opinion, you and your son will enjoy the Mossbergs.


-Patriot

[dukkillr]

they are the cheapest of the mass production guns made today.  I have a hard time saying good things about them but it really has to do more  with the quality of other choices.  The 870 and Benelli Nova are better guns for the money.  The BPS is an awesome gun.  Of course mossbergs are cheap, but I feel like you get what you pay for.  Honestly if cost were the big concern I'd still suggest saving a bit and getting a remmington or benelli. 

Others will tell you that they have hunted for 734 years (365 days a year) and shot 400 boxes a day though their mossbergs and they have never once had a problem.  I suggest those people are either lying or they are the type of hunter who shoots half a box of shells on a clear day in early october and then talks about hunting for the rest of the year. 

[popplecop]

In the Gunsmithing Shop I help out at, the Md. 500s probably are the most trouble free pumps we see.  Big repair is replaceing the plastic safety on them.  I'm not a pump or semi auto person, but if I were to buy a knock around pump it would be a Mossy 500.  They are the easiestto tear down for cleaning of the ones mentioned so far,  I know I've cleaned lotsa pumps of all makes and models.

[Busta]

I used to thumb my nose at Mossbergs until I had to deal with Remingtons Customer DIS-Service on a lemon 1100 Slug Gun I bought back in '88. It's a long story, back and forth about a half dozen times at my expense, finally sold it at a big loss after them failing to correct the real problem.

Back on topic, In '94 I bought a Mossberg 9200 Slugster Combo that I am very pleased with, shot several deer, turkeys, phesants and other small game with it over the years. I know people that have had the Model 500 for years and they are pleased with them.

I know the Mossbergs are not something that you would want to be shooting skeet every week with, but for a hunting mans gun they are very good value. Mossbergs Customer Service is one of the best I have ever dealt with, and I have dealt with several.

Sure there are much better choices out there, but until you have been in the trenches with a Mossy, I guess you can't appreciate what a great value they really are.

If it fits him better, I say buy it and enjoy it!

[Sx2]

I have 2 500's one is a bantam 20 that belongs to my son the other a 12. They are tools that work. I don't often get them from the gun cabinet to admire thier beauty or fine craftsmanship. They just work.

[dave375hh]

I have a Mossberg 500 that has never failed me in the 24 years I've owned it. I even shot skeet with it with the scope on it for the month before deer season every year, great practice. I bought it slighly used for $110 in '82. I've got three extra barrels for it and have re-finished it's "walnut" stock. It's a Country Squire model one of the last made with a walnut stock. I have three high $ O/Us and a Model 42 repo. that I love. But the 500 has done it all, without fail. I consided them to be the best value for the money in all of shooting sports. A Rem. "Wingmaster" is just as good but costs twice as much. The 870 "Express" is a POS in my opinion(gritty stiff clunky). I'd have to pick the Moss. 500 over the express after using both. I can buy just about anything I want, but my Moss. 500 isn't going anywhere, It just works.

[mountainview]

My experiences have been much the same as noted above by others, a good working grade gun though the looks do seem to grow on me over time. The safety position is a nice feature IMO. My 20 gauge 500 was definitely smoother OTB than my 12 gauge Express though the latter has smoothed out over time and these two are now my go-to arms.

[NE Hunter]

I have a mossberg 500 never had any problems other than the already mentioned plastic safety.... I was set to get one for my son as he had out grown his NEF youth model. He likes where the safeties are on Rem so we did a side by side comparison and the action of the Rem 870 is smoother than my broke in 500. I won't change as I like my 500 but if Iwas just starting out .....$ 40.00 more for the Rem ( both wood stocks) isn't much; but you say the 500 fits him better if so that's the one. Check out the Winchester 1300 youth my wife has one and on that model it has a very short throw to cycle the gun as far as I can tell the rest just have shorter stocks on an adult frame.

[coon-hunter1]

  I went out and bought a mossy 505 20 ga for my son.  It fits him almost perfectly and he is very happy with it.  I took him to the trap range and he hit 22 of 50 with it right out of the box.  He cant wait for dove season to get here now.  I would like to thank everyone for their input.