opinions on mossberg

[johudamana]

A co-worker is about to be transferred and is looking to sell some of his guns. I probably will be asking opinions of other guns as he decides which to sell, but for now I am curious about one of his shotguns.

Mossberg 24" 8 shooter

Does anybody have one or another type? Any constructive feedback? Since I'm a co-worker and friend he said he would sell it to me for $100. He said he would probably be getting rid of at least one more shotgun and some rifles, and since I'm looking to build up my collection, he would let me know first.

Any comments good or bad would be greatly appreciated.

[mscott]

Buy it. Just about any gun in working condition is worth $100. If you ever have doubts, check gunbroker.com and see what they are selling for.

[MikeJackmin]

I've had good luck with my Mossbergs - they are solid, reliable guns which give good value for the money. Lots of after market stuff is available and parts are easy to find.

Unless this gun has been beaten half to death, $100 is a good price.

[10-Ring]

If it's a gun you like & can use, it sound like a nice deal. At the very least, you could sell it for at least that much ;)

[Lee Lapin]

If the gun is in working condition, it's a good buy at $100. If it's workling and looks decent on the outside, it's a GREAT deal for that price. Mossbergs are solid shotguns and not apt to give much trouble. My only complaint about the 500 is that it's necessary to remove the magazine tube to pull maintenance on the magazine/spring/follower. Oh, and the plastic safety button breaks kinda often too. But if that's the worst that can be said, it isn't a huge criticism by comparison.

lpl/nc (like my 870s best, but I have a couple of Mossberg 500s too)

[tank mechanic]

BUY IT!

[Srigs]

Buy it!

I picked up a Mossberg 500 for 75 bucks once and I'm glad I did. I now have a 18.5 inch barrel to go with the 28 inch barrel. Great gun. :)

[johudamana]

From what he says it is in excellent condition, I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the input, I hadn't really heard much of the Mossbergs before.

[ilcylic]

I'd buy 5 at that price.

[johudamana]

Don't think he has 5...but if he has any extra I'll be sure and let ya'll know

[New_geezer]

An 8 shooter? sounds like the security/HD model. Probably has the black composite stocks too. Some people think Mossy's are a little loose and clanky but that very quality allows them to get pretty dirty and crudded up and keep firing. It's hard to shoot a pump shotgun to death, if your friend's taken any kind of care of the gun, it will be well worth $100 and more. As has been said, there are many options available for dressing this gun up for just about any use you care to put it to.

[Wedge]

$100 is a good price, I would buy it.

I have a Mossberg 500 and it is a decent shotgun. I like my Remington 11 (humpback) better and thought my buddies 870 was a nicer, though more expensive gun. Nothing wrong with the Mossberg though!

[SASS#23149]

I bought a kind of sad looking mossy 500 ten yeas ago,and it's still going strong.Mossberg is a very old name in firearms,just not one othe best known.

[Stachie]

That seems to be a fair price, I would take it.

[Grant48]

You cant go wrong with Mossberg. They're not overly fancy, but they're very reliable and definitely get the job done.

I own 2 Mossbergs, and love them due to their utility.

[Lee Lapin]

Mossberg is a very old name in firearms...
==========================

Well, not 'very old' compared to things like rocks, dirt, Beretta, Browning, Remington, Winchester etc- but respectably old nevertheless. O. F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. was founded in 1919 to build sporting firearms for the American market. The Model 500 pump shotgun was introduced in 1961 as a 5+1 capacity sporting shotgun, and it was several years until the gun was offered in police/riot/security garb. The mid to late 1960s were a time when interest in security and military type firearms was growing apace due to the developing war in Southeast Asia and to burgeoning domestic discord at home. The Mossberg shotguns, largely due to their attractive price point, found acceptance in armored car, security, corrections and police organizations. They were also widely accepted in the international market as well. The 7+1 version of the security/police gun was initially offered in 1974 to compete with similar offerings from Ithaca, Remington, High Standard and La Salle.

(The above condensed from Swearengen, The World's Fighting Shotguns, pp. 290- 293.)

hth,

lpl/nc

[johudamana]

I'm buying it at the beginning of the year. The guy that I am buying it from is going to see what else he wants to get sell as well so I may be buying more as well. Thanks for all the info.

What are the laws about buy from a private seller, do I have to register the gun like I did when I got my new handgun?

[FireArmFan]

I'd buy it. I love my Mossberg 500.

[superhornet]

Different barrels can be installed on it...A very good shotgun for the price...

[ceetee]

What are the laws about buy from a private seller, do I have to register the gun like I did when I got my new handgun?

You're in Florida? There is no "registration" of guns here. If you buy from a licensed dealer, you have to fill out the form, but if you're buying from a private individual, you just shake hands and walk away. (Hopefully, each one of you thinks he got the best of the deal!)

[johudamana]

ok, thanks. I didn't know if (since I had to fill out the forms and everything for my ruger) I had to do something similar with private sales.

What is the difference? Why would I have to do it for a dealer and not private sale?

I assume that the reason for having to fill out all the paperwork is so the gun could be tracked back to me. How would they go about doing this if I don't register? How could I prove that the gun does belong to me and not the people that I bought it from? Is there a voluntary registration? If so, is it recommended?

I just like to cover my backside to make sure that no one can "shoot me in the back" on any deals etc.

[ceetee]

Full-time firearms dealers have to be licensed by the federal government. They are required by law to keep track of every gun they buy for resale. There's a certain form the buyer has to fill out. This is only true for people who hold the license, and make their living from selling guns.

Private parties (in Florida, at least) can make private sales, and it's just that... private. It's understandable that you want proof that you own the gun legally. Have the seller write you out a handwritten receipt. He may want a copy as proof that he's no longer the owner. (Just in case that gun is ever found at a crime scene, or whatever). In some states, you have to get special permission from the government before you can buy a gun, even from a private party. Florida's not like that.

If you want to make sure the gun's not stolen, give him a "down payment" to hold the gun for you, and get the make, model, and serial number. Then, you can either call the local police, or go online - I don't remember the website, but the Florida Dept of Law Enforcement (FDLE) maintains a record of the serial numbers of every gun reported stolen in the state.

[johudamana]

Thanks for the info. I work with the guy, he's a Marine and based off of the area of expertise we work in, I'm fairly confident that he is a stand up guy.

The main reason I asked about the registration process is for future buys, not necessarily from him. Also wondering as a newly started buyer if there are limits on what you can buy/have registered etc etc (don't want anyone thinking I'm a crazy person like the case up in Maryland not to long ago). Even though all the guns I plan to get will be legal, in some peoples eyes it might look bad.