[Mossberg535]

I took that 17HMR that has plagued me for a couple years to the gun shop and sold it. The guy offered a hundred but I told him he was doing me a favor and let him have it for $50. Actually Id have just given it away for free, but I wanted to make sure whoever ended up with it could pass the background check and I thought it would be even more odd just giving it to the gun store for nothing.

So anyway, I have an old H&R single shot 12g that I got a couple months ago.
Then I bought the Mossberg 535 ATS Field about 10 days ago.
And then we went yesterday afternoon and I put half down on this one and it'll be in end of the week.
http://www.shotgunhunting.web77.org/wpimages/wp448d3a95_0f.jpg
The wife only likes 22's so we'll always have her rifle, but Im tired of fighting 'barrel harmonics' with that crap 17 and Ive actually been having a lot of fun with my 12 gauges.

[Milkmaster]

As the population increases around me and houses get closer together, I have found less and less opportunity to shoot my rifles. The shotguns have become my favorite choice to shoot regularly. It might have something to do with age as well. I enjoy shooting targets I can still see too! hahah Welcome to a great hobby.

[oneounceload]

I hope both of you go shoot sporting clays........once addicted, you will NEVER miss your rifles.........:D....

I know from personal experience....trying to sell my rifles, my XP-100 in 7BR and others to buy more shotguns....................

thinking a nice 28 SXS for quail......and one in 20...............and a good 12 for sporting clays to replace my others.....now, to get the wife to agree......

[Mossberg535]

I hope both of you go shoot sporting clays..
Actually when I was buying the first 535 I saw that walmart has 90 for less than $7 and GM was about the same, I think.
Im going to try to get my brother in law to try it with me in a week or two once the new gun comes in.

the first 535 has a 28" barrel, but the new one is only 20"....which is better for clays or does it matter?

:)

[JShirley]

That, my friend, is an ugly shotgun.

Just sayin'.

John

[SN13]

LOL John

I think it looks nice.

Just sayin'

[younganddumb]

welcome to a great sport again that 535 won't let you down, I have a waterfawl one and she has mybe 750 shells through her no problem what so ever she even shots some trap when I get the chance

[Dave McCracken]

I still have rifles here, but freely admit they get little exercise these days.

Partly that's lack of range access. Partly, it's because I have so much fun at PGC with the scatterguns.

[Mossberg535]

That, my friend, is an ugly shotgun.

Just sayin'.

John
You know what they say about opinions and ***holes....everybodies got one ;)

Im one of those types who doesnt really much care about looks. Its a gun and it has a function and that is that when I point it at something and pull the trigger, I expect it to do what I bought it for.
Thats the reason that the 17HMR I sold yesterday was sold. When I pulled the trigger it didnt always do what I bought it for, so it served no purpose.
My other 535 did a great job when I took it out the other day and frankly, Id buy 10 more of them just to say I have em ;)

I know a lot of folks like to look at their guns and I understand that. I talked to a guy in the gunstore the other day who said he ONLY buys guns with wood stocks because he loves the way the look in his collection in his gun room. Thats great and I respect that sentiment entirely.
But Im more interested in picking up a gun and having it do what I paid for it to do and I hate wood stocks with a passion. With wood I spend MORE time worrying about (in my highest girly whine) 'did I scratch it...did I SCRATCH it ?!?!" and I simply dont want to have to worry about that with a hunting "tool". I dont buy expensive nice looking tools that I can drool over. I buy tools that are tough and can do what I bought them to do.
Maybe when Im 65 and I use my gun strickly for clay shooting or something down at the club with the guys, then Ill get wood stocks and buy myself a few 'pretty' guns...till then, though, I want something that if I bang it a bit Im not going to be crying about it in those annoying high pitches.

:)

[publiuss]

I have a 535 and it is an ugly shotgun that will beat the hell out of you shooting the clays games, but they are a very good, tough gun.

[W.E.G.]

Whoa. :eek:

[crebralfix]

Yeah...but you're still without a rifle. Handguns and shotguns are scary, but governments fear competent riflemen. There is a reason for it.

[blkbrd666]

If you don't mind, please explain what the .17HMR didn't do, that you wanted it to, when you pulled the trigger?

[Mossberg535]

If you don't mind, please explain what the .17HMR didn't do, that you wanted it to, when you pulled the trigger?
Two words...barrel harmonics.

Im used to a 22 and with them you can pretty much use cat litter for ammo and they hold a decent grouping.
With the 17 if I changed ammo it would literally be 2" (at about 100ft) lower or higher and Id have to reset the scope.

Actually sometimes just getting a new box of the SAME brand of rounds was ending up with 1/2" to 1" drop at 50 yards or so.

I like to use a lot of different kinds of ammo, thats part of the fun for me is trying it out, and I spent MORE time setting the scope with the 17 than actually getting to enjoy shooting it.

The only remedy, from what everyone keeps telling me, is to stick with the same ammo consistently, otherwise get used to adjusting the scope every time. But as I said, part of the fun is in shooting different things, so its just way too annoying for me.
With a 22 or a 12 gauge I can get the ammo I want and just go shooting or hunting and be done with it.
:)

[MCgunner]

Uh, I'll keep my rifles.....thanks. I just sight in with what I wanna use and stick with it. I handload for all my centerfires.

[JShirley]

Mossberg, let us know how it shoots. Pretty is as pretty does, right? I've never used a shotgun with one of those stocks...might not affect swing or anything. Might. :confused:

John

[Mossberg535]

Mossberg, let us know how it shoots. Pretty is as pretty does, right? I've never used a shotgun with one of those stocks...might not affect swing or anything. Might.
Swing ?
Is that a skeet thing ?
:)

[JShirley]

Could be.

One of the best reasons I can see to use a shotgun defensively, is if you're used to shooting at fast-moving game. If you can hit a running rabbit at 25 meters, you can probably hit a (relatively) slow moving man at 6.

Again, I just have no idea how well that thumbhole stock will work for quick use. I'm interested. Thumbhole stocks were, IIRC, first used on match-type guns. This is a turkey gun, so perhaps a very deliberate shot is envisioned.

J

[Mossberg535]

Again, I just have no idea how well that thumbhole stock will work for quick use. I'm interested. Thumbhole stocks were, IIRC, first used on match-type guns. This is a turkey gun, so perhaps a very deliberate shot is envisioned.The thumbhole more serves, in my opinion, to have a better 'grip' on the gun. Its not like the gun doesnt have an entire stock.

[Dave McCracken]

Thumbholes have some popularity among trapshooters, but I see few of them used for other shotgun things. I've tried a few shots with an 870 set up with one of Boyd's laminated thumbholes. It felt a bit strange, and I used to shoot bench guns with TH stocks frequently.

IMO, and it's only an opinion, the standard stock is better for all around use. Of course, feel free to differ...

[Rupestris]

Just an observation but, wouldn't the thumbhole stock make the safety on a Mossberg seem a bit out of reach?

[3pairs12]

I kind of like the new mossy. Thumbhole in a turkey gun no problem I think it kind of makes sense. DONT start shooting sporting clays unless you have money to spare. Too much fun adds up quick.

[Bartkowski]

Rupestris, now that you mention it, it looks like it does. And if it actually does when you hold it, that is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

[Mossberg535]

Just an observation but, wouldn't the thumbhole stock make the safety on a Mossberg seem a bit out of reach?
You'll never see my safety in any mode but 'fire'.
If there is a round in the chamber its because Ive got a target in sight and plan on firing the gun.
I dont ever use the safety at all any more.
I used to trust the mechanical safety and carry my gun 'hot' but when I was young my cousin and I were going down this pretty steep incline and there was a wet rock that I didnt see until my foot had slipped and the next thing I knew the barrel of my shotgun was in the base of my cousins skull.
After that I never ever have live ammo in the chamber until Ive got a target and Im ready to shoot.
I wish I know how to remove the safety altogether so I dont even think about using it.

The only exception is a revolver or any gun with a visible hammer that I can keep uncocked and see it with my own eyes that it is. I get guns with transfer bars whereever i can as well.

It only takes one accident and being that one case where the mechanical safety bugs out.

[Mossberg535]

Rupestris, now that you mention it, it looks like it does. And if it actually does when you hold it, that is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen.
Ive seen worse ;)
The Beretti 9mm I had has the safety way up on the slide instead of the frame like the Taurus does and Ive read a lot of shooters who have to use their other hand to use the safety.

The Taurus is ambidexterous, at least it was last time I owned one, and on the frame just below the slide so its easy to use.
http://www.gunmuse.com/firebase_plugins/firearm_catalog/cat_images/Beretta/92FS_Brigadier_S_maxi.jpghttp://www.taurususa.com/newsreviews/images/H_92B5_000.jpg

[MCgunner]

The thumbhole more serves, in my opinion, to have a better 'grip' on the gun. Its not like the gun doesnt have an entire stock.

I'm a wing shooter, primarily. I keep my coach gun by the bed, but shoot doves with it rather than humans, mostly, so far. It took a few teal last season. Last year was its first season. It's a 20 gauge. I generally shoot 12s on ducks and geese. There is a reason that English straight stocks are so loved by upland hunters. They're quick. I can't see that with a thumb hole, but I guess that's just me. I despise pistol grips on rifles and shotguns in the field, just don't carry well and are slow to deploy. I would imagine the thumb hole would be little better, maybe worse. With a normal stock, I can go from walking along with my hand around the action in my off hand to shooting a flushing bird MUCH faster if I have a normal stock on the gun. I know carrying a pistol gripped rifle is not quick, never owned a pistol gripped shotgun, though and won't. I'm not young nor impressionable and I know what works for me.

I can see where turkey guns might benefit from a thumb hole or a pistol grip. You are sitting, generally, and motionless when they arrive. You don't need a quick pointing gun and are resting your elbows on your knees. But, I can do that with a normal stock. :D I've been turkey hunting ONCE and took a nice tom. Shot that tom with my old fixed choke 12 side by side shooting the full barrel at about 40 yards with a load of 3" number 4s. I don't have turkey on my place. I generally hunt waterfowl and dove with a shotgun....rabbits occasionally.

[Mossberg535]

I kind of like the new mossy.
I definitely like the new 535 model and its going to be like a family member after shooting the one I picked up already which was the basic field model. (this with just the 28" barrel)
http://www.shotgunhunting.web77.org/wpimages/wp69b9b358_0f.jpg

I know guys who swear by Ping Golf clubs. I hated them entirely. Everyone has their own opinion about things and thats what keeps life from being boring.
:)

[MCgunner]

BTW, you'd spook a lot of birds if you didn't carry your shotgun "hot" in the field. I've never had the safety fail, but I also don't point the gun at what I don't wanna shoot. I'm muzzle aware, always, in the field. My doubles are hammerless and I carry 'em and leave the coach gun in a spot where it can't fall toward me, fully loaded, safety on. I can't hunt with an unloaded gun, so I don't see where leaving it cocked and locked matters much if you practice good gun safety. Don't aim at what you don't wanna shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and be muzzle aware always. The safety just adds a mechanical back up to the procedure.

[MCgunner]

BTW, that's one cool thing about doubles I love. When walking to the pothole or hunting area, you can break it open. It's quick to shut if you need if you have rounds in it. I never do until I start hunting and then I do close the action. But, it'd be quicker and less noisy than a pump if you hunted that way, not wishing to rely on the safety.

[Mossberg535]

BTW, you'd spook a lot of birds if you didn't carry your shotgun "hot" in the field. I've never had the safety fail, but I also don't point the gun at what I don't wanna shoot. I'm muzzle aware, always, in the field. My doubles are hammerless and I carry 'em and leave the coach gun in a spot where it can't fall toward me, fully loaded, safety on. I can't hunt with an unloaded gun, so I don't see where leaving it cocked and locked matters much if you practice good gun safety.
Don't aim at what you don't wanna shoot, keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, and be muzzle aware always. The safety just adds a mechanical back up to the procedure.I wasnt 'aiming where I didnt want to shoot' in the incident I mentioned in another post tho.
Ill risk scaring some birds just to be sure :)

[MCgunner]

Just opining that it's not unsafe to carry cocked and locked so long as you follow the safety rules. Lots of 1911 owners do it every day. Some of 'em even disable the grip safety, though I think that's sorta dumb. More redundant safeties on the gun, the better IMHO. I even had a thumb snap in front of the hammer on mine. I don't have a 1911 now, just sayin'. :D

[Mossberg535]

Just opining that it's not unsafe to carry cocked and locked so long as you follow the safety rules.
We're just going to have to agree to disagree, Im afraid :)
I carry my gun the way I do as do you.
I will continue to carry this way and for the previously mentioned reason.
Its fine that you have your own way...I simply wouldnt hunt with you is all after seeing the possibilities.

have a great day :)

[Sergeant Sabre]

One can't compare the 1911-type pistol's thumb safety to a Mossberg's safety. The 1911 thumb safety engages the sear, locking it so that it can't possibly move. The Mossberg (and Remington, and Browning, too) safety only blocks the trigger. It does not lock the sear.

I still carry my Browning Gold with the chamber loaded and safety on when I'm out for rabbits. I don't point it at anything I don't want to shoot, though.

[MCgunner]

Its fine that you have your own way...I simply wouldnt hunt with you is all after seeing the possibilities.


That's fine. But, I know where the best duck hunting in the USA is, ain't Stutgart Arkansas. :neener: :D


One can't compare the 1911-type pistol's thumb safety to a Mossberg's safety. The 1911 thumb safety engages the sear, locking it so that it can't possibly move.

Never seen it, but I've heard of a miss fitted safety failing on a 1911. It can happen. Recent CCW reup class, the instructor, gun shop owner and competition shooter, talked about some of the race tuned 1911s that he's seen the hammer fall on while on safe just from a bump. His point was not to carry a race tuned, uber light triggered race gun for more than playing games. Should you then carry your 1911 condition three? That's up to you, but the big thing with condition one is speed, whether game or self defense. ANYTHING made by man can fail, that's why we learn the safety rules and abide by them. Learn those rules and practice them and nothing will happen even if something happens. LOL

I do know the feeling, though. I don't trust Glock's safe action. It's purely and individual thing as stated. I would only carry a Glock, I mean, if I just had to, with an 8 lb trigger and a stiff, trigger covering belt holster. No pocket carry, don't want a Glock in my pocket no matter the holster. There ain't one made compact enough, anyway.

Speaking of individual choice, there was some guy on one of these threads about 870 vs 500 (I ain't gonna search, ain't got the time, 10 million threads) that said in defense of his crossbolt safety, that he just leaves it off. He hunts condition one, round chambered, but leaves the safety off, and he doesn't have a problem with that. :rolleyes: I can see his point, follow the safety rules and keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot, but I told him I would hunt with HIM, either. LOL! The marshes where I hunt, there's reads and twigs and stuff that can get into a trigger guard inadvertently. Hunt how and with whom you want, but I don't know anyone that carries a shotgun WHILE hunting in condition three. Rack the slide and the ducks turn tail and fly off. Just kinda the way it is. I'd rather hunt alone, might kill something that way. :D

Guess you don't deer hunt, either. I hear guys complain that such and such's safety is "too loud". ROFL! It's a legit complaint. A loud click and no mo deer. Of course, there are plenty of hammer guns for deer hunting. Have a nice lever gun, myself. Usually got my M7, though. But, you COULD just leave the bolt handle up and you can do that with the safety on with newer Remingtons. I personally HATE that, but it could be used as a safety feature. :D

[Mossberg535]

That's fine. But, I know where the best duck hunting in the USA is, ain't Stutgart Arkansas.
yeah, but huntings no fun when youre paranoid about getting a back full of birdshot :D
Honestly though, I'd spend more time worrying you were going to trip and shoot me than I would trying to hunt.

People trust those mechanical safeties and I guess thats ok, but my guess is that not many know personally about a situation where the safety didnt work and someone was hurt.
My exwifes previous BF had a shotgun when he was younger and I guess the gun was on safety but had a shell chambered and I dont know the details of 'how' it happened but apparently the gun fell over or was knocked over and went off anyway.
Wouldnt have been so tragic if it hadnt ended up pointing directly into his best friends face, kwim ?
I know he wasnt actually holding the gun when it happened so it was assumed it was only an accident, but his friends face had to be worked on for a while in different surgeries.

After the incident with my cousin and knowing the above, I just cant get myself to trust carrying a gun with a round chambered unless I can physically see the hammer is down and its a gun with a transfer bar like my single shot 12g has.

I really dont mean to belittle anyones way....its just my own personal thing, kwim ? :)

[jakemccoy]

I think that shotgun looks really cool.