[JohnCrighton]

OK, I have a 7-shot Mossberg 500 12ga. I would like to turn it into a hunting shotgun that can use a longer than 20" choked barrel.

From what I understand, I will have to change the barrel AND the magazine tube, correct?

Will I also need to get a new mag spring, end-knob (hopefully one with a built-in swivel/sling), and mag follower?

Any suggestions on what to get parts-wise, what length barrel and what kind of tube? This will be mostly or small-game and bird hunting, though I suppose buckshot deer hunting or with slugs (rifled barrel eventually?) could be in order in the future.

[swampshooter]

I have some mossberg bbls. that i would sell as i have reached the age that i have quit hunting. Including a very accurate cantilever slug bbl. PM me if interested. I'd let them go at a reasonable price.

[Soldiersurfs]

Depending on where you are you might have to replace the magazine tube dowel that limits capacity.

[Vicious-Peanut]

I believe you do have to replace both since the magazine screw would be too high to allow the barrel to come anywhere near meeting the receiver.

[JohnCrighton]

Yeah, from what I understand since I have the 7 shot extended mag tube, it mates up with my current barrel in a different way. The tube and the barrel are the exact same length. But I think a 4-6 round mag tube is OK with any of the other barrels.

[NonConformist]

Buy a barrel for that appropriate mag length

add dowel to limit rounds to the hunting legal amount

Wah lah!



www.mossberg.com

[JohnCrighton]

"Buy a barrel for that appropriate mag length

add dowel to limit rounds to the hunting legal amount

Wah lah!"

From what I understand, there is only one barrel (28") for this length of tube, and perhaps one rifled slug barrel. Can't find any that are used, so would have to buy new.

[rantingredneck]

Yeah, from what I understand since I have the 7 shot extended mag tube, it mates up with my current barrel in a different way. The tube and the barrel are the exact same length. But I think a 4-6 round mag tube is OK with any of the other barrels.

Does your barrel have a thumbscrew permanently attached into the barrel ring, or does it have a barrel ring with threads on the exterior of the mag tube and a nut that holds it in place??

[throdgrain]

I reckon if you used the existing 20" barrel - with a choke - it would probably be fine. Does it have a choke, or is multichoke?

[JohnCrighton]

At work right now, so will have to look at it tomorrow. I think it does not have a choke at all.


This is a picture of it:

http://personalsecurityzone.com/cgi-win/order/prodlist.exe/PSZ/?Template=ProdDetail.htm&ProductID=20491

[Soldiersurfs]

You'll have to find the right barell for it. Chances are new.

[foghornl]

From the Maverick Arms website

8-shot barrel for the Maverick 88 & Mossberg 500
Part # 90241 "accu-set" chokes (the set of swappable choke tubes) 28" vent rib ported MSRP of $133.

Mossberg may have 'adjusted' prices lately, but that is from the Maverick Website as of 10-01-2008 12:00Noon EDT (www.MaverickArms.com)

[throdgrain]

It depends what you want to hunt. I dont really see the barrel being that much of a problem. I would have thought an ounce of #6 shot would still shoot a pigeon (I think you call em doves :) ) so long as you dont get silly with the range. My mate shoots skeet with one of those sometimes, he does ok. Add maybe 20 yards onto that range you've got what, maybe 35 yards? Maybe 40?

[MAKster]

Mossberg sells a 28" barrel under their Maverick brand that fits the extended magazine tube.

[Six Feet Under]

JohnCrighton,

I've got a 28" Mossberg barrel and no Mossberg to put it on if you're interested. Shoot me a PM if you want it.

[kcshooter]

There is a difference in barrels depending on the magazine tube length. You can get a longer skeet/hunting barrel for either magazine tube size.

All you need is a barrel.

[Dave McCracken]

Consider buying a second shotgun. Used 500s are neither scarce nor expensive.

[rantingredneck]

^ indeed.

By the time you buy the extra barrel and mag tube/spring you've come close to buying a used gun.

[JohnCrighton]

Well, I just got a mag tube, spring, and follower for $36.50

And I have some very nice used 28" barrels that have been offered to me from anywhere from $30 to $65

So, for under $100 it looks like I can do this thing, which would save me a bit of money, not to mention not having to pay for another background check, taxes, etc.

I've got my Mossberg set up pretty nicely right now with a scope mount and recoil-reducing stock, so it will be nice just having a different barrel at a good price without having to go through the expense of buying a whole other shotgun.