Opinions on a Mossberg 835

[smokshwn]

I would love to hear any and all opinions on the Mossberg 835 Ultimag. I am looking for a simple, cheap, durable 3 1/2" pump for waterfowl and I have a chance to pick up one brand new for $230. I just wanted to hear a little more about them before I buy it. Thanx in advance Craig

[hilljack22]

I have one that I have used for the last three years. I have two barrels for mine - a cantalievered rifled barrel for deer, and a 24" camo barrel for turkey. The shotgun shoots great and throws really good patterns with the choke in the turkey barrel (with 3 1/2 shells, scored a "killing shot" on a turkey target at 50 yds!

Only 2 problems:

1) 3 1/2 shells are kinda hard on the shoulder (Yowch!)

2) I need to be a better hunter (not got a shot of with it in the field with either barrel):(

[Dave R]

I owned one for a coupla years. Shot well. IIRC, it has one truly great virture--the safety in top of the receiver where it belongs. Not in the trigger guard.

[ReadyontheRight]

Upside: Inexpensive and solid. Mine patterns very well at 50 yards with 3.5" turkey loads through the undertaker turkey choke.

Downside: The standard 3.5" barrel will not work with slugs. I have not seen an available 18.5" barrel to switch to homeland defense in the off-season. The rifled slug barrels cost as much as I paid for the gun. Doesn't automatically attract turkeys, I need to do more field work to actually shoot a turkey with it someday.

I got mine because it was $190 on clearance at Galyan's a few years ago in the black ported model with 3 chokes and a sling. In other words "it followed me home". Nice turkey gun and a good knock-around pump 12 ga., For $230 you are getting a good gun, but if I was paying full price I'd get an 870 or a Benelli Nova that I could use to shoot slugs.

The tang safety is nice, but I grew up shooting Remingtons, so I'm used to the trigger guard safety.

[HSMITH]

The 835 is a solid heavy duty shotgun, it will last a LOOOOONG time. For 230 new I would do it.

[smokshwn]

Thanx everyone I think I'm headed to get one this afternoon.:D

[ReadyontheRight]

You'll like it. The 835 is a very solid shell chucker and shooter.

For $230 you're getting a great shotgun.