[12coronas]

So I started duck hunting last season and I used my trusty 870 express because that is what I had. The last time I went it was raining sideways before we left the field and by the time we got somewhere dry my gun was already rusting. Not really surprising knowing the reputation of the express finish but I can't let it be. So now I need to figure out how to proceed.

My first inclination is to gunkote the receiver and barrel, buy a camo Ramline stock set and make a decent duck gun. Estimated cost is $120. The alternative I am looking at is a Mossberg 535 in camo for about $300. I think the factory finish may be more durable.

I also want a PGO pump for fun. I know the issues with PGO's but I have always wanted one and I have a police wingmaster for serious HD. I could get an 18" barrel, furniture and gunkote for about $200. The alternative to this is a Mossberg cruiser for about $300.

So what's the better option? If you haven't figured it out yet, I'm cost conscious:D

[nekwah]

Whatever you do dont get the mossberg. Not like their horrible guns but i still think the 870 is a better gun rust and all.

[Virginian]

I used to hunt the saltmarshes on the East Coast. Browning BPSs, "Parkerized" guns, Mossbergs, and Berettas would all come out of the wet cases with rust by the time we got home. Didn't have enought time to etch the metal before it got washed off and squirted down with WD-40 and wiped off good, but it bugged me.
Best and cheapest thing I found, was automotive zinc chromate primer, and topcoat in your choice of duplicoat colors. Touch up is easy too. If and when you want to sell the gun, laquer thinner and a brush and it's all gone and the gun metal looks like new.
Take the stock off and seal the open grain wood with boiled linseed oil and it will keep it looking fine, too, but a synthetic stock is less trouble.

[eddie c-clamp]

I fondled one of them mossy cruisers in me local fun store.....thought it a very cheaply built gun....in other words I would'nt buy one....

[familyman555]

I would recommend staying with the 870 since you are already familiar with where the safety and release is at. I recently traded in a Mossberg for a 2nd used Remington 870 since I found myself automatically trying to release the Mossberg slide like an 870 and the controls are in different places. I wanted to leave one shotgun set up with an 18" barrell and buck shot shells. I think the Mossberg layout is good but I have 17 years of time with the 870 and I didn't want to risk possible confusion at 0 dark 30.

I doubt that the rust will hurt anything. But take it apart for a good inspection.

[kmrcstintn]

nuthin wrong with a Mossy; one of the guys that I hunt with started his shotgunning (which includes waterfowl, trap, turkey, game bird, et al) with a Mossberg 500; he stated that it even fell into a pond once (was a pain to clean out, but kept on working); he traded it in a few years ago on a Remmy 11-87 Super Mag (he has a bad shoulder & elbow and wanted to reduce recoil and reduce the wear-n-tear on the elbow by eliminating the pumping action to reload)

my current 12 ga is a Mossberg 500 combo from Dick's...not the ideal gun for waterfowling since it is blued & wood, but it's better than nothing; besides, with the dedicated slug barrel, I basically get 2 shotguns for the price of 1...especially when on sale and costs less than a single barreled Mossberg 500 from other stores in the area :D

if you like and know the Remington 870, then use it and clean it after each outing; don't you clean all your other firearms after a day in the field or water?!? if so, why would cleaning your shotty be any different?

[12coronas]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

As far as cleaning goes I am religious about it. That's why it pains me to have any rust on one of my guns.

I will probably go with my original idea of coating the gun and using it for hunting. I am a bit surprised for the lack of love for the Mossbergs as I have read many people that like them. I have head the concern about mixing controls, maybe I will try to find another 870 for the PGO or simply swap stocks periodically.

[eagleno49]

I just wipe the rust off with some oil when I get home.

I shoot some trap now and again. I currently own a mossberg that is 20+years old, the stock has a crack in it but other than that it still looks prety good. 5 years ago I bought a new 870 express and I couldn't hit anything with it, it was a nice gun but I had trouble pointing it as naturally as I pointed the mossberg. I sold it after owning it less than a year and never looked back. I have other shotguns but the mossberg has been my old standby.

[KevinAbbeyTech]

Well, you could just oil it up some depending on how bad the rust is.

We have a 870 Express Magnum that belonged to on of my Grandfathers.

When we inherited it, it had a little rust on it.
I used a light piece of sand paper to get just the rust off.

It goes without saying, be careful if you try this lest you take off the coating.

After that, I just oiled it right up with some No. 9 gun oil.

[T191032]

I don't remember if I read it here, on TFL Shotgun Forum or over at the ShotgunWorld Tactical Forum (most likely), but some were talking about disassembling the shotgun, applying a good oil, letting it absorb into the gun's pores, reapplying once or twice, then going from there.

Also, I would suggest that you look into Kroil or Ballistol (Tom Gaylord wrote up a Blog on it in the Pyramid Air Blogspot awhile back on it's rust-preventing properties.

Here you go, the direct link (Blog has good pictures for you to see, too)
http://www.pyramydair.com/blog/2008/06/couple-helpful-tips-sealing-co2-guns.html