[Niel4]

I was in a Wal-Mart yesterday and was looking for a general purpose "spare" shotgun, nothing expensive, to have around in case a friend or visitor needed one.

They had a Mossberg 500, 12 ga, 28" vent, wood stock, w/3 choke tubes for $207. I almost bought it on the spot....they had 2 in stock so I may be heading back today.

This seems like a great deal is it?

Note: The Remmy 870 equivalent was $275 and the Mossy 835 ATS was $235

[snooperman]

I have seen them and if I did not have so many shotguns now, I would buy one just to keep in my barn tack room along with my 30-30. I bought one two years ago at Walmart for my grandson and he is very pleased with it.

[35Rem]

They sell the Maverick for less. It's made by mossberg, slightly cheaper and with synthetic stocks.

Academy sells it for $170. I think it only has one choke, though. Might check into that, too.

But, $207 for a Moss 500 is a really good price.

[RandKL]

It's a great price. I'd go for it in a heartbeat if I were in the market for another weapon. I like the Mav, too, but I like wood better. If I bought that, I'd have to pay another $50 for a stock and forearm for it.

rich

[Bad Hammer]

The local WalMart here recently raised the price on the Mossberg 500 from $207 to $227, and the stores in your area may follow suit in the near future.
If you are seriously interested you may want to act soon and avoid the possible price increase.

[foghornl]

Mossberg makes a good solid serviceable shotgun. I have an OLD 500A that was my late F-I-L's shotgun, and a Maverick 88.

Both go BOOM! on request, every time, and put the lead where I point.

$207 is a decent deal. If you want to set it up w/short cylinder-bore barrel, those are available for less than $90

[chevyforlife21]

i paid $380 for mine 4 months ago. plus tax. it was $400

[Blue Brick]

MAVERICK® 88™ FEATURES:


Maverick® 88™ barrels are compatible with Mossberg® 500® model barrels within gauge and capacity.
All Maverick® models include a cross-bolt safety in front of the trigger for speed and convenience.
All Maverick® 88™ choke tubes are fully interchangeable with Mossberg® Accu-Choke™ tubes.
88™ model barrels are equipped with 3" chambers and handle factory 2¾" and 3" loads.
All Maverick barrels and choke tubes are capable of firing lead, steel or other non-toxic loads.
All models feature a blued metal finish and durable black synthetic stock and forearm.
All models feature dual extractors and twin action slide bars for positive, non-binding extraction and ejection.
Free Cablelock included with each model.
All Maverick® models include a One-Year Limited Warranty.

[Grey_Mana]

fyi - same shotgun was $219 at Dick's, on sale, about 2 months ago.

[tactikel]

GO BACK AND BUY IT!!;) Heck I'd buy it-that is a great deal!!

[BushyGuy]

i had a mossy maverick 88 it was a piece of crap i will never buy another mossberg. my next shotty will be a Remington 870 they are the best in durability and tighter shot groups.

My maverick had a mod choke it was crap and the pump was loose.

[Lowlander91]

i wouldnt say mossberg is crap because your maverick was crap i mean they are diffrent designs and are made in diffrent factories and states. the maverick is the budget verison of the mossberg 500 and only has one slide rail.

[Snake]

best bang for your buck shotgun really. Brand name and i've literally got thousands and thousands of shells though my 500. I paid 269.99 at Big 5 over a year ago. Basic and plain,nothing really special. Wish it had a option to put a extended mag tube on it for another shot or two. Its my home defense gun and regular shooter for fun and recreation.

[Niel4]

I bought the mossy 500.....thanks for the feed back.

Hope to go out and pattern it this weekend....came with 3 choke tubes

[Bad Hammer]

.....I bought the mossy 500.....

Good decision.

[Jack2427]

One can get a bad gun from any builder. In general, Mossbergs have an excellent reputation, I would not have one if they didn't. I bought a S&W Performance Center (meaning hand built top of the line premium handgun) and it turned out to have one cylinder bored so oversize that cases would rupture. Of course S&W made good on it, but a bad gun can happen to anyone.
In some models the 500 is an entry level weapon, but a good one. I would rate them as equal to the Remington Express series, actually the Express series exists because of the 500s. Remington just had to compete in that market.
I fancy myself as very experienced with combat shotguns, and I would never feel undergunned with a cared for 500-would I like something else? Yeah, but the 500 would do nicely. The USMC used the 590A1 series for over 20 years with good results, and as we say in the service, if a weapon is Marine Proof, it is a good weapon.

[hometheaterman]

i had a mossy maverick 88 it was a piece of crap i will never buy another mossberg. my next shotty will be a Remington 870 they are the best in durability and tighter shot groups.

My maverick had a mod choke it was crap and the pump was loose. Well, I had a Remington 870 Super Express Magnum and to put it nicely it was a piece of junk. Needed the chamber polished right out of the box. Something they should have done at the factory. It also had lots or random jamming issues and never worked like it should. Always jammed way more than it should.

There are plenty of other posts on here as well as other sites about them having issues with jamming as well as rust. So I wouldn't say they are the most dependable. The Wingmasters don't seem to have a lot of these issues but also cost quite a bit more.

As far as shooting tighter patterns mine shot decent but I've seen other guns that shoot better patterns so it's not the best there. I think that's up to the individual gun you get as well as choke, barrel length, ammo, distance it's being shot, and the shooter. All those play a big factor in how it patterns.

[foghornl]

Now all that Mossberg needs is "Work Polishing"...


As in "Shoot A LOT of ammo with it, untill it feels like part of your body."

Or as Mr. McCracken advises BA/UU/R

Buy Ammo / Use Up / Repeat

[Niel4]

Went to the range with my new 500....shot some trap with it....didn't do too good...then went to the patterning range and found out why ....80% of the shot was up to the left. Going back Tuesday and I'm sure I will do better :D.

The gun shot and fed well (about 65 rounds).....no problems. It ejects shells way better than my remmy 870 express.