Need help on swapping barrels - Mossberg 500

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gearchecker

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I have a Mossberg 500 with a standard barrel. The existing barrel is marked for 2-3/4" shells.

I'm looking at converting it mostly for home defense but the 18.5" barrel I found is marked for 3" shells. Can I make this change over without messing up the shotgun or being unsafe with the heavier shot size?
Also, can I buy a new full length replacement barrel that is designed for 3" shells and replace the old 2-3/4" shell barrel. I'd still like to be able to use the shotgun for hunting but use 3" shells if it's possible.
 
That is my understanding as well. The receiver is what limits you. The strength is a consideration as well as the possibility of jamming while ejecting the spent case. You will not need 3" shells in any HD situation anyway. Your longest shot will be less than 7 yds. Bird shot will knock a perp off his feet at that range and would be safer for friendlies inside the structure. You really dont want to be shooting thru doors and walls. I use a mossy maverick with a game load up front and then the rest is # 1 buck. The 3" would also reduce the number of rounds.
Most thieves are three things...Lazy..Cowardly..and Stupid. They may be all of these things at once or just one or two at a time. They are lazy foremost because they will not work for what they want, Thats why they want to steal from you. Its just less work. Cowardly because they are more likely to strike while you are not at home during the day and steal your HD shotgun and anything else thats not too heavy (lazy). A stinky dog or two is a really great deterrent because they would rather hit your neighbor than you because getting around the dog is too much work and your neighbor doesnt have a dog.
The way I see it if one or more perps are gonna hit me and my dogs while I'm home stupid has kicked in and Im gonna need the Mossburg. I load the birdshot first because I know it will knock him down even if hes stolen a vest somewhere and Im counting on cowardly to kick back in and the rest will run like hell leaving their stunned buddy behind. But if they are stuck in stupid mode then the buckshot is next up and I tried not to use deadly force yer honor. Might not be textbook or anything but its just the angle from which this ole redneck sees it.
 
Your longest shot will be less than 7 yds. Bird shot will knock a perp off his feet at that range
Click to expand...

Not exactly... Just because it happens in movies doesn't mean anything in real life.
 
The strength is a consideration
Click to expand...
No it isn't.

3" shells develop basically the same pressure as any other shells.
A 2 3/4" Mossberg 500 is the same strength as a 3" Mossberg 500.

But 3" shells won't cycle through a 2 3/4" receiver, no matter what the barrel it says on it.

rc
 
Okay,
Looks like I'm going looking for a 18" barrel marked for 2.75" shells.
Thanks for all the help, it's much appreciated. I'll head over to the Mossberg website to see what I can find.
GQ
 
You can still fire 2 3/4" shells out of a 3" chamber... just because it says 3" does not mean that you must use 3" shells. I know that for other shotguns with a 2 3/4" receiver you can put a barrel with a 3" chamber on but only shoot 2 3/4" shells out of it and it is fine. I believe the Mossberg 500 is the same way, but I'm sure someone who is more familiar with the Mossberg than I am can confirm or correct me on that.
 
I load the birdshot first because I know it will knock him down even if hes stolen a vest
Click to expand...

WOW.......and I thought I read all the stupid posts earlier in the day on another thread.........WOW

someone needs to go brush up on physics - this isn't some video game or Hollywood movie
 
I just discovered I have a model 500A

I went to the Mossberg website and asked Customer service if I could use the 3" chambered replacement barrel on my model 500. They told me I could swap the barrels, but I'd be unable to shoot 3" shells because the receiver was smaller, and it was designed only for the 2.75" shells.
They said the model 500 was discontinued a long time ago and they make a Model 500A that's an improved version, and it takes the 3" magnum shells. They told me I should check the shotguns model number to be sure which I have.
I just went out and pulled the shotgun from the safe and it's not a model 500 after all, it's a model 500A which is good with the 3" shells, so I'm going to be okay after all. The barrel on it must have been swapped out at some point and that's why it has a 2.75" chamber. Now I'm looking at maybe buying a couple of barrels so I can use the 3" ammo if I want to for hunting.

I can always count on you guys here to help out with questions like this one.
Much appreciated, ~gearchecker~
 
yep, especially about the ones posting totally bogus and dangerous misinformation...........

That post is irresponsible, let alone totally incorrect..sorry if that bothers you
 
Here is a helpful suggestion to avoid any confusion when you decide to swap barrels.
Take a pencil grinder and a fine stone and carefully grind off the 3" designation on the new barrel.
Polish and reblue the ground area.
No one will ever wonder if the gun is capable of handling 3" loads using this little trick. HTH
 
Why dont you run the numbers for me an convince me. Being up on your physics and all it should be an easy task. The whole point is that for HD 2 3/4 is more than adequate. Sorry if you think I am irresponsible. Thats not the first time ive been accused of that. Im trying not to be rude even if we disagree on how to handle a common thief.
 
Simple- read your physics book - for a shot to "knock the BG down", it will also have to do the same to you - it's that equal and opposite reaction thing. Blowing someone backwards only happens in the movies and video games. Birdshot does not have the same penetration as buckshot, even if the payload is the same. Is it going to hurt? Sure it is...is it going to STOP? maybe yes, maybe no.......the last thing it would do is knock them down.

2-3/4, is absolutely more than adequate for HD - no disagreement there at all. IF you feel the need top use birdshot, at least make it a hot load of #2 or something for geese and not #8 used for targets or quail
 
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