How can I figure out if my shotgun is steel rated (pic heavy)??

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saturno_v

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3 years ago I got this shotgun for a song ($80 out of the door), a Westernfield Montgomery Ward M550ABD, basically a Mossberg 500 that was sold at Sears I believe.

It is identical to the Mossy in everything, every part is interchangeable, it shoots 2 3/4" and 3" shells and it was actually on display in the gun shop rack as Mossberg 500.

I love this shotgun and the flexibility of the C-Lect choke, it patterns very well and it got my baseball cap shot out playing trap...not too shabby for eighty bucks.....never missed a shot.

How can I figure out if it is rated for steel? Calling Mossberg and giving them the SN would help?? But I don't know if they would be able to tell me through the SN, it may follow a different format because of the Westernfield Montgomery Ward brand.

One guy told me that he thinks it was manufactured after 1968 because it has a serial number in the first place (seems that shotguns and .22 rimfire firearms were exempt from SN requirements before 1968) and the dual action bars.

Finally, It is true that a lot of people prefer to do not shoot steel even in steel rated shotguns? Why so? I met at least couple of guys at the trap range that think that way...

Thanks for your help!!

Regards

P.S.

Why the firearms sold through Sears had proprietary Sears brands? Many were identical in everything to the original models, not even a more utilitarian finishing...so why the different name? What was the logic behind?

Mossberg%20500%20(2).jpg
 
There is no need to worry about the gun being steel rated because the choke was cut off when the C-Lect choke (actually a Poly-Choke) was put on.

The C-Lect choke is what you need to worry about being damaged by steel shot.

Mossberg FAQ says this about that:

Can I shoot steel shot through all barrels ?
No, not all barrels. Barrels with an interchangeable Accu-Choke™ or Accu-Mag™ choke tube system, yes (with proper tubes installed.) However, steel shot is not recommended for older "C-Lect Choke®" or fixed-choke barrels.

rc
 
rcmodel

I guess that takes care of it..thanks.


However the stamping on the barrel says "C-Lect" choke and not "Poly-Choke" so I suspect the barrel did come from the factory with a variable choke.

I think is not a big deal abotu the steel.

So there are many people refusing to shoot steel in their steel rated shotguns? Reasons?

Would Bismuth shots be safe in my barrel??

Thanks!
 
C-Lect choke was Mossbergs name for the Poly-Chokes they used on factory barrels.
Poly-Choke made them for Mossberg.

Bismuth would be fine.

The reason lots of folks don't like steel shot is becuase it doesn't kill game as cleanly as lead shot.
It is lighter per pellet and doesn't pack the whallop of lead.
So, you use a larger size of steel shot to make up for lost energy, and then there isn't as good a pattern density because there isn't as many shot in the pattern.

rc
 
As to why the Sear's name? Because Sears doesn't make anything, but they market a wide range of things, (originally including houses), with their name on it - just like every other retailer and grocer - called marketing

enjoy the gun
 
saturno_v said:
3 years ago I got this shotgun for a song ($80 out of the door), a Westernfield Montgomery Ward M550ABD, basically a Mossberg 500 that was sold at Sears I believe.

It is identical to the Mossy in everything, every part is interchangeable, it shoots 2 3/4" and 3" shells and it was actually on display in the gun shop rack as Mossberg 500.

I love this shotgun and the flexibility of the C-Lect choke, it patterns very well and it got my baseball cap shot out playing trap...not too shabby for eighty bucks.....never missed a shot.

How can I figure out if it is rated for steel? Calling Mossberg and giving them the SN would help?? But I don't know if they would be able to tell me through the SN, it may follow a different format because of the Westernfield Montgomery Ward brand.

One guy told me that he thinks it was manufactured after 1968 because it has a serial number in the first place (seems that shotguns and .22 rimfire firearms were exempt from SN requirements before 1968) and the dual action bars.

Finally, It is true that a lot of people prefer to do not shoot steel even in steel rated shotguns? Why so? I met at least couple of guys at the trap range that think that way...

Thanks for your help!!

Regards

P.S.

Why the firearms sold through Sears had proprietary Sears brands? Many were identical in everything to the original models, not even a more utilitarian finishing...so why the different name? What was the logic behind?
Click to expand...
Are you certain that is a serial number?
Sears used to have numbers that were MODEL numbers like 686.80274

One might think that that is a serial number, however if it is the MODEL NUMBER, then all the same models have that same identical number!
 
Bismuth?!?

ROTFLMAO

I'd just shoot it with steel and an open choke. If it breaks, buy a new barrel.

That said, I have learned not to buy cheap shotguns for even cheaper, unless they are what I want. Replacing a barrel or stock tends to make them not so cheap.:)
 
I want to be clear that Iam not advocating that you do this, but with that said, I have an old Ted Williams 300 with a Lyman adjustable choke that was factory installed. It is the non-ported or non-vented model. I have shot steel in it with the choke set on Modified or I/C with no apparent ill effects. The gun is not an heirloom or anything special so if damage had occurred it would have just been a lesson learned the hard way. The adjustable fingers of the choke are flush with the end of the adjustment nut. On this type, the shot clears the barrel and the choke at the same time. On a vented model, you can have an inch or better of ported steel, past the end of the choke, that the shot still has to pass through to be clear of the barrel. If steel pellets were to impact the porting or vents, I would almost be certain that damage could or would occurr. The choice is ultimately yours, but use caution. If you do decide to shoot steel through it don't adjust it any tighter than modified.
 
ArmedBear

I did not change anything in that shotgun....everytime I squeeze the trigger the thing goes bang and usually a clay pidgeon pulverize....I did better than some guys with $6000 Perazzi!!!

However I'm really anal with my examination when I buy used guns, even a $80 one.....so usually I get no bad surprises.
 
That wasn't my point.

I've bought a gun with a cut-down stock, and a barrel that was different from what I wanted.

When all was said and done, I had the gun I wanted, but it cost as much as a better one.:)

Like I said, for 80 bucks, I'd just keep the choke open per chas08, and shoot steel.

Or, if you really want a steel-shot gun, get another used 500 for $150.

And I have shot Trap reasonably well with an 870, too, but I'd rather have the Perazzi...
 
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couldn' tell from the picture. Is your C-Lect choke ported or solid all the way to the end?
Click to expand...

Is solid all the way, not ported

Armedbear

I agree with what you say.

In my case I wanted that particular combination with a variable choke....and I did not need to change anything, LOP is perfect for me.

Perazzi?? No for me, I tend to be an utilitarian guy...:D:D:D and I'm a rifle guy, I rather spend more money for rifled firearms (excluded rifled barrel shotguns!! :D)
One guy at the trap range had almost a heart attack when his custom grade Beretta got a scratch in the bluing...for me I do not care...a scratch is a badge of honor!!!
 
You shoot one rifle, you've shot them all. Not shotguns.

Perazzis aren't all particularly pretty. They just feel incredible in the hands.

(Yes, I know rifles actually are different, but if all you used was the cheapest old rifle you could find, it wouldn't seem all that fun, either...:))
 
Armedbear

all of my firearms are quality firearms..most of them inexpensive but quality nonetheless....price and quality do not always match.

I got only one lemon, which is supposed to be a highly regarded brand (Tanfoglio) and I got rid of it promptly.

In the cheap shotgun department I did find a big difference, for me, between the 870 and the Mossberg 500...the Mossy did fit me better.

Same thing between a Weatherby Vanguard and a Savage or a Remington SPS...there are significant difference in how they fit me, how I shoot them and overall...even with a low price tag.

For example, when I did get the Mossberg I did not go only for the price tag....actually it was one of my last considerations (up to a point)...I wanted a current production, proven, reliable shotgun, easy to find parts and easy to repair with a variable choke and capable of shooting 3" shells..that particular shotgun that I did pick up it just happened for be one of the cheapest (asking price was $100) but I would have gladly spent more for it.

That day there were even cheaper stuff on the racks, but definitely not bargains...forgotten brands, obscure models, some mechanical problems, etc...

Hey if the US Army uses the Mossy, they must be decent I think....:D
 
I wasn't talking about 500 vs. 870.:)

The US Army also issues cotton boxer shorts. I'm sure they last, but I wouldn't wear them for a hike.
 
I wasn't talking about 500 vs. 870.
Click to expand...

I know, I know...;)


Well if the Army use it, at least it should no self destruct in your hands after shooting it for a while I hope...:D I'm not sure I get the "cotton boxer for a hike" analogy....
 
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Oh no, that Mossberg wont self-destruct. They can be destroyed, but it takes years of abuse and malevolent neglect. Ask MCgunner, who uses the things on the Texas coast in the salt marshes. I like the way they handle, too.
 
Hell, if you can afford it, a Perazzi is one hell of a great gun in the hands, regardless...

Some of them are the plainest-looking guns at the range, too. They're one of the few high-end guns I see, where the owner doesn't have the thing for the "bling", even in part.
 
I had a "Revelation M310" Mossberg with a C Lect choke on it. I bought a new 3" chambered Mossberg vent rib accu-choke barrel with mod tube included from e-gunparts.com (Numerich arms, didn't have a computer back then) for it for a hundred bucks. It handled 3" loads, too, even though it was a 2 3/4" only barrel on it before the switch. I sold the C-Lect choke barrel to a guy at work for 25 bucks, so i got into that barrel for 75. :D I shot a lot of steel through that gun until I decided I'd buy a new mossberg camo 500. I sold that one to a guy at work and far as I know, it's still shooting. That was 20 years ago. I'm still shooting the camo model.

Waste money on Bismuth? Couple boxes of shells and you have yourself a new barrel, LOL!
 
Are you certain that is a serial number?
Sears used to have numbers that were MODEL numbers like 686.80274

One might think that that is a serial number, however if it is the MODEL NUMBER, then all the same models have that same identical number!
Click to expand...

Inspector

I'm pretty sure it is a serial number...it does not have a dot, just an initial capital "H" letter followed by numbers.

It is located on the left side of the receiver just behind and above the trigger guard

The gun shop that sold it to me did write that down as the SN in the sale receipt....and these people seem to me fairly competent.

The model number (M550ABD) is stamped somewhere else in the receiver just below the brand name
 
it patterns very well and it got my baseball cap shot out playing trap
Click to expand...

what does that expression mean? something like if you get a perfect score you have to throw your hat up and everyone shoots it?
 
what does that expression mean? something like if you get a perfect score you have to throw your hat up and everyone shoots it?
Click to expand...

EXACTLY!....had that happen to me when I ran our 5-stand....good thing I had a cheap hat with me in my truck!
 
Yes....in "serious" trap ranges they do it after you hit 100 in a row...where I go they settle for 25!!! :D:neener:
 
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