10 Million Mossberg 500s Milestone

[dak0ta]

Apparently they reached this record faster than anybody else in 52 years. I suppose they're doing something right! If they could produce the walnut/red recoil pad model and sell it for $350-400, I think their profits would increase more.

 

[Uniquedot]

Main thing they're doing right is keeping the price so affordable. I don't know how Remington can even sell an 870 in this economy.

 

[SHR970]

It just simply MUST be the Saturday Night Special of the shotgun world. We must protect the kids from these cheap and dangerous guns.

On a more serious note for those who disparage these guns; they seem to have found their way into many homes over the years. Likely in many cases they are the only gun a person / household has. The 10 M mark is a serious milestone for any firearm to have made.

 

[dak0ta]

Do the 10 million include the store branded ones back in the 70s/80s sold under different names?

 

[Whacked]

i'm one of those 10 million
love my mossy 500

 

[gotboostvr]

I'm a firm believer that every household should have a Mossberg 500 and a Ruger 10/22. If for some reason they don't like one or the other, A Remmy 870 and a Marlin Mod. 60 are my second suggestions.

Effective, inexpensive and American made. What's not to love?

I'm mostly surprised they hadn't already passed the 10M mark.

 

[dak0ta]

As for a rifle: I would add pre-64 Win 94 and Marlin 336 pre-Rem

 

[Uniquedot]

Do the 10 million include the store branded ones back in the 70s/80s sold under different names?

Yes, it would include the 500 in all it's variations and stampings. At the rate of popularity with these guns today it probably won't be too long before they pass the 870 mark.

 

[dak0ta]

Do you think their popularity today is due to their price or because the consumer has realized that the 500 is a better deal/more quality than its 870 Express competitor. It seems like Remington's handling of its products and customers has pissed off a lot of loyal owners and as a result, new buyers are told to steer away.

 

[Uniquedot]

I personally think it has to do with not only the price. As teens we called the 500's a poormans 870 or a poormans pump, but the military contracts as well. A lot of people (usually younger people) misread Mossbergs claims about the military contracts. Where Mossberg states their shotguns were "the only ones to meet military requirements" they think "requirements" means the testing. One thing is for sure though and that is the fact that the guns not only met the requirements, but they also passed the tests as well.

The tests only required 3000 rounds aside from the environment (torture) testing. I seriously doubt they would hold up to the round count of an 870, but I have done no testing to prove that claim. I have read of tests showing that aluminum frames fail before steel frames regardless of lockup claims.

I currently only have one express as well as wingmasters and special fields when it comes to the 870's and i don't think a 500 is as solid as even the express, but I have read of the complaints about the MIM parts in the express so it's a possibility that sales have indeed fallen off due to that fact and not just the higher price.

I despised the Mossbergs for decades for several reasons from actual experience in the field, but wanted to try the updated versions and I ended up purchasing two within a couple of weeks and I have grown quite fond of one of them. I also picked up a total of four barrels (two on the two guns and two accessory barrels) out of the four barrels one was decent and one was totally acceptable while the other two were pure junk! I have also bought a wingmaster barrel in the past that had tool marks on the exterior, but the 500 barrels were defective inside the bore as well as one having a badly misaligned rib. Although due to the fact that I like one of them I bought I still consider it a second rate shotgun in comparison to even an express due to the poor quality control I have recently experienced with these barrels and due to the fact that they are not nearly as smooth.

 

[dak0ta]

One thing about the Mossberg is all the parts can be easily replaced by the end-user. Ejectors, shell latches, mag tubes for example. And they just introduced their FLEX system, haven't handled one yet, not sure how strong the system is.

 

[Uniquedot]

just introduced their FLEX system

I've been looking at the system and I think it may solve the rattling forends because I'm assuming the action tube will have the spring tension bars and the tube won't even have to be removed to change forends. One of mine has the spring tension bars and it doesn't rattle, but it still has a lot of twist in it. The twist doesn't bother me though. It does seem to make the action rougher than the other one. The one I have with the rattling forend has an extremely smooth action, but it doesn't feed as smoothly.

 

[SenecaGunner]

i've owned 4 500s 12 gauge & .410
never had a problem

 

[Loc n Load]

Mossbergs

Bought a Mossberg 12 pump, back in 75....it had the c-lect choke, I have hunted with that gun since then. I replaced the variable choke barrel with a
20" VR screw in choke bl back in the 90's.....use a slug bl with RS for deer.
I hunted deer with this gun this year. Over the years, it has accounted for a lot of small game, several deer, and been handy at night when things went "bump". The gun has served me well, and I think the Mossberg pumps are a great gun for the price.

 

[Kymasabe]

Gotboostvr said "I'm a firm believer that every household should have a Mossberg 500 and a Ruger 10/22. If for some reason they don't like one or the other, A Remmy 870 and a Marlin Mod. 60 are my second suggestions."

Thought that was a perfect comment. For years I had an 870 Wingmaster and a Marlin 60. Sold them, moved, and re-bought some guns and have now had my Mossy 500 and a Ruger 10/22 for years. Perfect combo's.

 

[MCgunner]

I traded for my first 500, branded a "Revelation 310", it had the C-Lect choke. This was 1980 when steel shot got mandated. I used it in lieu of ruining my Spanish built double. But, a year later, put a 28" accu-choke vent ribbed barrel on it and used it up until 92. It was well broken in and the action was smooth. Sold it to buy a new 500 camo with polymer stocks as I duck hunt in harsh conditions.

These guns were my wing shooters, mostly dove, duck, and geese. I bought a Winchester 1400 gas gun that took over dove hunting duties, though, about 1989. I still own the 500 camo and it's still in great shape after 20 seasons. I recently found another Mossberg, a 535, at a pawn shop for $170 in GREAT shape and shot dove with it this year just to put some rounds through it. I didn't get to duck hunt this season, moving and in transition, but will next season. The blued and wood 535 will be my upland gun for hunting around here, Eagle Lake area. I need to pattern it with some 3.5" Ts, but I doubt it's going to take over from my 10 gauge on geese. I will still be usiing my old 500 camo on ducks in the salt marsh.

Life is good with MY Mossies. They're tough and get the job done. At 60 years of age, now, I expect 'em to out-last me. I would not trade for a Wingmaster, had one40 years ago, hated it.

 

[JohnnyK]

my first gun ever... bought when I was 18... it was the store security at a pawn shop... with pistol grip only.... kicks like a pissed off mule but goes bang every time. NOTHING matches the sound of a pump shotty getting racked!!!!

 

[General Geoff]

Does this number include 590s?

 

[1911 guy]

Over the years I've owned four. Have two now.

 

[Deer_Freak]

I own 5 Mossberg 500's. One of them has easily passed the military test. My slug gun used to be my skeet gun. I would put 800 rounds through it every weekend. Twenty years later it still goes bang and functions perfectly. I have replaced a couple shell stops on it. I have a 20 ga 500 I shoot sporting clays, skeet and hunt small game with. It has passed the military test to. I haven't had to do anything to the 20 ga. I have had it for close to 15 years now. It hasn't fired many high brass shells like the 500A has fired. 3" 12 ga slugs will put a gun to the test.

 

[Inebriated]

Not a Mossberg fan at all, but congrats to them, and kudos for good affordable firearms out there in the market.

 

[dak0ta]

I own 5 Mossberg 500's. One of them has easily passed the military test. My slug gun used to be my skeet gun. I would put 800 rounds through it every weekend. Twenty years later it still goes bang and functions perfectly. I have replaced a couple shell stops on it. I have a 20 ga 500 I shoot sporting clays, skeet and hunt small game with. It has passed the military test to. I haven't had to do anything to the 20 ga. I have had it for close to 15 years now. It hasn't fired many high brass shells like the 500A has fired. 3" 12 ga slugs will put a gun to the test.

I was wondering if you could share some pictures of this Mossberg. A lot of people criticize them for not holding up under heavy use ie. lots of clay shooting and slugs etc. Also for my interest, I just want to see the wear.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

I am fully confident that my 590A1 will hold up longer than a cheap Express and just as long as any Police 870.

 

[ObsceneJesster]

Here's a good comparison of the two most popular shotgun platforms.

http://www.mdshooters.com/showthread.php?t=66035

 

[splattergun]

I've got mine. Never had a reason to curse it. I like the BP barrel, too.