Anyone like the Mossberg Model 85?

[jn1965]

I can get a model 85 for around $99 bucks. Is this thing worth getting? I have never fired a bolt action shotgun, I am assuming it would have similar recoil to a break open single shot, am I right?

I am basically going to get it as a gift for somebody who is just getting into guns and would like to use it for skeet/trap. I figure it is not ideal for that but it will at least get him started. It is a 20 ga gun which would also double in a home defense role until he can go get himself a Mossy 500...

Basically I am asking if anyone out there has one of these beasts and it picking it up for under $100 id a good deal...

Thanks!

Joe

 

[Quoheleth]

For anything other than turkey or deer where one shot it probably all you'll get, I don't see the functionality of a B/A shotgun --- especially if you want to get him started in trap/skeet. You - and your friend - would be better off by you prowling the pawnshops looking for a good used Mossberg 500. Or, take him to a good gunshop and tell him you'll cover the first $100 of any gun he picks.

Q

 

[jn1965]

Thanks... I have a 500 myself and I got my son a break open Baikal 12 ga for trap/skeet. I think I will look for a nice single shot for my buddy...

 

[jn1965]

I just got my buddy a nice old 500C in 20 ga!
It has the long barrel with the selectable choke on the end. I got it at Cabeleas $180 including a case and shells!
It was a bit more than I wanted to spend, but now he can get a short barrel and other 500 accessories for it if he wants to really use it for HD...

 

[Hann]

I have a 183-KB which is similar. It's a .410, very simple gun but reliable and fun to shoot, I believe it holds three shells. Good starter gun I'd say, easy to teach on.

Any of the 80-85, 180-185 series is probably going to be around $100 these days. Parts are cheap if you need them online, they're all similar in design/operation.