Got a Mossberg 500A for $59 at a pawn store!

[albanian]

Shotgun deals seem to be popping up for me lately, I just bought a nice Rem 870 Turkey for $125 and now I found a Moss 500a for $69 at a pawn store. I asked if that price wa firm and they said they could drop it by $10 to $59! I was going to buy it for $69 but it never hurts to ask.

It is a 12ga, 28" vent bbl with two beads. It has a wood stock, I think it may be real walnut but I am not sure. It looked kind of bad at first. There was some rust on the bbl and tube but I soaked it with WD-40 and then hit it with a brass brush and got it off. It was filthy also, I doubt it has ever been cleaned so I took it totaly apart and cleaned and oiled it. The stock looks like it has been chewed by a dog near the bottom of the pistol grip. I can't decide if I want to fix it and refinish it like I did on my 870 or just get a new stock. It can be fixed. Other than that, it looks pretty good, there is little wear, just some neglect. There are no scratches to speak of on the receiver and the bore looks great.

I am thinking of making this into a fun gun. I wanted to make a tactical shotgun for a while, what things are worth doing and what is just a wast of money? I plan in getting a 18" bbl and a new stock of some kind. What kind of pistol grip stock feels good? Maybe a folder if there is one that is light and works well.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Obviously, The Almighty wants you to be well armed...

Clean it up, see how it shoots as is. That chewed up stock may be just the right dimensions for you. Be advised it if works, you have a very good defensive shotgun as it sits. No mods needed.

Sounds like a good summer project. Take pics, and post as you go....

 

[Bill B.]

If interested in a stock there are usually several for sale on eBay ..... cheap! Cabela's has em new from about 3 sources. Sounds like a great deal to me!

 

[albanian]

I know that a regular stock is the best for serious work but since I have a 879hd with 18"bbl and a 870 Turkey with 21" bbl, I was thinking of doing something stupid with this gun just because I have never tricked out a shoutgun and I need to waste some money I guess. I still want it to be shootable but I also want it to be cool.

 

[akanotken]

congrats!

I've been thinking about a pump based competition gun for a while.

Knoxx industries makes a couple of things that I've thought of. Can't say I have first hand knowledge, so make sure you do your own homework.

Recoil reducing stocks. I'm thinking the folder/pistol grip. Sure would like to shoot one to see how it does in the ergonomics.

Drum conversion. 10 rnd drum, or 6 round sticks oh my!

Non permanent change is required.

Other changes.

Ghost rings.

Heat sheild. (does anyone know if these protect the shooter?)

Most competitions happen outdoors/daylight, so no lights/lasers for me.

As the knowledge on these has been thin, and I have several "irons" in the fire (get it, irons) I'll likely wait. Before I bought my Saiga 12, I debated going this route. I talked with Knoxx. Nice guys (over the phone). They were finishing up their generation 2, so you know many bugs have been worked out.