Got rid of my last rifle today.

[Mossberg535]

I took that 17HMR that has plagued me for a couple years to the gun shop and sold it. The guy offered a hundred but I told him he was doing me a favor and let him have it for $50. Actually Id have just given it away for free, but I wanted to make sure whoever ended up with it could pass the background check and I thought it would be even more odd just giving it to the gun store for nothing.

So anyway, I have an old H&R single shot 12g that I got a couple months ago.
Then I bought the Mossberg 535 ATS Field about 10 days ago.
And then we went yesterday afternoon and I put half down on this one and it'll be in end of the week.

The wife only likes 22's so we'll always have her rifle, but Im tired of fighting 'barrel harmonics' with that crap 17 and Ive actually been having a lot of fun with my 12 gauges.

 

[Milkmaster]

As the population increases around me and houses get closer together, I have found less and less opportunity to shoot my rifles. The shotguns have become my favorite choice to shoot regularly. It might have something to do with age as well. I enjoy shooting targets I can still see too! hahah Welcome to a great hobby.

 

[oneounceload]

I hope both of you go shoot sporting clays........once addicted, you will NEVER miss your rifles.............

I know from personal experience....trying to sell my rifles, my XP-100 in 7BR and others to buy more shotguns....................

thinking a nice 28 SXS for quail......and one in 20...............and a good 12 for sporting clays to replace my others.....now, to get the wife to agree......

 

[Mossberg535]

I hope both of you go shoot sporting clays..

Actually when I was buying the first 535 I saw that walmart has 90 for less than $7 and GM was about the same, I think.
Im going to try to get my brother in law to try it with me in a week or two once the new gun comes in.

the first 535 has a 28" barrel, but the new one is only 20"....which is better for clays or does it matter?

 

[JShirley]

That, my friend, is an ugly shotgun.

Just sayin'.

John

 

[SN13]

LOL John

I think it looks nice.

Just sayin'

 

[younganddumb]

welcome to a great sport again that 535 won't let you down, I have a waterfawl one and she has mybe 750 shells through her no problem what so ever she even shots some trap when I get the chance

 

[Dave McCracken]

I still have rifles here, but freely admit they get little exercise these days.

Partly that's lack of range access. Partly, it's because I have so much fun at PGC with the scatterguns.

 

[Mossberg535]

That, my friend, is an ugly shotgun.

Just sayin'.

John

You know what they say about opinions and ***holes....everybodies got one

Im one of those types who doesnt really much care about looks. Its a gun and it has a function and that is that when I point it at something and pull the trigger, I expect it to do what I bought it for.
Thats the reason that the 17HMR I sold yesterday was sold. When I pulled the trigger it didnt always do what I bought it for, so it served no purpose.
My other 535 did a great job when I took it out the other day and frankly, Id buy 10 more of them just to say I have em

I know a lot of folks like to look at their guns and I understand that. I talked to a guy in the gunstore the other day who said he ONLY buys guns with wood stocks because he loves the way the look in his collection in his gun room. Thats great and I respect that sentiment entirely.
But Im more interested in picking up a gun and having it do what I paid for it to do and I hate wood stocks with a passion. With wood I spend MORE time worrying about (in my highest girly whine) 'did I scratch it...did I SCRATCH it ?!?!" and I simply dont want to have to worry about that with a hunting "tool". I dont buy expensive nice looking tools that I can drool over. I buy tools that are tough and can do what I bought them to do.
Maybe when Im 65 and I use my gun strickly for clay shooting or something down at the club with the guys, then Ill get wood stocks and buy myself a few 'pretty' guns...till then, though, I want something that if I bang it a bit Im not going to be crying about it in those annoying high pitches.

 

[publiuss]

I have a 535 and it is an ugly shotgun that will beat the hell out of you shooting the clays games, but they are a very good, tough gun.

 

[W.E.G.]

Whoa.

 

[crebralfix]

Yeah...but you're still without a rifle. Handguns and shotguns are scary, but governments fear competent riflemen. There is a reason for it.

 

[blkbrd666]

If you don't mind, please explain what the .17HMR didn't do, that you wanted it to, when you pulled the trigger?

 

[Mossberg535]

If you don't mind, please explain what the .17HMR didn't do, that you wanted it to, when you pulled the trigger?

Two words...barrel harmonics.

Im used to a 22 and with them you can pretty much use cat litter for ammo and they hold a decent grouping.
With the 17 if I changed ammo it would literally be 2" (at about 100ft) lower or higher and Id have to reset the scope.

Actually sometimes just getting a new box of the SAME brand of rounds was ending up with 1/2" to 1" drop at 50 yards or so.

I like to use a lot of different kinds of ammo, thats part of the fun for me is trying it out, and I spent MORE time setting the scope with the 17 than actually getting to enjoy shooting it.

The only remedy, from what everyone keeps telling me, is to stick with the same ammo consistently, otherwise get used to adjusting the scope every time. But as I said, part of the fun is in shooting different things, so its just way too annoying for me.
With a 22 or a 12 gauge I can get the ammo I want and just go shooting or hunting and be done with it.

 

[MCgunner]

Uh, I'll keep my rifles.....thanks. I just sight in with what I wanna use and stick with it. I handload for all my centerfires.

 

[JShirley]

Mossberg, let us know how it shoots. Pretty is as pretty does, right? I've never used a shotgun with one of those stocks...might not affect swing or anything. Might.

John

 

[Mossberg535]

Mossberg, let us know how it shoots. Pretty is as pretty does, right? I've never used a shotgun with one of those stocks...might not affect swing or anything. Might.

Swing ?
Is that a skeet thing ?

 

[JShirley]

Could be.

One of the best reasons I can see to use a shotgun defensively, is if you're used to shooting at fast-moving game. If you can hit a running rabbit at 25 meters, you can probably hit a (relatively) slow moving man at 6.

Again, I just have no idea how well that thumbhole stock will work for quick use. I'm interested. Thumbhole stocks were, IIRC, first used on match-type guns. This is a turkey gun, so perhaps a very deliberate shot is envisioned.

J

 

[Mossberg535]

Again, I just have no idea how well that thumbhole stock will work for quick use. I'm interested. Thumbhole stocks were, IIRC, first used on match-type guns. This is a turkey gun, so perhaps a very deliberate shot is envisioned.

The thumbhole more serves, in my opinion, to have a better 'grip' on the gun. Its not like the gun doesnt have an entire stock.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Thumbholes have some popularity among trapshooters, but I see few of them used for other shotgun things. I've tried a few shots with an 870 set up with one of Boyd's laminated thumbholes. It felt a bit strange, and I used to shoot bench guns with TH stocks frequently.

IMO, and it's only an opinion, the standard stock is better for all around use. Of course, feel free to differ...

 

[Rupestris]

Just an observation but, wouldn't the thumbhole stock make the safety on a Mossberg seem a bit out of reach?

 

[3pairs12]

I kind of like the new mossy. Thumbhole in a turkey gun no problem I think it kind of makes sense. DONT start shooting sporting clays unless you have money to spare. Too much fun adds up quick.

 

[Bartkowski]

Rupestris, now that you mention it, it looks like it does. And if it actually does when you hold it, that is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

 

[Mossberg535]

Just an observation but, wouldn't the thumbhole stock make the safety on a Mossberg seem a bit out of reach?

You'll never see my safety in any mode but 'fire'.
If there is a round in the chamber its because Ive got a target in sight and plan on firing the gun.
I dont ever use the safety at all any more.
I used to trust the mechanical safety and carry my gun 'hot' but when I was young my cousin and I were going down this pretty steep incline and there was a wet rock that I didnt see until my foot had slipped and the next thing I knew the barrel of my shotgun was in the base of my cousins skull.
After that I never ever have live ammo in the chamber until Ive got a target and Im ready to shoot.
I wish I know how to remove the safety altogether so I dont even think about using it.

The only exception is a revolver or any gun with a visible hammer that I can keep uncocked and see it with my own eyes that it is. I get guns with transfer bars whereever i can as well.

It only takes one accident and being that one case where the mechanical safety bugs out.

 

[Mossberg535]

Rupestris, now that you mention it, it looks like it does. And if it actually does when you hold it, that is about the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

Ive seen worse
The Beretti 9mm I had has the safety way up on the slide instead of the frame like the Taurus does and Ive read a lot of shooters who have to use their other hand to use the safety.

The Taurus is ambidexterous, at least it was last time I owned one, and on the frame just below the slide so its easy to use.