Impulse Buy Mossberg 500 20 Gauge

[rswartsell]

Over the weekend I visited the local gun emporium that has a large selection of used and consigned used guns because of a web posting they had for an unbeliveable deal on an old Remington Model 58 in 20 guage.

I appreciate quality old guns and have been lacking a good 20 for years so I went to investigate. This was a Saturday morning and the place was bustling with post Obama activity. After patiently waiting for a free counter person, I finally got one. I asked about the Model 58 and understandably (or at least not surprising) the help had to go searching and asking about. The fellow that was apparently the used shotgun guru was asked by my eager helper about a Model 58 and he (the knowledgeable one?) said "yeah, that's that oddball with the fiberglass barrel. I don't know where it is if it isn't on that carousel."

Well, uhhh no, nothing like that on the carousel. I was about to give it up when I finally saw it and immediately understood why the advertised price was $129.00. The poor abused creature need to be put down or converted to wall decoration. It stuck in my mind that I had either heard the fellow incorrectly (if so his coworker did also, as I confirmed "fiberglass barrel?") or the question is ***???? Fiberglass barrel??? is there such a thing??? certainly not in association with a Remmy 58???

Oh well, the Paul Harvey moment is upon us (RIP Paul), now for the rest of the story. As I was walking away shaking my head I noticed a used/consigned 20 gauge that stood out for it's economical price tag ($199.99) and stood out for it's very good condition. Beautiful gloss blue, nice piece of wood with even some figuring on the forearm. Very pretty, 1 minor ding on stock and 1 minor dent on top surface of vent rib. It's a Mossberg Model 500 and even though I have no personal experience with them having been a Remington/Winchester guy, I know from this forum as well as other placed they are nearly as well respected as an 870. It has a nice recoil pad, (unusual on a 20 gauge?), interchangeable choke system (as usual the tool and additional chokes not included).

I did a thing uncharacteristic for me and made what amounts to an impulse purchase. I went to the next available person and haggled the best I could with people snapping up weapons and gear at an almost frenzied rate. I got a soft zip case, bore brush, bore mop and Birchwood Casey silicone gun rag thrown in and $10.00 off the asking price. Picked it up last night and the second examination leaves me quite pleased that she is a beauty for used, cared for and lightly used. Local pheasant may well be on notice.

So now to questions;

1. Remington 58, the oddball with fiberglass barrel? ***?? Still cramps my fingers to type that. Any idea at all what the guy was talking about?
2. Not having done my shopping I'm thinking I got a good deal for price. Does this idea bear scrutiny?
3. I assume that the Mossberg interchangeable chokes are similar to the Rem-Choke system? Do I need to seek a proprietary choke tool and tubes or are they generic? At this point I don't even know for sure what choke is in it. Is it likely to be Improved Cylider?
4. It is 2 3/4 and 3 inch chambered. Will I appreciate that recoil pad or regret it? I guess that's really a question of fit more than anything else?
5. I invite comments from anyone with upland bird hunting with the Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge.

Thanks!

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Ok.

First off, wife owns a Mossberg 500 Bantam with the youth stock and 22 inch accu choke barrel. There should be a choke in there and if you will remove it you will see it stamped a variety of ways.

Imp cyl (Improved Cylinder)
Mod cyl (Modified Cylinder)
and Full

I use the Improved Cylinder on the gun because we fire slugs. I check it occasionally to be sure that is tight inside the barrel and clean. Especially before every shoot.

The second thing is that the inside of the reciever, the Barrel must fit perfectly inside after you install said barrel and screw it down (At the front of the magazine tube)

You may find a wooden dowel inside that magazine tube, simply slide out and throw away.

Have the weapon cleaned through and rebuilt. This way you can be assured that the weapon is in top notch condition.

There should be stampings on your weapon that indicates 2.3/4 ammo, 3 inch ammo etc... or not. Those are the ammo you can use on your gun. You will probably see other stamps such as Accu Choke and barrel length.

Spare barrels are hard to find. I had a slug 18 inch barrel on back order for two weeks until I canceled it.

Smoothbore or rifled? That is the question.

If you are rifled then you are going to be slug, sabot or heavy ought shot. Nothing small. If you are smoothbore then you are NOT going to be sabot but you can shoot everything else.

I have video with wife's moss and my rem 870 and we both love the moss 500. It talks big and hits hard just as good as the 870.

But in our house both guns get TLC because they are expected to outlast us. The only issue is who to will the weapons to after we pass on.

 

[rswartsell]

Seagull, no offense intended but did you read the post?
Are you trying to answer my questions or just expound indiscriminately?

You are recommending that I rebuild this shotgun and throw the sportsman's plug away?

Wow you've been here 12 days and have 443 posts of this kind of "feedback"?

Double wow, on other posts you claim to be a newbie that's trying to learn? How, by getting roughed up when you go off half cocked?

Sincerely no offense intended but I think you are on some kind of manic tear here. Chill out and read more man, you have come to a good place for that if you can just slow the neurons down a bit.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

I dont know anything about the fiberglass you looked at earlier.

199 beats the 300 or so I paid retail for my moss.

Enjoy your new purchase.

Im making do with what I can here. One week here has taught me mostly by lurking more than the last lifetime or so listening to talking heads.

 

[rswartsell]

Seagull, OK if that's what works for you it's all good. Welcome aboard.

 

[rswartsell]

By the way, the wooden dowel (which is sometimes a plastic rod) is called a sportsman's plug. When state hunting law restricts a hunter to a 3 shot magazine yet the factory built a 5 shot magazine, keeping this plug in place satisfies the legal requirement and keeps the hunter out of trouble. Getting caught hunting without one in a shotgun whose magazine exceeds legal hunting limits will cause a probable loss of the gun and a stiff fine. They may be irrelevant to someone who does not hunt, but a necessity for those who do and I'd suggest hanging onto it even if you don't hunt.

 

[stownsend]

I have a Mossy 20 ga. that I got when I was 15 and love it. It has pounded many a pheasant in South Dakota. You will enjoy it, take it out and have fun. I have had good luck with #5 shot in the 20 for knocking down the wild birds.

 

[rswartsell]

stownsend, so for the farm birds out here in Illinois do you think 6 is sufficient? If not I'll go with your recommendation but 5 is harder to find around here.

 

[sohcgt2]

Rswartsell, This is off topic and for that I apologize, but do you ever shoot clays at Northbrook Sports Club in Grayslake? I have been thinking about traveling your way for some time now and I have seen photos of that facility. I just wonder is it as nice as it appears to be? I can't find anything to indicate Remington ever made a fiberglass barrel Sportsman 58. I'm not saying it didn't happen, I just can't verify it with any lit. I have. If LOP is ok with the recoil pad keep it, but it shouldn't be necessary from a recoil standpoint.

 

[Virginian]

Fiberglass barrel was the Winchester Model 59 if I remember right. Innovative but kinda whippy to me. I think the grouse and/or woodcock crowd really liked them.
Your 500 sounds like one of the early nice looking ones with wood that once tempted me many moons ago. I believe you will like the 20, and if you decide to try some 3" fodder you may well appreciate the pad. Mossberg chokes are proprietary - I don't remember what they interchange with, if anything, but Brileys and Carlsons both have a chart on their page. You can of course buy more choke tubes and a wrench lots of places.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

GET a plastic plug and use the wood one for a dowl rod.

You got a great deal.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome aboard.

The Winchester Model 59 had a barrel wrapped in fiberglass, NOT the Remington 58.

Mossberg 500s are very good shotguns. The 20 gauge versions make excellent upland guns as well as fun shooters.

3" mags in one will tear you a new one. Stick to light 2 3/4", 7/8 oz loads for now.

Mossberg and aftermarket vendors carry the choke tubes and
wrenches.

Enjoy!

I believe you'll like your purchase.

 

[foghornl]

Mossberg 500's & Maverick 88's...not as nicely 'fitted & finished' as the well-known Rem 870 Wingmaster, but they are good solid serviceable working shotguns.

I bet my bacon on a Maverick 88 every day...it is my HomeLand Security Shotgun...Secures my Home & Land from those of felonious intent.

 

[rswartsell]

sohcgt2, No haven't been to Northbrook Sports Club but you can bet I will be this spring. The Aurora Sportsman's Club is a pretty far hike and getting worse with their move. I can't share any experience with Northbrook but will after shooting there.

Thanks all for the input!

 

[stownsend]

For farm raise birds I think #6's would be fine, but if you can find the #5's, stock up on it, it is my personal favorite for pheasant. Farm raised birds will flush at your feet typically too so make sure it is an IC choke. You shouldn't have a problem finding choke tubes around for it and a wrench. You got a good deal on a very effect bird slayer. Enjoy it!

 

[rswartsell]

stownsend,

-Thanks! The first cock that goes down to the Mossy will be served in your honor with orange sauce.

 

[sohcgt2]

Good luck with your "new" Mossberg, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I look forward to hearing tales of a well set table, and I also hope to hear a good report of Northbrook.

 

[slabuda]

I sort of did the same this fall. Was asked to go duck hunting and never been but wanting to go so went to wally world to grab a gun. Didnt want to get (pay for) a semi-auto and they didnt have a 12 in stock so got the 20g mossy for 210 new all chokers etc. Shot a few quail and some ducks this fall. 20 as you know is great for birds but with needing to use bigger #2 steel shot I feel I could have done better with a 12 for better patterning etc on ducks. But still knocked a few down :

Was 100% reliable except when I short stroked it. Recoil is basically nil with 3" #2 , even with a standard but plate a 20 doesnt really kick. But you may feel/sense it differently. Im a small guy and I was just fine. BTW search for my post on shooting 3 1/2" out of a beneli super nova for the first time

Youll be happy with it Im sure and if you ever want a 12 or a nicer 20 you have a back-up/loaner for a friend to introduce to birds.

 

[rswartsell]

Dave McCracken,

Thanks for the fiberglass barrel clarification. I read a little on the Win 59 after your post, interesting indeed! I was completely oblivious to this innovation. Too bad about the Remmy 58 huh? I bet in good shape they were pretty interesting in their own right.