Mossberg 500 Persuader

[jackson24]

I have more of a safety question. I recently bought a Mossberg 500 Persuader with a pistol grip included for $289.00 - When I removed the barrel from the box and put it on and secured the take down screw it seems like everything is ok but being new to shotguns I wanted to be sure. I looked in the manual and made sure that it was fully seated near the receiver with a small flashlight but when I have the magazine opened and the forearm pushed forward as to load it, I have a little play in the forearm by the twin bars. I am assuming this is normal.
Any thoughts ?? I appreciate it in advance.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I have a little play in the forearm by the twin bars. I am assuming this is normal.

Yes, it's a feature, not a bug. The forearm and action bars have to move back and forth to function, and a certain amount of play is normal and to be expected.

 

[Ranger30-06]

Yup your alright. Have fun with that pistol grip though

May I ask what your planning on using the gun for?

 

[jackson24]

Thanks. I feel better now.

 

[jackson24]

I bought it mainly for Home Defense. But would not mind maybe putting the stock buttend on at times and shooting clay pigeons at the range.

 

[Southyness]

Your gonna have to break clays quick with that shotgun. It only has a cylinder choke. Good for defense, but not clays. You'll see what we mean when you try. Also, get plenty Of practice with the grip and the stock. The pistol grip may prove too hard and uncomfortable to use. I put the stock back on mine for hd. More stable and cOmfortable, but to each their own. Just try both. Also for future reference, the takedown screw won't screw in it if the barrel isn't seated properly. What do you plan on using for ammos?

 

[jackson24]

I kind of think that about the pistol grip also. I'll try both at the range and see how it goes. I like how it's small and easier to hide.
I bought some double ought buck for HD. Also some target ammo. Hey what do you think of a Marlin 30/30 for clay shooting ? I also was wondering if I could get another barrel for my Mossberg that would have threads for chokes? I've seen a few but they did not say anything about threads on it. Of course I could just use the Mossy for 100% HD and get somthing else for fun. What do you think ? Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it.

 

[Southyness]

I have a field security combo. Has a short barrel with a cylinder for hd and a 28" ribbed barrel with a fixed modified. That's alll I need, works for almost anything. You can buy new barrels, all mossberg 500 series barrels will fit, however none will fit the persuader length mag tube. You'll need to buy a 5+1 length mag and any barrel you want other than the persuader one, since it has a different length mag. They make fixed choke and removable choke barrels that will fit it with a normal size mag tube. Also 00 is good for hd, that's s good choice. And for clays, a marlin 30-30 won't work. You need a shotgun. A rifle could be very unsafe for clays

 

[Ranger30-06]

I kind of think that about the pistol grip also. I'll try both at the range and see how it goes. I like how it's small and easier to hide.
I bought some double ought buck for HD. Also some target ammo. Hey what do you think of a Marlin 30/30 for clay shooting ? I also was wondering if I could get another barrel for my Mossberg that would have threads for chokes? I've seen a few but they did not say anything about threads on it. Of course I could just use the Mossy for 100% HD and get somthing else for fun. What do you think ? Thanks for the advice I really appreciate it.

Okay I was in the same position so here's my thoughts:

If your into the pistol grip thing, then find a folding stock that you like and use that, only because you get compactness and a stock when needed. I personally recommend the Butler Creek folding stock like the one in the picture I attached. It's sturdy and won't mar up the gun. A note though: DO NOT shoot slugs with this folding stock as you will lose teeth! If you want to shoot slugs with this stock, you have to get a strip of thick rubber and superglue it onto where your cheek touches the metal. Buckshot and birdshot won't be a problem. Here's is the stock: Butler Creek Folding Stock

Southyness is correct though. Barrels are difficult to find for the persuader length magazine tubes because they are longer. Choked 20" ones show up every now and then on Gunbroker, so just keep your eyes open.

I have done clay shooting with a choke-free shotgun. It's difficult, but good practice when it comes to reaction time. It also lets you get a feel for your shotgun without wasting expensive buckshot and the like...

Do not use a 30-30 for clays. A) The range won't let you. B) It's extremely dangerous. C) You will NEVER hit a clay unless your incredibly skilled beyond belief. Just saving you some grief. Marlin 30-30's are fun on the rifle range though

 

[jackson24]

Thanks. I appreciate it. I'll probably buy another shotgun for clays and use the mossberg strictly for hd. When I was buying the ammo I accidentally bought 2 boxes of #4 along with a box of 00. What should I do with #4? just shoot it out at the range?

 

[jackson24]

Thanks for the pics. Nice Gun. That barrel looks bigger than mine? I'll get that folding stock. Thanks.

 

[lemaymiami]

Before anyone buys one of those folding stock contraptions.... You might want to re-consider. In 22 years of law enforcement during the era before patrol rifles were common most Departments used shotguns for their serious social situations. I've never seen a folding stock in use that didn't mark up the user.... Facial wounds from your own weapon aren't anything that I'd sign up for - and I relied on my shotgun in every armed confrontation on the street.

Pistol grips look great, and do have a use in certain situations. Day in and day out you'll be far better served with a standard stock on a police or HD shotgun...

 

[Ranger30-06]

Actually lemaymiami, the stock I showed is great provided you don't have a slugfest at the shooting range I can do buckshot and birdshot just fine with it, and when folded it's small enough to throw onto my quad for snakes and the like. It's definitely not for shooting a ton of rounds at the range, but it won't kill you to do a couple boxes.

jackson24: The barrel looks longer because I have the 5+1 shot magazine tube with an 18.5" barrel, whereas the Persuader model has a 7+1 magazine tube with a 20" barrel that ends flush with the magazine tube. Your shotgun will be longer by roughly 2".

As for the #4, if you have a 25 or 10 yard range they will usually allow you to shoot it there. Better yet, if they have an area that has no backdrop and you can just set up cans and the like in the dirt, shoot it there because then you won't but 5,000 holes in the backboard. It's all dependent on the range officer though. Good Luck!

 

[jackson24]

Mossberg 500

Ranger my mossberg is a 500 Persuader with a 18.5 inch barrel and 5+1 capacity. I wish I had the 7+1.
My Magazine tube is shorter than my barrel. Does this mean finding a choked barrel will be easier now ?

 

[jackson24]

I think I will put the standard buttstock back on. My dad is a 22 year retired SGT with San Antonio PD and he told me the same thing. He said they used Remington Shotguns in the 70's but then switched to Mossgerg's and back again. I guess it's whatever is the best deal at the time. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Ranger30-06]

Ranger my mossberg is a 500 Persuader with a 18.5 inch barrel and 5+1 capacity. I wish I had the 7+1.
My Magazine tube is shorter than my barrel. Does this mean finding a choked barrel will be easier now ?

YES! You will be able to use any standard Mossberg 500 barrels out there. You can get a 28" interchangeable choke barrel on Gunbroker for $20-$50 lightly used as well as a bunch of other lengths if your interested. The 28" barrel is the standard for clay shooting with a Mossberg 500 though.

Also, I just want to say that I am sort of changing my opinion on the Butler Creek folding stock. I was out shooting it yesterday and I guess I just never noticed it before, but the recoil is pretty harsh on your cheekbone. Not your shoulder, but your cheekbone. Clay loads were all fine and dandy, but when I went to full power buckshot it bruised me up a bit. Its a great stock for camping/truck gun/ATV riding because it's so short and light, but if you ever have to shoot slugs with it you'll seriously bruise your face. Just warning you. I will probably be switching out the stock for a pistol gripped full stock. Sorry for the previous advice.

 

[lemaymiami]

Ranger, I do know a few guys who could shoot a shotgun using that metal folding stock mounted to their shoulders... and come away no worse than maybe a bruise to their cheekbone. I have seen more than a few with split lips, bloodied noses, and other clear evidence that metal folding stocks aren't a very good idea. Most that have carried and used a shotgun on the street already know about that failing. If a beginner asks, I'll try to point them in the right direction....

 

[Ranger30-06]

Ranger, I do know a few guys who could shoot a shotgun using that metal folding stock mounted to their shoulders... and come away no worse than maybe a bruise to their cheekbone. I have seen more than a few with split lips, bloodied noses, and other clear evidence that metal folding stocks aren't a very good idea. Most that have carried and used a shotgun on the street already know about that failing. If a beginner asks, I'll try to point them in the right direction....

The reason I recommended it the first time was because I had used it a lot beforehand, but mostly when just having fun in the woods and to carry along when doing outdoorsy stuff. It is also one of the most heavily constructed folding stocks on the market.
Yesterday though, I tried speed shooting it (aim and fire as quick as possible) and twice it caught my cheekbone and really hurt my face! I thought to myself, "Dang! If this was a HD scenario, the bad guy wouldn't be the only one hurting!"

So I've changed my ways and am hoping to go with one of those ATI pistol grip full stocks as they seem to be liked and have a good cheek wield.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ranger, live and learn. I've not found a folder that's as comfortable as the standard wood stock. With 200 years of R&D behind it, I'm not surprised.

Let us know how the AR style stock works for you.....

 

[Ranger30-06]

Let us know how the AR style stock works for you.....

I'm actually going for the A2 style stock one here: ATI Pistol Grip Stock I'm not as crazy about the collapsible one as the fixed one because I had the Knoxx one previously, and the cheek wield was terrible! Ill start a new thread with photos when I get it.

 

[jackson24]

I'm actually going for the A2 style stock one here: ATI Pistol Grip Stock I'm not as crazy about the collapsible one as the fixed one because I had the Knoxx one previously, and the cheek wield was terrible! Ill start a new thread with photos when I get it.

Ranger that's awesome. I saw that before but was concerned about the quality. Let me know how it is when you get it. Hey I think I was told I could not replace the forend on my persuader cause the twin bars were part of it. Is this true? I wanted to add a green or red laser on mine if possible. Any ideas ?

 

[jackson24]

YES! You will be able to use any standard Mossberg 500 barrels out there. You can get a 28" interchangeable choke barrel on Gunbroker for $20-$50 lightly used as well as a bunch of other lengths if your interested. The 28" barrel is the standard for clay shooting with a Mossberg 500 though.

Also, I just want to say that I am sort of changing my opinion on the Butler Creek folding stock. I was out shooting it yesterday and I guess I just never noticed it before, but the recoil is pretty harsh on your cheekbone. Not your shoulder, but your cheekbone. Clay loads were all fine and dandy, but when I went to full power buckshot it bruised me up a bit. Its a great stock for camping/truck gun/ATV riding because it's so short and light, but if you ever have to shoot slugs with it you'll seriously bruise your face. Just warning you. I will probably be switching out the stock for a pistol gripped full stock. Sorry for the previous advice.

What does it mean in the choke type of the barrel when it says:

"Rifled"
"Accu II"

 

[Ranger30-06]

Ranger that's awesome. I saw that before but was concerned about the quality. Let me know how it is when you get it. Hey I think I was told I could not replace the forend on my persuader cause the twin bars were part of it. Is this true? I wanted to add a green or red laser on mine if possible. Any ideas ?

I'll make sure to let you know how it turns out! ATI products are a little mixed. Some of their stuff is really good, and others not so much. The stock seems to be a liked product so I'll give it a whirl.

As for the forend, its a little bit of a difficult subject here. There's three variations of how the front grip is attached to the action bars:

A) The grip slides over a 6 3/4" tube with a castle nut on the end. (This is the short tube type)
B) The grip slides over an 8" tube with a castle nut on the end. (This is the short tube type)
C) As of 2006, roughly 1/2 of Mossberg shotguns are made where the grip slides right over the magazine tube and is connected to the action bars by a U shaped piece of wire.

By removing the barrel, you can see how the grip is attached. Options A and B are able to be switched out with aftermarket forends, however option C is stuck with the stock forend. With options A and B manufacturers usually tell you what size tube the forend fits. Also, the long tube forends can be used on the short forend tubes but you need an adapter castle nut that you can find on MidwayUSA and Cheaperthandirt.com.

Now, if you really, really, really want to switch out the forend on an option C shotgun, MidwayUSA sells a new action bar/grip tube assembly for about $60 that allows the use of options A and B forends. Installation is as easy as field stripping the shotgun. Hope this helps!

 

[Ranger30-06]

What does it mean in the choke type of the barrel when it says:

"Rifled"
"Accu II"

Rifled means that the choke has a spin to it. It's for shooting Foster type slugs, NOT sabot slugs.

Accu II is the choke system I believe. Mossberg uses chokes called Accu-chokes in their guns. I'm not sure why your gun has these stamps as it should have no chokes. Check the muzzle of your barrel and see if there are two little groves across from each other. If so, take a quarter, stick it in the groves and turn counter clockwise. If something comes out, well your holding the choke. Can you put a picture of the muzzle/gun up?

 

[jackson24]

Rifled means that the choke has a spin to it. It's for shooting Foster type slugs, NOT sabot slugs.

Accu II is the choke system I believe. Mossberg uses chokes called Accu-chokes in their guns. I'm not sure why your gun has these stamps as it should have no chokes. Check the muzzle of your barrel and see if there are two little groves across from each other. If so, take a quarter, stick it in the groves and turn counter clockwise. If something comes out, well your holding the choke. Can you put a picture of the muzzle/gun up?

It's not on my gun it's on a web site that sells barrels for mossbergs. Mine does NOT have the screw in chokes. It's an open choke. I can still send pictures if you want.