Beren
Moderator Emeritus
Found a Mossberg 500A 12g 20" "riot" style shotgun for sale, new, at $230. Is this a good price? Does the Moss make for a capable defensive shotgun? Is it hard to mount real sights (ghost ring) on it, and other accessories?
Mossberg 500A Advice
- Thread starter Beren
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Denton T. Young
Member
A friend paid $220. I wouldn't worry about finding the lowest price....if you like the gun, buy it!!
We've put about 800 rounds through it and no problems.
We've put about 800 rounds through it and no problems.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
Mossbergs are easy to mount ghost ring sights on. mossberg factory sights are less than 50 dollars, and the reciever has holes for it already.
the front is designed to be solver soldered or sweated on, but I drilled and tapped another hole in the barrel and screwed it on. (had to do some milling on the front of the ramp to accept the screw head).
mossies are a fine choice.
the front is designed to be solver soldered or sweated on, but I drilled and tapped another hole in the barrel and screwed it on. (had to do some milling on the front of the ramp to accept the screw head).
mossies are a fine choice.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Beren,Mossies make capable defensive shotguns when in the hands of capable defensive shotgunners.
While they won't last as long as an 870 under heavy use, it'll take a dedicated shotgunner and a large truckload of ammo to wear one out. A very large truckload...
Check the floating thread at the top of this forum for an overview of the Big Four, which includes the 500.
As for accessories, hold off on those until you've run some rounds through your new shotgun of whatever brand. The best accessory is lots of ammo.
BA/UU/R.
After you've practiced enough(and had lots of fun so doing) to become deadly to the right people, then add whatever options and accessories that will aid your effectiveness rather than just remove money from your wallet with a soft sucking sound.
And contrary to the preachings of gunshop commandos and those who make or sell sights, a bead sight is an excellent choice for "Serious" work.
From the sound of things, I bet you've little experience with shotguns and some with rifles. Best to get some lessons from a qualified instructor, rifle shooters have to unlearn things to shotgun well.
HTH....
While they won't last as long as an 870 under heavy use, it'll take a dedicated shotgunner and a large truckload of ammo to wear one out. A very large truckload...
Check the floating thread at the top of this forum for an overview of the Big Four, which includes the 500.
As for accessories, hold off on those until you've run some rounds through your new shotgun of whatever brand. The best accessory is lots of ammo.
BA/UU/R.
After you've practiced enough(and had lots of fun so doing) to become deadly to the right people, then add whatever options and accessories that will aid your effectiveness rather than just remove money from your wallet with a soft sucking sound.
And contrary to the preachings of gunshop commandos and those who make or sell sights, a bead sight is an excellent choice for "Serious" work.
From the sound of things, I bet you've little experience with shotguns and some with rifles. Best to get some lessons from a qualified instructor, rifle shooters have to unlearn things to shotgun well.
HTH....
OP
OP
Beren
Moderator Emeritus
Yes, my shotgun experience is limited strictly to a few blasts from an 870 at some misbehaving cans. I'll need to find some competent training. Most of my experience is with handguns. When I first started getting into firearms, my policy was only to buy what I could carry around with me on the street...without scaring people. 
Now I'm expanding into longarms, and I'll need to get some training on the rifle as well. Luckily, I have a highly-qualified ex-Marine co-worker who does security and firearms training on the side.
I have a nice Marlin .22LR that I've been using to get a feel for rifle shooting. Once my C&R comes in, I plan to pick up an SKS for $100 or so. And then, this summer, I plan to build an AR from kit. (J&T kit, Oly lower, most likely.)
Unfortunately, I currently live in an apartment, which greatly limits my defensive ammo choices when at home. Since I live on the top floor I have a few more clear lines of fire than I would otherwise - from a loss of life standpoint. I'm sure the complex would bill me for any damage to the roof...which would be quite expensive.
Is birdshot a safe bet for apartment use, or is there something even lighter I should pick instead? Rock salt? Oatmeal? Rice Krispies?
Now I'm expanding into longarms, and I'll need to get some training on the rifle as well. Luckily, I have a highly-qualified ex-Marine co-worker who does security and firearms training on the side.
I have a nice Marlin .22LR that I've been using to get a feel for rifle shooting. Once my C&R comes in, I plan to pick up an SKS for $100 or so. And then, this summer, I plan to build an AR from kit. (J&T kit, Oly lower, most likely.)
Unfortunately, I currently live in an apartment, which greatly limits my defensive ammo choices when at home. Since I live on the top floor I have a few more clear lines of fire than I would otherwise - from a loss of life standpoint. I'm sure the complex would bill me for any damage to the roof...which would be quite expensive.
Is birdshot a safe bet for apartment use, or is there something even lighter I should pick instead? Rock salt? Oatmeal? Rice Krispies?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Lots of opinions on proper shotgun ammo for HD, here's mine....
The Federal database I cannot access anymore had shotguns running 99% or so one shot stops, regardless of gauge, choke or load. Even a lowly 410 packs the same energy or more than all but the most powerful handgun rounds.
For the popular 12 gauge, think of a .73 caliber semi solid mass(Thing pre fragmented) of lead moving at at least 1100 FPS at target.
I used to say that breath mints would work at typical HD ranges, but I realized that someone might not understand sarcasm, so I've stopped.
Forensic Pathologists and ER surgeons refer to shotgun wounds as "Bloody Ratholes".
I suggest learning either the rifle or shotgun, then the other. The two are far more different than seen at first glance.
HTH....
The Federal database I cannot access anymore had shotguns running 99% or so one shot stops, regardless of gauge, choke or load. Even a lowly 410 packs the same energy or more than all but the most powerful handgun rounds.
For the popular 12 gauge, think of a .73 caliber semi solid mass(Thing pre fragmented) of lead moving at at least 1100 FPS at target.
I used to say that breath mints would work at typical HD ranges, but I realized that someone might not understand sarcasm, so I've stopped.
Forensic Pathologists and ER surgeons refer to shotgun wounds as "Bloody Ratholes".
I suggest learning either the rifle or shotgun, then the other. The two are far more different than seen at first glance.
HTH....
OP
OP
Beren
Moderator Emeritus
That helps alot, Dave, thanks for the advice. I'll probably end up shooting all three at the same time anyway when I'm at the range, but I'll try to limit myself to professional training on only one at a time.
Seems that the Walmart 870s may be safe to at least evaluate (see my other thread in this forum), so I'm going to check out their prices before I commit to the Mossberg. I'll need to see which one feels better in the hands, and whether the price difference is enough for me to care.
Seems that the Walmart 870s may be safe to at least evaluate (see my other thread in this forum), so I'm going to check out their prices before I commit to the Mossberg. I'll need to see which one feels better in the hands, and whether the price difference is enough for me to care.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
"I'll need to see which one feels better in the hands"...
That's the McCrule, get the one that feels best.
SO much of this is subjective, which is why Ithaca, Mossie and Winnie fans are as devoted a lot as 870 worshippers,even though the 870 is so clearly superior(G)!!!
Seriously, a good shotgunner is good with anything. Given that,it's still no surprise that good shotgunners are as prone to picking a favorite as the rest of us. Mayhap more.
That's the McCrule, get the one that feels best.
SO much of this is subjective, which is why Ithaca, Mossie and Winnie fans are as devoted a lot as 870 worshippers,even though the 870 is so clearly superior(G)!!!
Seriously, a good shotgunner is good with anything. Given that,it's still no surprise that good shotgunners are as prone to picking a favorite as the rest of us. Mayhap more.
My 500a is not drilled and tapped. Adding ghost rings would require a gunsmith for me.
Still, I paid $200 for mine in '94 and got a decent deal. I need to change out the butt plate for something more 'user friendly', but other than that, it is a good home defense unit.
I don't plan on shooting outside of close range with it. That's what other guns are for.
Get some low recoil buckshot for the home and you'll be set.
And of course, PRACTICE!, PRACTICE!, PRACTICE!.
Still, I paid $200 for mine in '94 and got a decent deal. I need to change out the butt plate for something more 'user friendly', but other than that, it is a good home defense unit.
I don't plan on shooting outside of close range with it. That's what other guns are for.
Get some low recoil buckshot for the home and you'll be set.
And of course, PRACTICE!, PRACTICE!, PRACTICE!.
XavierBreath
Member
I use a modified Mossberg 500A. I do not think there is a better shotgun except for a pre 1964 Model 12 Winchester Riot Gun. Chances are you will not find a pre 1964 Model 12.
You will find a good comparison of the Mossy 500 and the Remmy 870 here. http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
You will find a good comparison of the Mossy 500 and the Remmy 870 here. http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
Kahr carrier
Member
The price is right.
gangsta500a
Member
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Good shotgun
The shotguns are good cheap and pretty good quality .
I have put over 2000 rounds through mine with no problems at all it is a great gun for home defense i sawoffed my 18in barrel to 14 inches and it rips up haha .
The shotguns are good cheap and pretty good quality .
I have put over 2000 rounds through mine with no problems at all it is a great gun for home defense i sawoffed my 18in barrel to 14 inches and it rips up haha .
Yes, Yes, Not too hard. Mossberg makes a nice ghost ring sight kit. The rear sight mounts easily since the receiver on new Mossbergs is already drilled and tapped. The front sight is a bit harder since it doesn't screw on. You could glue it on with high strength epoxy or have it soldered on. You'll have to refinish the barrel if it's soldered.
I've got that exact rig with the sight kit and consider it an excellent HD shotgun.
AcceptableUserName
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I'd go for it. Real sights are overrated on a shotgun. Don't go out of your way to modify that. A bead and some buck is what the thing was meant to do anyway.
Grab it for 230.
Grab it for 230.
Sounds like a good deal to me. As others have said handle several brands and pick the one that feels best for you. Just a little warning. Shotgun collecting can be addicting. I have only two hands but I have three Remington police model shotguns.
evan price
Member
Uh, guys, this one is 7 years old already, I bet we can put a stake through the heart of this zombie...
AcceptableUserName
member
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wow. just wow. please have your mother lock the computer from now on.
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