Mossberg 500A questions

[Robo_Railer]

I've just started planning some upgrades to an "old" 500A that has sat in a fleece-lined case for several years. It's going to want refinishing, if nothing else. The safety has "gone froze," possibly from changing back to the wood stock from the pistol grip. (One of the many things I've learned from reading the THR archives.) That (and maybe the trigger assembly) will get replaced.
Was also pleased to find a SureFire 622 light with it, never installed. I have a new battery on the way for that. I think that forend will cycle without bumping into a 6-round SideSaddle®.
I know it's not really "old" as in one of the first ones made ('61, was it?) because it has dual action bars. Haven't yet done any serious research on the serial number to find out its real age. (K883XXX)
Some questions:
1) Is it possible to get a barrel/magazine tube set to replace the existing 18½", 5+1 setup? An extra 2" of barrel might also come in handy for mounting a better front sight.
2) The SpeedFeed® sets that will fit a 500 or 590 specify "long action only." Does that mean "not Bullpup," or something else? (And I'm thinking about the SpeedFeed III model.)
3) This 500A has just a very minimal bead front sight, and no rear sight. Suggestions for a ghost ring/whatever set to upgrade this? (Hmm, just spotted the MX500 set at DeltaForce.com; that's kinda neat.)
4) What do you like for a high durability/low shine refinishing? (This is going to be a home defense and possibly cruiser gun.) Something matte black, maybe.
5) Has anyone tried the Choate 02-05-02 follower, or maybe compared one to the red or orange aluminum ones? The Choate seems to be about a quarter of the price of the aluminum ones I saw somewhere.
I think I might also replace the magazine spring while I'm at it.
Thanks for any ideas.

--
Doug

 

[foghornl]

Mossberg has a lot of barrels to choose from for the 500 series...from the 18-1/2" smooth cylinder bored with only a bead, rifles barrels with rifle sights, fiber optic sights, and regular "Field-n-Woods" barrels with vent rib, changeable choke tubes, etc. Visit Mossberg's website for more details:

www.Mossberg.com

You would have to change the mag tube as well as barrel if you wanted the larger mag capacity, but at that point, it is nearly the same cost as buying another Mossy with the larger magazine.

I have 2 Mossbergs right now...My "Maverick 88" [Made by Mossberg] that wears the 18-1/2" HomeLand Security barrel, plus my late father-in-laws OLD 500A with a 28" Modified choke barrel...the one that originally came with my Maverick 88.

Anyway, Mossbergs are good solid serviceable shotguns. Buy cases of ammo, and just try to wear it out. Bet your grandkids will still be blazing away with that Mossy, when we're both on that Big Shooting Range in the next world.

 

[Robo_Railer]

Thanks for the input.
I did some more looking around on the 'Net today, and one site I visited was Brownell's. They listed some barrels, but didn't seem to have what I wanted in stock. I'll go surf around Mossberg's site tomorrow.
At least some things like the SpeedFeed stock are available for a Mossberg. My Ithaca 37DS is going to be a lot harder to find accessories/replacements for.

 

[mrmeval]

Barrels? You can get several types of field, deer, tactical. I had the original barrel on mine which was for bird, a rifled slug barrel and a black powder muzzle loading barrel that used shotgun primers.

 

[19-3Ben]

Something else worth looking at that many people don't even think of for gun stuff---Ebay.
I know when I was looking for barrels for my Rem 870, they had tons there.

Other than that there's Midway:
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.ex...tegorystring=10636***10560***10021***11557***

or Cheaper than dirt:
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/model500_gji.htm

to name but two of many.

 

[Robo_Railer]

Barrels? You can get several types of field, deer, tactical. I had the original barrel on mine which was for bird, a rifled slug barrel and a black powder muzzle loading barrel that used shotgun primers.

Yeah, I'm just looking to go to a 20" in order to use the larger mag tube. I might just decide to leave it as-is and just do some of the other upgrades I've been looking into.

Dang, I forgot about Midway and CTD. I do have both of them bookmarked, but I'll use those links right now, before I forget again. (Just a few more sips of coffee, and I'll be fine. )
Thanks.

 

[dfaugh]

Well, I paid $219 brand new for my 20" 7+1...So keep that in mind. If you wanna replace both barrel and mag tube, I suspect it'll cost almost that much.

 

[Robo_Railer]

If you wanna replace both barrel and mag tube, I suspect it'll cost almost that much.

Yeah, somebody mentioned that earlier. I haven't "crunched the numbers" yet, but if it turns out to be too big an outlay, I'll just rely on things like the SideSaddle and SpeedFeed. If a new barrel includes a better sight, then that might make it worth any added cost. That little bead has gotta go.
Also didn't see the 20" barrel listed at CTD or Midway. That's the only size made for the longer mag tube, right?
Is it possible/practical to have a 'smith relocate the lug on a 24" and cut it down to 20"? That would probably also assume having porting, etc. done at the same time. (I do like the idea of that Vang Comp.)

 

[justsurvivingincalifornia]

Hello Robo
1) It is a pain to remove and replace a magazine tube. That’s best left to a the Gunsmiths. I have never done it my self but that’s what I have been told. Oh the long magazine tube with 20inch barrel version sell for 230$ New In The Box in my area. Not worth unless you got the parts real cheap.
2) Stock replacements: long action and short action refers to the action tube of the shotgun. The forearm measures ether 7-5/8(old style) or 6-1/2 new style.
3) Mossberg Factory Ghost Ring Adjustable Sight: You still need a gunsmith to solder on the front site. Not sure what that’s going to cost? Rifle sights maybe?
4) Refinish? You could use one of those spray and bake finish, but I would leave as it is unless you had a lot of bare metal showing.
5) Follower: I am not sure, but it’s so much trouble to remove the magazine tube, replace the spring, absolutely with a stainless steel one if you can find one.

If you are looking for spare barrels for you mossberg shotguns try this site http://www.havlinsales.com/
I have never done business with them, but the seem to be the only site that specialize in Mossberg parts other than mossberg.com

Also check out this site for more options of barrels http://www.maverickarms.com/pages/barrels.htm
There are 3 barrel listed for the long magazine tube see the bottom of that page

 

[swampgator]

It is a pain to remove and replace a magazine tube. That’s best left to a the Gunsmiths. I have never done it my self but that’s what I have been told

Actually my 20" Persuader tube came off under nothing more than heavy hand pressure.

If you want to remove it and it wont turn by hand, use something to support the frame and a pair of padded, non-marring pliers. Apply only enough pressure on the pliers to securely grip the tube. Twist.

Numrich has the 8 shot tube for $31.55. They also carry the 20" 8 Shot barrel used for $ 94.45. So for $126 you can upgrade.

Or you can find a used 500 for about the same, possibly a little more.

Decisions, decisions, decisions.

 

[Robo_Railer]

Thanks, Surviving and SwampGator!
Yeah, rather than buy a whole new one, I just want to upgrade the 500A I have now. (Some kind of misguided "Yankee frugality thing" going on here.) Still deciding just how hog-wild I'm gonna go with the modifications.

2) Stock replacements: long action and short action refers to the action tube of the shotgun. The forearm measures ether 7-5/8(old style) or 6-1/2 new style.

Okay, I just got that figured out with the help of Havlin's page. Anything K850XXX or before is "old style," so my K883XXX would have the short action. I can't find the page where I saw that bit about what SpeedFeed stocks would or wouldn't fit, so I don't think it's a big worry.

It does have some rust showing, so refinishing is in its future. Might as well go to something stealthier than the bluing.

Whether or not I put a larger magazine on it, the spring and follower will probably end up getting changed out. If I went as far as having it Vang Comp'ed or otherwise ported, then the refinishing and everything would probably be contracted to the same 'smith.
You guys have pointed me toward some good possibilities.
I'm off to start a new thread with a few more questions.