New to me Mossy short barrel. Questions and Comments please!

[karz10]

Ok, here it is, got this 500 off a guy at the show today, he was a dealer, but selling this himself used....

Interested in learning more about it, other resources I should know about, ammo options and prices, total noob to shotguns, other than reading some about them on here the last several months. Any help, advice, resources to get info, parts, how to clean, etc., all appreciated!!!!!





Been wanting a 12ga pump for awhile, knew I would probably like a Mossy if I found one w/ the right stuff on it. I could have bought all the add ons myself, but I knew they came in different configs. I wasn't a big fan of the side saddles on the right side of the adjustable stocks you see out there, but I did like the adjustable stocks.

I guess I liked this one coz of the muzzle brake, where he put the side saddle on it, and the folding stock is cool for some applications. I also like where the safety is located on Mossbergs, right up in your face, just liked it that way for some reason.

I wanted one as another alternative for home defense, as I only currently had a handgun so far. And I thought it would be fun to take out and shoot, which I'll have to do to get proficient with it. Not that I'd be super competitive, but I think I could technically use it in a three gun match for fun, which is one of my goals one day, have to get a rifle now, that's a whole other adventure though.

Whaddya think!?! Oh, and like I said, anyone feel free to point me in the right direction on cleaning tips, parts and accessories, various loads for fun and SD, and some good places to check ammo prices too. Thanks!

Oh one more thing, I see just a little surface rust on the outside of the barrel, so I need to get on that right away. Just a couple tiny spots. The only surface I'm used to so far is Tennifer, so this is all new to me!

Karz

 

[dfariswheel]

The "muzzle brake" is actually a stand-off device for shotguns used by military and police SWAT teams to blow off door locks and hinges.
The stand-off has a serrated front to help hold the muzzle in place when it's pressed against the door, and the vents vent gasses safely out the sides to prevent possibly blocking the muzzle and causing the barrel to bulge.

I recommend getting a Mossberg owner's manual and field stripping the gun, including the magazine.
Spray the metal, inside and out, with a dripping wet coat of CLP Breakfree.
While it's wet, use a brass "toothbrush" to scrub the rusty areas.
Spray out the trigger group also, then drain and shake the excess out.

Allow the gun to soak for about 20 minutes, then wipe off the excess and reassemble the gun.
After this, every time you handle or use the gun, apply another thin coat of CLP Breakfree with a patch.
The Breakfree will clean any factory or old lubes off the metal, will help soften and loosen the rust, and will build up a rust preventing layer of Teflon to keep the gun in good shape and free of more rust.
This also provides all the lubrication the gun needs.

To clean the gun after firing, buy a shotgun rod, a couple of 12 gauge brushes and patches, and a shotgun chamber cleaning tool.
The chamber cleaning tool is an extra-stiff bronze brush that's used to scrub plastic and carbon fouling out of the chamber.
Keeping the chamber clean will eliminate extraction and chambering problems.

Many people like the Mossberg top mounted safety, BUT...... With a folding stock, it's going to be slow and awkward to use.
Since you already have a folder and a side saddle, there's not much in the way of accessories that you really need except for possibly an "on board" light.

The best "accessory" is shotgun shells and practice.

The cheapest ammo is going to be at Wal-Mart, BUT..... beware of cheaper ammo. Many people have problems with it causing extraction problems. Experiment to find cheap practice ammo your specific gun "likes".

For defense use, about the best is #4, #1, or #00 buckshot.
Many people like the #1 buck as a good compromise between more shot and better penetration. The #1 buck is ballistically the best, but it's hard to find.
These days a lot of home defense shooters and police departments are using "Reduced Recoil" ammo in the shotgun.
This is lighter loaded ammo that gives the same "stopping power" but reduces the pounding heavy buck shot gives you.
This also allows you to generate follow-up shots MUCH faster.
Some people also like to use slugs, but beware of over penetration endangering your neighbors.

 

[karz10]

Wow, that was an excellent first reply. Thank you dfariswheel. I'm still open for other comments and suggestions, but you've given me a lot to go on, and work on, already. Thanks again.

Yeah, I knew what the purpose of that thing was, didn't know if it was actually called a muzzle brake or not, but that's the closest thing I could think of. I know it's not a necessity, and hopefully I'll never be all up on something, or someone, while firing this thing, but I figured it doesn't hurt anything to have it, and who knows, it might just come in handy one day, why not?

I see the manual online, I'm gonna get some new office paper and print out a copy. I also some some assembly/take down videos online, but if anyone knows of some good videos, shoot em over, otherwise, I'll go w/ what I've found so far. I want to make sure I lube all the right parts, so still looking for a video of that. I'll go buy all the cleaning stuff this week and do the regimine you suggested dfw. I can't wait get it all cleaned up (it looks clean now, but I need to go through it anyway) and go shooting!

I'll try to experiment w/ some of the ammo you mentioned and see what happens. I know that stock won't be the softest thing in the world, but hopefully it won't be too bad!

Since it has two areas to store cartridges, I was thinking one option would be to keep the defense load, #00 or whatever I choose in the gun, and on the sidesaddle closest to the tube, and keep some slugs in the stock holder, if needed I'd have a few on the gun at least.

Thanks again for the tips so far.

Karz