Old Mossberg 500

[NorthWoods1911A1]

HI all,
So, I recently purchased a pre-68 mossberg 500 as my first long gun. It's in great shape and I've been shooting a lot of birdshot through it and just love it. While this may be a nooby question, considering the age of the gun, would it be in any way dangerous to shoot buckshot or slugs through this? It's an improved cylinder fixed choke, so that's not my concern. Just if there is anything about the first couple of years of mossy 500s I need to look out for when shooting heavy loads.
Thanks

 

[gulogulo1970]

If it's in great shape like you said, that's not really very old (1968) for a modern shotgun. I would trust shooting it, if it were me.

 

[GBExpat]

My 500A was a High School graduation present from my parents in Spring 1970.

It came with a 30" FC barrel that has, over the decades, handled, pretty much, every load commercially available.

I would have no worries about an IC bore 500.

Enjoy!

 

[NorthWoods1911A1]

Ok. Thanks guys. Just wanted to check

 

[kozak6]

The Mossberg 500 is a modern shotgun, and with an improved cylinder fixed choke, it should be safe to shoot just about anything, including slugs and steel shot, through it.

The one thing that could go wrong is shell length. If it has a 2-3/4" chamber, it would be unsafe to fire a 3" shell in it. Even if it fits. The correct shell length is marked on the barrel.

 

[rule303]

The single action bars like to break, and are pretty much unavailable. I would check it periodically and have it welded if it is starting to get loose at all. Other than that, great old guns that should last another 50 years.

 

[CajunBass]

Mine isn't quite as old as yours, (77) and mine is branded "Sears-Roebuck" but I've put many a 3" buckshot shell through it without a worry.

Good guns.

As above...make sure it has a 3" chamber. Should be marked on it.

 

[GBExpat]

The single action bars like to break, and are pretty much unavailable. ...

Dad bought one for himself several years after I left home. His 500A (also in my south gunsafe) sports twin action bars which makes it more robust.

 

[mnrivrat]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I think the 500 was always chambered for 3 inch.

I've owned a 500 for many years and have not broken an operating rod. If it happens however I think all you need to do is buy the double bar and cut the left side off.

I know this is a repeat, but you don't have to be concerned about the strength of your Mossberg.

 

[loose noose]

I bought my oldest son one (20 gauge) back in the early 80's, I believe 82-83, it only is chambered for 2 3/4" shells and has a single bar. It shot fine for him all these years, and I believe he still has it, I'll have to ask him about it one of these days. I know he used it up until the time he went to college, on a quail hunt we went on just before he left for school that year.

 

[GBExpat]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I think the 500 was always chambered for 3 inch. ...

I don't know about them always being so chambered but both of my "A"s (12ga) are marked as been chambered for 2¾" & 3".

 

[NorthWoods1911A1]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I think the 500 was always chambered for 3 inch.

Mine is only chambered for 2 3/4". It says so on the barrel along with the improved cylinder choke.

As for an update: I tried some Remington 00 buck and foster slugs and it ate them up and spit the shells right out. The gun did not blow up and I have all my fingers etc. as most of you were already sure I would.

As someone mentioned, I would hate to have that single rail break but, considering what I paid for the gun, it wouldn't be the end of the world. Maybe I'm crazy but the single rail seems to rack smoother than all the double rails I've shot. Maybe it's just because this gun is really old and broken in. I don't really know. I'm happy with it.

 

[mnrivrat]

I don't know about them always being so chambered but both of my "A"s (12ga) are marked as been chambered for 2¾" & 3".

The Mossberg 500's started production in I believe 1961 . I personaly have not seen one that wasn't chambered for 2&3/4 and 3 inch. But I don't know for certain so that's why I posed the question. If any others have a 2&3/4 inch only M500 I would like to know, or better yet ,a picture of the barrel markings would be great.
Thanks for your input.

 

[vkeith]

The Mossberg 500's started production in I believe 1961 . I personaly have not seen one that wasn't chambered for 2&3/4 and 3 inch. But I don't know for certain so that's why I posed the question. If any others have a 2&3/4 inch only M500 I would like to know, or better yet ,a picture of the barrel markings would be great.
Thanks for your input.

I have a Revelation R310AB that is marked on top of the barrel as

O.F. MOSSBERG & SONS, INC.
NEW HAVEN, CONN. U.S.A.
MODEL 500 12 GA.
2 3/4 CHAMBER 26 IMP. CYL.

Don't have a camera good enough to capture the detail though, sorry. Mine is a double slide action version that differs only from the regular 500s in that there is a stop and spring that prevents the forearm from coming off without removing the magazine tube.

 

[mnrivrat]

Thanks vkeith

I appreciate the input - looks like I just learned something I had not expected as I have handled many of the Mossbergs over the last 50 years. There is always the other possibility. I might have known this at one time and forgot !! LOL

 

[d2wing]

The only problem I had was the safety falling off.

 

[sfed]

I just picked up an older Mossberg 500A that came with the modified choke barrel, an 18 1/2 inch barrel and a slug barrel with rifle sights. The wood was like it was brand new as was the 18 1/2 inch and slug barrel, the only barrel that showed any signs of use was the modified choke barrel. The recoil pad was petrified!!! I replaced it and it looks like brand new now, I am keeping it beside the bed ready for the bump in the night stuff with the 18 1/2 inch barrel. I got it for $290 out the door. By the way it is a 3 inch magnum.