Old Mossberg 500a

[NewHampshire]

Hi everyone, I'm new here, decided to register and post looking for some help, since this community is always the first place i have been able to find answers with other firearm questions in the past!

I recently acquired an older Mossberg 500a from my grandfather's estate. Normally I consider myself to be fairly competent in evaluating the safety of the older firearms I've dealt with, at least as it comes to whether the gun is in good operating order. However I have no real experience with shotguns and their maintenance. I was wondering if you folks might have any advice as to particular things to look for on this gun to determine whether its serviceable.

I was told this gun was purchased in the 60's and apparently has not been fired, or really even touched since the 80's. I stripped it down and bore brushed the barrel and swabbed it, and the bore looks mirror smooth. The action looks... okay... the metal of the bolt and slides looks dull, and feels a little pitted, it was completely dry in there, but after my first attempt to clean everything, and applying some good new oil, the whole action operates smoothly and relatively quietly, and it will cycle a magazine full of shells through the chamber.

As for the outside of the barrel, well, it has some rust on the outside, I'm not really sure of how to describe the rust, it doesn't seem to be pitted, but it is somewhat three dimensional. I'll have to try and get a few pictures of it. I'm simply not experienced enough with the type of barrel pressures that a shotgun does or doesn't have compared to a rifle, and the barrel seems to be awful thin, so I'm a bit hesitant.

Anyway, sorry for the long post, the bottom line is
i'm looking for any advice on hot-spots etc. to look for on this gun to get an idea as to whether it's safe to fire (outside of taking it to a gunsmith, which will be my last resort)

Thanks in advance for any help!
-Paul

 

[RandKL]

Unless the barrel is *really* rusted through, there's not much to worry about. There's very little on that gun that can go wrong. Nothing age related. In the condition you described, I'd have no qualms about loading it up and firing it. The only thing I can tell you could be a real problem is that that gun, due to its age, won't have the hammer block drop notch on the hammer....that means if you chamber a round and then drop the gun, the gun can fire if it hits just right to release the sear. So don't chamber a round and then prop it in the corner. Beyond that, it's identical in form and function to modern 500's.

rich

 

[Schofield3]

Welcome to THR! from the sounds of it, you know what your doing - I mean you've taken it down and cleaned it thru, worked the action and chambered some shells. I'd say your good to go; Go shoot it!

 

[Al LaVodka]

Welcome Hampshire!

Pics would be useful as it is better to be cautious, but, it sounds fine as you've described in my unprofessional opinion. Sorry about your grandad. It sounds as though the gent left you a reliable arm and we all look forward to hearing about you being able to get to the range with it.

Regards;

Al