picked this up the other day.....how did i do?

[M-Cameron]

so i picked up this Mossberg 500 at a gun show for $120, it has a 'C-lect' choke on it, which from what i can tell dates it to 1970-1977. its mechanically perfect, but its been heavily used, which is what i like, a gun thats been used means its a gun that can be used.

i plan on using it mostly for informal trap/skeet, as well as general plinking

• the bluing is ~75-80% and i am in the process of touching it up to bring it back to near 100%
  
• i am planning on picking up some aluminum black to fix the scratches on the receiver.
  
• the wood is in great shape with the exception of 'kill' marks carved into the back of the stock, i am planning on filling and staining them to match the rest of the stock as best as possible.
  

.....so, for $120, how did i do? also, any additional information on either the gun, or restoration tips would be appreciated.

 

[jaguarxk120]

Take a look at the DuraCoat stuff that Brownells carries. Could cover all the scratches and wear marks on the reciever.

As for the stock, I would give it the car wax treatment, clearcoat polish then the wax. You might be surprised on how it will "come up".

And by the way for $120 you did well.

 

[Dave McCracken]

You did well. Enjoy....

 

[snooperman]

Good buy on a very reliable shotgun that should last many years. Shoot it often and have fun.

 

[justice06rr]

Uh.. you did horrible.

You need to get rid of it and sell to me!


Very nice pickup and congrats.

 

[Flyincedar]

You'll need to get that receiver evenly scuffed up, with no deep scratches for duracoat to come out right. We use a lot of it in the shop, and surface imperfections will definitely show

 

[Uniquedot]

so, for $120, how did i do?

The barrel with the choke alone is worth what you paid for the gun.

 

[303tom]

That`s real nice for 120 buck, good find..............

 

[PhotonSD]

Congratulations on a great find. I was about to use Brownels Aluma Hyde on a S&W snubby that I thought was just a work horse. My Gunsmith tells me it is more valuable than I first thought and should be professionally restored. Look into Aluma Hyde as it is thick and relatively easy to apply. To be honest that is a quote from their web page as I have not used it yet. Just might work for you though. Good Luck.

 

[Old Unc']

still plenty of mileage left on that one...

 

[Salmoneye]

Done good...

I am a proponent of adjustable chokes...

 

[MrDig]

I would say you have done well, if I look at the local market the Barrel you have on its own is worth that you paid.
A functional Barrel on a working receiver is easily worth twice what you paid for the gun regardless of the condition of the finish.

 

[7thCavScout]

I always enjoy it when members here get a great deal! Well done!

 

[M-Cameron]

thanks everyone.

i got around to getting it touched up a tad, figured youd all like to see


its amazing what a little cold blue and wood filler will do to a gun....













not the greatest job with the wood, but it looks a lot better than it did, its a shame the wood filler didnt accept stain too well, if im ever feeling up to it, i may just carve that section out and replace it with a new section of wood.



and i got that hideous nail polish off the front sight, it actually made it much easier to see.

 

[MCgunner]

I notice it's got dual action bars, newer than what I had. Mine was labeled "Revelation M310" and had a 2 3/4" chambered C-Lect 26" choke barrel. I bought a new vent rib 28" Mossberg accu-choke barrel for mine for 100 bucks off Numerich Arms. I'd traded for the gun when steel shot got mandated and wanted it to be steel compatible, which I wouldn't shoot steel through that funky adjustable choke. The new barrel was a 3" barrel and the action fed and ejected 3" stuff just fine to it. I also bought new wood for it cheap because the wood that was on it didn't match and, heck, the wood was only about 50 bucks front and rear. It was a good gun, well broke in, but I got the urge for something new about 10 years later and bought a new Mossberg 500 camo/synthetic for 200 bucks (had an FFL at the time) and sold the old Revelation for $100.

So, to answer you question, my old gun had scratches, too, and the wood didn't match. When I sold it, I got 20 bucks less for it than you just gave for yours. I think you got a good deal.

 

[Chevelle SS]

Well done!

 

[Uniquedot]

You might want to try birchwood casey aluminum black on the receiver.

 

[armoredman]

I had a Select Choke Mossy, bought new in the mid 80s. I thought it was a pain to use, but kinda neat. Nice gun, sir.

 

[Ryanxia]

Not too bad.

 

[M-Cameron]

UPDATE: Refinished just about everything!

i figured you guys would like to see an update.....

now to be honest with you, i HATED the "restoration" i did to it, so i redid it all.

i i ended up painting the receiver and mag tube with some super hard wearing epoxy enamel paint

i then stripped the wood and restained it with some real nice red mahogany stain (now i dont know what kind of wood they used, but getting it to take stain was incredibly difficult), i then hit the wood with 6-7 coats of polyeurothane....and i couldnt be happier with the results.


wood stripped, damn wood stripper ate through 3 layers of gloves and gave me a nice chemical burn.



stock and forearm drying nicely










All assembled and looking like a champ.

its not heirloom quality, but im in no rush to get rid of it now

not too shabby for a $100 gun show find.

 

[Bozwell]

Not bad at all!!

 

[allaroundhunter]

That is a great restoration job there! It is (for lack of a better word) a beautiful gun!

 

[snooperman]

You did very well. Enjoy it. The Mossberg has a fine reputation of excellent reliability and if taken care of , will last for several generations.

 

[AI&P Tactical]

Fantasic DIY refinish job. Any chance you could make me look that good?