Sometimes old is better.

[22lr]

I bought a old Mossberg 195 12ga a few months back for $25. It was missing a bolt head, and covered in rust, but the price was right. I just finished painting it, and the missing bolt head arrived in the mail today. So I grabbed a few shells and headed out and see if the old gun was any good. I am pleased to say it shoots like a dream. With its walnut stock, and black metal it looks as good as it shoots to. The 195 was made in 1955-1956 back in the days when you didn't even need SSN#s and warnings all over the gun about how dangerous it is, its just a good all round gun. Light, handles very well, and the bolt action is unique in the world of semi and pump shotguns. Over all id say it shoots on par with my Mossberg 500.

 

[TidePride50]

Good deal. I picked up an old Revelation 300A (Mossberg 500) 12GA at a pawn shop the other day for a good price and it shoots very good too. I believe it was made around that time as well.

 

[Virginian]

My first shotgun was a Mossberg bolt action 20; Model 185K I think ? With the C-Lect choke. No bad memories.

 

[22lr]

I think ill be collecting these things, there addicting. A buddy of mine has the 190 16ga and ill probably be buying that from him. Id like to get a 410, and 20 as well to round out the collection. They can still be had for cheap if you look around, I bought both the 190 and 195 for $50 and my buddy bought the 190 off of me (kind of a work together project).

Im surprised but the shop owner said he had had them for a long time and at that price I really wonder if no one cares for the old guns anymore. For half the cost of a Mosin I got 2 American made shotguns, a darn good deal in my book.

 

[VirgilCaine]

My dad has a 20 gauge Mossberg like that. I should clean it up and shoot it sometime.

 

[22lr]

You should, they make fun projects and I think they look amazing. Or of course you could get your dad to sell it to me.

 

[The Deer Hunter]

Smooth bore, or rifled?

 

[22lr]

Smooth. I wish I had a rifled bolt 12ga but my 500 rifled will have to do.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Saw a mossie bolt in 410 for 70 bucks This past Thursday. But I was looking for a beater marlin 60.

 

[sohcgt2]

I'm now the second generation owner of a 20 gauge 185k with adjustable choke. My father used that gun to teach me how to shoot.

 

[22lr]

If you take one apart you see how incredibly simple they are. Even more basic than my bolt action rifles (by far). A lot of people don't like bolt action shotguns I guess, but o well that leaves more for me.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

A beauty!

 

[6_gunner]

Wow, $25 is a steal!

The 195 is slick, isn't it?

I used to skeet shoot with one occasionally, and it wasn't hard to work the bolt fast enough to get second shots on missed clays.


I once had a friend insist that there was no such thing as a bolt-action shotgun. When I told him that I had one, he said that it must be some kind of custom job.

 

[22lr]

Yup a custom build that is so custom it doesn't even have a serial number and that didn't even cost extra. Guys shell out big bucks for mag fed shotguns, im like ??? I got one for less than you paid for a 5 round mag, LOL. Ive got the bolt action down to 2 shots on the same bird, so not to bad to get good at (helps that im used to bolt action rifles). I still need a new safety so I don't carry it with the chamber loaded so ill just have to stick with 2 shots for now.

 

[amd6547]

I walked into a Gander Mountain last year and found a mossberg bolt 12 that looked brand new, tagged at $65!!
The only firearm I have ever bought from Gander Mountain.

 

[Virginian]

Well, all I can say for getting older is it beats the alternative.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Very nice, I've always wanted a bolt action 12 ga.

 

[plumberroy]

I have my dads old mossberg 183 .410 I get out once in a while and get a mess of squirrel
Roy

 

[22lr]

Well Jorg, about 2 weeks ago I would have sold it but no chance now. I bought it as a cheap project and now I don't think ill be selling it anytime soon. Ive even thought about replacing my 500 with the 195, haven't decided for sure though.

Anyone know if its safe to go blasting high brass loads through these guns?

 

[vesmcd]

22LR, I would not shoot hi-brass/heavy loads thru the Mossberg bolt shotguns. The only lock up is the root of the bolt handle. Check yours for cracks before shooting it much. IIRC, Mossberg did a buy back of their bolt shotguns a few years ago.They are fun though, I've had several of the .410bore version.

VesMcD