why the price variance in mossbergs?

[coosbaycreep]

I bought a mossberg 500 12 PGO shotgun for $319 last year at a gunshow. Afterward, I came to the conclusion that I did overpay, but I see other ones similar to mine in the $300 range online. Today in a gunshop, I seen a brand new 500 8 shot with a full stock for $199. What gives? The pistol grip is cheaper to manufacture than a full stock. Besides that, I thought all 500s were the same, except for capacity, wood/synthetic/etc.

I believe mine says 500A on it (I don't feel like getting in the safe and looking at it right now). Is there a different grade of mossberg 500s or something? Why would they have a $100+ price variance on what should essentially be the same model?

Mine also has a heat shield and dual slide bar thingies. I don't know if the $199 500 I seen today had those or not, but I'm also wondering if maybe that's a reason for the price difference, because my 20ga 500 only has one slide bar, and also rattles quite a bit more than my 12ga.

I know maverick 88s are suppose to be the economy model, and 590s are the super awesome heavy duty tacticool ninja guns (I really want a 590 BTW), but is there different grades of mossberg 500s as well?

 

[MAX100]

The Mossberg you saw for $200 had the be a Maverick 88. The price will vary from $250 to around $300 depending on where you are shopping and the model. The big chain stores have them on sale quite frequently.


GC

 

[p89cajun]

Academy sales the regular 500 with wood stock for $205. The 88 is around $160 to $175 I belive. I bought the 88 because I liked the safty location more than the 500.

 

[MAKster]

The Mossbergs with the black synthetic stock and 18 or 20" barrel usually sell for around $290. The ones with wooden stock and 28" barrel sell for around $220. I would assume the wood and synthetic stocks cost about the same to manufacture. I think the price difference is a result of the synthetic stock models having the "tactical" label and therefore they charge more.

 

[RyanM]

I bought a mossberg 500 12 PGO shotgun for $319 last year at a gunshow. Afterward, I came to the conclusion that I did overpay, but I see other ones similar to mine in the $300 range online.

There are two places where you're pretty much guaranteed to overpay if you don't know exactly what you want, and exactly what it's worth. Gun shows, and online.