Mossberg Question

[timn8er]

Today I was at the range trying out a new to me 3rd Gen, & as I always do after I'm done shooting I wandered over to the used/consignment area to see if there was anything interesting. No pistols, but I did see a Mossberg 12 gauge pump, with a pistol grip. I couldn't get a model name or number because the sales staff was swamped as usual. They were asking $299 for it. It was gloss black not semi gloss like I remember the Prowler or the Cruiser(?)being. I've wanted one of these for years & I really can't say why. I have no idea how practical they are for home defense. Does anybody have an opinion as to if this is something worth pursuing?

Thanks!

 

[Hillbilly77]

Model 500? If so, a stout firearm.

 

[timn8er]

Thanks! I know I didn't provide much info;I think I'll go back Monday & if its still there lasso a salesman, if needed.

 

[kozmic]

I'm a big fan of the Mossy 500 (I assume that's what it is). It is durable and reliable. I would pass on this one however, because of the pistol grip. A pistol grip on a 12 ga is, IMHO, painful to shoot and impossible to aim. I could never understand the advantage of size over the ability to safely, accurately and comfortably shoot.

I have a 500 Persuader as a HD rig. I find it to be ideal for my needs out of the box although I put a Limbsaver and a tactical light on it.

 

[timn8er]

Yeah I know even less about shotguns than I do about pistols, so basically clueless. I did figure that a 12 gauge in that kind of package would be a handful, to say the least!

 

[Rintimtin]

Maybe one of those Just in Case (JIC) Mossberg's with out the tube or bag. But I think those are just 500's with different types of cases and accessories. I to have always wanted a pistol grip shotgun why I don't really know? Just because I can I guess.

 

[Rintimtin]

You can always buy an aftermarket stock for it, and put it back into a regular configuration. Then you would have both.

 

[5Wire]

Mossberg, there are several:

 

[CGhelofxr]

If it is a Mossberg 500, good gun parts are easy to come by, just be aware if it is a Maverick it is made in Mexico for Mossberg. Not as good a gun cheap parts and seems flimsy to me

 

[Jyezahn]

Sounds like a Mossberg 500. I have one. They are very popular and very good for home defense. Low cost and reliable. Also, if you JUST have a pistol grip, with no stock, yes, it's rather unwieldy to shoot. But you can get a pistol grip with a stock and have no problem. I actually prefer that, to the normal stock.

ATI | Gun Stocks | Forends | Rails | Advanced Technology International

 

[Straightshooter2]

I have a Mossberg 500 three feet from my bed. I've had it for about 25 years and it's my middle of the night SHTF weapon. I still have the wooden stock on mine but I had it shortened a bit due to my shorter length of pull. The Model 500 is a good firearm, but if it's a Model 88 (Maverick) I would think twice.

CW

 

[Farmer17]

I have a 12 gauge 28" barrel Mossberg Maverick I bought from Academy brand new for $159 about 6 months ago. I love Remington 870s and have had four or five of them but I like the Maverick just as well and there are some things I like better on the Maverick (slide release, loading port, forearm) than the 870. I bought a 18" barrel from Buds for home defense for about 80 bucks so I have less than $250 for a brand new gun with 2 barrels.

 

[2152hq]

The pistol grip accessory is an easy to buy item for most popular shotguns.
I wouldn't necessarily buy the shotgun just because it's already installed,,they aren't the most comfortable things to shoot.

Nothing really wrong with the Mossberg 500.
Aluminum frame and plastic trigger group. The steel bolt locks into the steel bbl hood though so there's no fear in a lack of strength.
The tabs on the trigger group that lock it into the frame break off easily. I think they've been reinforced w/a steel wire insert now from what they were originally.
I remember watching the CNC machine make those receivers from a brick of aluminum alloy in about 3 minutes each. Fast at the time! That was in '71. Just one machine making the M500 receivers. Without that shotgun, Mossberg probably would have gone out of business.

They work well,,they've made a boat load of them. Lots of L/E and Gov't contracts for them.
Some early problems with the safety as I recall, but that was taken care of. Patrol veh roofs were expensive.

But at the $300 asking price,,,I'd probably buy a plain used 12ga Ithaca M37 if given the choice.
Maybe a Remington 870.

 

[Danny2tek]

I have a 500 with a pistol grip but it also has an adjustable stock.

 

[timn8er]

Thanks everyone for all the good info!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

$300 on a used Mossburg seems high to me, nothing wrong with the guns though. Ivan

 

[Grayfox]

I'm also a fan of the Mossbergs. Great shotguns at a reasonable price. I particularly like the safety being located on top of reciever and right under my thumb. However, it doesn't work well with a pistol grip as the grip makes the safety button difficult to reach. Pistol grips also make the slide release hard to work. Then there's the mentioned recoil and accuracy problems. So I'm not a fan of pistol grips.

I've had this 590 about 15 years now. Added the sights, a tri-rail forearm and Streamlight TRL-1 to it last year. This what haunts the hallways around here.

 

[Rule3]

I like Mossbergs. I like were the safety is (on top) they have dual extractors.

$300 is too much for a used one. If you put another stock on it to replace the handgrip you will have more in it then a new one.

JMO and others a 20 gauge for HD is more than sufficient.

 

[Alpo]

As Gray Fox and Rule 3 note, the safety is on top. That is a great place for a safety, if you have a normal stock.

With a pistol grip, though, you have release the grip and move three inches or so to reach it.

Add that to the fact that a shotgun with an actual pistol grip (no shoulder stock, just the grip at about 90 degrees to the receiver) is very difficult and sometimes painful to shoot, and I'd pass.

If you absolutely HAVE to have a pistol gripped shotgun, get something like a Speed Feed.
http://www.rem870.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/remington_870_pistol_grips.jpg

 

[Jyezahn]

With a pistol grip, though, you have release the grip and move three inches or so to reach it.

I don't see why some see it as a problem to have the safety on top with a pistol grip. For me, if I'm just range shooting or trap/skeet shooting, it's no big deal to move my hand to disengage the safety prior to shooting.

If I am using it for home defense, the second I grab the shotgun, that safety comes off, and hand goes to the grip in one fell swoop.