Are the Mossberg 500’s not what people say?

[Dawico]

Moo pie

I can't quit laughing.

That needs to be a thing now.

 

[rotor]

If you don't like the 500s you sure won't like the Maverick 88. The damn thing works though and it works well.

 

[billtool]

I love mine.

My friend, first firearm purchase...and long time trunk monkey.

 

[MTA]

I feel personally attacked

 

[billtool]

That needs to be a thing now.

War name.

 

[robertc1024]

I poo-pooed them for years, then got my son one on the cheap. It's a solid gun. His is probably an 80's vintage.

 

[Sasquatch]

I've got a 12ga hanging on the wall, and a 20 ga my dad gave me to fix up for him in the corner waiting until I can find parts. They work and there is a ton of aftermarket support for them (or was, before the damn world went to hell and everything everywhere went out of stock)

They're not my preferred shotgun - in fact its not my first or second choice but its not a bad gun. I like the Benelli Nova first, followed up by the 870, then the Mossy, then the Chinesium NEF 870 knock offs for modern production guns. If we're talking out of production guns in the mix, the Winchester and Ithica shotguns would squeeze in somewhere around where the Mossberg sits now.

A cheap shotgun I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, even in today's market, are the Stevens guns. Had a bad experience with a brand new one, won't waste the money on something like that again.

 

[robertc1024]

Have to say, I like the safety. All of my double barrel bird hunting guns have the safety on top.

 

[MTA]

I have hunted with my 535 for years. I actually freed that gun from behind the iron curtain (bought it at dicks) for $300. It came with two barrels and it can shoot 3.5” shells.

I love Remington but the new 870 express is a pile of shit compared to a 500. I even handled a new production wingmaster and it felt cheap and nothing like they were pre freedom group. Rems old shotguns are undoubtedly outstanding, but my 590A1 takes a dump on all other pump shotguns

OP should handle a 590A1 before writing off Mossberg

 

[robertc1024]

I have hunted with my 535 for years. I actually freed that gun from behind the iron curtain (bought it at dicks) for $300. It came with two barrels and it can shoot 3.5” shells.

I love Remington but the new 870 express is a pile of shit compared to a 500. I even handled a new production wingmaster and it felt cheap and nothing like they were pre freedom group. Rems old shotguns are undoubtedly outstanding, but my 590A1 takes a dump on all other pump shotguns

OP should handle a 590A1 before writing off Mossberg

Yep, kinda sad. I've got an 870 Lightweight special. Oddball gun with an English stock for upland bird hunting. Solid as a rock.

 

[gll]

If you don't like the 500s you sure won't like the Maverick 88. The damn thing works though and it works well.

I bought a Maverick 88 Youth 20ga in the fall from Walmart for, I think, $188. It's definitely a cheap gun, but it works fine for blasting squirrels.

 

[Analog Kid]

I know this will probably trigger some Mossberg lovers but how could this shotgun possibly beat out the 870 or the 1300 in reliability or ease? I cleaned one up for a friend and it felt like it was made of cheap Chinesium with the aluminum and plastic. Pulled the trigger pack out and had both shell stops fall out. Also while torqing on the barrel nut the stock twisted on the receiver. I know it was my first time to mess with a Mossberg but it was much more difficult to manipulate in putting back together than any Winchester, Remington, Benelli or Beretta. Felt as if I needed a third hand. The only other pump I disliked cleaning this much was the Browning BPS but atleast that was good ol metal not plastic. I know the military adopted these but that doesn’t always mean they are the best.

Actually the military doesn't use the 500.. they use the 590. totally different build quality.

When reassembling a M500, I use 2 small but strong magnets on the outside of both sides of the receiver to hold the cartridge stop and the cartridge interrupter in place.......it makes it easy to reassemble.......

Seriously, you are a effin' genius. Those 2 parts are a balancing act hassle to deal with. You are the first person I ever heard recommend magnets. Genius level!

 

[Analog Kid]

I bought a wood stock 500 field in September at Walmart for $200.00 I did a pre-fire service and gave it to a friend for Christmas. they are good (not great) build quality. He loves it hunting up in Michigan. The 500 is built in eagle pass texas, a few of the parts are made across the border in mexico at mossbergs plant there. The maverick 88 is a cheaper version of the 500 and is built directly in mexico. The Savage (Stevens) 320 is a close copy of the winchester and is made in a state of the art factory in china.. it is a better gun than the Mossy IMHO. I shoot a 1995 model remmy 1100 and I love my 12 ga. benelli nova pump.

 

[Sam7sf]

Reassembly goes to the 870 but once you get used to it, like anything, it’s a walk in the park.

The qc on my 870 security raises an eyebrow. At the end of the day it’s a shotgun and as long as the trigger pack doesn’t fail I could care less. I will trade off that 870 long before my 590a1. You can tell it didn’t just sit in a car. I would love to know the stories behind it. She’s ugly but she’s one of my favorite guns.

 

[Moonpie]

Raffs in 1897 Winchester trench.

It is The Way.

 

[ZX9RCAM]

I bought my 590 mariner in the early 90s.
Have put about 8 rounds through it.

 

[Hoji]

I bought my 590 mariner in the early 90s.
Have put about 8 rounds through it.

That is shameful. Lol. I’ll give you $50 more than you paid for it and treat it right.

 

[zackmars]

Mossberg has 3 main lines, the Maverick 88, the 500 (535) and 590 (835, 590a1)

The mossberg is more user friendly, and typically has better QC and better finishes than Remington.

Its easy to hold loose guns like mossbergs and dismiss them, but being all nice and tight means the gun will be less tolerant of mud, dirt, dust, etc in the system

 

[popper]

My 88's work FINE, 870 ex is junk. Made in Eagle Pass from mexican steel parts. Dove don't care.

 

[Moonpie]

Remembered a tale about a Mossberg 500.

Some years back I went dove hunting with a co-worker who had a horribly maintained M500. This guy must of had a religious conviction preventing him from cleaning his firearm.
Rusted up, chewed up, front bead broken off, you name it that poor old Mossy looked awful.
While he was shooting it something hung up inside of it jamming the bolt closed on a live round. We couldn't get the bolt open but about 1/4" back was all.
Told the guy I'd take it home to see what I could do with it.
When I got it home I very carefully dis-assembled it.
I got the trigger group unpinned and working at it finally got it out. There was a thick tar like goo on everything!
Eventually an entire spent primer fell out!
After that it came apart like normal.
The inside of the receiver was coated in that thick tarry goo. It was literally decades of dirt, powder, carbon, and god only knows what else.
Had to soak the receiver in white gas for about a day to get all that goo loose enough to clean out.
Finally got it cleaned up and put back together.
It was so worn and loose that when you pointed the muzzle up vertical and gave the gun a shake the action would fall all the way open! It still locked up tight when closed.
To this day that remains THE filthiest gun I've ever dealt with.