Western Field 550 inheritance

[urasian]

Hello all, I recently inherited my father's Western Field 550. He's never been really into guns so he never did maintenance on it. Therefore it bore rust. I was planning to take it to the range to shoot some slugs so I stopped by my local gun store for a professional opinion before going since it is rusted and old (at least 30 years old). In short, they told me I couldn't shoot slugs. Reasons being
1) They weren't sure of the company
2) They believe it is a hunting shotgun meant for bird shot only (something about the barrel being rifled and that slugs need a straight bore)
3) The slug would shred the gun when it slams into the choke at the end of the barrel
4) Rust inside the barrel

The rust is predominately on the exterior of the barrel and magazine tube. The bolt seems to be in great shape. very minimal rust that won't be a problem with some CLP. So I was curious if I could buy a new barrel if I'd be able to shoot slugs? Would my gun be able to handle the pressure of a slug? This is my first time owning a shotgun so I don't want to mess it up. Especially one that's been with the family for so long.

[edgerly779]

To shoot a slug the barrel needs to be either a rifled slug barrel or an open choke like cylinder bore. First clean thoroughly. To see if full chole on a 12 gauge try fitting a dime in end of barrel if it won't go then it is full shoke and can only shoot sabot slugs so don't try any slugs..

[Ducky's Dad]

You need to find a different gun store.

[Thefeeder]

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What you have is a Western Feld shotgun make by Mossberg for Western Field.

The barrel is marked somewhere as to what choke it has.

Is the gun safe to shoot and can you shoot slugs through it:

You will have to do your own research on the net or take it to a gunsmith.

And yea, I second finding another gun store

[RandyD]

I inherited an old Westernfield shotgun from my father. As I recall, it was made by Mossberg. You can easily verify this by comparing your shotgun to photos found online of Mossberg shotguns. Once you verify the make of the shotgun, you can contact the manufacturer for details and restrictions. Generally, to fire a slug in a shotgun barrel, you want an open choke, and a previously comment stated it is common for shotgun barrels to have the choke stamped on it. Rust inside a barrel should not be a dangerous condition to firing a slug. If you have rust inside the barrel, it can be easily removed with steel wool wrapped on a spindle and attached to a drill. If you have a pic, attach it and maybe I can assist in identifying it.

[urasian]

maybe I can assist in identifying it.

I can identify the shotgun. It's definitely a mossberg. The internet says Mossberg made shotguns for Western Field and the pictures match up perfectly. On the barrel it does say "C-LECT CHOKE" if that means anything.

[Thefeeder]

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I would Goggle "mossberg c-lect choke"

Then goggle "shotgun choke"

Then google "good shotgun choke for slug"

See where this is going?

[RandyD]

I did a quick Google search on C-LECT. It appears that is an adjustable choke. There are countering opinions on using slugs with a C-LECT choke, so I recommend contacting Mossberg to get their recommendation.

[urasian]

Found this. Looks like I can shoot rifled slugs and buck shot. So now it should be a matter of cleaning.

[urasian]

I recommend contacting Mossberg to get their recommendation.

Take a look at the image I posted above. But just to be safe I agree with you. I'll make the call sometime soon.

[wweigle]

I think before you shoot it I would take a bore brush wrapped with course steel wool and clean and the barrel and see how the rust cleans up, its likely that unless its really deep pitting it should not compromise the safety of shooting it . Sounds like your gun shop is the typical, no good buy new mentality of today's retailers. offering no constructive suggestions. I have two Wards Western Field Mossberg 500s. One a twenty gauge with the C-lect choke built in 1968-1970, the other later probably sold in the early eighties fixed choke 12 gauge. Both with similar features and finishes. A standard Mossberg 500 barrel should fit your gun. Most Wards Western Field guns were just no frills versions of the factory named guns to meet a price point, and parts were interchangeable. How about a picture!!