Popped my gun cherry, need advice.

[Hayashi Killian]

I can now feel like a true Calgunner rather than a wannabe. I purchased a Mossberg 500 Security at Big 5 for $280 today (way cheaper now, anyone who hasn't hit the sale should get one). Now the 10 day wait is killing me.

So rather than just add in a "me, too" post, I'm looking for anyone who owns a Mossberg 500A for advice. Anything you can tell me about what to look out for, what to expect when shooting it, anything on proper maintenance (that's not covered by the manual I expect) and anything else would be greatly appreciated. I've already done a lot of research but as someone who works in IT I'm very familiar with all kinds of "undocumented features" or little tips and tricks that aren't (widely) known.

[Silverbullett]

Congrats! I was going to ask this very same question but, once again, I was beat to it. I'm subscribing to this thread.

p.s. I got the exact same deal from Big 5. I picked mine up this past Tuesday. You should have seen me grinning.

[Ishoot]

Nothing much to look out for really. Take it apart when you get it home and look at all the moving parts and there's not much to it. Pretty much the reason why pump shotguns are so reliable. Clean/oil it regularly even when not used and it should run great for a very long time. The 500a Persuader (also purchased at Big5 years ago. ) is actually my go to gun for home defense. Practice firing it and try to avoid short stroking. Pump it like you mean it.

[WhiteHot]

My advice. Shoot it. Go to wally world, buy a few hundred rounds of birdshot, a case of clays and a handthrower, and go out with a friend and shoot the crap out of it. Also get some slugs and buckshot to get the feel of it. Clean it if you want to Its a pump shotgun.

[an actual gun]

Other than some gunsmithing information on the full/detail strip, there is probably not much I can tell you about the Mossberg 500 that you don't already know or won't soon find out when you learn the basic field strip process of disassemble/reassemble.

I guess one thing I can mention is, when you go to shoot it, make absolutely sure you're coming all the way back with the slide. Don't worry about being rough with it. One of the common problems people will have with any pump action shotgun is they might notice it hanging up on a round and worry that something is wrong. More often than not, nothing is wrong and it's mere user error. Coming back too gentle on the slide will cause hangups.

As for something to look out for, and this is just kind of bonus, but check your forend assembly to make sure it's a genuine Mossberg 500 action as opposed to the Maverick 88 slide tube.

This one you probably already know, but check your magazine tube for the presence of a wooden dowel. These are put in there as cartridge capacity limiters for hunting. If one is present, you will only get 3 rounds into your gun. They are very easy to remove and put back. Basically just take the barrel off and it will shake out. You can do a search for more details on that if you aren't familiar with it--but the Mossberg 500 I bought from Big 5 didn't even have the dowel in there.

[Hayashi Killian]

Everyone, thanks for the advice so far.

cbn620, I've been watching your responses in Silverbullett's thread and adding them to a list of things to do. How do I check the action to be sure, will there be markings/a stamp/etc. to look out for? And I already knew about the dowel to comply with waterfowl hunting laws, I didn't disassemble the floor model to check. :P

[throwdown808]

Congrats and happy hunting.......

[tankerman]

Popped my gun cherry

Wow, you're a cheap date if buying a Mossberg is popping your cherry.

[Hayashi Killian]

For right now, I need to be a bit cheap. I'll be getting a CZ-97B and a rifle or two once I get more steady income right now.

[Meety Peety]

Congrats on the first purchase! One thing I will add that hasn't been said yet is that it would probably be worth your while to pick up a few different boxes of ammo to try out. Pick up some 8, 7 1/2, 6, 4 , 2, and 00buck in a small quantity (Well probably a large quantity of 7 1/2 or 8 for shooting later) and get a feel for the different load sizes. If you plan to use this for HD purposes, you'll want to pick up some 00 or 000 buck from different companies to see what you and your gun like best. I get the best spread, feed and cycling out of Hornady TAP followed closely by (A little surprizing) Federal blue box. As far as trap loads, most of my shotguns like Remington Nitros. Peters plated always does well as far as hunting loads go.

The best thing you can do is just take the thing out to the range and shoot it, often. Shotgun ammo is still dirt cheap, makes for a lot of fun days at the range.

[AndrewMendez]

You guys missed all the cool stuff! You have to get yourself a nice side saddle, and sling to go with it. And if your going to be using the girl for HD, then you need to get some type of light on it! Oh and... shoot the hell out of it! $22 for some bird/game loads! Throw some slugs in too, and most importantly. HOLD IT INTO YOUR SHOULDER TIGHT!

[shoupdawg]

BA/UU/R

<Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat>

Enjoy man!

[HondaMasterTech]

Side saddle for HD. A light is not a bad idea either. This is a Leatherman. Designed for function rather than form. You'll like it. My advice is pick up a dozen cantelopes or watermellon. Hit 'em with buck and bird loads. See what happens. Then blast one with a slug. Get an idea of the effectiveness of different types of ammo.

[bigthaiboy]

My first guns were a 1911, a SKS, Mosin M38, Mausers, Lee Enfields etc. Then I bought the a parkerized Mossberg 500 Persuader (7+1), and was pleasantly surprised when I realized how much fun shotguns were. They are especially fun when you take one out to the desert, with a bunch of melons (from the 99 cent store) and shoot them with slugs and 00 buckshot.

[Sheepdog1968]

Congrats. Its a great gun. Get a sling, side saddle and light and light and your lifetime home defense needs are done.

I would strongly urge you take a two or four day training class. If you can get a Frontsight certificate for sale you will get great training for not much money.

After that just practice practice. A knoxx recoil reduction stock (not the pistol grip one. Go w rifle stock version) would be the only other thing if the recoil is too much foe you.