What to do first? Newbie questions.

[Silverbullett]

I wasn't sure where to post such a newbish question, so I figured this place was a good place to start.

I took delivery on a new Mossberg 500 Persuader this past Tuesday.

Do I even have to do anything being that it's new?

If so, what am I supposed to do first as far as cleaning or maintenance?

Any and all tips and suggestions are welcome. Thank you all in advance.

[Ishoot]

Look at the manual and field strip it. Buy a cleaning kit and clean and oil since it usually comes slightly dirty from the factory. Can't hurt to spend some time fondling it too.

[prc77]

HI JEFF check out the vid very helpful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKbWcPdTRBI

get some cheap birdshot and hit the range

[00BuckShot]

Play with it. Take it appart, put it back together, maybe even do it a few times. Get to love it. Read the manual. Clean it even if it doesn't need cleaning. It's always good to practice. Get some cheap Federal loads and go into the hills and blow ***** up. Have fun and be safe.

Mossberg 500 was the first shotgun I purchased a WalMart when I turned 18...still have it hanging on the wall to this day. Not my best gun but it's sentimental.

[Silverbullett]

Will do! I appreciate the advice guys.

[Silverbullett]

2 more questions. Keep in my mind that this shotgun is my primary home defense and I live in a high crime area (garage was burglarized 3 months ago).

What is the safest way to store it while also keeping it ready for action at a moments notice?

If I keep the magazine full, will it damage the springs inside?

Thanks again for all the help. I really hate to bug you guys with these questions that have probably been asked thousands of times before. I really want to be as safe as possible with this weapon.

[an actual gun]

Magazine full, safety on, nothing in the chamber would be the safest but most ready way to keep it. No, it will probably not damage the magazine follower spring. This is discussed ad nauseum when talking about handgun magazines, the consensus tends to be that more damage is done loading and unloading repeatedly when not in use. Keeping it loaded is doing almost exactly what the gun was designed to do. Even if it does minute damage, would you rather have an unloaded gun sitting around and have to worry about slipping rounds into the tube with someone trying to break down your door and adrenaline pumping through you like mad? My opinion is a defensive firearm should always be ready to go when you are. If it makes you feel better you can buy replacement springs on the cheap, and they are relatively simple to install.

To my knowledge I have not heard of too many Mossberg 500's going bad because of a faulty magazine spring. They tend to have strong, reliable springs. These guns don't tend to break down often, but on the rare occasion when they do it is when the shotun is years if not decades old and far more likely to be something out of alignment than the spring being too weak. The bottom line is, this gun will last you a lifetime with proper maintenance and use and keeping it loaded will in all likelihood not prematurely harm it.

I highly recommend you break it down following the procedure in the video prc77 posted. If only to get a feel for the weapon. Do this a few times if you must. Like someone else said it will probably come kind of dirty from factory with a light grease over many of the parts. If anything, it also may not be very well lubricated.

I recommend giving it a good coat of Breakfree CLP. This product is great, especially for this kind of firearm. One of the common complaints with Mossbergs is that perhaps the action isn't always as smooth as it could be. Over time CLP will make your parts work like clockwork. The chemical composition of the lubricant pushes dirt and residue out of the pores of the metal and replaces such undesirables with teflon. The result is an extremely smooth action down to the molecular level, especially in firearms that have been repeatedly cleaned with Breakfree. I clean mine with Breakfree and regularly lubricate it even when not in use, and honestly I think my 500 could go toe-to-toe with more high dollar shotguns in terms of smoothness of action.

[Silverbullett]

I appreciate the quick reply cbn620. I'll be able to sleep more comfortably tonight. I finally cleared some space to break it down. Going to do it tonight after work. Thanks again.

[Bigballaizm]

My general out look is that if you take care of your "equipment" (rifles, hand guns, TW) they will usually take care of you (function like they are supposed too) Welcome & good luck!