Old vs. New Moss 500

[NocturnalDoc]

Came across a Persuader new in box, but circa 1995 or so (back of the closet). Any significant design changes between then and now? Interesting, the old price tag says $279, just about what you'd pay in 2010.

[spokes]

Not sure about the Persuader, but my 500A combo (came w/ long & short barrel) bought in 2009 has a cheesy action slide tube assembly. There's no slide tube...just a plastic forend that attaches directly to the action arms. It works fine, but feels flimsy and I imagine will eventually need replacing.

Upgrading the forend will be a hassle as I'll have to buy a suitable slide tube. Oh, well!

[DirtyDave]

Not sure about the Persuader, but my 500A combo (came w/ long & short barrel) bought in 2009 has a cheesy action slide tube assembly. There's no slide tube...just a plastic forend that attaches directly to the action arms. It works fine, but feels flimsy and I imagine will eventually need replacing.

Upgrading the forend will be a hassle as I'll have to buy a suitable slide tube. Oh, well!

I have the same combo 500. Bought a used forend slide tube off ebay for $30 so I could mount my Hogue stock and forend. Totally happy with it.

There should be no significant changes from 1995 til now.

[10ga-killa]

I would take the 95 model in a heartbeat over the newer cheaper stuff of nowadays.

[mydogsmonkey]

I would take the 95 model in a heartbeat over the newer cheaper stuff of nowadays.

+1 for sure, i cleaned up a friends 500 and compared to mine, it was way smoother and much tighter action. my new one was real sloppy compared to anything else, thats why i went with an 870, if you can get the old one take it

[rromeo]

For $279,grab it.

[Ballistic043]

IIRC the serial numbers are in a different spot, and the bead sight has different threading. the top of the receiver also is not tapped for a rail or optics like the new ones. i could be wrong but thats what i remember from my old 500

[Beelzy]

Old ones have two slide rails on the forearm and the new ones have only one.
Hence the wobbly action of the forearm. Saved the company a few bucks and
sloppied the action.

[AJAX22]

Old ones have two slide rails on the forearm and the new ones have only one.
Hence the wobbly action of the forearm. Saved the company a few bucks and
sloppied the action.

Pretty sure you got that backwards....

The pre 68 mossy's had one action arm, and the modern stuff has two...

My buddy has a pre 68 (no serial number) and he had to modify a modern pump assembly to fit onto it.

the slop on the modern guns is due to looser tolerances in the production not any inherent design characteristic (I could be wrong though, its happened before)

[Attiic]

Old ones have two slide rails on the forearm and the new ones have only one.
Hence the wobbly action of the forearm. Saved the company a few bucks and
sloppied the action.

Yeah, you either have it backwards, or you are downright wrong.
My 09 500 has two.

[MossbergMan]

My 1980's vintage 500 has 2 action arms, as do all my later pump action Mossbergs.

[Beelzy]

Well that's strange because I know I've seen units with one arm.

Were they 90's Defender shotguns??

[AJAX22]

Well that's strange because I know I've seen units with one arm.

Were they 90's Defender shotguns??

Pretty sure they were all pre 68 (or possibly a slightly later date)

I know the pre 68 guns all are single bar, not sure when they switched it over.

[NocturnalDoc]

IIRC the serial numbers are in a different spot, and the bead sight has different threading. the top of the receiver also is not tapped for a rail or optics like the new ones. i could be wrong but thats what i remember from my old 500

Yes, it looks like the main difference is that it's not tapped. I would like to add some ghost ring sights.

[NocturnalDoc]

Thanks for the responses. Now I'll just have to see if this thing goes "bang" when I push that little trigger thingy.