Mossberg 500A quality levels.

[Dannicus]

Yesterday I went out to pick up a cheap Remington 870 and came home with a Mossberg 500. I came across a very lightly used 500 with wood furniture, and 28" ported barrel. The fit and finish exceeded the new 870 express (not that the express' are showpieces). I dig Mossbergs because of the locations of the controls, but after handling the sorry examples that Big5 is selling, I kind of gave up on them. I was very glad to have actually found one that's put together pretty well.

Is there an unadvertised difference in quality between Mossberg's different 500s?

[Dannicus]

It was the field/ security combo. Very light anodizing on the receiver, rough bolt finish, and the action bars had visible burrs all along the edges.