Shot Gun Advice From So Cal

Mossberg 500, I've got several in different calibers and love them, very reliable and easy to fine tune and accessories are plentiful and inexpensive.

I'm currently looking for another to keep at our Desert house if anyone has one they want to sell. 20 guage would be prefered.
 
camojeep88 said:
and the mossberg 500 i bought from big 5 from the day i bought it gave me trouble jammed all the time barrel didnt like being changed out either a few friends had the same problem and another friend has an older on from the stockade and has no problem at all with it
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Its not the sellers fault if the gun was a lemon from the factory.

I bought one of those Colt/Umarex M4/22's from big 5, it broke within 500 rounds. Took it back and got a 10/22, no problems since.
 
JohnX said:
Care to elaborate, I'm curious because I have purchased couple guns there and have not had trouble with any of them.
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The only issues I've had is employees that don't know shit and the eleven day wait, I can deal with those.

As a rule I never pay attention to large chain gun shop employees, they're either idiots or idiots who think they know everything, gun shops have some of the worst customer experience than any niche market! Ammo Bros in Cerritos will steer you right, as will Riflegear in Fullerton but they probably don't carry inexpensive shotguns.

camojeep88 said:
and the mossberg 500 i bought from big 5 from the day i bought it gave me trouble jammed all the time barrel didnt like being changed out either a few friends had the same problem and another friend has an older on from the stockade and has no problem at all with it
Click to expand...

Are you sure you were changing the barrel correctly? On a 500 you need to move the slide a bit during the process to make it easier.
 
I personally have a Remington 870 Magnum 12G, got it from my uncle brand new with not a shot fired thru it. Haven't had a single problem with it ever, I shoot clays, rabbits, birds works great and I only have the 20 inch barrell on it. Can't say enough good things about the 870, I never had any issues with jams or anything else.

My friends that I shoot and hunt with have mossbergs, they seem to have a lot of problems wih jams and issues with cycling for a second shot. Sometimes it will jam the shell in the reciever sometimes it spits out the empty shell and the new shell leaving an empty chamber. I'm not trying to bad mouth the Mossbergs the two my friends use they have been hunting and shooting with since they were both young with there dad probably 20+ years, my Remington is only about 15 years old now but is still as smooth to cycle as the first day I used it. Just trying to give a comparison on how the guns last over time and use.

Oh and no the Mossbergs weren't abused or not maintained, my friend and his bro are waaaaaay more anal about gun cleaning and maintainance then anyone I have ever met in my life!

Hope that helps.
 
Have *you* experianced this with the Mossbergs? Sounds a lot like when folks weakly cycle the action instead of doing it briskly. I know plenty of folks who have been around guns their whole life who still use them wrong ;)

My m500 doesn't have a whole lot of mileage on it but I haven't had an issue with it. One thing I'd caution is the Norinco / Interstate coach gun (20" side by side 12 gauge). I need to look at mine because the firing pins are hitting light, I'm sure it can be adjusted though.
 
I plan on getting an 870 at the beginning of the year.
 
The mossburg 500 just feels cheap, when shot side by side with the Remignton870.

Not a bad gun, just cheap feeling. We used the 500 for ship defense.
 
GSequoia said:
The only issues I've had is employees that don't know shit and the eleven day wait, I can deal with those.

As a rule I never pay attention to large chain gun shop employees, they're either idiots or idiots who think they know everything, gun shops have some of the worst customer experience than any niche market! Ammo Bros in Cerritos will steer you right, as will Riflegear in Fullerton but they probably don't carry inexpensive shotguns.



Are you sure you were changing the barrel correctly? On a 500 you need to move the slide a bit during the process to make it easier.
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What he said...

I personally hate big 5 and turners as far as customer service goes. I have only recently had any good service from the turners near me and that's only because a guy I went to HS with is now the manager there and usually helps me personally.

My gun store/gunsmith of choice is Bain and Davis in San Gabriel. There small you always get the personal service you deserve (although there is a wait when there busy sometimes) and they will work with you on every aspect of decision making and purchasing.

As far as the waiting period, everyone has to wait that's just part of the process.
 
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GSequoia said:
Have *you* experianced this with the Mossbergs? Sounds a lot like when folks weakly cycle the action instead of doing it briskly. I know plenty of folks who have been around guns their whole life who still use them wrong ;)

My m500 doesn't have a whole lot of mileage on it but I haven't had an issue with it. One thing I'd caution is the Norinco / Interstate coach gun (20" side by side 12 gauge). I need to look at mine because the firing pins are hitting light, I'm sure it can be adjusted though.
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Yes I have experienced it myself as well as seen it happen to everyone else who's shot it. It doesn't do it all the time but it does do it somewhat frequently and no we are not cycling it "soflty" quick brisk cycles of the pump. Like it was said in the other reply "side by side the Mossberg just feels cheap" even my buddy likes the feel of my Rem better than his Mossberg, and freely admits his dad bought the Mossbergs because they were cheaper.
 
I have the Remington 887 Nitro Mag 12 gauge 26" barrel. I love it! Has the black Rugged ArmorLokt coating. Handles 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2 inch loads and holds 4+1 rounds. Got it a Big 5 for a smoking deal when it went on sale. I use it all the time... no issues at all. I have had it for over a year now.

I also have a Benelli 20 Gauge Nova Pump, Black synthetic w/ 24" barrel which is also a nice shot gun.
 
okay so i checked it out and in the past the remington 870 has had problems with the breach exploding. combine that with the issues with the remington 700 and i will stick with my mossberg 500 and my winchester model 12.
 
I have a Winchester 1300 Defender and a SKB 500 O/U. Both are great shot guns, it is just too bad there is not much aftermarket support for the 1300 like there is for the 500/590 and 870. Good luck.
 
Between the 2, I would get a Remington. The 870 is pretty much indestructible, will work after being in water, mud, etc. The Mossie has more cool shit to customize though.
Auto-loaders are fussy, you have to keep 'em clean or they'll jam and/or won't cycle. They don't always cycle re-loads, too.
Or buy a used Model 12, they're cheap and parts are plentiful. I've got 2, one for skeet, made in 1921 and one for trap, made in 1920. Love them both.
 
I picked up a mossberg 500 chainsaw for $340. And took the goofy handle off.. Great gun. I keep it loaded with PDX1 for home defense. Very happy with it!
 
danwho said:
Or buy a used Model 12, they're cheap and parts are plentiful. I've got 2, one for skeet, made in 1921 and one for trap, made in 1920. Love them both.
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Yup mines a 1925 and shoots like a champ was my grandads I love that its still in the family.
Plus the model 12 is just classy looking.
 
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