Mossberg 500?

[srtolly]

I found myself looking at shotguns at Cabelas th other day while I was there for some bullets. Saw a Coast to Coast Master Mag 12 ga that looked like it fell out of the back of someone's truck. I'm a sucker for guns that need work, more the better. It was priced at $99 which is the most I pay for a gun in poor condition.

I had been looming for a project and the more I looked at this one it looked like a Mossberg 500. Long story short I put it on layaway for $75. All seems to work fine with the action. I'll post pics after I pick it up. It will need to be duracoated or something.

I'm thinking I might make it a tactical shotgun, any thoughts?

[unknown]

That would be nice. I heard Mossberg 500s are like the legos of shotguns

[srtolly]

I was just looking at stocks and heat shields. I like the ATI Talon and the Halo heat shield with the ghost ring sights.

Anyone have experience with these?

Any suggestions on barrel length? I was thinking 20" but I can't find a mag extension or replacement magazine.

[rockcreek]

You can't put a mag extension on a 500, you would need to change the mag tube and barrel since it screws on the end of the tube.

[srtolly]

Anyone know a good place to buy a barrel and mag tube?

[smurfman]

Frontiersman off HWY 394 in St Louis Park is about the cheapest I've seen for used barrels when they have them. You are stuck with the 4 round magazine as, mentioned above, the barrel hanger screws into the end of the magazine tube. Other than that, you seem to have made a good buy.

[srtolly]

Thanks for the info smurfman. I'll give them a try. I'm sensing a challenge coming on with the mag tube.

[smurfman]

There is not much of a challenge regarding the magazine tube, you can't lengthen it- or at least not easily or cheaply. If you want more than 4 rounds and stay with Mossberg then get a used 835 or 535. They have a hanger more like the Remington 870 which goes over and around the magazine tube rather one which screws into the end of it.
The only way I see one extending the magazine tube of a 500 is to remove the old tube, machine a new tube to whatever length desired, cap the one end one way or another, and then thread at least the receiver end in order to be able to screw it back onto the receiver.
Then there is the work needed for the barrel. You would need to cut off the old barrel hanger, machine/fashion a new hanger to fit around the new magazine tube, properly align and braze the new fitting onto the barrel. Oh, and finish the metal in some fashion when done. All that would probably run much more than a Mossberg 590 which is what you seem to be trying to copy. A 5 shot "tacti-cool" shotgun is not something to sneer at and it can be made reasonably with what you have as a base.

[srtolly]

Since I'm working all weekend I haven't had a chance to pick it up so that's for tomorrow morning. The barrel is straight as far as I could check without tools but scuffed up pretty bad. I did find a barrel and magazine combo but I'm trying to do this on the cheap but still be cool. I'll post pics when I pick it up. I have an 835 now that was near mint that I got for $200 that I'm keeping no e for hunting, just adding a scope with sight thru rings for birds.

[srtolly]

Well, I got to Cabelas to pick up the shotgun today so here are the promised pics for anyone who cares to look. These are not for a weak stomach.






I started digging through some of my crap and found this.

And this.

While waiting for the NICS check to get done I looked at some optics that may be acceptable for a tacticool shotgun and found this marked down to $19.99.

If it doesn't work out for this project I'll find another one.

[brent375hh]

The good thing about a Mossberg 500 is that it will probably last a lifetime.
The bad thing about a Mossberg 500 is that it will probably last a lifetime.

[srtolly]

I got it cleaned up which was more than I originally bargained for but what the heck. Trigger group was all full of grease and sand as was the bolt. Totally disassembled everything and cleaned. Cleaned up the reciever and put some paint on it and put it together to test fire before duracoat.

[bensdad]

SInce when is that a 4 rd. mag tube?

[srtolly]

Holds 5, at least 2 3/4", haven't tried 3" yet.

[3Spaniels]

Get a little protein and a few carbs in your gizzard early and you can get alot done on a day off.