Mossberg 500A Project

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Scorpion8
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Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Mon Apr 06, 2020 2:54 am

I'm building a Mossberg 500 12-ga out of parts. Why? Well luckily I needed a project during this hunker-down time, and I've very little experience with the Mossbergs. Yesterday got it 99% put together and was having a snafu getting the bolt and bolt slide in right. Man, I love the 870's in assembly/disassembly and this Mossy was driving me crazy. It seemed like I needed 5 hands to hold everything. In the end, after countless YouTube re-assembly videos I've come to believe that either I ordered or I got shipped a 20-ga elevator instead of 12-ga. A 20-ga shell fits it better, and the elevator won't go down far enough to allow the bolt slide to match up with the bolt.

A new elevator has been ordered, but right now the only thing I'm liking about Mossbergs is the tang safety As a project (of course) I'm learning a lot, but this may be a shoot-it a few times and sell it project. Gimme my 870's.
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Tue Apr 07, 2020 1:50 am

And now the waiting.....
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Germansheperd
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Germansheperd » Fri Apr 10, 2020 12:46 pm

Any pictures?

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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Fri Apr 10, 2020 4:13 pm

The elevator is at the post office for pickup later today. Once I get it and lay out all the parts I'll do some pics. It's pretty plain-Jane.
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Sat Apr 11, 2020 3:26 am

Well sorry, no pics. Got the new elevator (the "right" elevator) and it all installed in minutes, first time no-hits-no-runs-no-errors. NOT as easy as an 870 to reassemble, and I much prefer the 870's solid receiver. Will head to the range tomorrow for a function "go bang" test.

Compared to an 870 slug gun build I did with a parts kit from everygunpart.com, I'd say the level of difficulty was even. If you can build an AR, or even more difficult an AK, then building either an 870 or a 500A is easy.
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Germansheperd » Wed Apr 22, 2020 1:49 pm

Another one of the few 500’s I have
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:48 pm

Here's mine, also Plain Jane...

Image

and

Image

Oddly the wood looks mismatched, but it's not. I've seen that in 870 sets also. 4+1 rounds capable, I do love the barrel, but not in love with the (rather) flimsy receiver.
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:03 pm

I did encounter one oddity never seen before, but I don't think it's the fault of this gun. Since it was set up to be a slug gun, I grabbed a box of slugs that I was given and headed out to function test the Mossy. Five shells, all factory loads, Federal "Maximum Load" 12 Ga slugs of some long vintage. Anyway, the rims and bases ALL split and cracked on me. ALL five. I was curious, so I followed them with some trap loads and no problems there at all. My only guess is that these are old, old shells, perhaps thin bases? Perhaps why Federal doesn't load them anymore? Interestingly enough they were very accurate.

Image
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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Germansheperd » Fri Apr 24, 2020 2:57 pm

Scorpion8 wrote:
Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:48 pm
Here's mine, also Plain Jane...

Image

and

Image

Oddly the wood looks mismatched, but it's not. I've seen that in 870 sets also. 4+1 rounds capable, I do love the barrel, but not in love with the (rather) flimsy receiver.
Slug barrel on the 500?

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Re: Mossberg 500A Project

Post by Scorpion8 » Fri Apr 24, 2020 3:13 pm

Germansheperd wrote:
Fri Apr 24, 2020 2:57 pm
Slug barrel on the 500?
Yes, with rifle sights. Receiver is D&T for scope mounts but I'll let someone else put them on. Its for sale locally.
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