Pump-action shotguns in our country became known in the late 80s and early 90s, when action films in which the "good guys" de alt with the "bad" ones, using, for example, Mossberg, began to flicker on television more and more often 500. By the way, it was this gun that recently celebrated its half-century (!) anniversary.
Since 1961, when the first barrel of this brand was produced, more than ten million Mossbergs have been produced. Why did an ordinary, it would seem, pump-action shotgun become a real symbol of the era? Let's find out.
Distinguishing Features
A distinctive feature of this particular gun is the fuse located on the back of the receiver. In addition, even from other pump-action shotguns, the Mossberg 500 differs in its exceptionally loud sound when the shutter jerks. What's more, the gun has the ability to clang perceptibly with any movement, earning it the nickname "rattle".
Initially, the weapon was created as a simplified and cheaper conversion of the Remington 870 shotgun.in turn, exactly the same ersatz shotgun Ithaca Model 37. The clang and rumble are largely due to the total savings on materials and technology: everything that could be cheaper and simplified (or even thrown out of the design) has long been simplified. But this does not mean at all that the quality of the Mossberg 500 is comparable to some domestic rifles. No "finishing with a file" is required. If, during assembly, any part does not fit even a little, it is simply sent for remelting.
Some flaws
But still, savings have tangible side effects. After all, the gun is a complex pump-action shotgun. To simplify and reduce the cost of assembly, the tolerances of parts are made such that even a 49-year-old AKM can envy. Sometimes it is not at all clear how, when fired, this whole clanking structure does not scatter! The cartridge is a worldwide standard 12-gauge, so there will certainly be no problems with ammunition.
However, guns of other calibers are also sold in the USA, but for obvious reasons they have not received much distribution in our country. Both the high cost of such ammunition and the very mediocre quality of their domestic counterparts played a role in this.
What can it be used for?
Suitable for almost all types of tasks that would require a firearm at all: hunting, self-defense, police and military operations. However, there is an opinion that this model is still a weapon of self-defense and the police, but not a hunting one. This attitude is due to the fact that this gunseriously “rumbles”, and therefore you will not get close to a sensitive and cautious beast. But the colossal stopping power may well come in handy for wild boar hunters.
Besides, it is quite suitable for hunting waterfowl. The peculiarity of this gun is that it was specially created as the most reliable and unpretentious. Considering that when shooting at ducks you can dip your weapon into the water more than once, this is a very important quality. Unlike much more expensive competitors, this "Mossberg" will work perfectly even in such conditions, there will be no wedging, no problems with the extraction of spent cartridges.
Of course, this shotgun is just perfect for clay shooting. Inexpensive, reliable, accurate, picky about the quality of ammunition - what else does a lover of mass plate executions need? Of course, someone may sneer contemptuously, but the tuned "Mossberg" is no worse than much more eminent brothers, and in terms of accuracy and accuracy of the battle, it is not much inferior to them even in the stock version.
About patents
Even at the beginning of the design, the company's lawyers rightly noted that some important changes were required to be introduced into the design of the gun in order not to “get” on a lawsuit from Remington. To do this, the Mossberg 500 received an extremely modified trigger mechanism. In addition, it was here that the very fuse appeared, by which today you can recognize all modern Mossbergs. The first sample was released at the end of August 1961.
Since thenthis model is the leader in the segment of cheap pump-action shotguns almost unconditionally. Despite some shortcomings, the gun has received the glory of solid and reliable, and this is confirmed by dozens of awards around the world. In addition, the reliability and lethality of these weapons have long been appreciated by police and military units, as well as their opponents. However, for "men's work" the company has been releasing special versions for a long time, which are distinguished by a better fitting of parts, a bunch of mounts for body kits, as well as a slightly different store.
About tuning
Mossberg 500 Custom adherents are also spread all over the world. Speaking in Russian, these are people who are engaged in tuning this kind of guns. And their successes, to be honest, sometimes really amaze! From the cheapest gun (with the proper straightness of the arms) you get a weapon that is not ashamed to put into service with special forces!
Of course, the financial costs also vary. It’s one thing to manually pick up and adjust the parts so that they don’t rattle, and another thing is to do the same, and even manually make mounts for the body kit, put tactical lights, target designators, and other “tinsel”. The price of such a custom may be three times higher than the cost of the regular version, but this does not stop enthusiasts.
Design basics
What is the structural difference between the Mossberg 500 shotgun? There aren't many features. This is a classic pump shotgun, with a tubular magazine under the barrel, which (depending on the modification) fits from five tonine rounds. Reloading is manual, carried out by jerking the movable forearm through a window in the lower part of the receiver. The cartridge case is ejected to the right side. The fuse is easily thrown with the thumb of the hand that holds the handle. The locking of the barrel is also no special frills: for this, a swinging larva is used, catching on the breech breech.
The receiver itself is made of aluminum alloy. There are dozens of different versions on sale, and among them there are even civilian modifications with a pistol grip. There was even a bullpup version that had a magazine behind the trigger! Currently, there are about 17 varieties of this weapon.
But the barrels for this weapon differ in a special assortment. As a rule, they are drilled with a cylinder in the standard version, but for some tasks there are models with constant choke. In addition, you can purchase interchangeable chokes for the same purpose. But at the same time, do not forget that you will definitely not find police or military options in ordinary weapons stores. In general, the same can be said about store options.
The main advantages of weapons
The main advantages are cost and excellent ergonomics. The weapons are well balanced. Since plastic and aluminum are widely used in the design, the weight of the gun is not the most monstrous. The chamber and barrel are made according to different technological cycles, with differenthardening modes. In fact, this was done to reduce the cost, but as a result, it was also possible to increase reliability. A very convenient and visual fuse, by which you can immediately understand whether the weapon is ready to fire.
Stamina and reliability
Even "rattle" is not always a disadvantage, as dirt simply falls between the huge gaps of parts. Many people like the clanging when reloading, as it sounds very impressive. Because of the huge allowances, there are practically no problems with improper extraction of swollen cartridges, and therefore the quality of the cartridges is the tenth thing. In terms of domestic prices for ammunition - an undeniable advantage.
Besides, even the Mossberg 500 Tactical, not to mention simpler modifications, willingly "bursts" even old brass cartridge cases for repeated reloading. Given that even the domestic "Saiga" is not famous for this, this is another reason to buy.
However, the company itself recommends using only the types of ammunition recommended by it, but with such a reliable gun, this does not really matter. Of course, for such a popular weapon, accessories are produced in literally thousands. There are also factory-customized models produced privately and under license by dozens of gun companies.
For example, in America itself, the Mossberg 500 shotgun with an adapter for a sector magazine is very popular. The police are also willing to buy it, since during a shootout it is much more convenient to stick a "horn" rather than fiddling with pushing cartridges.
Flaws
Well, the gun was called a "rattle" for a reason. Everything is shaky, and backlash for many aesthetes causes a real culture shock … In addition, due to the extreme lightness, the return is simply brutal.
Various improvements are also quite difficult to make. In this regard, Rem 870 is a real constructor! On the contrary, the barrel of the Mossberg 500, for example, just cannot be changed just like that. In addition, if you bought a model with an initially short magazine for five rounds, you will not be able to stick an extension cord there. No way. Well, unless you remake half the parts yourself. So, when buying, immediately decide what kind of store you need.
Difficulties only harden
Of course, real enthusiasts are only teased by such difficulties. There are even such originals that sector magazines are attached to the stock Mossberg, even if for this you had to redo half of the gun yourself.
With the pistol grip installed, it becomes very inconvenient to use the fuse. Given that military modifications have been very popular lately, this problem is quite common. But there is a way out! On sale there are versions with a handle located as if on the old gangster sawn-off shotguns "Tommy Gun". In this case, there are no difficulties, but such a Mossberg 500, the butt of which is not very convenient, is practically unsuitable for the same hunt.
Prospects for development
In 2013, the company celebrated the sale of its 10 millionth shotgun with pomp. Copies with anniversary numbers went to auctions forhuge money. This once again proves that this weapon has many fans in all corners of the world.
And let some gun lovers scornfully call the Mossberg 500 pump shotgun a "rattle". The advantages of this shotgun are disproportionately greater than the disadvantages. Some experts say that it is this model that sells the fastest. In short, a classic of the genre. Excellent, unpretentious, reliable and inexpensive pump-action shotgun Mossberg 500/590. What else do you need to be happy?
