Topic: Fair price for used Mossber 500?/ Why shotgun fit matters...

[onemountain]

Was fondling, er, handling some shotguns yesterday and today and found out that I really like the Mossy 500. It just... fits me. A friend (thanks Tommy!) took me out clay shooting last weekend, which was my first interaction with a shotgun in quite some years. Loved it. Among the various shotguns he had was a 500A, and I did better with it than anything else.

Yesterday I tried something out: I took various shotguns, closed my eyes, shouldered the gun, raised it as if toward an aerial target, then opened my eyes to check how they were aligned with the bead(s). With a couple different Mossberg 500s, the beads were aligned every time I opened my eyes. This occurred with no other gun, not even with a Maverick 88 (budget version of 500). So it's no surprise then that I did best with a 500 shooting clays. The stock 'just works' with me. I think this a great example of how having a gun 'fit' the shooter affects practical accuracy.

Soooo... what's a fair price on a used 500? Let's assume it's got a few dings from actual use in the field but is in good working order.

I fell so head over heels in love with that gun and shooting it that I'll probably sell my beloved Remmy 597 to fund the purchase of one. Another factor is that a 12 gauge is a hell of a lot better for home defense (duh!). I guess I'll have to figure out what a fair price on my .22 is now.

EDIT: forgot to say: I'm just talking about a plain-jane 28" field gun. Nothing fancy. Synthetic or hardwood (or whatever they use) stock.

Thanks in advance for your wisdom 

[Jaggy13]

I have a 500 that I have shot since I was 12.
Not sure that I would ever sell it, it just works for me and never fails. (and wouldn't command enough cash to get me out of jam that a shotgun wouldn't be handy for  anyway...)
I picked up an extra barrel for mine a few years ago. 18" cylinder bore, sits at my house as my main HD choice. 28" slips right on if I want to shoot clays.
I don't think they are very expensive, how much is a new one going for these days?
$50 more than the maverick?
I'd say just buy a new one unless your friend wants to sell it. give him 80% new value give or take a few dollars.

Fit is the key to a shotgun working well for you. not just sight picture or point but recoil management as well.

[onemountain]

I think the basic 500 goes for about $275 these days. I figure if I go used it should be way cheaper because there are so many of the things running around. Then I'd get a shotgun and a decent amount of ammo for the same money 

And forget Tommy (the friend in question) selling his to me. The four guns he had were the 500, a couple nice autoloaders (Remingtons, don't recall which model), and a Browning Citori. He made it clear that, of those four, he'll sell the autos first, then the Citori, and the 500 last. The Citori is really, really, really nice, but the 500 seems to have considerable sentimental value to him, and he constantly worries about dinging up the Citori (because it's so, so, so nice  lol)

[El Conquistador]

Watch the "big 5" ads in the Sunday paper, they often have a 500 in there, and usually a really good deal around Thanksgiving.

[Jaggy13]

I bought my remmi 1187 used in a pawn shop for $275...
It shoots real fast and is low recoil.

If your set on a 500 then get one like El Conquistador said. But if you just want a good shot gun, there are tons out there for similar money or not much more.

I have had my 500 for over 20 years and was given to me by my step dad, its not worth me selling for money because I would rather have it than $200. It has some sentimental attachment but my 1187 is what I beat the hell out of and shoot in competition.

Fitting a shotgun is not rocket science or expensive. figure out what you want to do with it, then see what fits your needs, then budget.

[El Conquistador]

Big 5 has a good deal this week on that 500 if you havent got one yet.

[Brother dan]

Jeff had a nice mossy 500 for just a bit over $300 down at his shop. I don't recall all the specifics but I seem to recall it being a bit tricked out as a tactical shotgun.   

I had a 500 years ago and really liked it, but ended trading it off.  I currently have a 590 and it fits me perfectly.  I noted today while shooting it, the receiver is actually shorter than the Rem 870. For a shorter person, or someone with shorter arms, this seems to fit better and I'm able to cycle the action more comfortably.

Dan