Mossberg 12 Pump info needed
Just got a phone call from a friend that received a Mossberg 12 gauge pump shotgun years ago. He finally got around to looking it over and remembered he was instructed to ONLY use PAPER Shells in it. Hence the phone call to me.
I suggested it was more a matter of shell length and not the makeup of the casing. Am I off base w/ this?
My first shotgun (circa 1968) was my great great uncles Fox Model B (1950s) and came w/ 2 boxes of paper shells. After using up both boxes on my first Duck hunt (I wish I could claim 50 ducks downed - but the ducks to shots ratio was much lower[:D]) I have used only 2 & 3/4" plastic shell.
What say you experts about a Mossberg (he doesn't know the model) 12 gauge pump: Can it safely use plastic shells and is it just a matter of length? Or, were there Mossberg 12 ga pumps made before the 500 (1961)?
And would these shotguns need to be bored (back bored?) for 'modern' shells?
Just learned that there was a Mossberg 200K pump made. Are the 200Ks paper shell only shotguns? (I can't imagine why)
Ar
I suggested it was more a matter of shell length and not the makeup of the casing. Am I off base w/ this?
My first shotgun (circa 1968) was my great great uncles Fox Model B (1950s) and came w/ 2 boxes of paper shells. After using up both boxes on my first Duck hunt (I wish I could claim 50 ducks downed - but the ducks to shots ratio was much lower[:D]) I have used only 2 & 3/4" plastic shell.
What say you experts about a Mossberg (he doesn't know the model) 12 gauge pump: Can it safely use plastic shells and is it just a matter of length? Or, were there Mossberg 12 ga pumps made before the 500 (1961)?
And would these shotguns need to be bored (back bored?) for 'modern' shells?
Just learned that there was a Mossberg 200K pump made. Are the 200Ks paper shell only shotguns? (I can't imagine why)
Ar
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Paper shells had over shot wads that retained the shot. The wads were secured with what was called a rolled crimp. This make them much shorter when fired then modern plastic shells with the folded crimps.
I remember when plastic shells first came out they were made to function reliably in the older shotguns that were manufactured during the paper shell era.0 -
quote:Originally posted by rufe-snow
Paper shells had over shot wads that retained the shot. The wads were secured with what was called a rolled crimp. This make them much shorter when fired then modern plastic shells with the folded crimps.
I remember when plastic shells first came out they were made to function reliably in the older shotguns that were manufactured during the paper shell era.
Are you suggesting that a Mossberg 200K isn't suited for plastic shells? What about a 1961 vintage 500?
"I remember when plastic shells first came out they were made to function reliably in the older shotguns that were manufactured during the paper shell era."
Has the above changed?
IIRC my last box of paper shells were crimped.0 -
People have been shooting plastic shells in the bolt mossbergs of the same age so I can't imagine why it wouldn't shoot plastic shells.
If he has a 200 I wouldn't be looking to shoot it anyways. They are somewhat a rarity. Still just an economy gun but there are people out there collecting them.0 -
just have him shoot one and see if it hangs up, or is ejected propery, I had a model 12 16ga, that was the short chamber, 2 3/16, it shot the 2 3/4 just fine, did kick a little harder though.
hope it isn't the marlin copy of the model 97, I believe none of these are safe to shoot with any type shells.0 -
I've used plastic shells in my vintage Mossbergs with no problem. One of those that I have is of the very early type that has a spring for a left extractor, instead of a milled unit on a pivot pin. Another one is chambered (and marked) for 2 3/4", the only such one I have ever seen, but it handles plastic shells of the correct length, just fine.
BTW, avoid using steel shot in any of these vintage guns.0 -
quote:Originally posted by machine gun moran
I've used plastic shells in my vintage Mossbergs with no problem. One of those that I have is of the very early type that has a spring for a left extractor, instead of a milled unit on a pivot pin. Another one is chambered (and marked) for 2 3/4", the only such one I have ever seen, but it handles plastic shells of the correct length, just fine.
BTW, avoid using steel shot in any of these vintage guns.
Not having been present at the warning about 'use paper only', I'm getting info 2nd and 3rd hand. I've pondered the warning and was thinking that (2nd guessing is more like it) the new owner might have been instructed to not use steel shot. If I'm asked for any more info, I'm going to insist that I have the shotgun in hand. My last suggestion was for the owner to hang it over his fireplace (which I know is detrimental to wood stocks)
Thanks for the feedback.0 -
Looks like everyone said shoot the shot gun, one even said the gun maybe of extra value. Why would you tell him to hang it up?
Emmett0
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