Mossberg 85D vs 185D

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nortwoods1

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Hello all, I have a mossberg 85D 20 gauge bolt action, and was wondering what differences if any there is between the 85D and the 185D. I can't find much online about it. I'm looking to pickup a second one just to have for parts incase the need arises, the 185D seems much more common and lower priced. Thank you
 
It's interesting just doing a quick search of photos that the 185 shows up more often with what I would call a premium stock for wood quality and checkering than a 85 does.

Too, some of either model seem to have or not have rear iron sights but the alphabet suffixes seem to run to at least *K* so that may account for things too.

Conventional wisdom with experience with the era of guns would imply but not guarantee that the 185 is a cost cutting - new manufacturing technique version but who can really say given the lack of information there seems to be.

Todd.
 
Thanks for the info. The 185s look a little different as far as like you said the stock and some have rear sights, but the bolt and action seems identical. the 85d I got was 50 bucks and is practically new, the bolt was really tight and the bluing looks like it came from the factory. I don't expect the gun to fail anytime soon or even in my lifetime but I'm all about 1 is none 2 is 1.
 
Thanks for the info. The 185s look a little different as far as like you said the stock and some have rear sights, but the bolt and action seems identical. the 85d I got was 50 bucks and is practically new, the bolt was really tight and the bluing looks like it came from the factory. I don't expect the gun to fail anytime soon or even in my lifetime but I'm all about 1 is none 2 is 1.
I understand completely. I have a Mossberg Model 80 .410 bolt that I love to pieces. I'd hate to ever have it go down.

Todd.
 
I'd like to use 410 slugs but here in wisconsin 410 is illegal for deer no matter the load. I know in other states its fine. I don't mind using my 20 gauge 85D for deer using slugs but it does tear up more meat than I'd like. Buckshot is also illegal here.
 
Hey post up some pics if you can. Bolt action shotguns are as American as you get. I used them in the past but only have one now. A little 3 shot New Haven(Mossberg) I thought was a HB .22 when I saw it in the rack. I wish .410 ammo was cheaper. Heres the original post with clear pic. GD Photobucket as screwed all the people that used them for free . Now they hold our pics hostage unless you pay F.them 002-10.jpg
 
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Parts appear to be the same, probably just wood and fit/finish differences. My 1st duck gun was a Mossberg 85 20 ga. Shot a bufflehead with it. My Dad got me a Savage 311 12 ga the fall after that. Hard to get that second shot off on a duck with a bolt action.
 
That's the only differences I see. Waterfowl hunting would be difficult with one of these, especially mine because I put a block in where the mag goes to make it a single shot.
 
I have an 85-D 20 gauge with screw in choke tubes. Haven't shot it in quite awhile. It has been hanging out in the back of the gun safe for many years. I think I will take it out to the range just for old times sake.
 
Wish I could help with the differences between the 85 and 185.

I do have a Mossberg 183K-A in 410 with C-Lect choke. Mossberg bolt action shotguns are neat. As a kid, I used a Mossberg bolt action 410 with slugs for raccoon hunting.
 
My first shotgun was (is) a Mossberg bolt action in 20-gauge. It is in my safe & in great condition still. Would love to see what it does with slugs because unlike most other shotguns it has a rear sight. If I added a sling & loaded it with slugs and/or buckshot I think it would be a nice gun for SD in the woods.
 
You might want to research Mossberg history. I read somewhere that the two digit ones were pre-war and after the war they spruced them up and added a “1” in front of the two digit number. That’s wholly gossip.

are there drawings on Numerich’s website that would help?
 
are there drawings on Numerich’s website that would help?[/QUOTE]

ill look, I'm also going to try and find one for sale locally so I can get it in my hands so I know for sure
 
well guys looking at numrich website i look at 85D parts for sale and 185D parts for sale, some of the parts do look different such as the bolt. on an 85D the bolt has a plunger that you turn clockwise into a notch for safe, and the 185D bolt doesn't look like it has the same plunger.
 
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