Got a new (old) shotgun today!

[Darrin]

Ever hear of a Mossberg 395? Well, my Dad gave me one today. Only this sucker will be a project gun for me.

For starters, the dip-wad my Dad got it from cut the barrel down to 17". That doesn't bother me as much as the stock has been cut off too. I'd like to get a 22" or 24" barrel and a new stock like the Mossy 695 comes with. (Wood preferred over synthetic for this one.)

I guess my question is; how compatable are the 395 and 695? Can I order a stock, barrel and extra mags for a 695 and have it work on my 395? Mossberg's website didn't make any comparisons nor list anything about the 395.

I can't wait to get this 395 back to par with a full shotgun. Right now, the 395 looks funny sitting next to my 590. Poor little thing has been mis-treated and I want to make it right.

edit: Batteries are dead in camera. Should have some pics within a day or two.

 

[OEF_VET]

Darrin,

As a friend, let me offer you some advice. Get rid of that 17" barrel ASAP. That's a full inch short of the legally allowed length if it's not a registered Short Barrelled Shotgun. Throw it into the Cumberland or something. I'd hate to see you go to the hooskow over some numb nuts home 'smithing project.

Frank

 

[Preacherman]

I second OEF_VET's recommendation - lose that barrel fast!!! Or, at least mount a Polychoke or some external choke that will take the length back up over 18". Do this NOW! You don't want a Federal firearms charge that will lose you your 2A rights for the rest of your life...

Another thing: check out http://www.mossbergcollectors.org/. This is a club for owners of older Mossbergs, and they have links to parts, etc. for many of the discontinued models. (They must be a reasonable organization - Mossberg has a link to them on its Web site.)

Finally, check out Numrich Arms (Gun Parts Corp.) for parts. They list parts for three models: 395K, 395KA and 395S. They seem to have a whole bunch for the 395K - including a full-choke barrel for $45.00 and a new stock for $45.80!!! Looks like you'll be able to get what you need there...

 

[Rupestris]

395K

Yep. I have a 395K in excellent condition. It's in original condition with the C-Lect choke on the 28"bbl and has very few rounds through it. I thought about selling it a while ago but they only fetch about $90 - $100 from what I've seen. The fit on my 395 is perfect. The rear sight is a bit crude but when shouldered it seems to line itself up.
I'll be taking mine to the range to put some slugs through it soon. I just might take it out for deer season this year.
Good luck and have fun with it.
Rupestris

 

[Darrin]

Yeah, I'm going to lose the short barrel.

Preacherman, thanks for the links. However, I only saw a complete stock for the 20ga, not the 12. I'll look more tonight, right now I'm late for work.

 

[Opie]

Going to loose it is not good enough....

You needed to loose it yesterday.

 

[Darrin]

Barrel is being recycled as we speak. Good as gone.

 

[Darrin]

Now that I've looked over getting a barrel and stock, I see why the gun was given to me.

Barrel - $45.00
Walnut stock - $45.80
Synthetic stock (Black or Camo) - $75.00

The gun with full stock and barrel is only, what, $100 from what Rupestris said?

Not sure if it's really going to be worth it, but this will be something I can do and show off as something I did. Time will tell what I do.

 

[Rupestris]

Darren,
I should clarify the price. The 90-100 price I quoted was from the Standard Catalog of Firearms. I have seen some on gunbroker and the like with slightly higher asking prices. My gun was given to me by my uncle. When I told him I was looking at an 870 he told me to trade the 395 in on it. I couldn't because I like the thing so much. Like I said, its verry comfortable and with a little work I'm probably going to have a gun that is what I want it to be.
After thorough testing with the C-Lect choke in place and the open sights I'll decide if I'm going to go through with the mods I have in mind. As I mentioned this might be my deer/slug gun if it performs well. In that case, possible modifications might include: drilled and tapped for scope mounts, a Simmons Pro Diamond SG(dual use.-turkey on the 870 in the spring) scope, the bbl cut back to 24" and sling mounts.
Yea, I'll probably never get out of it what I put into it but it will be mine. A scoped bolt action gun with a barrel that big could probably raise an eybrow at the range too.
Whatever you decide, have fun. IMO, $90.80+S&H for a SG with a new stock and barrel isn't all that bad.
Rupe

 

[Darrin]

Ok. FINE. I'll do it.





I think you just convinced me to go through with it. (Don't worry, it didn't take much convincing.) I mean, everyone needs a gun with more money into it than it's worth, right? Besides, what you mentioned are the same thoughts I was thinking for this SG. Not sure if I'll go as far as the scope, but I want this to be my slug rifle. An accurate slug rifle.

I do have some questions:
Can anyone tell me, from this ad, what the barrel length is?

Ok, it was only one question, but I still would like an answer.

 

[Preacherman]

Darrin, why not phone 'em and ask?

 

[Dave McCracken]

A coupla things...

Read the floating thread about "The Ugliest Shotgun in Howard County" at the top of this forum. That was a 395.

These are not esthetic masterpieces, but good durable shotguns capable of being tweaked into great slug guns. I've been told the trigger design is such that 2 2 1/2 lb SAFE pulls are possible.

E R Shaw makes or made fully rifled barrels for these, and they respond well to glassing, forearm pressure, etc, to make them accurate with sabots.

Scope mountings and a good shotgun scope like the Leopold would make this Ugly Duckling into a mighty pretty 12 gauge rifle. It'd take some money, but an excellent hunting gun will result.

 

[Darrin]

Darrin, why not phone 'em and ask?

Hi, I'm Darrin. I'm lazy sometimes.

 

[Combat-wombat]

You got that barrel off yet??? If not, drop what you're doing right now and do it. Get your fingerprints off of it, and take it to the dump.

 

[Darrin]

Barrel? What barrel? I have to order a new one. This SG has no barrel.