Mossberg 500 series slide 1 bar vs 2 bar..........

[Scooter22]

Only ones I and anyone I know are 2 bar. I,ve seen some nice condition early ones that I was interested in but 1 bar so I passed. I know 1 bar can possibly twist and bind but is it common? I have a couple old Win M12s that are 1 bar and never had a issue. Is it a big issue? Thanks.

 

[Double_J]

I have a Maverick 88 with a single action bar and have not had any issue with binding. The only time it gets sticky is after about 200 shells in one session. I just give the bolt a quick spray with clp and wipe down after working the action and all is good.

 

[Scooter22]

Thanks. Thats about 175 shells more than I'll do in one session.

 

[Grunt]

A lot of excellent shotguns used a single action slide bar without problems. You already mentioned the Winchester Model 12, there is also the 1897, Ithaca Model 37, and High Standard Flite King to name a few. I’ve never heard of anyone complain about the smooth slide operation of the Ithaca or High Standard despite their having a single action bar.

 

[lemaymiami]

Most all of my "real world" shotgun time was with beaten up old Mossberg 500's and Remington Wingmasters that had seen hard use (not in shooting - but with in and out daily use in various patrol vehicles) - mostly with the old vertical electro-lock brackets. We checked them in an out with each shift - they rattled when you handled them -but everyone was utterly reliable for close quarters work. I learned early on of the comparison between the two makes - one with a single action bar -the other with a double.. Like most I figured the dual action bar set-up (Wingmaster) was superior - but can't say I ever heard or saw one of the Mossbergs with a problem using that system.

Almost any of those old riot guns in basic configuration with modest care will probably outlast more than one owner- and when it's all on the line - do the intended job, in my opinion... Me.. I always preferred the Remington, believing that where the safety was located on the Mossberg might be a problem for this user under stress.... In use on the street I always racked the action so I was ready to go with any shotgun - but I always had the safety on and my finger (with a Remington) on the safety. Very, very seldom did I ever release that safety when pointing that weapon at an offender. You cannot have an accidental discharge on the street...

 

[DustyGmt]

I have a 500A (single action bar model) and I've never had any trouble with it twisting and binding, etc... it was my first gun and have had it a long time, it has seen some wear and tear over the years but still works like a champ. It feels a lil janky and loose and wouldn't inspire confidence in terms of quality/reliability if I wasn't experienced with the shotgun and knew that it was as reliable as the day is long.

I would prefer dual action bars but that ain't stopping me, or it.....

 

[1KPerDay]

In my experience the older mossbergs and store brands built by mossberg with the single bar are often nicer and smoother than newer guns with 2 bars. I’ve personally never had or seen any issues with the one bar setup.

 

[GBExpat]

I have a 500A (single action bar model) and I've never had any trouble with it twisting and binding, etc... it was my first gun and have had it a long time, it has seen some wear and tear over the years but still works like a champ. It feels a lil janky and loose and wouldn't inspire confidence in terms of quality/reliability if I wasn't experienced with the shotgun and knew that it was as reliable as the day is long.

I would prefer dual action bars but that ain't stopping me, or it.....

Well said! That matches my experiences (except it was my 2nd gun ), observations and feelings on the subject.

My Mom & Dad gave me my 500A as a graduation present in 1970.

 

[DustyGmt]

This is single action bar Western 310A (Mossberg 500A). I have had it since I was around 17 so almost 20 years. I punished it and myself running 3" Magnum slug + buckshot pretty much exclusively for the first few years but now all it ever sees is 2 ¾". I never had any binding or trouble with it besides now it just needs some spring replacements, mag spring & extractor spring....

It originally had a 26" Imp Bbl and wooden furniture but I recently gave it new furniture and shortened the bbl length. I wanted something I wasn't worried about getting banged up in and out of the rig, etc... I shot some cheap estate 00 buck through it the other day at about 10 paces and was impressed to see a tight fist size raggedy hole.....


2nd from the right. It aint purty but its still going strong after alot of magnums and neglect....

 

[Riomouse911]

No Mossberg in my set, but the 1930’s vintage Model 12 16 ga is a single action bar gun. Like the others above, I can’t ever recall hearing about a hiccup anyone ever had with it, much less having one of my own shooting it.

Has anyone ever had a single action bar pump shotgun bind up when cycling, or was that fear just a marketing thing from Remington, Browning or whoever made a 2-bar shotgun?

Stay safe.

 

[d2wing]

I had one in 20 G. It did bind some if you got rough with it and rattled. But it always worked. The safety came loose and failed a couple times.

 

[DustyGmt]

I had one in 20 G. It did bind some if you got rough with it and rattled. But it always worked. The safety came loose and failed a couple times.

I will say, compared to my 870 the single action bar 500A I have that is from the 60's, rattles and sounds like the most janky, loosey goosey, rattle trap shotguns you've ever held but I won't retire it until it proves itself unfit and I don't imagine that will happen anytime soon and mine (12ga) has never bound up on me or caused me any problems.

But I can see how it could for others and dual action bars makes alot of sense to me....