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

Scooter22

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Central NY, not the rotten apple
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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...
 
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.....
 
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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.
 
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. :)
 
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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....
IMG_20230201_194419.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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....
 
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