Mossberg Aluminum Receiver - Asset or Liability

BufordTJustice · February 19th, 2007, 06:55 PM

Here goes. I own a Mossberg 500 7+1 cruiser that I have fitted a Knoxx Spec-Ops Stock (w/ power pack) and a pelican M3 incan light. I am biased because I am very pleased with my shotgun. I have read a lot lately on this forum and many others that the aluminum receiver on mossbergs can be a problem because it is not as strong as steel. It is my ignorant opinion that the difference between the two is moot; i think they are both adequate and here's why:

The chamber pressures in a 12g shotgun are well below 15,000 PSI according to SAAMI (If I've got my numbers right; feel free to double check). My SIG P228 9mm sees chamber pressures in excess of 35,000 PSI when using +P ammunition. My SIG has an aluminum frame as do many other handguns. With an appropriately larger frame, wouldn't an aluminum receiver be quite adequate? I don't worry at all about the aluminum construction. I don't see any empirical evidence that the aluminum is less adequate than the steel used in Remingtons and others. I know the steel is stronger, but it seems that, IMHO, it's a little overkill. Don't get me wrong, I'm a 23 year old Tim 'the Toolman' Taylor. I'm surprised I could spell 'overkill'.

What say you, ladies and gents?

Glock 'em down · February 19th, 2007, 06:59 PM

Well, USUALLY the scattergun doesn't see as much range time as the pistola does...at least MINE doesn't. But that could be because I have the Mossy 590 with the STEEL receiver and the damned thing weighs a ton!

But...no...I don't see a problem with it at all.

MNBurl · February 19th, 2007, 08:09 PM

Non-issue. Go to www.shotgunworld.com and checkout the Mossberg section and see if you can find one that has broken.

My Mossy 500 is 11 years old and is still shooting so nice.

sgtD · February 19th, 2007, 08:11 PM

I've been shooting them for years, and know of several guns which have thousands of rounds through them, one of which I own. Two friends of mine who hunt and shoot sporting clays and skeet theirs exclusively.

Unlike some on this board, my shotguns get a lot more shooting than my handguns or pistols. I have never seen a malfunction thus far caused by the aluminum reciever. In fact , I can't recall ever seeing one malfunction period.

General Geoff · February 19th, 2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glock 'em down

Well, USUALLY the scattergun doesn't see as much range time as the pistola does...at least MINE doesn't. But that could be because I have the Mossy 590 with the STEEL receiver and the damned thing weighs a ton!

I was unaware that 590s had steel receivers. The 590A1s (mil spec) have metal trigger guards, but if I remember correctly, even they still have aluminum receivers.

edit; nope, my 590's receiver ain't steel.

Redneck Repairs · February 19th, 2007, 09:02 PM

Wayy back when the aluminum framed 590 came about ( a revamp of the 500 ) due to a request from the .mil it originaly ( for them ) went to spec opps . we benifited . Note tho that the spec was for a 2 3/4 gun not a 3" and figure reciever life ect.. accordingly .

Colin · February 20th, 2007, 02:29 AM

My 500 is having issues with the trigger assembly which seems to be it's weakest point. I replaced it with a 590 as I shoot 3" mag slugs for bear defence, how do you like your Specops stock?

BufordTJustice · February 20th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Well said, gentleman. You have confirmed what I thought all along.

Colin, I LOVE My Spec Ops stock! I can shoot 3" Winchester Super X 1oz slugs all day. Literally, 25 in one session, plus two 25rnd boxes of magnum (Super handicap) trap loads, then another two 25 round boxes of Remington Magnum buckshot. In one afternoon. I'm 5'10" and 193 lbs. I barely had a red mark on my shoulder...with no soreness at all. My girlfriend and little sister can shoot normal loads without being intimidated. It's amazing and is worth every penny.

I have a limbsaver recoil pad (from Knoxx; $29.99 + ship) on my Spec Ops....more for the non-slip than recoil reduction...but paired w/ the limbsaver...it's just amazing. It shoots noticably softer than my dad's well worn Remington 1100. Both he and I A-B's the guns and we both agreed my pump 500 with knoxx shot softer. The RO also agreed. I could go on, but i don't wanna induce too much thread drift.

Thanx for all the replies thus far. Best Regards.

ghost tracker · March 13th, 2007, 06:05 PM

I've always been a Remington 870 guy and have owned literally dozens of 'em for all kinds of Shooting Sports. They've also always had steel receivers. When it came time to build a dedicated "tactical" (I'm starting to HATE that word) pump shotgun, a U.S.M.C. buddy of mine told me that the shotgun that PASSED the durability & reliability testing requirements of the U.S. Military is the Mossburg 590A1, the same cannot be said for my beloved 870. I did a little research & discovered he was absolutely right (******!). So...I don't think you should concern yourself about the stoutness of the aluminum alloy Mossburg receiver. I've NEVER EVEN HEARD a Gunshop Commando rumor that one has EVER layed-down & quit.

Colin · March 13th, 2007, 09:58 PM

Took my 500 apart to try to find the problem with it, no wear on the reciever, some peaning on the edge of the bolt face from being closed with no round in the chamber, I think my problem is with the trigger assembly. Seems from my reading the trigger assembly is the weakest point in the gun followed by dirty and not easily accesiable magazine tube. Next is bent extractors, caused by fumble fingers while reassembling.

February 19th, 2007, 06:55 PM	#1
BufordTJustice New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7	Mossberg Aluminum Receiver - Asset or Liability Here goes. I own a Mossberg 500 7+1 cruiser that I have fitted a Knoxx Spec-Ops Stock (w/ power pack) and a pelican M3 incan light. I am biased because I am very pleased with my shotgun. I have read a lot lately on this forum and many others that the aluminum receiver on mossbergs can be a problem because it is not as strong as steel. It is my ignorant opinion that the difference between the two is moot; i think they are both adequate and here's why: The chamber pressures in a 12g shotgun are well below 15,000 PSI according to SAAMI (If I've got my numbers right; feel free to double check). My SIG P228 9mm sees chamber pressures in excess of 35,000 PSI when using +P ammunition. My SIG has an aluminum frame as do many other handguns. With an appropriately larger frame, wouldn't an aluminum receiver be quite adequate? I don't worry at all about the aluminum construction. I don't see any empirical evidence that the aluminum is less adequate than the steel used in Remingtons and others. I know the steel is stronger, but it seems that, IMHO, it's a little overkill. Don't get me wrong, I'm a 23 year old Tim 'the Toolman' Taylor. I'm surprised I could spell 'overkill'. What say you, ladies and gents?

February 19th, 2007, 08:09 PM	#3
MNBurl VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,002	Non-issue. Go to www.shotgunworld.com and checkout the Mossberg section and see if you can find one that has broken. My Mossy 500 is 11 years old and is still shooting so nice. __________________ MNBurl Side Guard Holsters "If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking" - George S. Patton.

February 19th, 2007, 08:11 PM	#4
sgtD Distinguished Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,711	I've been shooting them for years, and know of several guns which have thousands of rounds through them, one of which I own. Two friends of mine who hunt and shoot sporting clays and skeet theirs exclusively. Unlike some on this board, my shotguns get a lot more shooting than my handguns or pistols. I have never seen a malfunction thus far caused by the aluminum reciever. In fact , I can't recall ever seeing one malfunction period. __________________ When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.

March 13th, 2007, 06:05 PM	#9
ghost tracker Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ky Backwoods Posts: 742	Just a Little Extra Info... I've always been a Remington 870 guy and have owned literally dozens of 'em for all kinds of Shooting Sports. They've also always had steel receivers. When it came time to build a dedicated "tactical" (I'm starting to HATE that word) pump shotgun, a U.S.M.C. buddy of mine told me that the shotgun that PASSED the durability & reliability testing requirements of the U.S. Military is the Mossburg 590A1, the same cannot be said for my beloved 870. I did a little research & discovered he was absolutely right (****!). So...I don't think you should concern yourself about the stoutness of the aluminum alloy Mossburg receiver. I've NEVER EVEN HEARD a Gunshop Commando rumor that one has EVER layed-down & quit. __________________ There are only TWO** kinds of people in this world; those that describe the world as filled with two kinds of people...and those who don't.

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February 19th, 2007, 06:59 PM	#2
Glock 'em down Ex Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Central Oklahoma Posts: 687	Well, USUALLY the scattergun doesn't see as much range time as the pistola does...at least *MINE* doesn't. But that could be because I have the Mossy 590 with the STEEL receiver and the damned thing weighs a ton! But...no...I don't see a problem with it at all.

February 19th, 2007, 09:02 PM	#6
Redneck Repairs VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,141	Wayy back when the aluminum framed 590 came about ( a revamp of the 500 ) due to a request from the .mil it originaly ( for them ) went to spec opps . we benifited . Note tho that the spec was for a 2 3/4 gun not a 3" and figure reciever life ect.. accordingly .

February 20th, 2007, 02:29 AM	#7
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,421	My 500 is having issues with the trigger assembly which seems to be it's weakest point. I replaced it with a 590 as I shoot 3" mag slugs for bear defence, how do you like your Specops stock?

February 20th, 2007, 10:36 AM	#8
BufordTJustice New Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 7	Well said, gentleman. You have confirmed what I thought all along. Colin, I LOVE My Spec Ops stock! I can shoot 3" Winchester Super X 1oz slugs all day. Literally, 25 in one session, plus two 25rnd boxes of magnum (Super handicap) trap loads, then another two 25 round boxes of Remington Magnum buckshot. In one afternoon. I'm 5'10" and 193 lbs. I barely had a red mark on my shoulder...with no soreness at all. My girlfriend and little sister can shoot normal loads without being intimidated. It's amazing and is worth every penny. I have a limbsaver recoil pad (from Knoxx; $29.99 + ship) on my Spec Ops....more for the non-slip than recoil reduction...but paired w/ the limbsaver...it's just amazing. It shoots noticably softer than my dad's well worn Remington 1100. Both he and I A-B's the guns and we both agreed my pump 500 with knoxx shot softer. The RO also agreed. I could go on, but i don't wanna induce too much thread drift. Thanx for all the replies thus far. Best Regards.

March 13th, 2007, 09:58 PM	#10
Colin Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,421	Took my 500 apart to try to find the problem with it, no wear on the reciever, some peaning on the edge of the bolt face from being closed with no round in the chamber, I think my problem is with the trigger assembly. Seems from my reading the trigger assembly is the weakest point in the gun followed by dirty and not easily accesiable magazine tube. Next is bent extractors, caused by fumble fingers while reassembling.