Pawn Shop Circuit: Youth Shotgunning

Yesterday my daughter saw her Daddy and a young friend go to work with combat shotguns. She was impressed by the big holes they made, and how they could wipe out rampaging tin cans with a single pull of the trigger. She confessed she liked the big boomsticks, and wanted one of her own. A purple and pink one, of course.......

Thus, I went pawn shopping on a mission today. I usually go not looking for any gun in particular, letting the serendipity of a new find happen. Today, I wanted a 410 or 20 gauge Mossberg shotgun. I had priced a Mossy 550 410 at $250, and a Mossy 500C in 20 gauge at $200, both new. I'm loathe to buy a new gun and paint it purple and pink though. So, we went pawn shopping.

Neil had a selection of 12 gauges, pumps, autos, and single shots, but no other gauge. He had added a Rossi .357 magnum to his handgun case.

Amber, likewise, had only 12 gauge shotguns. She had a Glock 26 for sale at $359, along with another Taurus .38 special, priced at $120.

Dave had a bunch of 12 gauges, but hidden among them was one skinny magazine. I had him pull out a Western Field 550CD, basically a Montgomery Ward branded Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge. Of course the stock had a standard length of pull, and I needed a youth model. Not to worry, a Mossberg youth stock will bolt right up. Dave had a $119 price tag on the shotgun. He knew he had me, two days before Christmas, with my little girl along for the ride. I asked him for his best price, and he was willing to go an even $100. So was I.


Thankfully, this shotgun already had a metal safety button, a weakness on the Mossberg 500. The forend overlaps the receiver a bit, but not badly. The barrel is a bit long at 28 inches. That will have to be shortened. Then........a purple 12 inch LOP stock. A purple forend. Should I get synthetic? A stock with a pistol grip? This could be fun!