Sight Options after Shortening Barrel

**65mustang** · June 16th, 2013, 05:46 PM

OK I just got a Mossberg 500 12 gauge for $100 in decent condition. The 28" standard barrel is too long for my liking. I am ok with cutting it down but what are my options for sights. I have a drill press and taps so I am considering reinstalling the bead sight.
I know and read the 18" minimum barrel and how to cut it down so we can skip all of that. I think I will throw synthetic stock on it and maybe a heat shield and call it a day.

thanks

**Misery Loves Shotguns** · June 16th, 2013, 08:57 PM

You won't have many options if this is a vent rib barrel. There are some fiber optics that mount onto vent ribs that would be an improvement over the brass bead but you won't be able to add a heat shield unless you switch to a plain barrel.

**R L Suehr** · June 16th, 2013, 10:43 PM

^^^^ This^^^

If it is a vent barrel I would personally opt for just buying an 18 inch barrel with the bead already on it (only @ $100). I have seen after market heat shields that have gost ring sights alreadt on them, I think ATI makes one. Haven't shot with one on a gun though so I don't really know how they are. Depending on how old a 500 it is some were tapped from the factory for a weaver rail to be mounted. One I just bought was like this and I threw a cheap NC Star reflex sight on it and it seems to work fine, but I only have @ 10 rounds of buck shot threw it.

**Normlizer** · June 17th, 2013, 07:03 AM

I love my lpa ghost ring sights for my shotty. Next is xs sights.

**Hawk** · June 17th, 2013, 10:50 AM

You can reinstall the bead front sight. Just make sure none of the threads extends down into the barrel. The hardest part of this process is finding the center of the barrel and drilling it straight. If I were you I'd cut the barrel to at least 18 1/2 inches to permit a second chance to install the bead.

**mmi** · June 17th, 2013, 01:15 PM

i was thinking to get the position to Tye a snap string to the bead then center it on the receiver and snap
if u have a rib there is a center finder midway has video
note most barrels are 18 1/4 long so have room to file any rough places

**65mustang** · June 19th, 2013, 10:35 PM

I do have the standard round barrel so I will have to try to string line it to mark the center. I was debating buying a barrel but until I buy the stock and barrel I am getting close to what I would pay for one new and that defeats the fun/purpose of doing the work. It has a hiviz sight installed now I hope nobody used red Loctite otherwise I will most likely have to buy another.
My other option I am considering is the ATI heatshield with the ghost ring sights. Has anyone tried this out yet?

**amfn** · July 8th, 2013, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by 65mustang

My other option I am considering is the ATI heatshield with the ghost ring sights. Has anyone tried this out yet?

Yeah, I bought one & it sits in my closet. The ghost rings are cheap & flex/move too much for me.

**bripro** · August 10th, 2013, 12:13 AM

Ive cut down three shotguns so far. On each one I screwed out the original bead then simply drilled the right size hole and lock tighted it in place. No drill and tap, just locktite. Every one has held......(so far anyway).

**65mustang** · August 11th, 2013, 09:47 AM

I found an easier solution to cutting the barrel. I bought a 18.5 new barrel for $76and sold the old barrel and stock set on Ebay for $70. I bought a used pistol grip for $12 and a foregrip with hand strap for $23. So I figure I'm into this gun for for about $160 I wanted a folding stock but did not find a good deal on one.
Thanks for everyones suggestions.