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An old Mossberg, after a tragic accident- resurrected as a home defense weapon

This was originally a Mossberg 185 K-A bolt action shotgun-dated 1925- O.F. Mossberg & Sons-Model 185 K-A -20 Ga. 2/3/4 inch with a Poly-choke.. Bought it off my granddad when I was about 13 or 14 for $25. Fortunately, it was not a family heirloom, just one he had picked up somewhere-- My pheasant hunting gun for many a year-Many a tasty dinner provided by this shotgun-- Bolt action shotguns fell out of favor because the bolt was considered to be too slow & heavy to get a 2nd shot-- However, mine I would match against any pump action for speed, with it's 2 shot clip & one in the pipe--Now the drama-- While doing some routine cleaning/oiling probably 25 years ago, it slipped from my hands & landed butt first on a concrete floor which broke the stock literally in half-- Therefore, I resurrected this gem as a home defense weapon, after a little profiling and a shortened barrel-BTW. still legal length-- Not the best pic, but my photo editor is being contrary--

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Replies to This Discussion

FeaturedPermalink Reply by Charles Sample on May 11, 2015 at 22:51

That shotgun brings back memories to me John. I grew up hunting with a Mossberg bolt action 20 gauge just like that one except mine had screw on choke tubes instead of a poly choke. If I remember right mine was a Model 185-D. I walked many a mile through the woods and fields on our farm and the neighboring farms carrying that shotgun. When my father passed away my brother got it and a Mossberg .22 rifle. While he was still alive my brother let the rifle get away. I don't know what happened to the shotgun after my brother passed away. I need to ask my sister if she knows. I would sure like to buy it back.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 11, 2015 at 23:10

Just as a point of reference-- Here is the original configuration for the Mossberg-- This one is about 30 years newer than mine, but the same basic profile and design-

Permalink Reply by J.J. Smith III on May 11, 2015 at 23:40

Not a thing wrong with that...

Permalink Reply by Tobias Gibson on May 12, 2015 at 7:34

That's a great looking gun - with and without a stock! Thanks for sharing, John!

Permalink Reply by Clint Thompson on May 12, 2015 at 8:14

Nice job on the redo.

KnifeMakerPermalink Reply by Carl Rechsteiner on May 12, 2015 at 18:50

Great looking home defense gun. Nice recovery.

Bet my old Ithica 37 Feather Weight could give her a run on speed. I can jack a load with one hand.

Gotta love the ol' girls!

Thanks for sharing.

Permalink Reply by Ms Data on May 14, 2015 at 20:23

Wow. Nice conversion job John.

In MemoriamPermalink Reply by John McCain on May 17, 2015 at 22:35

Thanks all for the kind comments-- I honestly don't remember what all I did to reprofile it, other than a hacksaw to the barrel- I just couldn't stand to see a great ol' gun go to waste---

Permalink Reply by David Joseph Steier on May 19, 2015 at 16:01

John McCain said:

Thanks all for the kind comments-- I honestly don't remember what all I did to reprofile it, other than a hacksaw to the barrel- I just couldn't stand to see a great ol' gun go to waste---

Permalink Reply by David Joseph Steier on May 19, 2015 at 16:03

I still have mine. Don't use it much anymore. Replaced it with pumps and an auto. Still a great gun. Carried it through my college years when I couldn't afford much more.

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