sights and it's a KICKER
I took the recently acquired Mossberg w/ its stubby barrel and shot some more slugs, and it was not as "on" as I first stated. In fact, it shot about 6" high and right from point of aim at 50 yds. Not sure why I thought it was zeroed, and glad I didn't shoot at anything that needed shot, as I very likely would not have hit where I aimed.
There was no down adjustment left in the rear sight, the tiny screw and slot adjusted leaf in the rear sight assembly was as low as it would go. I removed the complete leaf, leaving only the wings of of the sight, and simply held with the front blade centered on the sight base. Much to my delight, that shot landed with correct elevation at 50. But I still had a windage problem.
Out comes the brass hammer and punch. I don't suppose that sight has moved in its dovetail in 40 years or more. Some penetrating oil, and some serious punch action, and it finally nudged over, thankfully w/o marring the barrel. Shoot again, and of course, it's a wee bit TOO FAR left now. I tapped it back some, but did not shoot again. Why you might ask??????
'Cause at that point, I'd had enough. I'd shot 8 rds, good squeezes. I had two decent 3 shot groups, and two rounds I'd shot off hand to dispense with some old ammo. And my shoulder was killing me. Big 'ol hairy chested me, experienced shooter and big guy, is not gonna shoot that stubby, light, alloy framed pump with full house slugs until it gets a proper recoil pad!!!
absolutely vicious, and it stung me more than anything else I've ever shot!!! I've shot a lot of slugs over the years in short Remington pumps for LE quals, nothing ever rocked me like this Mossberg.
The gun has a simple butt plate, and closer inspection yields that plate is not factory OEM, somebody doubtless has removed the pad and screwed on the plate, which is a close match. I prefer the tad shorter length of pull the plate offers, what is likely going to happen is the stock will get docked a bit and a good Kick-eeze pad installed, thus keeping the length of pull the same.
I've considered shooting reduced recoil slugs, but how do you explain that to my real man buddies?