A couple of years ago Mossberg supposedly came out with a single shot rifle with interchangeable barrels. A friend and I have been looking the Phoenix area over for them but no one has one and can't seem to find one. Are these things actually out there or not? And if so has anyone used one? Are they good rifles or what?

Sure, these have been out for a few years, here's their webpage: http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/modelSSi.htm .

I tell you, I was red hot for one (since I already have a Ruger #1, and original Hi-Wall, Ballard, and Maynard SS rifles) , but once I saw one ... not too sure.

From the action back it is very similar in lines to the Ruger #1 rifles, and though I love schable forends, it looks somewhat out of place on this rifle to me. Take a look at this one:

I prefer the look of this forend much better:


BTW - there are a TON of these rifles for sale over on www.gunbroker.com , just do a search on "mossberg ssi".

FWIW there was a "like new" one that I saw last week at a gun store in Maine for < $300 in 30-06. The bluing isn't as bright blue as Rugers are, but nice, though the action was a darker hue than the barrel. It handled nicely and lifted to my shoulder easily, and pointed naturally. But in some ways ... I thought it was a "prettied up" H&R rifle, meaning better wood and more refined design. This quote here, from another forum seems to sum them up best: "An attempt to make an less expensve version of a Ruger 1, yet something better than an H&R rifle".

But ... I have yet to read about HOW THEY SHOOT! Here's a post form another forum, but again, no "real world" test: http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=458302

FWIW, just found this one test by the NRA, see: http://www.nrahq.org/publications/tah/deerrifle.asp had a 30-06 print 3" groups from the bench @ 100 yards.

Anyway, hope some of this info helps you decide what to do. Cheers and tight groups!

Thanks for the quick reply and the info. Here in the Phoenix area we haven't seen one of these little rifles in a store yet. We thought that it would be a good coyote rifle in 243 and being a fairly cheap rifle something that could be thrown in the truck as a "work" gun. I couldn't do this with a #1 or higher quality rifle but this rifle would be a great little tool if it shoots. Guess I'll just have to keep looking for one around here and if not then go on-line and get one.

I picked up one in 06 and it seems to be built like the proverbial bank vault. Tight and crisp. Cut checkering, and reasonably figured Walnut. Accuracy generally runs around 1.25 to 1.5 inch,I think all groups stayed under 2 inches. Haven't tried any serious reloading for it yet. I'm quite impressed with the gun. The trigger was a bit heavy but after some polishing it smoothed up quite nicely. The only bad comment I could say about the gun is it is a tad heavy for my taste but I'll still keep it. Now for more barrels.

Steve E..........

The word I got when they were first released ( after quite a long delay ) was that they had accuracy problems. Haven't read anything to contradict that.

The description above of a prettied-up Handi Rifle is good.
Problem is I am happy with my Handi-Rifles and will likely skip over the Mossberg to a #1 for my next SS choice.

The local Gander Mountain has a rack full of them on clearance; must not have been moving well.