Elevate Your Mossberg 500: Precision Optics Mounting with the Redfield 47523 2-Piece Weaver-Style Base

Are you a Mossberg 500 owner looking to unlock the full potential of your shotgun? Perhaps you're a hunter aiming for enhanced accuracy with slugs, a competitive shooter seeking faster target acquisition, or a home defense advocate desiring superior low-light performance. If you've ever asked, "How can I mount a modern optic like a red dot or a scope on my Mossberg 500?" or "What's the most reliable way to add a durable scope base to my shotgun?", then the Redfield Mounts 47523 2-Piece Base is the definitive answer you’ve been searching for.

The venerable Mossberg 500 shotgun is renowned for its reliability, versatility, and widespread adoption among hunters, sport shooters, and law enforcement. While an excellent firearm right out of the box, its full potential, especially for tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy or rapid target engagement beyond traditional bead sights, is often realized only with the addition of a quality optic. This is where the Redfield 47523 Weaver-Style Base becomes an indispensable upgrade, specifically engineered to bridge the gap between your trusted Mossberg 500 and the world of advanced optical sighting systems.

Why Add an Optic to Your Mossberg 500?

Many shotgun owners initially question the need for an optic, especially if they're accustomed to using traditional bead sights. However, integrating a scope, red dot, or holographic sight offers a multitude of tangible benefits that can dramatically improve your shooting experience and capabilities:

• Superior Accuracy: For slug hunting or shooting at longer ranges (50+ yards), a magnified scope or even a non-magnified red dot with a precise aiming point can significantly improve shot placement compared to open sights. This is crucial for ethical hunting shots or competitive precision.
• Faster Target Acquisition: Red dot sights, with their wide field of view and intuitive aiming reticle, allow for incredibly rapid target acquisition, especially beneficial in dynamic scenarios like competitive shooting or home defense situations where speed is paramount.
• Low-Light Performance: Optics with illuminated reticles or robust light-gathering capabilities can vastly improve visibility in dim conditions, extending your effective shooting hours during dawn or dusk hunts.
• Improved Sight Picture: For shooters with aging eyes or those who struggle to simultaneously focus on a front sight, rear sight, and target, an optic provides a single, clear focal plane, simplifying the aiming process.
• Enhanced Versatility: With an optic, your Mossberg 500 transforms into a more adaptable tool, capable of excelling in a broader range of applications, from deer hunting to tactical drills.

The Challenge of Shotgun Optics and How Redfield Solves It

Shotguns present unique challenges when it comes to mounting optics. Unlike many rifles that come with integrated receiver cuts or pre-drilled and tapped holes, older or more basic shotgun models often lack these features. Even when holes are present, the intense recoil generated by shotgun shells demands an exceptionally robust and precisely engineered mounting solution that can withstand repetitive concussive forces without shifting or losing zero.

This is precisely where the Redfield 47523 2-Piece Base excels. It’s not just a generic rail; it's a purpose-built system meticulously designed for the Mossberg 500. Redfield, a name synonymous with American quality and optical precision for over a century, has applied its deep understanding of firearm mechanics to create a mount that addresses these specific shotgun-related challenges. The 2-piece design and robust construction ensure a rock-solid foundation, minimizing the chances of your optic losing zero, even under the stress of heavy magnum loads.

Unpacking the Redfield 47523 2-Piece Weaver-Style Base

Let's delve into the specific attributes that make the Redfield Mounts 47523 an optimal choice for your Mossberg 500:

• Dedicated Mossberg 500 Compatibility: This is not a "universal" mount. The 47523 is custom-engineered to perfectly align with the factory-drilled and tapped holes on the Mossberg 500 receiver. This precision fit ensures optimal bore alignment and maximum stability, eliminating the guesswork and potential for instability associated with ill-fitting alternatives.
• Weaver-Style Design: The "Weaver Style" designation is critical. This base features the traditional Weaver cross-slots, which are incredibly versatile and compatible with a vast array of scope rings and optic mounts on the market. While often confused with Picatinny (MIL-STD-1913) rails, Weaver bases have slightly narrower slots and varying spacing. However, the good news for users is that most Picatinny-compatible rings and accessories are designed with enough tolerance to fit snugly onto a Weaver base like the Redfield 47523. This ensures you have a wide selection of optics and rings to choose from, offering excellent flexibility for your setup.
• 2-Piece Base Configuration: The two-piece design offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for greater flexibility in positioning your scope rings, accommodating optics with varying tube lengths and bell sizes. This is particularly useful for optimizing eye relief – the critical distance between your eye and the scope's eyepiece – ensuring a comfortable and consistent sight picture. Secondly, the two-piece nature typically makes for a lighter overall mounting solution compared to a full-length one-piece rail, reducing the overall weight added to your shotgun without compromising strength where it matters most: at the mounting points.
• Durable Black Finish: The base is finished in a non-reflective black, which not only complements the aesthetics of most Mossberg 500 models but also provides a durable, corrosion-resistant surface. This finish protects the mount from the elements and the rigors of field use, ensuring its longevity and maintaining a sleek, professional appearance.
• Precision Machined Quality: Redfield's commitment to quality is evident in the precision machining of the 47523 base. This attention to detail ensures that the bases are perfectly flat and parallel, providing a true and stable platform for your optic. Deviations in manufacturing can lead to frustrating zeroing issues or even damage to your scope, problems meticulously avoided with Redfield's stringent quality control.

Who Will Benefit Most from the Redfield 47523 Base?

This scope base is an ideal solution for a diverse range of Mossberg 500 owners:

• The Serious Slug Hunter: For deer, bear, or hog hunters using shotgun slugs, precise shot placement is paramount. A high-quality scope mounted on a stable base like the Redfield 47523 can turn your Mossberg 500 into an incredibly effective medium-range hunting rifle, dramatically improving your accuracy and confidence in the field.
• The Tactical or Home Defense User: Rapid target acquisition is non-negotiable in critical situations. Pairing a red dot or holographic sight with this base provides a lightning-fast aiming solution, allowing you to acquire targets almost instinctively, even in high-stress scenarios.
• The Competitive Shooter: Whether you're participating in 3-Gun matches, tactical shotgun competitions, or just hitting steel targets at the range, the ability to mount a fast and accurate optic will give you a competitive edge.
• The Shotgun Enthusiast Looking for an Upgrade: If you love your Mossberg 500 and want to enhance its capabilities, adding an optic via a reliable base is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make. It transforms the shotgun from a basic tool into a versatile and precision instrument.
• The New Mossberg 500 Owner: If you've just acquired a Mossberg 500 and are planning your first set of upgrades, this base should be at the top of your list if an optic is in your future. It's a foundational component for any serious optical setup.

Installation Guidance: Getting Your Optic Mounted

One of the great advantages of the Redfield 47523 base is its relatively straightforward installation process for anyone with basic mechanical aptitude. While professional installation is always an option, many users can perform this upgrade at home. Here’s a general overview of the steps involved:

1. Safety First: ALWAYS ensure your Mossberg 500 is completely unloaded before beginning any work. Check the chamber and magazine tube multiple times. Keep the action open.
2. Gather Your Tools: You'll typically need a set of gunsmithing screwdrivers or a torque wrench with appropriate bits, as well as a thread-locking compound (e.g., blue Loctite, which is removable) to prevent screws from vibrating loose under recoil.
3. Clean Receiver Holes: Ensure the factory-drilled and tapped holes on your Mossberg 500 receiver are clean and free of any debris or old thread locker. A cotton swab with rubbing alcohol can help.
4. Position the Bases: Carefully align each of the two Redfield bases with the corresponding screw holes on the receiver. The longer base typically goes towards the rear of the receiver.
5. Apply Thread Locker: Apply a small amount of blue thread locker to the threads of each mounting screw before inserting them. This is crucial for maintaining zero under recoil.
6. Secure the Bases: Insert the screws and hand-tighten them initially. Then, using your torque wrench (if available, recommended for consistent tension), tighten the screws to the manufacturer's recommended specifications (often around 20-25 inch-pounds, but always verify). Avoid overtightening, which can strip threads or damage the receiver.
7. Mount Your Optic/Rings: Once the bases are securely attached, you can proceed with mounting your chosen scope rings or red dot sight directly to the Weaver-style slots. Ensure proper eye relief and alignment before tightening your optic down.
8. Bore Sight and Zero: After installation, the final step is to bore-sight your new optic and then take your Mossberg 500 to the range to meticulously zero it. This process ensures that your point of aim matches your point of impact at your desired distance.

By following these steps, you can confidently install your Redfield 47523 base, knowing that your optic will be securely mounted and ready to perform.

Choosing the Perfect Optic for Your Mossberg 500 and Redfield Base

With the Redfield 47523 providing a robust mounting platform, you're free to select the optic that best suits your needs:

• Red Dot Sights: Ideal for fast, close-to-medium range engagements. Popular for home defense, tactical training, and turkey hunting. They offer unlimited eye relief and rapid target acquisition.
• Holographic Sights: Similar to red dots but project a more complex reticle that appears suspended in space. Excellent for speed and precision.
• Low Power Variable Optics (LPVOs): Typically 1-4x, 1-6x, or 1-8x magnification. Offer the versatility of a red dot at 1x and true magnification for longer shots. A fantastic choice for slug hunting or tactical use where variable range is a factor.
• Traditional Riflescopes: For dedicated slug guns, a fixed power (e.g., 2.5x, 4x) or moderate variable power (e.g., 1.5-5x, 2-7x) scope can provide the magnification needed for precision at extended shotgun ranges (up to 150-200 yards with modern slugs).

Regardless of your choice, the Redfield 47523 ensures a stable foundation for maximum performance.

The Redfield Legacy: Trust and Performance

Redfield has been a respected name in the shooting sports industry since 1909. With a heritage deeply rooted in American manufacturing and a long-standing reputation for producing reliable and high-performance optics and accessories, choosing a Redfield product means investing in proven quality. The 47523 Weaver-Style Base for the Mossberg 500 carries this legacy forward, offering a dependable and durable solution that stands up to the demands of serious shooting. When you select Redfield, you're not just buying a piece of hardware; you're leveraging over a century of engineering excellence designed to enhance your shooting experience.

This essential upgrade for your Mossberg 500, the Redfield Mounts 47523 2-Piece Base, is available at DEGuns. Enhance your shotgun's capabilities and enjoy improved accuracy and versatility in the field, at the range, or for home defense.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Detail
Model	Redfield 47523
Type	2-Piece Base
Compatibility	Mossberg 500 Shotgun
Rail Style	Weaver-Style (compatible with most Weaver & Picatinny rings)
Finish	Black
Material	High-Strength Alloy (typically aluminum or steel for durability)
Mounting	Screws into pre-drilled and tapped holes on Mossberg 500
UPC	030317475231