Mossberg 500 Newebie - Need Advice

[guntalk]

Hi folks,

I'm looking for an inexpensive home defense shotgun. The Mossberg 500 seems to fit the bill, but it looks like there are multiple configurations. What should I go with in terms of all the options? I just want a basic self defense shotgun for home. If y'all have other guns you'd recommend, I'm all ears.

Thanks!

[Murgatroy]

There is the plain jane Mossberg 500, the Maverick 88, the Remington 870 and the NEF Pardner Pump. In short, as long as it has a 3" chamber and an 18.5" barrel you are good to go.

They are all modifiable with numerous options. I don't care for the safety on the Mossberg, it is a tang mounted. The rest all have the cross bar safety. The Maverick is a lower cost option to the Mossberg, and the NEF Pardner Pump is clone of the 870 with minor receiver differences.

I have an NEF Pardner Pump. It is fine, and I haven't had any issues out of it after ~500 rounds. It ran my $200 OTD at Dicks a couple of years ago. The only thing I don't like about it is the finish. The bluing isn't that deep and the gun is prone to surface rust if you don't clean it religiously after use. Liberal use of oil helps. I have a buddy that bought the exact same gun at the exact same time, and he has never fired it. Still NIB and he has no rust issues. I have to attribute it to my less than anal cleaning.

[Guest jackdm3]

There is the plain jane Mossberg 500, the Maverick 88, the Remington 870 and the NEF Pardner Pump. In short, as long as it has a 3" chamber and an 18.5" barrel you are good to go.

They are all modifiable with numerous options. I don't care for the safety on the Mossberg, it is a tang mounted. The rest all have the cross bar safety. The Maverick is a lower cost option to the Mossberg, and the NEF Pardner Pump is clone of the 870 with minor receiver differences.

I have an NEF Pardner Pump. It is fine, and I haven't had any issues out of it after ~500 rounds. It ran my $200 OTD at Dicks a couple of years ago. The only thing I don't like about it is the finish. The bluing isn't that deep and the gun is prone to surface rust if you don't clean it religiously after use. Liberal use of oil helps. I have a buddy that bought the exact same gun at the exact same time, and he has never fired it. Still NIB and he has no rust issues. I have to attribute it to my less than anal cleaning.

Wutt!? Like a colonic?

[Guest bkelm18]

18" barrel and a extended mag tube is really all you'd want.

[Smith]

I like putting the Blackhawk /Knoxx Spec Ops stocks on mine. Takes 85-95% of the felt recoil out and is adjustable. Both things are great, especially for women and those who want to practice without bruising themselves.

SpecOps Adjustable Shotgun Stock - BLACKHAWK!

[Kevo]

I have the basic 5+1 synthetic stocked Mossberg 500. Paid $275 for it with a sock shell holder on the buttstock. Spent about $25 on a sling and studs. I'd love to have tritium sights, a tacticool light and a BlackHawk stock. But as is, when my tacticool assault rifle is locked away, my Mossberg is ready to send 15 30cal lead balls with a simple rack and trigger pull. I like the tang mounted safety. Would I rather have a Benelli M4? Yes. But a basic plain Jane 500 will suffice.

[TNcitizen22]

I have a Mossberg 500 Persuader, love it.

[TNWNGR]

The Mossberg 500 is a good value for the dollar, I own a Persuader which I placed a sholuder stock on and replaced the plastic tang safety with a steel one from Brownell's. The 590 is s good step up in durability and I really like it a lot, in fact I carry one in my cruiser, good solid shotgun.

Now for the downside on Mossberg 500's, they don't fare to well in tactical shotgun courses, generally the safety or trigger group will either fail or just plane casue problem's. On the good side though is your unlikely to ever encounter anything like this in real world occasional usage. The tang safety is an easy fix with the replacement metal one from Brownell's and a slightly stronger spring. I don't have a solution for the plastic trigger group though but sure would like to figure one out.

[Erik88]

I have a Mossberg 500 Persuader, love it.

+1

[I_Like_Pie]

Mossberg/Maverick Pump $180 out the door. Best deal in SD bar-none.

It fits your criteria because it basically is a 500 aside from minor differences (safety position) but every bit as good a gun that will spend 99.9% of its life in a closet - hopefully.

[TNWNGR]

That's a fantastic price for a NIB 12 ga pump shotgun...I also agree with the "every bit as good" comment.

Mossberg/Maverick Pump $180 out the door. Best deal in SD bar-none.

It fits your criteria because it basically is a 500 aside from minor differences (safety position) but every bit as good a gun that will spend 99.9% of its life in a closet - hopefully.

[I_Like_Pie]

The only problem is that they are only found at Academy Sports for that price. Unless you are near Chatt, Nashville, or Knoxville - you may be cheaper to buy a used 870 or 500. Both of which are around $200 used here locally.

CLICK HERE

For some reason the 18" models are not showing up on their site.

[Murgatroy]

We don't have an Academy in Knoxville.

[I_Like_Pie]

We don't have an Academy in Knoxville.

You are right...for some reason I was confusing it with Gander mountain. Cross your fingers that you get one...they are a really great shop.

[Guest bkelm18]

A couple weeks ago Gander had a Mossy 500 18" with the extended mag tube for.... I think $350.