new mossberg 500 12g need advice

[patrick28]

Bought my 2nd shotgun of my life my previous was a mossberg m5901 I believe, sold it yrs ago and rly took it on a trade it was nice had a stainless look with black furniture and a folder stock.

Anyway I just bought a new mossberg 500 12g 5+1 18.5" barrel non slug smooth,
It's cercoted in magpul fde with multi cam furniture looks rly nice
Well im looking for 2 things
A-best things to buy for it, I like doing my own smitty work it will be my first time working on a shotgun. My level of knowledge on this gun is basic I can do an assembly & disassembly, and know proper function.
B-how to install these items or at least any tips or tricks to getting by with general smith tools unless absolutely necessary.


Things I want to do with the gun
-not ruin the finish
-side saddle
-a good set of sights it currently can support a rail & has a lil gold bead front sight. Maybe night sights?
-the front sight which type is easily installed? Seen a clamp type that fits on the barrel, a screw in type that looks like it may require a bit more work to fit, and a dove tail type the latter is probably out of my knowledge ability & tools on hand.
-top mounted rail, I have an Trijicon rm09 and a colt co-witness sight in matching fde that might be fun to try out, if so does anyone have one on a 12g? Does it handle the recoil?
-not interested in furniture
-perhaps a more ridgid safety switch although the one on it isn't broke so probably least of my needs.
-is there a rail mounted rear sight?

And what is up with the dowel inside the magazine ? For hunting?

Also lastly any ability to extend the magazine to 8+1 and have it be the matching fde color?

Thanks
Main purpose is home defense, and like to try out a 3 gun match so... needed a 3rd gun.

[patrick28]

http://www.expansion-industries.com/product-p/mb50425.htm
Here's the one I got

[shotgunshooter]

Get an XS Big Dot for your shotgun.

[TNWNGR]

The dowel rod is a bird hunting thing limiting how many rounds the mag tube can hold, just pull it out. As to the side saddle I don't recommend one on the 500 due to the alloy receiver, I ran one for a few years and eventually learned it creates some reliability issues. As to sights you have to determine whether you want to have a front sight silver soldered on or epoxied. FWIW I recommend the XS Big Dot as well coupled with a C-More reflex sight as it affords a wider view. One of the more important things to consider is a good sling set up and which you like best. Then you should consider a good weapons light set up that's sturdy, easy to use and has a good battery life.