Well, I went and did it...

Went out to look at a few guns today with my dad. After visiting a few big box stores we hit a small family owned store (Simmons Sporting Goods in Bessemer, AL). Ended up leaving with a Mossberg 500 for $300 and a cleaning kit for $12. It came with a pre-installed heat shield and optional pistol grip (will probably never be used). it has a matte finish, not glossy, and regular bead sight. I'm glad I took yall's advice and went for the Mossberg over the Maverick 88. I would have pics but I'm home for Thanksgiving and without a decent camera.

Still haven't gotten to shoot, going Wednesday when a buddy gets done with class. Trying to justify to myself the price for the 100lumen Surefire LED forend...maybe for Xmas. Will I need anything else for that installation? Anyways, picked up 200 rounds of Federal "Field and Target" and a box of 00 buckshot to keep in it at the house (I live with one adult roommate, no kids, so no worry about having it loaded in the closet).

Yeah, I'm enjoying it so far (and I'm just sitting on the couch breaking it down and putting it back together while watching football, lol).

Something I was thinking, since the light will only be "necessary" in the instance that I'm using the gun to protect myself and/or my family, which would hopefully require no shots, but at most 1-5 shots, is there any problem with those pieces that allow you to clamp a regular flashlight to the end of the gun? I have a decent set of LED flashlights (Maglight, Inova, etc) that should easily stand up to a few shots, and would be fine mounting one of those on the gun instead of the Surfire.

Last question, I am interested in a side saddle, and have read that it will not work with the stock forend. Which forends do yall recommend? I would rather buy one good product over 2-3 cheap ones to find out I should have bought the good one in the first place. Learned that from my other hobby, "He who buys cheap, buys twice."

Yup, I'll have to find threads discussing it, but the way the forend comes back it comes over where the front of the side saddle will be. I'll figure out the forend issue first, since it seems there are a few lengths that might be needed, but I'm going to go put 100 rounds through it bone stock before I do anything and go from there.

Alright, here is the receiver with the forend pulled back:



And here is another M500 with a side saddle, note the different forend.

I guess I could go with a 4-5 shot saddle...

Well went and shot it today finally. Put 100 rounds of Federal "Field and Target" and 10 rounds of #4. First 50 were with the normal stock, very comfortable, the next 50 and 10 #4 were with the pistol grip that came with the gun. I really don't see what the complaining is about. I had no issues hitting the target (a Coors light box, not ours, it was already out there, no drinking for us) at 20 yards (longest straight shot in my house is 10 yards) from the hip. I'm sure I'll catch flack for it, but it really didn't bother me. I'm looking to get the set of Hogue Tamer grips. The #4 did kick quite a bit, but from what I've read, I was expecting the gun to be jumping out of my hand. Not the case. I am 6'4" 280lbs, so that might have something to do with it.

In any case, I am happy with the gun and comfortable with the security it will provide for me and my family in the future. Didn't get to snap any pics today, was too busy shooting, I'll be sure to grab some Saturday morning (man, this shooting thing is addictive, already trying to figure out my next purchase, lol).

We did have a "funny accident", my buddy, a local police officer, wanted to try the pistol grip with the #4 and for whatever reason tried to use the sight. Well it busted him in the lip pretty good. He's fine, but just a humorous story that we'll get to rag on him about for a few weeks.