First shotgun - home defense

[Joistman]

I know almost nothing about shotguns. Am looking at Mossbergs and budget is between $300 and $400. Thats where I could use the help and advice of you experienced folks.

"standard" stock (no pistol grips) - Bead sights - 6 shot (uno) - 18 1/2" (uno)

500 Series:
$265 - #50521 Parkerized - Interchangeable barrel

$315 - #50577 Blue - 8 shot

$321 - #50411 Matte

590 Series

$391 - #50660 Matte - 20" - 9 shot - comes with a heat shield installed

590 A1 Series

$395 - #51411 - Parkerized - heavy wall barrel- metal trigger guard and
safety button

The interchangeable barrel is an attractive option - but not mandatory

Which would you select?
Thanks for your input

 

[USAF_Vet]

500 Series:
$265 - #50521 Parkerized - Interchangeable barrel

Spend your extra $$$$ on shells and range time.

 

[CoRoMo]

I agree. The 6-shot parkerized Persuader is plenty-o-gun, and the price is just fantastic!

 

[PT92]

I always say the more capacity the better for a tactical HD shotgun.

-Cheers

 

[DFM914]

You may want to consider the Maverick 88, a great economical HD weapon. It is very close to a 500 which is a great no frills shotgun. If you can find a Maverick it will likely run between $175-$220. Good luck with your choice.

 

[USAF_Vet]

+1 on the Maverick 88. It is essentially a Mossberg 500, with a few minor differences. The safety is a crossbar in front of the rigger guard, more like the Rem 870. The factory stock is plastic rather than wood, same with the for end. Also, the fore end is molded to the action bars, so no swapping of fore end without swapping the action rails as well.

Some parts are made in Mexico, guns are assembled in Texas, Maverick is a subsidiary of Mossberg. nothing wrong with them, I do own one and I like it.

 

[wrs840]

I am a big fan of 500s, and think the 50577 and 50411 are the best of their current production for a simple but quality HD shotgun, and indeed own one of each, in addition to several older 500s and one 590. Between the 50577 with a 20" bbl and 7 cap mag and the 50411 with a 18.5" bbl and a 5 cap mag it would be hard for me to pick a "best", but my nod may go to the 50411 because it just balances better IMO. And despite the description of the 50577 being "blue" and the 50411 being "matte", the finishes look identical to me... I'd call it blue/black satin, but not "matte".

Put a six-round buttcuff on and the importance of difference in mag capacity diminishes somewhat. (And if you want to put a hole in the buttcuff for the strap-button, use a hot soldering iron and the web of the fabric will be "cauterized" and won't unravel or "run").


50577 (L), 50411 (R)

 

[Fred Fuller]

If the shotgun is really going to be a 'house gun' and not get taken outdoors for anything save training and practice, whichever of the 500 series you like best will do fine.

If on the other hand you're looking for an all round shotgun that might wind up living outside with you exposed to the elements for a while, I'd spend the extra $ for one of the 590 series. There were reasons the 590 came into being, after all (the contract proposal for military shotguns the 590 was developed to meet demanded it). The reason for it was to offer a direct cleanout magazine tube that the 500 series lacks. Many of the problems that arise with tube magazine shotguns originate in the magazine, and it's an advantage to be able to pull PM on the magazine tube, spring and follower.

When it's all said and done, the ability of the shooter to run the gun matters a lot more than the gun itself, as long as the gun is reliable in its functioning. Of course, it's easier to run a gun that doesn't fail to feed because its magazine is clogged up...

fwiw,

lpl

 

[duns]

Why are you looking only at Mossberg and not at Remington?

I bought a Mossberg 590A1 and then discovered it has a couple of quirks that the Remington 870 does not.

Firstly, how do you mount the shotgun to your chest? If you pull on the foreend to pull the gun tightly against your chest, you can't immediately pump it after a taking a shot. You have to push the foreend forwards before you can pull back to pump. The alternative technique is to maintain forwards pressure on the foreend while taking the shot - then you can pull back immediately after the shot. I understand the Remington 870 can be pulled against the chest while shooting then immediately pumped. So I think the 870 is a little more intuitive.

Second quirk. I found the standard stock much too long so changed it for a telescopic stock and pistol grip. Works great except that I have to remove the stock ands pistol grip to remove the trigger group. I understand that on the 870, you can remove the trigger group without removing a telescopic stock.

Neither points are a big deal, just something to be aware of.

 

[RaceM]

Yup, the standard Mossy stock is a bit long. I chopped 1 1/2" off mine and it works better. Other'n that I had, and have, no whines on the 500.

 

[INMY01TA]

I'll second the Maverick 88. Sometimes I regret going the cheaper route, but not this time. Awesome gun, great value.

 

[oneounceload]

Since you say you know nothing about shotguns, I hope you also have a budget for some lessons/training

 

[PT92]

I'll second the Maverick 88. Sometimes I regret going the cheaper route, but not this time. Awesome gun, great value.

Ditto--The 88 is one of the best values to be had on the market hands down and it's made in the USA to boot. The H&R Pardner is another great buy (saw it today at Cabelas for $170) and it's a great value as well but I believe its Chinese (plz correct me if I am wrong)--I fired my friend's at a trap range just a few weeks back and it felt like a real 870 for an incredible price.

-Cheers