help me select the ideal shotgun.

[AcceptableUserName]

I'm no stranger to shotguns by any means, but I've gotten to the point where I'm too picky to settle on one. I'll give you criteria and you guys help me try and sort this out. I should note I've owned all three guns and I keep it to these three because of the availability of parts.

I like Mossbergs. For me they're the easiest to disassemble and maintain. I also like the ergonomics and layout. However, what I do not like is that it's near impossible, at least to my knowledge, to find a full tube 18.5" configuration. every Mossberg I've ever seen that is 18-18.5 has a mag tube of 5 capacity and it stops well short of the end of the barrel. If I could find a Mossberg in 18.5" with 7 rd capacity I'd have my decision easily made. It's not possible to put a tube etxeension on a 500 either and I don't think theyre made for the 18.5" 590a1s.

I like the 870 mostly for the reason of capacity. It's very easy to find an 870 with flush mag tube 7 rd capacit yin an 18.5" barrel. That's about all I like about the 870. It's a great gun but other than what I stated it's not for me. I do not like the extension-only philosophy. I like a solid one-piece mag tube.

The Winchester 1300 defender is a good middle ground between the two, but I do not like the rotary bolt operation or the way the gun disassembles. Plus I don't think I could find a metal trigger assembly to drop in like I could on the Mossberg 500/590.


Can someone help me sort this out? I am familiar with other brands, trust me, from Ithaca 37 to High Standard Flite King. the Mossbergs my favorite, I just wish I could find an 18.5" 7-shot version. Do these even exist...if not, recommend an alternative. thanks

 

[xm21]

Go to Brownells and order the Mossberg 500 high capacity kit that consists of a 20 inch cylinder bore bbl. with a white bead front and adjustable rear sight and a 8 shot magazine tube with extended spring.The magazine tube is flush with the end of the barrel.The barrel has a 3 inch chamber so you can use 3 inch shells in addition to 2 3/4 inch shells.

The price is 149.95.If you can live with a 20 inch bbl. your ideal gun becomes a reality.

 

[jmr40]

I think you are "thinking" too much. But I understand because I've done the same thing before. I like an 870 with 20" IC rifle sighted barrel. I have a +2 extension but do not like the way it balances so I choose to stay with 4+1. I would not worry so much about 18.5 or 20".

If you like the Mossberg I would recommend getting the 590 and leave it as is. Even the standard 500 is 5+1 without trying to change out the mag tube. Seems like a lot of effort and money for 1 more round.

 

[zhyla]

I'm trying to decide between a 5+1 or 8+1 Mossberg 590 at the moment. I dislike the safety layout on 870's. I'd be all over a 6+1 or 7+1/18.5" 590. But for one extra round I'd just go with the 5+1 and not worry about it. You're going to be reloading frequently anyways, right?

It mystefies me that 1.5" adds three whole rounds. The math just doesn't seem to work out, it seems like that would add at most one round.

 

[kyo]

i got the 12 gauge 7+1 last week. Love it love it love it. I don't keep it with a round in the chamber though. Just 6 shot shells, and 1 slug in the end, just in case the SIX don't do enough to stop a threat. lol.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Leaning towards a 590 in 8+1 config. 20" just seems SO much longer than 18 to me. I've actually owned all manner of guns we're talking about including 2 different 20" 590 sp's (which I was actually quite good with), I just know what feels good and the answer is...a mix of these guns. I want the most efficient gun possible. What kind of application would a 20" gun be useful for? Seems rather large in an enclosed space....

 

[zhyla]

39.5" vs 41"? It's just an inch and a half on an already long gun. You might look into an adjustable stock, you could knock the stock down an inch or two and come out even.

If you're this picky about it I think your best bet is the shorter gun and a mag extension. Certain model Mossbergs this is possible with (I think... pretty sure I saw a picture of a 590A1 18.5" w/ extension), you'll have to do some poking around though.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

Considering a 590 20" with Hogue reduced length of pull stock. Wish I had a picture to see what one would look like (hint hint)

 

[meytind]

Doesn't MAX100 make an extension for Mossbergs that fits flush with the 18.5" barrel, making it 7+1?

 

[zhyla]

From this old thread: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=207869

 

[AcceptableUserName]

ooooh, gonna have to contact him. thanks for bringing that up