Not another "Accesorize me!" Thread!

[D.W. Drang]

Yep, LSW dragged me to Ben's Pawn & Loan in Renton WA Saturday and forced me to purchase my XMAs present early: "Any shotgun in the place as long as it's reasonable." Since I couldn't get her to agree that the Benelli M1014 was reasonably priced (not really!) I told the guy behind the counter "Mossberg 500."
What I got: 24", cylinder bore, 7+1 capacity, blued & synthetic.

What I want:
1) New buttstock. NOT a pistol grip, and probably not a folder, but probably either a Speedfeed or maybe a Choate Mk VI. Opinions?
1a) Maybe a new forearm. Anyone got experiance with a pistol grip fore?

2) Sights. Does anyone make a ghost rear sight for this, or do I need to get Mossberg's? I'm also inclined to go with a fiber optic front, although I wouldn't turn down a tritium one iof available "reasonably."

3) Sling swivel for front end: Does the mounting stud that screws into the magazine cap work well, or should I get one of the mounts from Brownells?

This is my first shotgun. Depending on what (if any) plans LSW has for my TDY pay for last week's trip to Portland there may be a 20 ga. coach gun in her near future...

 

[Dave McCracken]

DW,it IS another accessorizing thread. I'll forgive you, IF....

Take it out and shoot the dickens out of it before thumbing through all the catalogs. Get the fit right and run a case or so through it.The best accessories in the world are a flat of shells and some range time. BA/UU/R until whatever you wanted destroyed is when you shoot.

Then and only then add accessories,if you still want them. Go slow and don't let The Cool Factor remove money from your wallet with a soft,sucking sound.

Choate and Speedfeed make good stuff. The ammo things in the Speedfeed lose rounds sometimes. If I HAD to go aftermarket for a Mossie or 870, I'd probably get the Hogue. Same quality,lower price.

PG forends offer no advantange I can see, and bulk up the front end.

Sights are easy to change or add to, but why not see how the plain bead works for you? A dash of paint from a $3 bottle of Testor's Bright Yellow enamel brightens things up big time.

Mag cap sling studs work well.

HTH, though I think it's not what you wanted...

 

[D.W. Drang]

Actually, it WAS helpful, thanks. Just what you said about the Speedfeed stock (possibly) losing rounds helped.

Not interested in the cool factor, have no intention of getting (for example) a light, or a laser, or optical sights. Nor in getting it refinished parkerized, or polymerized, or rhinohided, or whatever. Not shopping for a bayonet lug.

That front bead is kinda small to these middle aged eyes...

 

[Badger Arms]

Not interested in the cool factor, have no intention of getting (for example) a light, or a laser, or optical sights.

Back-up there. A light doesn't give you a 'cool' factor, it gives you light on the shotgun so you can identify and perhaps temporarily blind your attacker. It's the first accessory you should buy for a Home Defense shotgun. Many weapons lights can cost as much as the shotgun, and many are worth the money!

 

[SapperLeader]

If this gun is for a defensive roll, I see a light as a absolute must have item, not a luxury piece. It doesn't neccesarily have to be a actual weapons light, you can rig some other bright flashlight to the gun, but target identification is deffinitly important. I personally have a surefire weapons light on my 870. and consider it worth every penny I spent on it.

 

[foghornl]

Disclaimer:

Following is In My Humble Opinion:

The pistol grip/vertical grip forend is NOT for me. Tried it with a buddy's 12 Ga Mossy ONCE.

With most loads, it was OK, but when I tried some of my favorite HD loads [3"Mag #4 Buck], I thought I had sheared off my thumb. Was about 2 weeks before I could fully grab stuff left-handed again.

 

[BerettaNut92]

On stocks: I had a standard stock for a long time. I find the pistol grip much easier to control the shotgun with when I have to use the other hand to reload, work doors, etc. Of course I need to hit the gym, but if you have less than average upper body strength, it may be of benefit.

I had a Speedfeed pistol grip stock and was unimpressed with the fit and finish. FWIW this is on a Benelli, so YMMV and CYBYWY.

 

[Smoke]

Agree with Dave.

The light would probably be the first thing I considered adding to your gun.

I still shoot a 870 with a mag tube and no other add on's. Haven't seen the need for anything else.

I have yet to meet anyone that has spent any time with a pistolgrip (especially on the front) that will say it is a "Must Have" item.