[DMK]

I have a Mossberg 500A 20" with an 7 shot mag tube (pic here (http://www.thehighroad.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9790&d=1075132227)). It's very heavy and cumbersome for an HD gun. I've been toying with swapping the barrel and tube to make it an 18" 5 shot model. The parts don't cost that much and it should make it a bit handier and better balanced.

Would this be worth the effort? I can't find an 18" Mossberg locally to handle.

[ball3006]

would be the weight of one round of ammo. If the gun is too heavy for you, go back to the standard mag tube. Two inches of thin wall pipe weighs hardly nothing.........besides, cops use the same tape measure that game wardens use when measuring your barely legal fish. No question a 20 inch barrel is legal......chris3

[kellyj00]

I had the same problem, a mossberg 500 fully loaded is not balanced at all.
Don't use a pistol grip, first off...get some sort of full length stock or collapsable. I wouldn't want to have to shoot from the hip in a home invasion.

Only load 5 rounds in the mag tube. I know, it's not up to full capacity that way and 'what if I need the extra 2 shells?" The odds of your home being invaded aren't very high anyhow, let alone by 7 BG's at once.

The mossberg 500 20" is a Great home defense shotgun. Congratulations.

[foghornl]

I had thought about {once or twice, and briefly, at that} converting my 5+1 Maverick to the 7+1.

Would need mag tube, mag spring, MAYBE mag follower, [not sure if those are different] and a new barrel. By the time I added all that up, I was close to the cost of a whole new shotgun.

I have handled the 20" barrel version, and couldn't really tell much difference, untill it was fully loaded. Did get a bit heavy with 7 slugs in there.

When I took the 28" mod-choke barrel off and installed the 18-1/2" cylinder choke barrel, it seemed to make a lot more difference in 'Handy-ness' than just the 9-1/2" of barrel would suggest...Not to mention that Mrs. Foggy is much happier that I haven't poked any more holes in the walls with the muzzle while negotiating tight corners.

[New_geezer]

I shouldn't think 2" would make that much of a difference. As was suggested, just load 5 shells instead of 7. I don't really think the heat shield counts for much in a HD situation - an extended firefight is not likely, so remove it. Together that should reduce the weight quite a bit. I'd at least try it first before modifying this gun. Besides, if money is no object - around here you can buy a 5-shot 500 that comes with both 28" and 18.5" barrels for somewhere around $250. Best of both worlds.

[DMK]

I don't really think the heat shield counts for much in a HD situation - an extended firefight is not likely, so remove it. Actually, already did.
:)

Don't use a pistol grip, first off...get some sort of full length stock or collapsable. I wouldn't want to have to shoot from the hip in a home invasion.Already did (take a look at the pic). I tried the PG it came with once. Ordered a full stock the week I got it.

besides, cops use the same tape measure that game wardens use when measuring your barely legal fish. No question a 20 inch barrel is legal. Not sure what this means. :confused: 18" barrels are legal. Mossberg sells this gun with an 18" barrel.



I'll try reducing the mag load. Can't believe I didn't think of trying that.

[jakemccoy]

(I'm assuming that $200 tax thingie is not a consideration.)

You shouldn't go with the 18" barrel because of how the cops measure barrels. Here's the Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) on how they measure (Read entire "Firearm" definition under Section 179.11):

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_2002/aprqtr/pdf/27cfr179.11.pdf

A 17.95" barrel is just as illegal as a 17" barrel. If you scratch the end of an 18.00" barrel, you might as well throw it away. The cops won't round up to the nearest whole number. Coming up 0.05" short could potentially put you in the pen and/or hit you up for a large fine. Search the BATF website for the penalty; it's rather stiff. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. If the prosecutor is nice, he'll refer to your 17.95" barrel shotgun in court as a "sawed off shotgun". Your tactical shotgun would already look scary to a jury (maybe not scary to you because you stare at it everyday). Anyway, if the cops happen to see your 18" barrel at the range and do an incorrect measurement, they'll still confiscate your gun, and you'll still have to go through time consuming legal hurdles.

You shouldn't do anything less than 18.5". The 18" barrel is just not worth the risk to a rational, sane human being.

[DMK]

You shouldn't do anything less than 18.5". The 18" barrel is just not worth the risk to a rational, sane human being.You guys are taking me way too literally. Yes, I'm talking about the 18.5" barrel Mossberg sells that's the next size smaller than 20". . Link here (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=748383)

[748]

If the cops take my sawed off shot gun for no reason I will call the ATF and unleash the dogs of war on them. They can take it if it is illigal to have a sawed off shot gun in that state/city or if your doing some thing stupid with it. If you are with in your rights all they can do is call the ATF.
When a cop takes some thing form you with out good reason its still called stealing.
The $200 tax stamp comes with some perks like protection.
Lets say some one breaks in to your house while your at work.
Bad guys take a regular shot gun, there is about a 50/50 chance you will get it back. If you have the serrial number it might turn up at a pawn shop.
Bad guys take a registered title 2 fire arm you have a 85% chance of getting it back. And the bad guy will go to federal prision.

[sm]

foghornl wrote :
Not to mention that Mrs. Foggy is much happier that I haven't poked any more holes in the walls with the muzzle while negotiating tight corners.

foghornl,
Listen,
I really appreciate your, and your postings. I mean I really pay attention to you.

Quote I pulled - Is downright funny! :p

I am not sure Mrs. Foggy finally got all the walls textured, painted, wallpapered, with border and trim and whatever else from previous holes you poked, and does not want them messed up.
or
She is scheming how to get you to do maneuvers in the kitchen and bathrooms to get them re-done. :D

DMK,
Sorry for drift. I had a funny mind picture.

20" or 18.5" is a matter of Gun Fit, I for one appreciate you sharing your concerns.

Personally I like 20" barrels, and no mag extensions.
I am wanting reliable, and for me, the less there is to go wrong, the more reliable I feel the gun is.

Hence the reason, I use a bone stock gun, and I want some choke in the barrel, or a screw in choke.
I have had no problems over the years using a bone stock 26" , 28" gun.
I was raised, and lessons given with these guns.

18.5" or 20" bone stock Police Guns, Like the Ithaca 37, 870 , and others I am fine with, just for me a 20" 870 fits me better, and a 18.5" Ithaca fits me better.
Each gun and person are different and gun fit therefore is going to differ.

[Dave McCracken]

Train some with it, after a few thousand mounts and a truckload of ammo it'll feel much lighter.

Instead of modifying the equipment, upgrade the operator....

[jakemccoy]

DMK, how are we taking you too literally? You said 18", which does not mean 18.5". I've seen an 18" barrel. Remington sells an 18" Police Barrel with ghost sights. I called Remington Parts Department about it. The representative actually said I may run into some legal issues if I nick the muzzle.

:eek:

Anyway, I get you now.

[DMK]

Train some with it, after a few thousand mounts and a truckload of ammo it'll feel much lighter.

Instead of modifying the equipment, upgrade the operator....Somehow I new you'd say something like that Mr. Dave. :)

Thanks for the advice folks. I think I will just leave it as is and spend the money on ammo.