[joshlm]

I am interested in a good all purpose shotgun, to the extent one actually exists. I was thinking of going with the 870 express at my local dealer, however I was in walmart and they had what I believe was a mossberg 500 that they were selling for about $175.00. This is about 75 dollars less than the 870 I was looking but I wonder if their is something I am missing hear. The gun would be used for the occasional squirrel, dove, clay pigion,and any other hunting I may do in the future with it. I have a 20 gauge single shot that my father gave me as a child and do like the 20 gauge. Is their a particular need to go to 12 gauge? lotts of questions guys, hope you can help.

[kudu]

Go with the 12, you can load it down to where it handles like a 20.

[romulus]

I own both a Mossberg and two 870s. If I were in the game for a new shotgun, I'd shell out the extra $75 and go with the 870. Just my view...

[scout26]

Go with what feels best. Mr. McCracken, et al. will tell you that fit is the most important aspect of shotgunning, and they're correct. Get what fits, price is secondary.

[Dave McCracken]

Josh, the floating threads up top have one on The Big Four that may be helpful.

As for Mossie vs Rem, the 870 will outlast the 500. The 500 will outlast us. Get the one that FEELS best.

As for 12 vs 20, that's up to you also. More ammo choices in 12. Most 20s carry a bit lighter, but the difference may not be obvious if you're not climbing lots of hills. All purpose means waterfowling,slugs, HD and turkey, so the 12 is probably the most pragmatic choice.While I regard the 3 1/2" magnum 12 as too much shot moving through too small a pipe,there's a lot to be said for the 3" mag with appropriate loads.

HTH....

[Andrew Wyatt]

the 500 is a great shotgun. the design makes so much more sense to me than the 870, in regards to safety location and the design of the shell lifter. I just wish they made the 500 with the trigger system design of the 870, as the way the trigger functions in the 500 is strange and hard to work on.



that said, i'd get the 500. are you a lefty?

[joshlm]

Thanks guys for the help, I went to my local dealer today and someone had just came in ans sold a 12 gauge 3" chamber mossy 500. He said he would sell it to me for $100 so I went ahead and picked it up. That seemed like a pretty good price so I figured I better not wait. Thanks again with the help.

[Bruce626]

I'm so sorry I didn't get on line quick enought to warn you against $100 Mossberg 500's! They cannot be trusted. To make amends, I'll take that cheap a$$ pos off your hands for, oh lets say, $125 and call it square.

[Dave McCracken]

Good deal, good shotgun, Josh. Now BA/UU/R and enjoy...

[joshlm]

what exactly does bd/uu/r mean Mr McCracken?

[Darrin]

buy ammo/use up/repeat

[Bob F.]

Josh: don't listen to Bruce! I'll go $150!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually shopping for SG myself. WM has 870 Ex for about $230. Used 870's non-existent. New Mossy 500 $300. One shop had 870 w/ factory mag ext, 18"? bbl, black for $329. Shoulda grabbed it!!!!!!!

Ya' done good, boy! as they say in applachia!

[igor]

Andrew Wyatt, care to elaborate a bit on this thing about the 500 trigger? Would it be the same on a 590?

[Andrew Wyatt]

it's the same as a 590. the disconnector is also a connecting rod that operates the sear. while it's quite clever, it also limits just how good a pull you can get.

[joshlm]

While I am getting such a good response to this thread I have a couple of questions. The barrel that the 500 came with is 28" long. For the majority of my hunting a shorter barrel would be very handy. I have noticed several places sell 18.5" barrels for about $65. This barrel would be great for some of the dense area that I squrrel hunt in. Hovever I would like to be able to use choke tubes, what would be a good solution. I guess I could have the barrel I already have cut down and threaded but if I'm not mistaken this barrel would be better for birds than a shorter one. Any suggestions?

[Dave McCracken]

I recall seeing some shorter barrels advertised for the 500, IIRC they were 24" and tube ready. Maybe Cabela's....

But, I've done some squirrelin' with long barrels and find them no handicap.

[22/22mag]

Hi Joshlm, I just got my first shotgun a Mossberg 500 12 gauge combo with 2 barrels .The short barrel (no choke ) shoots every thing ,slugs,00, bbs ,ect.The longer barrel came with 3 chokes.I found the short barrel was good even when the target was geting a little hard for me to see eye sight not what it use to be .I removed the stock and added a Knoxx Compstock recoil system with a folding pistol stock.One reason to cut down on recoil and two to make the gun about 29 inchs long to shoot in close quarters or extend it for distant shots,and it hides in small spaces like in the car.Very happy with it and a Scout M6 .22 hornet/.410 ,so I have been having a ball .Good shooting.22/22mag

[joshlm]

Thanks for the help everyone, I am going hunting in the morning so I can give that long barrel a try in real world conditions, will see how it does.