[panther22]

I stopped in a pawn shop the other day and looked at the tactical shotguns again. I like a short, easy to swing shotty, but want more options then just the open cyl. on most. Then I found a model 500 sitting nearby. It was a 20 inch, factory barrel, vent rib, bead sight, and uses the Accuchoke tubes. I had seen one of these a long time ago, just forgot about them.
So, I was able to get a handy gun, just an inch and a half longer then most tacticals, with the versatility of choke tubes.
Best of all, I got it for $170, out the door.
I'm working everyday between now and Monday, but, barring more bad weather, I hope to take her out Monday and see how she patterns. It's not a fancy gun, but could be used for anything.

[figment]

nice, please report back on the fun!

[Al LaVodka]

What guage is it? 12!?
Al

[shockwave]

Great shotgun. I'm just breaking mine in and having a blast. One of the best things about it is the wide variety of ammo you have available. Depending on what you want to do for HD, you could stagger your loads with bb shot, 00 buck, #1 buck, low-recoil 2 3/4, 3, etc. Add a sling so you can transition to a handgun and retain the weapon.

[rmfnla]

Vent rib on a 20"? Interesting.

I picked up a 20" 500 at Big 5 sporting goods for $200. Mine came with the 8-shot tube which I think is cool.

Replace the plastic safety button with a metal one and you're good to go!

[NewShooter]

I have a 500 in 20g with 20"vent rib. Its a very versitile shotty. Not so good for wing shooting but good for almost everything else.

[Al LaVodka]

New;
That's what I'm suspecting Panther has which is why I asked...

With 3" mag shells you might be surprised just how far you can reach out and touch them. You may not have the forward-balanced swing of a really long barrel but the advantages past 18" diminish very quickly so don't be shy. Think of it as a regular 12 guage at that point...

Al

PS: there are extended choke tubes that'll give ya a little more of what you want at the muzzle end too.

[Bill B.]

20 inch, factory barrel, vent rib, bead sight, and uses the Accuchoke tubes.

That's a new one on me as I always thought the Remington 1100 Special Field was the shortest with the factory vent rib at 21 inches. Any idea what year they made these? Would like to see a picture of it and the tubes if you have the time.

[imabballer]

I just bought a new mossberg 500 turkey gun a few days ago that has the same 20" vent-rib barrel with accu-choke, although mine is camo with fiber optic sights. I love the 20" especially for turkey b/c of the weight savings and ease of handling when walking through the thick stuff.

mine:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/83/products_id/47825

[Bill B.]

Thanks for the link! I had forgotten that the Rem. 870 Turkey comes with a 20" vent; due to it having the extended turkey tube making it appear longer. Stands to reason that Mossberg makes the same! Good looking shotgun!

[natman]

I just bought a new mossberg 500 turkey gun a few days ago that has the same 20" vent-rib barrel with accu-choke, although mine is camo with fiber optic sights. I love the 20" especially for turkey b/c of the weight savings and ease of handling when walking through the thick stuff.

mine:
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/manufacturers_id/83/products_id/47825
I've got that exact same gun. I love the ease of carry and the light weight. Nice soft recoil pad and if there's any difference in the patterning with a 20" barrel, the turkeys have never been able to detect it. The 20" barrel is just long enough to mount a small box call on the barrel for the last call when the gobbler is in sight.

Don't plan to take it wing shooting any time soon though.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e166/nat_mann/Mossbergleanmeangreenturkeykillinma.jpg