[AWorthyOpponent]

Okay, So I just got this Mossberg 500 and have put maybe 150 rounds through it shooting Trap and Skeet and targets.

Now I cant wait to do some upgrades to it. Maybe a sight or something. Heres what it looks like now, only mine has the heat shield installed. Any suggestions?

http://mossberg.com/images/products/SA/500TACTiCAL/50420.jpg

[oneounceload]

Ammunition and practice is all any of those guns need

[AcceptableUserName]

a full stock, a whole lot more trigger time than 150 rds (I've honestly barrelled through 150 rds in 30-40 minutes a few times LAST SUMMER alone), patterning tests with buckshot, slug practice/grouping, shooting more clay pigeons, shooting stationary targets, learning to fieldstrip and reassemble the gun...


those are the "upgrades" most needed right now. MY upgrades might be downgrades for you, and vice versa. I believe the aforementioned though to be pretty non negotiable.

I don't like sights. They slow me down and waste money I could spend on good buckshot.

[Dave McCracken]

150 rounds is a good warmup. When the pile of empties hides your shins, then think about what you and your shotgun need......

[AWorthyOpponent]

Well, I plan on getting a regular stock for it in case I want to use if for a different reason. I learn how to break down and clean a gun before I shoot it. I feel it gives me a better understanding of how it works and therefore better accuracy and ability to use the firearm.

I was just curious how everyone here would upgrade it for fun/their use.

AWO

[AWorthyOpponent]

150 rounds is a good warmup. When the pile of empties hides your shins, then think about what you and your shotgun need......

Of course...I just have wait for the guys at Wal-Mart to load 10,000 rounds of #7 1/2 birdshot and 100 boxes of clays into my truck.:neener:

[AcceptableUserName]

the only things i consider putting on my pumpguns that have nothing are the following : heatshield, sidesaddle, light/light mount, buttcuff. In that order. That's really it, and not necessarily all or any.

A semi would be a different story.

[Youngster]

I like a short fixed stock on my defensive shotguns, a good aftermarket recoil pad if it needs one and maybe a light.

For ammo carriage I like a bag with a strap on it that I can just throw on my shoulder as I pick up the shotgun, instead of making the gun heavier and bulkier by storing rounds on it.

[chevyforlife21]

i would get a vang comp oversized safety and a wolf mag spring. shotguns dont realy need fancy sights ( rifles are different). oh and dont worry about wearing the gun out shooting it to much it will last a long time, and pump guns tend to get slicker/faster the more they are cycled/shot.

[AWorthyOpponent]

i would get a vang comp oversized safety and a wolf mag spring

Im completely new to the world of shotguns...what are the benefits ofthe Wolf Mag Spring? The current spring seems to load rounds fine...

[Youngster]

Im completely new to the world of shotguns...what are the benefits ofthe Wolf Mag Spring? The current spring seems to load rounds fine...

Wolff springs function better and last longer than factory springs, especially the cheap springs that Mossberg uses. They're available in extra power form too if desired, many seem to to think "XP" springs enhance function, and maybe they do, but I usually stay away from them as they increase loading effort.

[Al LaVodka]

Truly nice arm.

The only thing you NEED to do is use it once-in-a-while, preferably with a 28" barrel and different chokes, but if the safety is plastic it MUST be replaced with metal (it NEED not be oversized) at the first convenient opportunity.

Al

[Fred Fuller]

The best advice I can offer is to worry more about upgrading the operator (YOU) than bolting more stuff on the gun. That means training, practice, wash rise repeat. That means putting lots of rounds downrange, practicing the drills you learned in training, learning to run the gun without having to look at it.

The gun is just fine, even though I hate a pistol grip on a shotgun with a tang safety. I'd like it better with a conventional stock that's short enough to run comfortably and with a premium recoil pad attached but that's just me. I prefer having a carry strap and a Sidesaddle on working guns, but other than that there aren't any hardware problems I can see other than a severe shortage of wear marks on both gun and shooter. And nothing you can buy in a cardboard box except ammo will fix that. :D

jmho, ymmv...

lpl

[foghornl]

Needs "work polishing"

I need to polish my shotgun A LOT...i've hardly fired a round this year....too many demands...Dilbert-cartoon style Pointy Hair Boss...Honey Dew list....Honey Dew for my sister list.........

[brassdog]

Just spend more time "playing" with it.

You need to set your muscle memory by doing hundreds of repetitions.

[Dimis]

when your shoulder and trigger finger are sore then the gun is ready lol

u really dont even NEED to upgrade the saftey or spring
i would recommend buying a new spring for when the stock one finaly gives up the ghost but that will be a while and the safty being plastic really is a non issue ive never replaced mine and it still is there working just as hard as the rest of the gun

but to answer your original question of accessorizing/customizing my shotgun i have a speedfeed mossberg 590 with heatshield and bayonet lug litteraly all that is attatched to the gun is a sling and if im out at the range just playing the sling comes off
ive debated a light and that may end up on it soon but other than that i dont think it NEEDS anything

as for just playing around i have a 25 round sling and want a bayonet just for pictures and SnG's thought about a side saddle and a red dot too just for the heck of it but i doubt ill ever do it untill the mossy is retired from house protection duty because those things are just gadgets that will get in the way of its usefulness

[evan price]

I've never worn out a Mossberg mag spring. I've worn out plastic safety knobs. The one-way screw is silly.

The only upgrade needed is to shoot it until you can't stand to shoot it anymore. All the tactical whizbang crap they sell are not going to make it shoot better.
Pick up a couple cases of shells and use them, every month.

[AcceptableUserName]

a Wolff spring is a good idea but I believe it's more of a necessity in the 20" 590's than the 18.5" guns. The plastic safety could definitely be upgraded though.

[RandKL]

Wolff springs function better and last longer than factory springs

You've been reading the hype too much there, Youngster.

r

[Youngster]

You've been reading the hype too much there, Youngster.

Is it "hype" when you've experienced or seen problems with factory springs but not with Wolffs?

[Daniel1120]

For now the only thing I would upgrade is the safety button. If you plan to use it defensively I would spring for the extra $30 or so, for the peace of mind. Expecially considering the fact that it is a known source of problems. Other than that not much is needed, you might try a regular stock, it works better for some. The best "upgrade" for it is to shoot the crap out of it, repeated use (loading, unloading, shooting, target acquisition, and trigger pull) will greatly increase your abilities with the shotgun. Remember, "usage" marks on a shotgun are a badge of honor.

[M2]

I have a Mossy Persuader, it's a great HD shottie! I added a metal light clamp (the plastic ones are crap!) with a SureFire 6P flashlight with the 120-lumen bulb upgrade on it. I also put a rail on top with a laser site, just for giggles...

[RandKL]

Is it "hype" when you've experienced or seen problems with factory springs but not with Wolffs?

Really? What sort of problems have you been seeing so often with Mossy factory springs? (And that there's a trick question so be careful how you answer it lol)

Wolff springs are no better than any other factory Mossy springs. Five million Mossbergs with factory springs working just fine trumps a thousand ninjas who bought because someone told them they were better.

That's "hype". You bought into it.

rich

[RandKL]

Expecially considering the fact that it is a known source of problems

Damn, twice in one thread! Daniel, meet Youngster! lol

Ok, Daniel, how many have *you* seen go bad? Me, I've been working on Mossy's for twenty-five years and I've seen two broken. One was intentionally dug out of the receiver with a screwdriver because someone told him it was going to break on him and he should change it. Ruined a good gun. So how many have *you* seen go bad?

rich

[Youngster]

Really? What sort of problems have you been seeing so often with Mossy factory springs? (And that there's a trick question so be careful how you answer it lol)

Wolff springs are no better than any other factory Mossy springs. Five million Mossbergs with factory springs working just fine trumps a thousand ninjas who bought because someone told them they were better.

That's "hype". You bought into it.

I've seen kinking issues and springs that weakened rather quickly under heavy use with other's Mossbergs. I've experienced these things myself with my Remington, both with a factory spring and especially with a cheap spring that came with a mag extension.

The mag springs in my shotguns are used hard, I shoot my 870 more than my other guns and practice loading over and over again with dummy rounds at home, constant cycling not occasional use.

Anyway the Wolff spring that's in there now seems to be holding up a lot better than the others were at this point.

[Daniel1120]

Damn, twice in one thread! Daniel, meet Youngster! lol

Ok, Daniel, how many have *you* seen go bad? Me, I've been working on Mossy's for twenty-five years and I've seen two broken. One was intentionally dug out of the receiver with a screwdriver because someone told him it was going to break on him and he should change it. Ruined a good gun. So how many have *you* seen go bad?

rich

Personally? None. That isnt saying much however. I only know one other person who owns a 500. If it has happened at the range when I just happened to be there I never knew about it.

I have however read a decent amount of posts on various forums about the problem. It is a documented problem. It is however only a problem with the newer plastic safeties, the metal ones used in the past would obviously be able to hold up better. So, like I said, on a self defense weapon I would definitely say its a necessity. Hell, if your gonna replace it why not go with an oversized safety for easier operation? My .02

[RandKL]

I have however read a decent amount of posts on various forums about the problem. It is a documented problem.

Seeing a million "experts" telling you it's a problem doesn't even come close to it being a "documented problem". And the plastic safety has been around since 1982 or so....the aftermarket crap has been around a handful of years.

rich