Requesting opinions on Mossberg 500 combo

I've never studied Mossberg and their product offerings but they seem to have a very 'dynamic' product line;
Some things just disappear only to come back a couple of years later; sometimes with the slightest of changes sometimes not or with a different name or model.

Also, IIRC (I'm sure I still have the paperwork around here somewhere) the 18½" barrel they made for my 20ga was made in Mexico!

Either way, I'm a fan!

natman said:

Of couse, like all their HD barrels, it's out of stock.

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True, it took me a long time to get an 18" barrel for my 410 model 500.

I bought my last 500 out of spite.

Many years ago my BIL was going on a business trip out of town and knew I was going to be hitting up a local gun show so he gave me $ in case I saw a "Persuader" (pistol grip only model)

I found one, and while checking it out some slob behind me kept pushing me out of the way.
I asked what he was so interested in that he couldn't wait 5 minutes.

He rudely grunted something about the 20" HD 12ga right beside it.
So I told the dealer to get the paperwork started on both of them.
I didn't even want the damn thing at the time but I'm glad I did because it's been 100% reliable since day one.

The Mossberg 500 is like an AR in that it can be customized to the shooter's satisfaction.

cdb1 said:

I totally do not understand this post.

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Had he underlined the second sentence, "It will be my only one," you would more easily see that it totally makes sense.

I have had two. One synthetic, one hardwood (birch). Both 20 ga, both with 28” choke tube v.r. Barrels and cantilevered scope mount rifled barrels. Gave one to son #2, one to a bro at church. Deer, using Lightfield slugs, now total seven in the past six years. Buddy from church, his daughter has two. Long barrels rest in the safe. BTW, the BSA scopes they came with are ballast in the privy.

natman said:

They must have liked the idea, because they now have a 20 ga 18.5 barrel listed.
Of couse, like all their HD barrels, it's out of stock.

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It's easy to make your own shorter barrel if you like. Usually lots of used barrels available at gun shows. I have a vent rib barrel I cut down to 18.5" and threaded for choke tubes. Great setup, IMO. I'm not really sure why they don't sell them that way.

Just picked up another one this week. I got my 12ga a little brother to keep it company. 20ga crown grade youth bantam model.
22” accuchoke barrel, the LOP is about an inch or so shorter than standard but I like how short and handy the whole package is, I’ve used it to shoot a few squirrels already and it’s working great.

243winxb said:

1. Is this a decent quality rig? Yes
2. Is it reliable? Mine is.
3. Can I fit the rifled slug barrel later, if I want to? I did.
4. Does the vented rib barrel take choke tubes? Yes.
5. Will it hold up to steel shot? Mossberg said-
   Can I shoot steel shot through all barrels?
   No, not all barrels. Barrels with an interchangeable Accu-Choke™ or Accu-Mag™ choke tube system, yes (with proper tubes installed.) However, steel shot is not recommended for older "C-Lect Choke®" or fixed-choke barrels.
   
   
6. What choke does the short home defense barrel just have? I guess it's suitable for buckshot? FIXED I/C. Yes, buckshot ok.
7. I see it has a 3" chamber. I guess that is only good for small birds and skeet, and I'd need one that would take 3.5" if I wanted to go goose hunting? Only 3" needed. Shoot 2 3/4 shells for trap/skeet.

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This was basically my reply.

I don't own a Mossberg 500, but have shot several in different configurations. The only question I did not have personal experience with was steel shot as I'm not a waterfowl hunter, this post answers that question.

In my own experience, I prefer the Rem 870 as a shotgun, but I cannot endorse a new Remington until they can prove they have a spare parts inventory for sale. There are too many people with guns that will lose support if they don't. I'm glad I saved all my old Rem parts...

Enjoy your Mossy 500!