Man, I'm torn.......

mu preference. would be wood.
The length depends on what I'm gonna use it for. 20 in for mainly home defense, and part time hunting.
28 for full time hunting.

that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

You can get the 2 barrel package (18.5/28) in a synthetic stock as well, I did.

I have the wooden stocked 18.5 inch MOssy 500 and am nothing but happy with it. If I ever wanted to do some long distance shooting with it I think the barrels are pretty cheap.

But I would definitely go with the wooden stock. It is *much* better feeling, I think.

If I ever wanted to do some long distance shooting with it I think the barrels are pretty cheap.

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What does that have to do with anything? Barrel length has NOTHING to do with distance - constriction does

Goodie. That means I could buy another short but more constricted barrel? Or can I somehow make my standard 18.5 barrel somehow constrict more?

Big5 had the two barrel deal on sale for 289.00. I think they held 5 and one in the chamber. They also had the mossberg 500 HD gun, 18.5" barrel with synthetic stock. Same price. If their not on sale now, bide your time and keep your eyes peeled for the sale. jt

What's your intended purpose?

If it's defense only, then the 8 shot version is fine.

If think you might ever go skeet/trap shooting or hunting, it works a lot better with a longer barrel, and you still have a short barrel for defense. Some would argue that if you have a problem you can't fix with 5 shotshells, 8 shells won't do it either.

I think the better value per dollar is in the combo package. Mossberg has several of these available. I just picked up the turkey/waterfowl combo (22 and 28" bbls.), and it is way cheaper than buying one bbl. length and then, down the road, deciding you need the other too. If you really need the extra mag capacity for HD, you can buy a tube extension when you have the gun in that setup.

dacavasi said:

I think the better value per dollar is in the combo package. Mossberg has several of these available. I just picked up the turkey/waterfowl combo (22 and 28" bbls.), and it is way cheaper than buying one bbl. length and then, down the road, deciding you need the other too. If you really need the extra mag capacity for HD, you can buy a tube extension when you have the gun in that setup.

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Not on a 500. The mag tube is sealed on the end. Adding extra capacity requires a new mag tube AND a new barrel, in short turning it into the 8 shot that the OP is considering as the alternative.

Which gun is better depends on the OP's intended use. If you want a dedicated home defense gun, get the 8 shot. If you want an all around gun and plan to do any wingshooting, get the combo.

Not on a 500. The mag tube is sealed on the end.

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Mine aren't.
I can unscrew the end cap (and remove the wooden dowel that reduces capacity.)
However, the barrel has a lug that is captive in the cap, so if you add a tube extension, you'll need a barrel with the lug in a different place.
For H/D I like a short barrel, it seems to balance better, and is easier to maneuver in tight places. I can't imagine firing more than 5 times in a room, but I keep a sidesaddle with 4 more.

Goodie. That means I could buy another short but more constricted barrel? Or can I somehow make my standard 18.5 barrel somehow constrict more?

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Think choke tube installation - then you can change the constriction to as open or tight as you want