Advice Please! Shottie Upgrade

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I have been upgrading everything from computers to handguns, trucks to rifles, etc. And there sits the old Mossberg 500 Persuader in the corner. Over 10 years of abuse. Mostly magnum loads, overheating, sometimes over-used. Time for an upgrade!

Availability is my main concern. I do not want to special order. This is a HD edition. May also be used on saddle from time to time.

1. Pump or auto?
2. Winchester
2. Remington
3. Mossberg
4. Benelli

Any comments, experience, or suggestions appreciated.

 

[Coronach]

Unless the Mossy is worn out, which is doubtful, upgrading is not really worth the money. Unless, of course, you just have money to throw around...

Consider:

1. The general consensus is that defensive shotguns should be pumps, for reliability reasons (though this is by no means 100% agreed-upon)

and

2. The Mossy is one of the top pumpguns out there, with the differences between it and, say, the Remington 870 being mostly minor.

I'd invest money in tricking out what you have, more ammo, a good shotgun school, or some combo of the above.

Of course, if you're just looking for an excuse to buy a new gun, well...have at 'er.

Mike

 

[Dave McCracken]

Unless you've been running a case or six a month through your Mossie, it'll last longer than any of us. BA/UU/R until it breaks, but hold not thy breath waiting on that.

If you really MUST spend money, haul your ol' standby to one of those high dollar shooting schools and learn to REALLY use it.

Or, buy a truckload of ammo, a couple choke tubes and a longer barrel. Shoot Trap on Tuesdays, Skeet on Saturdays, SC on Sundays, and Practical whenever. When you've got that thing feeling like an extension of your arm, then figure out what you can't do, what you want to do, and what changes in tackle, technique and mindset are needed to fix it.

Software is more crucial than hardware.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

You mean there is a difference between trap and skeet?

No, I like the shortie shottie in its current config. I just got a 500 with a 28 inch for bird games.

All this time I thought the 500 was a "hi-point" grade shottie. You know, from those guys with the high-priced stuff.

I promise to take better care of it. It has served me well thus far.

It worried me when I was shooting some 3" mags and the slide opened. But I can solve that problem, since I did not particularly care for the beating myself. 2.75 is enough for me.

 

[Kampfer]

I think your mossy would serve fine as a HD shotgun if it works right now. I'd probably go out and shoot a bunch of different shotguns and see which one you like the most. If I had the money to splooge right now I'd buy a BenelliM1 (most reliable SG IMO) or a SuperX2. I might just go with the SuperX2 since its a Winchester gun and I got a Winchester1300 so the MOA should be similar. So i guess you might just want to stay with Mossy because of that.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Tell me about the Benelli.

Tell me about the SuperX2.

 

[TrapperReady]

I can comment a little on the Benellis. I've got one M1 Field in 20ga and a 12ga Montefeltro (which is an M1 for all intents and purposes). Both have lots of shells through them, and both have been rock-solid reliable. Personally, I don't find the recoil to be a problem at all, and my particular Montefeltro has proven reliable with very light reloads (well under what is recommended by Benelli for proper functioning).

For a number of reasons, it looks like the 20ga is going to be tapped for HD duty... in fact I just picked up a couple types of buckshot to test over the weekend. I've thought long and hard about the different choices, but the fact of the matter is that I implicitly trust both of these shotguns. The main deciding factor for me is that my wife has shot both extensively and is completely comfortable with the manual of arms and handling.

Some folks have reported disliking the recoil, and I've read a number of accounts of them failing to cycle properly when hanging a bunch of gear off them (ie. Surefire light plus a Sidesaddle). Since I'm using it absolutely bone-stock, this shouldn't be an issue.

BTW, one thing I REALLY like about the Benellis is that they are a piece of cake to strip and clean... even easier (IMO) than an 870. Since I'm pretty fanatical about maintenance, that's a big bonus is my book.

I've no personal experience with the Super X2, but have heard an awful lot of Good Things about them. If I get into waterfowling very seriously, it will be high up on the "Honey, look what followed me home" list.

 

[Bruce626]

... or you could go to a really good HD round (no lack of argument on this topic) like the Remington Reduced Recoil 00 Buck or Federal Personal Defense, shoot as much as you want, and never worry about overheating. You know the gun, why not stick with it.

... if that money is just burning a hole in your pocket and none of the previous replies have floated your boat, do a seach on Skunkabilly's threads and buy every accessory he recommends except for the weathervane.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Thanx

 

[Duke of Lawnchair]

7.62, you know you wanna buy a gun just for the sake of buying a gun!!!

It happens to the best of us. "Upgrade" is our way of justifying the purchase.

J/K.

If it were my money (money were a concern), my predicament, and my "upgrade" decision I would opt for one of the following:
1. Purchase another Mossberg 500 Persuader (especially if I were already familiar with the manual of arms)
2. Winchester 1300 Defender, excellent shotgun for the money with a very smooth action making this one of my favorite pumpguns.
3. Benelli Nova Special Purpose which is also another good bang for the buck. Smooth action and can take 3.5" if you REALLY feel the need to spend cash.

I've handled and fired all of the three and I'd opt for #2 or #3 as I am not a tang-mounted safety sorta guy. However, I'm assuming that they work well for you.

My girlfriend has a Nova SP and is a dream to shoot. Robust action (most pumps are) and easily disassembled and cleaned. Not that it means a whole lot in a scattergun, but Benelli chrome lines their barrels. This makes it just that much more easier to maintain. Benelli's "round cutoff" is a plus. You can cycle the action to clear the chamber without throwing a cartridge on the carrier. Not a big whoopty doo, but it is a nice feature. The downsides are availability (in some areas) and lack of stock choices.

A few of my friends own the Winchester 1300 and just like the Nova, is a dream to shoot. Very smooth action and light. All of the specimens that I have examined were all built very well and quality control seemed great. Manual of arms is very much like the Nova except for the round cutoff and action release (which on the Win1300 is where I think it should be) which is near the rear of the trigger guard.

OR you can do as others have mentioned which is seek training (if you haven't done so already). I for one whole heartedly recommend this option. But this thread isn't about that, is it? It's about buying a new gun!!!

Jim