Buying my first shotgun for HD/ range

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Jabr0ney

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Im buying my first shotgun soon and decided i definitely want a mossberg 500. Its going to be used mainly for home defense and taking it to the gun range, and im going to add mods (if it doesnt already have them) to make it tactical. I decided i want an 18in barrel. The problem is around me the only ones falling in that category that ive found are a used mossberg 590 for $375 at a pawn, and a new mossberg 500 mariner at dicks sporting goods for $440. Any suggestions on which i should do?

The gun i ideally want is the mossberg 500 tactical persuader, but i doubt ill find one near me. Ive never bought a gun online, would it be worth it to do that? Cause thats the only place i can find them. Im aware that ill probably be paying an additional $70 for shipping and ffl tax and what not. Thanks!


Also im trying not to spend more than $400, but the cheaper the better
 
If it's primarily home defense, and shooting at the range to train for home defense, you don't need a barrel longer than 20". (One of the advantages of the small-mag 500s is you can move to a sport-length barrel without gunsmithing.)

There is a huge difference in appearance between the Mariner and the 590, but that apparently hasn't made the choice for you. Different as they look, both finishes are reported to be good protection against rust, compared to the finish on my new Remington Express for example.

Are they both bead sights only? If you're just tagging axe-wielding psychos in your kitchen, you don't need a full set of sights anyway. I think they are also both fixed choke (cylinder or IC), so there is not much to choose from there.

On the whole, the new Mariner sounds like a bit better of a deal unless the 590 is in like-new condition. Impact Guns has a decent deal on 500 Tactical Persuader though ... I haven't looked up shipping & handling, but a reasonable dealer shouldn't charge you more than $20 or so for the FFL work.
 
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Both are bead sights only, i was probably going to get ghost ring sights for whichever i buy. The thing about the 590 is it was used and i could tell it was. Being new to shotguns im not really sure what to look for on used guns. There was wear from the pump slide but i think thats inevitable over time, and there was a scratch on the barrel towards the end. I didnt look at it for too long though so im sure there are more signs of wear. And all the guides to buying used guns ive read say if it looks bad outside, most likely the inside is the same

And i saw that tac persuader on impact and shipping is only $18, thats where id be buying it if i go that route. But ive never bought a gun online, im new to how it works but i could figure it out

Also im not worried about having a longer barrel to switch out. I want to practice with it the way i would need to use it in my home
 
im going to add mods (if it doesnt already have them) to make it tactical

The best possible modification is a big pile of empty hulls that you have fired in training and practice...

Happy shopping and stay safe,

lpl
 
lol what i meant by that was to mount a flash light, a pistol gripped buttstock, and probably a side mount for extra shells
 
For pistol grips, look at the one from Hogue. I have one on my 500 and it is very comfortable. I wouldn't bother with the side saddle, if you need more than 6 shots, something is wrong.
 
Also im not worried about having a longer barrel to switch out. I want to practice with it the way i would need to use it in my home
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Probably a sensible idea. I chose the two-barrel route because I wanted to meet people and learn a fun game (traps, which I'm pretty natural at, and skeet, which I'm not!) while learning to handle the thing, operate the slide swiftly & surely, etc.

One of the wise men of scatterguns can probably give us some hints as to how to find a range to practice shooting buckshot through a 20" barrel. You can shoot slugs just like you're shooting a rifle (i.e. against paper), and some ranges at least allow shooting birdshot at steel targets, but I don't actually know how you practice with buckshot.
 
I bought a Mosberg 500a with a 26" barrell at Dicks about a month ago for $215. Added a 18.5 barrel bought online for another $89. Now I'm good to go...
 
I bought a Mosberg 500a with a 26" barrell at Dicks about a month ago for $215. Added a 18.5 barrel bought online for another $89. Now I'm good to go...
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That's right. That's exactly the way to go. Don't put a bunch of junk on it trying to make it "tactical", especially a pistol-gripped stock so you can't reach the safety. Buy it, then buy ammo, then train with it.
 
Tactical for most people is like a spoiler on a Mazda. Sure it'll look cool and make you feel better, but really won't do you a damn bit of good for "home defense". Let's be honest... Last time you had to breach and clear was...?

Okay, now that active duty has put their hands down, tactical is a mazda spoiler for most of the rest of us. You may want a spoiler and noisy (but ultimately useless) exaust, but you would have never known it was missing. About the only upgrade I did spring for was a knoxx recoil reducer. I shot more than my share of slugs for fun.
 
moss 500

with 1 or 2 barrels can be had new for under 300 bucks if you shop around.

By some aluminum snap caps for dry-firing practice. The money you will save on mileage and ammo for just a couple trips to the range will more than pay for them (a half dozen should cost about 30 bucks). do about 4 dryfire sessions for each live fire.

Think of your fields of fire-how long a distance will you have to cover. In my case, 5 meters in the house or at most 12 meters from front door to parking area. For my usage, ghost rings are an expensive toy.
 
I know you're set on a Mossy, but figured I'd also illustrate what else is out there. I bought my Remington 870 Express Tactical new online from Bud's Gun Shop online.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=56472

$435- shipped, no tax, and it came with an 18" barrel, ghost ring sights with integrated M1917 rail, an extended magazine for 7+1 capacity, and a built in breaching standoff - this will be my 3-gun shotty for this Spring. I found a Knoxx COPStock recoil reducing folding stock on fleabay for 80-. Now I just need to settle on a light for it.
 
lol what i meant by that was to mount a flash light, a pistol gripped buttstock, and probably a side mount for extra shells

I figured as much.

But what I am trying to tell you is, if you are indeed a beginning shotgunner, NONE of the things you can buy in a box and bolt onto the gun will do one bit of good in actually increasing your ability to run the gun, hit what you are shooting at, do those things reliably and repeatedly under pressure etc...

In short, what I am saying is that YOU need to learn how be "tactical." The gun already IS "tactical", even in box stock condition.

In short, you cannot buy skill in a box and bolt it onto the gun. And your own trained and practiced skillset is THE most important accessory for your soon-to-be new gun. It won't matter how kewel your gun looks if you can't hit with it, short stroke it, fumble reloads, etc. None of those things can be fixed with jazzy accessories, just training and practice.

I'd rather see you buy Clint Smith's shotgun video (preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw ) to start with than a pistol grip buttstock, for example. Think for a minute about where the safety is on the Mossberg 500, and think where a pistol grip is going to put your thumb, for example. Do you really want to negate the 'advantageous position' of the top tang safety on the M500 by trapping your thumb under the stock, when the conventional stock allows free access to the safety without breaking your firing grip?

But in the long run it's your gun, your money and if you're old enough to do the paperwork you're old enough to do whatever you want with all of the above. And it's your decision to make.

Best wishes,

lpl
 
Beautifully written LPL!

Quick question on these tactical models: Are they holding the total barrel length to 18" (or 18.5"...whichever) with the breecher standoff or is that device in addition to the NFA-legal minimum?

I would hate to buy one and find out I couldn't remove the goofy pointy end as neither my home defense plans nor my range exercises involve breeching any doors.
 
Seeing as a shotgun's role in HD should be strictly defensive, barrel length really isn't that much of a consideration. My HD shotgun sports a 26 inch barrel which allows for a 10 shot extension for 10+1 loaded in the gun. I dislike sidesaddle shell holders as the screws can either loosen or if over tightened bind the action, instead I use the Speedfeed II stock hold 4 slugs just in case. I also dislike a gun mounted flashlight, people shoot at the light and I would rather it not be inline with my body. A 1M candlelight flood is next to the shotgun in my bedroom and will be used to light up the doorway if needed. My shotgun will never leave the bedroom if I feel the need to clear my house, that is the handgun's role. A long gun is far to easy to defeat when moving through the house, through doors and around corners. The longer barrel also reduces muzzle flip allow faster follow up shots. Mine gets used for three gun matches as well as for clays.

Remington 1100
Hastings straight rifled 26" Wadlock barrel
Choate extension
Speedfeed II stock

1100a-1.jpg
 
In the video Lee Lapin linked, Clint Smith says "I don't need a thousand-dollar shotgun. I need to know how to run the gun I got." The original poster to this thread should heed that advice.
 
Sergeant Sabre - good point

As others have said whatever you end up with practice, practice, and practice some more. Build the needed muscle memory. I have seen a lot of guys who don't bother thinking a shotgun is simple end up short stroking it in competition because they didn't bother learning their gun.
 
ive taken what a lot of people have said into consideration, especially about the pistol grip buttstockand where the safety is located. ill put all the tactical nonsense to the side, but now my question is a mossberg 500 or a remington 870, both pump action. And i still want an 18-20 inch barrel for easier maneuverability in my home. From what ive found online mossberg seems more reliable.

And should i not waste the money on the 590a1 at the pawn shop and just wait to find a 500?
 
but now my question is a mossberg 500 or a remington 870, both pump action.
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Whichever tickles your fancy. Not a hair's difference between them as far as longevity, reliability, accessories, etc. Hold/operate an 870 and hold/operate a 500. Pick whichever you like best. Failing the ability to choose a favorite, pick whichever is on sale that day.

And i still want an 18-20 inch barrel for easier maneuverability in my home.
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No reason at all not to. That's just fine.

From what ive found online mossberg seems more reliable.
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Nope. Anyone can make a "lemon" but either of those guns will out-perform and out-last YOU. (Mine's a 500, just in case you're wondering.)

And should i not waste the money on the 590a1 at the pawn shop and just wait to find a 500?
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If you've got the money on hand, the 590a1 is a terrific shotgun. You certainly wouldn't be wasting a dime. You can probably get a 500 cheaper -- if that is important to you.
 
Handle 'em all, and see what feels best to you. If friends/family members have shotguns, see if you can arrange some trigger time and get even better acquainted with different makes/models. Any good modern shotgun design should do fine, what you like is up to you.

The only thing I don't like about the Mossberg 500 is how much of a pain it is to get into the magazine tube. I still have a couple of them in the safe despite that objection. The 590 design fixes that that particular issue.

I like 870s, but that's just me. Doesn't mean anyone else has to. And no, they aren't perfect either.

I don't mean to imply that all shotgun accessories are useless. But IMHO it's better to learn the basics of defensive shotgunning on a plain jane riot gun- there's less to distract you that way. You didn't learn to drive in a NASCAR stock car, right?

Once you have the basics nailed down, then try various things one at a time and incorporate them into your skill set if they actually help. Around our house, shorter length of pull conventional style stocks with good recoil pads, Sidesaddles, white lights and slings show up pretty regularly. Some shotguns have rifle sights, others just beads, a couple have ghost rings. While there are several makes/models in pump and semiauto in the safe, what stays handy are Remington 870 Express guns.

Take your time, and remember- you're buying a particular make/model, not marrying it.

Happy shopping and stay safe,

lpl
 
Also im trying not to spend more than $400, but the cheaper the better
Click to expand...

I think the Mossberg 50577 is the best inexpensive HD shotgun in current production. It does not need "accessories". Just shoot it a bunch. You'll have fun, get good with it, and have no malfunctions. And that's all the important stuff...

Les
 
Maverick 88, $190 new for the one with the 18" barrel at Academy. $40 for a nice LED flashlight, $10 for a clamp to mount that on the barrel, and 600 rounds of Remington target loads (5 reduced recoil 00 buckshot to keep in it at the house). That should put you just under $400 and give you a few weekends of practice.
 
I own a 500, a 590, and a Remington Bakail (discontinued?) double barrel.


I haven't shot those two Mossbergs in years. I like the double the most. Is it "tactical"? No way. But it works, points well, I can get it in and out of tight spaces pretty well. I've even traveled with it taken down and stuck in my luggage going in and out of hotels. And did I say it works?


I kinda doubt someone who looks at it from the business end is going to tell me I can't use a double barrel for defensive purposes. You don't need all that crap on your gun. Buy whichever shotgun is on sale, then order Clint Smith's DVD and a case of ammo with the money you were going to spend on accessories.
 
Hey bullfrogKen I originally wanted a double barrel but with my price range I don't see me finding one locally. And after seeing everyones input I'll defintely put my money towards that DVD and more ammo. Now I just have to find a gun I like for a decent price locally
 
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