Mossberg 500 12g, with choke & extra chokes

[BruceRDucer]

The Mossberg 500 comes with a choke in the end of the barrel. I know they are to make a tighter group, but what if I just remove it and keep it out?

Are there some kind of size markings on the choke?

What are the extra chokes for?

Can I shoot slugs or 00 out of the gun with the Choke installed?

This one has a 28" barrel. I have it for home defense actually, but I might want to use it for sport shooting also.

Thanks

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

i have the 500A pump and ues a full choke when trap/skeet shooting, seems to work best for me. that is with the 28" barrel. but i would recomend spending the $100-$150 for the mossberg 18.5" barrel for home defense, the 28 is way too hard to make quick moves when clearing rooms.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

Some choke must be installed to fire your shotgun. There are threads on the inside end of the barrel.

* You may fire slugs, buckshot and birdshot from any of the chokes
* IMO modified choke throws the best patterns with buckshot
* the choke tubes should clearly be marked
* buy an 18" barrel for home defense
* the extra chokes are for different scenarios
=======================================================
* full choke ~ the tightest choke, intended for long-range shooting
* modified choke ~ used for medium distance hunting, like ducks, pheasant, dove, etc.
* improved cylinder ~ the least restrictive used for close range hunting, skeet, ducks over decoys.

 

[QUICK_DRAW_McGRAW]

i found on mossberg.com the 18.5 barrel for $77 plus shipping. good investment.

 

[Sergeant Sabre]

but what if I just remove it and keep it out?

Then you'll ruin the threads in the barrel

Are there some kind of size markings on the choke?

Yep. The word "modified", "full", or "improved cylinder" should be stamped on it.

What are the extra chokes for?

Chokes of different inside diameter will shoot a looser or tighter pattern.

Can I shoot slugs or 00 out of the gun with the Choke installed?

Most rifled slugs can be fired out of a barrel with any choke size. This is because they are very soft lead and will swage down to the size of the choke when they pass through. Buckshot of any size can also be fired out of any factory Mossberg choke that is "full" or less.

i found on mossberg.com the 18.5 barrel for $77 plus shipping. good investment.

I have to mention that I really like this barrel. I have one on my 500 and keep it mainly for home defense. This barrel also doubles as a decent slug barrel. Mine would shoot about a 4-5" group with Winchester Super-X rifled slugs. The short barrel really makes the 500 a light and handy slug shotgun. I recommend it to any Mossberg 500 owner.