Mossberg 500 bantam / 505 question

[Ergosphere]

I'm looking for information about the Mossberg 500 bantam and 505 youth models (#54132 and #57110).

Bantam #54132 20ga, 3", 5+1 capacity, 22" VR barrel, twin bead sights, accu-set choke, 40 3/4" OAL, 13" LoP, 6 1/2 lbs.

Youth #57110 20ga. 3", 4+1 capacity, 20" VR barrel, twin bead sights, accu-set choke, 37 1/2" OAL, 12" LOP 5 1/4 lbs.

From the specs, the youth model has 1" less LoP, 2" less barrel length, and weighs 1.25 pounds less. The 505 youth apparently does not take standard 500 barrels. Aside from these obvious things, does anyone know if there are other differences? Does the difference in stock and barrel length account for the weight difference, or is there something else in the 505 that is more lightly built?

My wife wants one of these, but we're not sure which to get. A month or so ago, we saw one in a gun store... it was labeled "Mossberg 500 youth 20ga. 20" barrel" but that doesn't match anything on Mossberg's web site. I think it was likely the 505 youth model. She liked it very much, and fit her pretty well... she's small, and needs something both lightweight and with a short reach to the forend. A 12" length of pull is a bit short for her, though.

We've been discussing these models, and the synthetic super-bantam (but she likes wood better) and we're not sure which to get. We could get a 500 bantam model and add an 18.5" barrel, or get the 505 youth and add a recoil pad... we've been discussing it for a few days and our heads are spinning.

 

[mnrivrat]

There is nothing else about the 505 that I think is different except the magazine tube is also shorter (less weight ) ,and the reason why the standard 20ga. barrels won't fit this model.

The most versital is of course the bantom and that gives you the stock option you want (13" LOP), and even more versital is the super bantom with it's stock spacer system. Barrels will be easier to find for the standard bantom model as well ,and even older barrels from the standard 20 ga. should fit these.

The extra 2 inches of barrel and the extra weight are not a big thing ,but then sometimes minor things can make a big difference in how the gun fits a person.

In other words - I am of no help ! LOL Perhaps you can find a shop with both so she can compare in person .

 

[viking499]

I bought m son the super bantam with the stock spacers. Helps to fine tume the LOP. Came with the 22" barrel, which was a perfect fit for him. Just got in a 26" barrel for him this week which will provide him with another barrel option. He would not have been able to handle the 26" last year. but now can. I really like the setup. The gun also came with a coupon to buy a full size stock for it someday if he needs it.

Don't know anything bout the 505, but I really like the changability of the super bantam.

 

[Ergosphere]

Thanks... she'll get the 500 bantam.

Edited to note... she wants the super-bantam, for the lighter weight. It's good that she can handle stiff recoil...

 

[Smitty in CT]

...It's good that she can handle stiff recoil...

Try some Fiocchi 20GA "20Lite" trainers, they are 3/4 oz shells that are 1075fps, the make the recoil disappear!!