Mossberg 500 Factory Recoil Pads

[dak0ta]

Hi,

I was browsing between the 500's and I noticed that synthetic stocked shotguns have a different recoil pad than the wood stocked 500's. The wood stocked recoil pads seem to have large vents in the pad as opposed to the synthetic one which has smaller circles. Also, the wooden pad appears to have more of a curve (C-shape) to it and extends a little beyond the toe. The synthetic is more contoured like a sigmoidal shape (S-shape) that fits the shoulder.

Any of you guys know if there's a different in quality and recoil reduction?

 

[natman]

I bought this synthetic stocked Mossberg a year ago with this pad:



It is softer than the pad shown on the wood stocked guns:

 

[dak0ta]

Another question:

Which fore-end is better, the wooden or synthetic one? It looks like the wooden one has deeper grooves four your hands to hold onto.

 

[natman]

"Better" depends on a lot of things. What do you plan to use the gun for?

 

[dak0ta]

Mainly clay games. But I am going to get into duck/goose/turkey hunting. If I get a rifled barrel, slugs for deer too.

 

[dak0ta]

Also, the plain synthetic guns are matte finish as opposed to the blued on the wood models. Are the matte finishes similar to an 870 Express? I didn't really like that finish so I sold the gun.

 

[oneounceload]

if there's a different in quality and recoil reduction?

A good pad will help you in the perceived recoil reduction arena, not the actual recoil reduction arena. The first is more subjective as to how it "feels", while the other is a calculation

 

[natman]

A good pad will help you in the perceived recoil reduction arena, not the actual recoil reduction arena. The first is more subjective as to how it "feels", while the other is a calculation

You're quite right. However, I'm perfectly happy to accept an improvement in how it feels, even if the actual recoil remains the same.

 

[dak0ta]

Oh, and how is the trigger on the mossberg compared to an 870?