Mossberg 500 Persuader

[stumpers]

My latest target of opportunity - Mossberg 500 Persuader 12 gauge, 20" barrel.

I have one gun at this time, a Glock 19 that is my general purpose weapon...home, carry, woods, etc. The shotgun will be just for fun and to keep around the apartment and serve as a complement to the pistol for whatever scenario one might need a longer gun for. Or the pistol will complement the shotgun.

I have no personal experience with Mossberg, only Benellis and the 870.

I have a few random questions before I purchase:

1. How is the quality/durability compared to a Remington 870?

2. Has anyone mounted a rail with optics given the provided holes? If so, what brands are sturdy or not? My goal is to keep it simple, but versatile, so an EOTech is possible (which I already have from a previous gun).

3. I'm going to beat it with 3" heavy loads, so similar to #1, will it take repeated heavy loads?

4. Is $299 fair for NIB? My experience buying and selling shotguns lies with Remington, and a similar setup in 870 at the same store runs about $349 (20" barrel, extended tube, cylinder bore, etc)

 

[Fred Fuller]

1) Both of them should outlast you, with reasonable care.

2) Rail? Optics?? SHOTGUN??? Yeah, I'm a stuck in the mud oldphart. Can't see hanging red dots on a shotgun, but then I've only been shooting 'em without optics for the better part of 50 years. Whatta I know? PS - I definitely use optics on carbines, mostly Aimpoints, but can't see the utility on a shotgun. Could be just habit though.

3) It'll probably handle 'em better than your shoulder will. Save yourself noise, recoil, pain, effort and money, and just shoot 2 3/4" buck and slugs - they'll do all you need done, if you hit what you shoot at. And followups will be easier and quicker.

4) I don't know Mossberg NIB prices. I buy shotguns used, almost exclusively, cheapskate that I am.

 

[stumpers]

Thanks - I honestly don't know about optics on a shotgun, I've never tried either. Seems like it would be better than the bead sight for accuracy while using slugs - say if I ever used it for deer in the thick where shots are under 50 meters.

Is the difference between 2 3/4 and 3" buck pretty negligible? If not, the extra shell with 2 3/4 is definitely worth using them over the 3".

 

[1KPerDay]

3. I'm going to beat it with 3" heavy loads, so similar to #1, will it take repeated heavy loads?

Yeah, but you might not.

 

[oneounceload]

Even 2.75 00 buck is going to hurt.
Buy some cheap Wally world Federal promo loads for cheap practice and getting familiar with your gun. Shoot enough of them and your shoulder will hate you anyway.....

 

[Bullz]

I've had my Mossberg 500 since '93 and it's seen all kinds abuse... and it works flawlessly. I mean, I would buy another one in a heartbeat just because of what this thing has been through and how well it works... Actually... maybe it's time I buy another one...

Anyway, in my experience, if the thing can chamber the shell it can handle firing it too. The guns are tough.

As for sights, it's up to you. I've seen people "tacticool" these things up but I honestly feel like it's just one more thing to go wrong. There's only so much practical accuracy that you can get out of a shotgun with a smooth bore. You're going to be pushing the accuracy limits at 100yrds with that gun. Before you start dressing it up, try taking it to the range and see how you group at 50 yards using the beads... I'll shoot off of beads and I group within a paper plate at 50 yards. It just depends on how tight you feel you need to be with a shotgun. If you are going to use it for hunting... it might not be a bad idea to pick up a rifled barrel to swap out. You can get those with a rail built right onto it so hunting optics wont come out of zero.

Also, I know EOTech makes good, tough sights but check to see what kind of recoil that sight is designed to handle. A 12 gauge popping out 3" shells or 3 1/2" magnums produces some of the hardest recoil numbers and it might (not saying it will) cause damage to the sight.

As for price... I'm not sure... I've had my eye on a mossberg 590A1 that I can get for around $300.. Maybe you can use that as a reference.

 

[PoserHoser]

They'll take a beating but with continued use with magnum shells like those used for waterfowl they fall apart. My father has had two fall apart on him. they use aluminum recievers. Remingtons use steel. The 870 is a better choice and about the same price. plus if you dont believe me that mossbergs are cheap, just look at their website.
Chainsaw shotgun and a tactical lever action :banghead:

 

[Noah]

On my Dad's Mossberg, 2 3/4" Buck/Slugs feels much better than the 3" shells I have shot. Add the additional round in the tube and it's a go.

 

[holdencm9]

1. Very good. I don't abuse mine but don't baby it either. Sometimes I will just leave it action open and set it down on the ground
2. Never crossed my mind.
3. I imagine, as others have said, it will take far more abuse than you will
4. Seems fair. I think I paid $329 for mine last year which I knew wasn't the greatest deal, but wasn't bad either. I think $299 is a good price.

 

[jpwilly]

They'll take a beating but with continued use with magnum shells like those used for waterfowl they fall apart. My father has had two fall apart on him. they use aluminum recievers. Remingtons use steel. The 870 is a better choice and about the same price. plus if you dont believe me that mossbergs are cheap, just look at their website.
Chainsaw shotgun and a tactical lever action

Very misinformed. The Mossberg has a steel breech bolt that locks into the steel barrel extension. The aluminum reciever doesn't take the stress. Think AR-15 bolt locking into the barrel extension. Mossberg don't just fall apart either.

Wow the things you can read on the internet.

 

[Bobson]

My experience with Mossberg 500 shotguns left me with a very favorable impression of them. IMO, the Persuader for $299 is a fine deal (maybe not the best deal available, and maybe it is - it's a fair price either way, IMO), and I wouldn't pass on it if I were in the market for a NIB 500 for HD. Like Lee said, it will do everything you want it to; and if you take care of it, it will last you a very long time.

 

[stumpers]

Thanks for the answers! Hopefully it's still on the rack this afternoon, then tomorrow I can start battering my shoulders.

I'm thinking peep sight over optics if I do anything extra if I get the gun. Simple and more sleek is better in my mind for a HD gun.