Mossberg 500 with ported 18" barrel

[goon]

Well, I took the 870 off layaway. I decided that I would rather just find what I want rather than buy an 870 and try and make it into what I want. I'll keep an eye out for one with a short barrel and go from there.
In the meantime, I would still like to lay my hands on a short shotgun. Don't need anything fancy, just a functional pump action that fits good and has a short barrel. Enter a Mossberg 500 in really good shape with an 18" cylinder bore barrel. The only thing about it is that the barrel is ported. It has several ports cut into the barrel just behind the bead. They have the shape of several parallel hacksaw cuts but they were definitely either factory original or done by someone who knew what he was doing. The only thing that worried me is that I am afraid that the blast coming up out of the ports would screw with your night vision. I have heard of this with handguns but to tell the truth, even nonported handguns have enough flash to mess with my night vision. I have an FAL with a brake that has virtually no muzzle flash.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Other than the ports, the gun is just about perfect for what I want. It is in great shape, fits me well, and the price is pretty good.
Thanks

 

[pauli]

it really shouldn't be too hard to find another one without the porting.

 

[Legionnaire]

Nor should it be too hard to find a replacement barrel. For example,
http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=37266856. Link is a new one, but you can probably find a used one inexpensively.

 

[goon]

Thanks for the guidance, but I guess I wasn't clear. The question I am getting at here is "Will the porting blind me if I shoot the gun in the dark?"
If it will work as it is, perfect. I don't want to have to put more money into it.
I am not a "shotgunner", I am just a guy who wants an operational pump action for defensive reasons and occasional plinking. I like rifles and handguns and I want to spend my money on them. To me, they are my workhorses and the shotgun is mostly either a good hunting gun for small game or a specialized tool for convincing home invaders of the error of their ways. No offense to those of you who are shotgunners. We all have our preferences and I am here with my hat in my hand (so to speak) asking for your guidance because of this. I know my limitations and I know when to ask for help.

Anyhow, if the Mossy with the porting will fill the role of hallway sweeper, then it is perfect. It handles quickly and fits me well, hasn't been shot much, and is inexpensive. The design is well proven and popular. There are accessories around, but I won't be needing any of them. I just want a simple shotgun that will sweep the stairway if need be, and I don't want to have to buy another barrel to make it work for that.
Anyone have any experience with shooting a ported shotgun at night?

 

[NMshooter]

Considering that the muzzle flash is at least basketball sized you probably will not notice a thing...

Considering that factory Mossberg 500s with 18.5" barrels are a dime a dozen get whatever you want, don't feel you have to get this one.

 

[goon]

They ain't that common where I live. I hadn't considered the muzzle blast that I would already have though. I think I am going to go for it. Thank you.

 

[pauli]

if it's the one you want, it's the one you want. buy it and enjoy it.

personally, i've got an 18.5" 20ga 500, unported. it handles exactly like i wanted it to, and i hope you have the same luck with yours. i wouldn't have bought it ported, myself.

 

[VG]

The question I am getting at here is "Will the porting blind me if I shoot the gun in the dark?"

Yes! So will a regular shotgun.

 

[slopemeno]

Ive shot my Mossberg 20" in the dark with 2.75" high base mags, and the flash wasnt all that bad, actually. The flash was sort of a dull orange blob about 8" in dia. No problems with night vision afterwards. It was kinda loud however. It certainly wouldnt have prevented a followup shot.

 

[goon]

Well I bought it. I only got to shoot a couple shots through it tonight before it started to get too dark to see what I was doing.
I learned a couple things. Cylinder bore is exactly that. I got just what I was looking for. At 25 yards most of the types of buck I tried only put a few pellets in the target. Remington #4 may have some potential but it shot high. Most of my pattern went over the top of the target but I can learn to deal with that by holding where I need to. Winchester #1 seems like it is going to be my load for now. It put three pellets in the center and vertically strung some more into some areas that would have been vital. Still though, even at that close range, I got a whole lot of spread.
The ports don't seem to bother my night vision. Eventhough there is no doubt that this is a close up type of gun, it does seem to make a good weapon for night time action. The single bead in the center of my target showed up in low light and even when it got too dark to really see the bead, the natural pointabilty of the gun still seems to help alot.
For $140, I got a gun that will do exactly what I need. I got no complaints.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Legionnaire]

Good luck with it; may it serve you well, and may you never have to use it in fear or anger.