Mossy 500A - a great choice or not?

[DHart]

A couple of years ago I bought a Mossberg 500A in 12 ga. Just shot it for the first time this week... decided to use it as a Mole-getter. It got the moles... good! ;-)

As I look through the threads here I keep seeing 870 over and over. So where does the Mossy 500A fit in? Is it as good a gun, just not as "glamorous". For home defense and Mole-gettin', should I trade it for an 870 or is it a great choice to stick with? Though I've only used it a few times, it feeds and fires just fine so far. Any thoughts on whether to just stick with the 500 or switch over to 870?

 

[Fred Fuller]

No reason to switch, if you're happy with the Mossie. At the rate you're using it, it should last a dozen lifetimes or more.

But you really should be "working out" with the gun more than you are, if you have designated it as a home defense tool. Under serious pressure it is too easy to do something wrong, and the manual of arms for your HD gun should be so familiar as to be instinctive. The only way to make that happen is practice, practice and more practice.

Stay safe,

lpl/nc

 

[ruger357]

I happen to prefer the 870, but as the saying goes whatever works for you. Nothing at all wrong with the 500.

 

[Dave McCracken]

500s are darn good shotguns, just not my first choice.

If this is something you may bet your life on, you should do a 200 round reliability test.

Shoot off 200 rounds of duty ammo in a short amount of time and under some stress. If it glitches at all, fix or replace it. Most Mossies will pass this with flying colors.

Next, the software. BA/UU/R until it feels like a body part. Then, you and your Mossie are ready...

 

[Average Guy]

The 500A was MY first choice...but then, this was before THR (and even before I knew about TFL). I'm considering adding an 870 to my harem, but it can wait. (I also want an Ithaca 37 or similar, because I suddenly have a hankerin' for a classic "woody.")

I'll see Dave's 200 rounds and raise you a formal class. Or even some friendly competition. Nothing like it to shake down the weapon and learn what you can do under a little stress.

 

[CannibalCrowley]

Both the 500 and the 870 are good shotguns. The deciding factor is personal preference. I use a Mossberg because the 870 just doesn't feel right. OTOH my Mossy felt like an extension of my body when I first picked it up.

 

[DHart]

I totally understand the need for the 200 round function test and the training with regard to relying on the shotgun for defense use. I'm an avid 1911 guy, so I know about function testing!

How critical is it that I use the same shells for the 200 round test. I've fired some 2 3/4", 3 3/4 DR EQ, #1 buck and some 3", Max DR EQ, #4 Shot, Magnum Turkey shells. Would either be fine for defense rounds or better to go with the reduced velocity Defense-purpose stuff? Generally, would 2 3/4" or 3" be preferrable/more reliable feeding in the 500A?

Now that I've fired it a few times, I'm really enjoying shooting it! (Plus it's so wonderful to get back at those moles after they tear my lawn to shreads!!!) I think I'm rapidly becoming a "scatter-gun guy".

P.S. What's "BA/UU/R until it feels like a body part."?

 

[GunGeek]

Your not the only Mossy fan, just we are smart enough to keep our mouths shut..... you can get a better deal on your mossys when everyone goes to the gun shop wanting an 870, and you offer to take that 500/590 off the dealers hands since noone want's it.

 

[Badger Arms]

Mossbergs are great guns. I'd suggest any of the top four (Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, Ithaca) to anybody. Manual of arms is similar for all except the Ithaca. The Ithaca 37 is a great gun for the field or HD, but I would stay away from it for Trap or Skeet myself.

If you have one of the top four, there is no reason to switch. If you are buying for the first time, go Remington.

 

[scout26]

Buy Ammo / Use Up / Repeat

Nothing wrong with Mossies, if it works for you , then it works.

My 500 fills the freezer each year with turkey, vension and pheasants.

It's works well on the trap line and is a hoot to shoot at skeet.

I have one setup for HD is keep cruiser ready. It goes to the range about once a month for trap and practice on the rifle range.

HH6 has a Bantam 20 gauge that she uses for both trap and it's what she would grab for HD after barricading herself and the kids behind the locked bedroom door.

 

[DHart]

Cool... anyone know if generally the 2 3/4" empty shells eject any more reliably than the spent 3" shells? Is there any significant incentive for me to shoot 3" shells when there are great 2 3/4" sheels available?

 

[Badger Arms]

The ONLY advantage to the 3" chamber is that you can shoot steel shot more effectively. Buckshot loads have a few more pellets, but they go slower. Game loads are mostly space anyhow. As for reliability, I don't think there is a significant difference. If anything, the longer shells will eject MORE reliably due to their increased mass, but there is nothing significant enough to worry about. Shoot what's cheap and patterns well.

 

[DHart]

Badger... I just noticed that when I was cycling out a spent 3" shell, I didn't give it a very strong cycle and the long, spent shell stopped at the ejection port. I noticed that the spent 3" shell was just about as long as the ejection port and surmised that a 2 3/4" spent shell MIGHT have cleared more easily and reliably with a somewhat weak cycle. I'm sure, though, that with a strong cycle, the spent 3" shell would have popped out without a problem. For this reason alone, I might be a little more inclined to go with 2 3/4" shells. I know I can get all the variety and power I need from 2 3/4" shells. Does this make any sense?

 

[DHart]

deleted-duplicate post

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I've had 2 3/4" spent hulls clear the chamber themselves without my hand on the pump before.

 

[Cosmoline]

I think the Mossberg's tang safety is a lot easier to use than the Remington's safety, but it's a matter of preference. Since my arsenal got drastically reduced I'm left with only my Mossberg and a Colt PPS. Both are doing fine. And the Mossberg is again doing hard duty on the salmon runs. It fell in Little Willow Creek last night and after a bit of drying it works fine. It does have rust on it, of course, and it rarely gets a formal cleaning. But it still cycles and shoots just fine.

 

[foghornl]

While I really like the classic look of the 870 Wingmaster, the Mossy "fits" me better.

My Maverick 88 by Mossberg is 14 years old now, never had a glitch that wasn't entirely due to "Operator Error", except for 1 old paper-hull round that sent about 1/2 of the hull down range......sheeeeeeeeeeeshhhh