New Mossberg 590 for HD: necessary accessories?

[B yond]

I've decided to add another HD shotgun to the stable; a Mossberg 590.

I've been using (and by using I mean I actually practice with the thing) a Mossberg 500 with 18" barrel, bead sight, and 5 shot magazine for years and am very comfortable with it.

The 590 I've purchased has a 20" barrel with bead sight and 9-shot magazine.

My plan is for this to be the primary HD long gun and to be as simple as possible. The only accessories I've decided to attach so far is a light, because you can't (or at least shouldn't) shoot what you can't see, and a 6-rd side saddle for carrying additional ammunition options. It has the capacity to accept a bayonet, and while I have a small collection of suitable bayonets and think the idea of attaching one is cool, I don't know if I'll actually do so for home defense. I'm still weighing the pros and cons of that (this isn't trench combat after all).

This will be for home defense use in a rather large home on a decent-sized plot of land where there is some concern of mountain lions (pumas). I plan to keep the magazine stoked with 8 rounds of #4 buckshot, a snap cap in the chamber with the hammer down, and 3 rounds of 00 buck and 3 slugs on the side saddle.

My logic is that the #4 shot would be devastating at short indoor ranges against human threats, but minimize over-penetration reasonably with the lower mass of each individual projectile, while the 00 buck would be suitable for medium-range engagement of both 2- and 4- legged threats outdoors, and the slugs would be for longer range engagement of 4-legged threats.

The 590 will wear the standard Mossberg synthetic stock (which fits me perfectly) and a ribbed "tactical" forend.

I'm going to keep the 500 that I currently use for HD in a similar configuration when at home, and will be using it (with a different barrel) extensively for skeet shooting and possibly hunting in the upcoming years. My thinking is that the skills I currently have and will continue to develop with the 500 will carry over to the 590, provided they have the same stock and forend.

Please critique my logic and point out any accessories you feel are absolutely necessary in a HD shotgun. I don't want to overload and overcomplicate the thing, but I want it to be as useful and effective in its chosen role as it can be. Also, what are your thoughts about a bayonet on a HD shotgun (keeping in mind I'm not Rambo, I don't work mall security, and I have no ninja training).

TIA

 

[1KPerDay]

A bone stock 590 makes a lovely HD weapon, IMO. A light would be a fine addition. I'm thinking of adding one to mine. I have a Tac-star 6 round sidesaddle in mine, which I use primarily for 3-gun competitions... 8 in the tube is probably more than I'll ever need for HD anyway.

good choice.

BTW the snap cap is fine but not necessary IMO. You could dry fire that shotty till St. Swithain's day and it won't break.

The best accessory for any stock pump shotty is a big crate of shells and a lot of practice, IMO.

 

[Sideburns]

I really like the idea of a laser on any gun you might have to use under stress. I also wouldn't be comfortable messing with 3 types of rounds under stress either. YMMV

A 590 in 20" is on my short list. I'm likely going to go for a speedfeed stock over a sidesaddle though.

 

[fatcat4620]

Drop the sanp cap, not needed. Go with one size of shot and along with that get rid of the slugs. If it has two legs and you need slug... well you should not be shooting at those things if they are that far away. If its a lion and 50 yards away, you decide to put slugs in to shoot it and BAM in that time to change out ammo it will be eating you. You could go slug on first round and fix that prob but thats up to you. Light and SS is great. Not sure you need a 10 pound spear.

 

[Fred Fuller]

If you put a bayonet on it, I promise I'll snicker at you .

If I were you I'd lay in a couple of spare magazine springs just to be on the safe side. I like Wolff - http://www.gunsprings.com/index.cfm?page=items&cID=2&mID=103 . The handy 3-pack ought to last you a lifetime.

The white light light is a good idea. Find one that uses an LED for a light source, not an incandescent bulb. LEDs handle recoil a lot better than bulbs. I prefer a weapon light that goes on a rail and is detachable when not needed, because the batteries in the light will beat up the mechanism under recoil. Even SureFire suggests taking the batteries out of their units for daytime practice, and they make a 'practice plug' to fill up the battery compartment opening. So it isn't a question of getting a 'quality light,' it's a matter of physics.

Mas Ayoob (who's a member here at THR - hi, Mas!) has a good article on weapon lights in the new issue of Backwoods Home magazine - take a look at http://backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob128.html for some pointers from a pro.

I like Sidesaddles, some people don't. If you like 'em use 'em, if you don't - don't. Here we keep 00 buck in the magazines and Brenneke KO slugs in the Sidesaddles. We don't have to worry about overpenetration as we have no one else in the house except the two of us, and no nearby neighbors. IMHO the fewer types of ammo you're juggling the better off you will be under pressure, shotgun sensei Louis Awerbuck only uses slugs because he says he can't keep up with more than one kind of ammo. So I'd go with all #4 or all 00 in the mag, and just slugs in the Sidesaddle (there's how many rounds of buck in that magazine again??), depending on what you need to accomplish with buckshot and what limitations are imposed on your shot selection by your situation/conditions.

I'd make sure there were good solid provisions for attaching a sling, and have a comfortable sling to fit it handy. You might or might not want the sling on the shotgun inside- that's another sticky wicket with a lot of people. But you NEED to be able to put a sling on ANY serious defensive long gun IMHO, even if it doesn't wear one indoors. You might need to take it outside and lug it around for a few hours or a couple of days, you never know.

Look for some training on fighting with a shotgun- not just shooting one on the flat range but fighting with it. Even if you can't afford a full blown class from a pro instructor, get one of the better videos or even a book or two, and start practicing. I haven't seen all the videos out there, but of the ones I've bought and reviewed I like Clint Smith's and Tom Givens' about equally.

http://rangemaster.com/ - Tom Givens (click on the red BOOKS & DVDs button at the top)

See a preview of Clint Smith's shotgun video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw and find ordering info at http://www.thunderranchinc.com/store.html .

Books? Try John Farnam's offering - http://www.amazon.com/Farnam-Method-Defensive-Shotgun-Shooting/dp/0965942201 . My favorite defensive firearms trainer is Louis Awerbuck - Louis says his shotgun book is old and outdated and you shouldn't buy it, but I still like it (but I'm an old stick in the mud anyway) - http://www.amazon.com/Defensive-Shotgun-Techniques-Tactics-Awerbuck/dp/0879474122 . And it goes well with his DVD, though that's old now too (But then, both Louis and I both have gray hair now) - http://www.paladin-press.com/product/Combat_Shotgun/DVDs .

The best bet is still to get a class from a pro instructor, but that can take a while to work up to - it took me about 12 years to finally get into a slot in the first class I had with Louis. Doesn't mean you can't learn some stuff on your own though, if you work on it.

hth,

lpl

 

[AlexanderA]

High-visibility (orange) magazine follower.

Replace plastic safety button (if it came with one) with metal button.

 

[batmann]

Outside of maybe a light, there's nothing on your list for me. I keep my Browning 'Tactical' with only a hi-vis front bead. The more you hang, the more have to drag around and all of this effects the balance and handling and can make it clumsy in tight places. I am a KISS principle person. The bayonet may look 'cool', but is of little use in actual HD. Makes a nice Police report however. Perp was shot 6 times with #4 shot and then was stabbed with a weapon mounted bayonet. Try to explain that in court.
IMHO, your choice of ammo is more of a concern. Most, if not all, pros will go with 00 Buck instead of the #4 you plan. If you use a side saddle, keep some slugs in it as well. 00 has a good track record and if you ever really need it, that's not time to go with #4 and find out you wish you had gone with 00.
Most of these tactical gadgets we (I'm included) want, really look great and makes out HD shotgun look tacicool, but really add nothing to the actual purpose we buy one for. I doubt I will be busting down doors, chasing bad guys or facing down a terrorist. Just my two cents worth, and my wife will tell you what that's worth.

 

[B yond]

Yeah, I'm planning to keep it simple.

The reason I ask about the bayonet is I already have several AR bayonets in my colleection (not for defensive use, but because I have a passion for military history and weapons), and it wouldn't cost me anything to slap one of them on the shhotgun if there's a sound reason to do so. I'm sure I'll put one on there and look at it (and snicker at myself while I do), but I doubt I'll leave it on there for home defense since it would add so mich weight to the muzzle and lengthen the gun enough to make it difficult to use in tight spaces. No real tactial advantage for HD IMO.

Regarding my choice of #4 shot for a primary loading, this is based off of patterning and penetration tests I did at various ranges way back when I got my first Mossberg 500 and was considering using it for HD. I understand why the police and military like 00 buck, but I feel #4 is more appropriate for my situation.

I know the snap cap is unnecessary. My logic for using it is I don't want to keep a live round chambered anyway, and the snap cap gives me something to drop the hammer on that's the dimensions of a shell as a function check each time I load the weapon. It there's something in or wrong with the chamber that would prevent a shell from seating all the way or prevent the bolt from going into battery this will find it. I know it's probably overkill, but it gives me more faith that my weapon will function if called upon.

I think i'll pick up some extra mag springs, that sounds like a good idea. Although, I've used the heck out of my 500 and never had a problem with the spring, it seems like a likely point of failure and the boy scout in me wants to be prepared.

Thanks for all the advice and input fellas.

 

[monduconstruct]

I like the light, side saddle, and sling additions - but personally feel the bayonet is kind of a trinket for any practical purposes. It just seems completely unnecessary.

 

[oneounceload]

Lose the bayonet idea - the point of short barrels on HD guns is the ability to easily maneuver around - adding the length of the bayonet - you might as well use a longer barrel - besides, IF you ever had to use it in an emergency, do you REALLY want the cops/DA to show a gun with a bayonet on it?

Remember too, that those extra shells in the mag tube do a wonderful job of upsetting ANY semblance of balance and make the gun very muzzle heavy - you will need to practice swinging the gun with that extra weight

Some people hate side saddles - to me, it's a neutral issue - if 5 or so shots (9 in your case) doesn't get the job done, are the extras with their added weight and bulkiness going to matter?

What do you envision as a realistic scenario? If you live rural, maybe a rifle would be better - if you live urban, 4-9 shots should be sufficient for a normal plan of barricading in a room, calling 911, and not trying to play commando and sweep the house - leave that for the guys with the BP vests and blue uniforms

 

[1KPerDay]

The more I think about this the more I feel that combining a snap cap with live rounds is a really bad idea. It gets you used to putting something that looks like a shell and feels like a shell in the chamber and pulling the trigger, when there are live rounds present and possibly in the mag tube. Confusion may occur at some point, through muscle memory/repetition/etc.

IMO, snap caps should be used either:
1. for dry firing/loading/malfunction clearance practice where there is no live ammo present in the area
or
2. At the range mixed with live ammo to practice malfunction clearance drills.

But in a "serious" HD scenario I personally feel it's a bad idea. Call me a Safety Sally if you like.

YMMV