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
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