New shotgun?

[Big D]

Hey yall. I am currently a new recruit (or FNG) @ a local pd, and will begin the academy in April. I have worked in a law enforcement environment for almost 3 years and possess an Associates in CJ. So I am no stranger to the LE world. I also have a good experience with firearms, being started on them at an early age. I currently own a Mossberg 500A with the 18.5'' barrel for home defense. I have experience with this design for 3-4 years now, and prefer the mechanics of a Mossberg to the M870 (although this was the first pump design I was exposed to, with about 7 years of experience). I am debating purchasing another Mossberg 500 or 590 8 or 9 shot as a backup shotgun. I am wondering if this philosophy is sound or if it would just be a waste of my hard earned money. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[oneounceload]

There IS more to the world of shotguns besides Mossberg and Remington - you might want to expand your horizons a little

 

[stumpy80]

Why fix something that's not broke. These are some questions to ask yourself.

Do feel it will be reliable? Are you confident in it's function? Does it fit the role completely? Has it ever jammed? Why did it jam?

I was criticized for having a Rem. 1100 for years. Everyone told me it was prone to jam. It only jammed on me once because of a bad handload. I used it to paddle pirogues in lakes, belly crawled across borrow pits in the mud. I shot that gun like no other I had shot prior. It fit my task with extreme reliability.

 

[Ole Humpback]

The Winchester Model '97 comes to mind. IMO it sets the bar pretty high for what a pump shotgun can do with just 5 2.75" rounds. Another that, IMO, would be good for a patrol car is the Browning BPS. Its a bottom eject shotgun in 3" with 5 rounds, which makes it ambidextrous for those lefties in the squad just in case you're not the one using it at the time its needed.

As far as autos go, a Browning Gold Fusion or Maxus or if you have more tactical requirements the FNH SLP Mk I Tactical shotgun. The Gold Fusion & SLP handle 3" shells, 5 for the Gold & 8 for the SLP, and the Maxus can be loaded with 5 3.5" Mag shells that hold 18 00 Buckshot pellets.

 

[foghornl]

When I hear "Shotgun for the cruiser/prowler/patrol car, etc" 2 main units come to mind...the Mossberg 5xx series and Remington 870's.

Both offer these 2 majorly important things..dead-nuts simple to operate, and go BOOM! on request, every time.

I've only shot one a few times, but as the saying goes..."There ain't no flies on an Ithaca 37, either."

Back to your original question, though...if the Mossberg 5xx series is what you are going to be issued for the prowler car....that one is the one to have for backup. Reliability in the Long Haul? ? ? The Mossberg will probably outlast your grand-children