New to shotguns.Please help "Mossy"

[chetrogers]

Today i took a NRA class "First steps shotgun" and when fitting me for a shot gun i ended up with a mossberg 500 12 gauge.Now i felt very comfortable shooting this gun.It fit like a glove.It was a short barrel.but still was ok to shoot some clay pigeons.I didnt hit as many as i wished i did but still hit enough to be happy with myself.

My question is im pondering buying one of these for home protection.Im Currently using my Ruger p97dc ".45acp" but would like to use a shotgun.Should i buy one knowing its good for me.Or should i really look into a Remington 870 or something else.I dont want a cheap gun but yet it fit me so well and is on the cheaper side of the pump guns..

I also shot a semi auto that was one of the instructors and to tell the truth i was more comfortable with the pump..Just seemed easier to use and didnt have to remember as much"to me anyways" ..Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Josey]

I like the Mossberg 500 "Persuader"! I bought two at Wal-Mart. Good shotgun. I kept one in the house and bought a Butler Creek pistol grip forearm and butt grip. I put a tac sling on the car shottie. I have BSA red dots on both shotties. I put a speed load stock and sidesaddle shell holder on the house shottie. If it fits and the price is right, buy two. Mossbergs are functional and inexpensive. The Remington 870 is living on hype and elitism. The 870s I have been seeing of late are not what they should be.

 

[Tady45]

Bought an 870 yesterday...

Good thread for me as well, as I purchased my first shotgun yesterday. I will be picking up my new Remington 870 in ten days. Did I buy correctly? I have heard much and noticed that our local boys in blue, have used this model (longer barrel) for some time. I also looked at a Mossberg, and a Winchester, and just like the way the 870 felt. I am a 223. and 45 guy, and saw the need for a good short range power gun. What are the "best" rounds double 0 buck? Why the need for slugs? Do I need a Cop or NRA certified type to show me how to shoot etc What can you gents tell me?


Thanks...Larry

 

[Dave McCracken]

The battered and dented used 500 I bought quite used worked OK, but it was delusional. It thought it was a fancy quail gun. The only reason I got rid of it was to maintain commonality of controls, I had an 870 then, used 870s on the job and so on.

Much as I like 870s, the few reasons I can think of NOT to have a Mossberg boil down to that commonality and the fact that 35-50K rounds is about it. That's more than most folks will push through a shotgun though mayhap not we, the THR crew.

If all I had was that old and abused 500, I'd still consider myself well armed, and I would be. Same with a 1300 or the venerable 37.

Shotguns are incredible HD tools when used by shotgunners. Not folks who own a shotgun nor mere collectors of shotgun paraphanalia, but shotgunners. You do not have to be an AA27AA trapshooter nor the Grand High OA Poohbah of the local "Practical" shooting club, but someone who uses shotguns frequently and enjoys so doing.

Chet, if you're a shotgunner, go ahead and get the 500, try to wear it out, and get back to us after the 30K of ammo mark. If you're not yet a shotgunner, the 500 will help you get there.

"The 870 is living on hype and elitism"...

Josie, care for a shootoff? In 40 years and at LEAST 50K of rounds, one broken part, zero glitches not operator induced with scads of 870s.

And if you're really into humiliation, bring that PG only car gun. Loser buys the coffee.

Larry, you did the first step right, buying a top quality shotgun. Now, BA/UU/R until it feels like a body part. Use light birdshot loads for starters. Ideally, 2 3/4 dr eq, 7/8 oz loads, or 1 oz if the 7/8 oz ones can't be found.

Buck is for later, slugs are for deer and much later. Read the 101 threads for the basics.

Lessons from a qualifed instructor are best. Not all good shooters are qualified instructors. If you get to MD, look me up.

 

[Bainx]

I'm with Dave on this. I have an 870 that is tops for birds with it's 28" barrel. I also have a Mossy 590 for HD. Either one is a great selection.
If you have tried both and the Mossberg fits better, go with it.

 

[foghornl]

If you stick with one of the "Big Four", you can't go wrong. In no particular order, Ithica, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester. Find the one that 'fits' you the best, and blaze away.

I happen to be a Mossberg guy, but whenever someone says "Shotgun", the first thing that pops to my mind is an 870 Wingmaster.

 

[scout26]

Blondes, Brunettes or Redheads.....

If it fits you, and you can shoot well with it go for. I'm a "Mossy" man my self. Got three of 'em: One is setup for HD, one for trap, skeet (Great fun with a pump !!) and pheasants, and the last for deer. The HD one also gets taken to the trap and skeet fields every so often. IMHO, It's a as fine a peice of shotgunning equipment as anything else being produced by the big four today. Only thing that you need to do to a new 500 is get the plastic safety replaced with a good metal one. Your dealer or a gunsmith can do it relatively cheap.

If it works for you, then it works, the money you save you can use to buy ammo . If your have a significant other, get her trained and equiped also.

The whole Remmy vs Mossy vs Win vs Ithaca is about the same as arguing over your favorite lady's hair color......

 

[Josey]

I am not anti-870. I have seen a few lately that simply should not have passed QC. I favour Ithacas. I drove around with a Roadblocker in my career. I have bought and used Mossbergs for the farm, HD and varmint problems. I like them. I like Baikal shotties too. I used to own AMCs too.

 

[Josey]

For HD work I suggest #4 shot. Winchester AA is what I use.

 

[Zeke Menuar]

I have a Mossberg 500. I have a long barrel for hunting and a short barrel for uninvited guests. Best of both worlds.

ZM

 

[Bruce626]

If you like the way the Mossberg 500 fits/feels, that is a great start. I've put some 5,000 shots downrange from mine and feel very good about using it in scary situations. Start with any of the "Big 4", follow McCracken's advice, practice, and you'll be doing just fine.

 

[gulogulo1970]

The Mossberg 500 is a great shotgun. I've had one since 1988 and shot it many thousands of times and never have had a worn or broken part. The safety and slide release are in better places for me than the ones on the 870. I have both a Mossberg 500 8-shot and an 870 Express. I love my Mossberg, I like my Remington.

 

[scout26]

So Chet, tell us about your new SG and first trip to the range with it.

Listen to Mr McC and follow his advice in the 101 threads.

We'll see you out the trap fields !!!!

 

[MrMurphy]

I've owned, in the 18.5" barrel home defense models:

1 Mossberg 500. Donated to my brother for house artillery.

2 Rem 870s. Sold them when I needed cash more than shotgun.

1 Benelli Nova SP. Still have it.


All of them work perfectly fine, and I'd have been happy with the 500.

Slugs are for long range work when you don't have a rifle. With my ghost ring sights I routinely hit COM on silhouette targets at 100m using Reduced Recoil slugs from the prone.

In self defense loads, the low recoil buckshot is the way to go. Seen a man get hit by birdshot and he went down (from shock, he was ambushed) but if he'd been armed and intent on doing so he could have returned fire. Birdshot at a couple yards can mangle someone but I'll take buckshot any time. Hornady TAP, Federal Tactical Low Recoil, Winchester Low Recoil and Estate SWAT are all good loads.

 

[Gary H]

My father was at a shotgun course today. He was using the light tactical federal 00 buck. The instructor had the student compare their loads for spread vs. Hornady's offering. My father said that the Hornady provided a much tighter spread. Can't find such a load on the Hornady site.