purchaced first shotgun have a few questions

[txman321]

The other day I went and go me my first shotgun, I was thinking about getting the maverick 88 as i saw good input on that gun everywhere i looked but I saw the price of the mossberg 500A and It wasnt that much more and I ended up getting a Mossberg 500A With 28 inch ported barrel and has 3 chokes that came with it.

my questions are

1.) Is it any different then the other 500 shotguns?
as mine has a golden trigger and not black

2.) Is the rear stock and forend changeable?
I want to have the ability if needed to throw on maybe an overfolding stock or pistol grip if i ever decided i need one

3.) If I put an 18.5 inch barrel on it would it be good for home defence as it was only the field model?



I want to use this shotgun for dual purposes i want to hunt dove next year thats why i bought the hunting version, but I still want to beable to make it more suitable for home defense, as i dont make nearly enough to afford 2 seperate ones


Thanks for your input

 

[camoman33935]

good deal....mossbergs are really great guns

1) As far as i know, it is not any different than the other 500's.....except for the special purpose 500's with the extended mag tube

2)Yes, you can switch out the forend and buttstock to fit your wants and needs.......theres a wide variety of aftermarket stocks for the 500

3)It'll be a good choice for home defence with the 18.5 inch barrel.....right now i have a 20 inch vented rib barrel that i can change the chokes out on.....i use it for everything, including a HD shotgun

Hope this helps

 

[ozarkhillbilly]

Yes, the stock and forend can be changed out, it will take less then five minutes.
It will also make a good home defense weapon, the only real differnce between a field model and a home defense model is the lenght of barrel. You should be able to buy a 18.5in barrel for around $100.00 and then just switch them out as you need.

 

[Hungry Seagull]

Pull the choke that is in the gun now carefully with your choke tool.

Put the choke that is stamped "IMP CYL" (Improved Cylinder) into your gun. That way you can use it for slug or any duty for home defense until your new shorter barrel comes in.

Dont worry about that Gold Colored trigger. I see it as a easier object to see in the night time when someone is breaking in. It also has a different feel from the gaurd which works for me as well. The composition of the trigger is not a consideration as long as it is sturdy.

When you change barrels, pay attention to the internal part of your reciever that the end of the new barrel matches your reciever's notches PERFECT. And you will be good to go!

When you do put the shorter barrel on, put away the choke tubes, choke tool and the longer barrel in a safe place so that you can go dove hunting when ready.

 

[Rshooter]

Mossberg 500A is a good choice of shotgun.

I use a folding stock on one of my HD shotguns but it is not something to get into lightly. To become effective with them you must be willing to put in range time and practice. First thing to remember is you shoot from the hip, not the face, that will save your teeth.

When you get your 18.5 inch barrel practice with it like you would your hunting barrel with your home defense rounds. I personally recommend nothing lighter than #4 buck. If you need it you will be sleepy and in the dark so know how to use it before you need it. You really do not need anything more than 2 3/4 for home defense, save the 3 inch shells for hunting.

Enjoy your new gun, take care of it and it will outlast you and be ready to be used by your heirs.

 

[txman321]

im 19 can i legally buy an 18.5 inch barrel off cabelas or mossberg or do i need to be 21?

 

[TheLaxPlayer]

I don't think there is any age restriction on purchasing a barrel. No need to be 21.

 

[foghornl]

I have the Maverick 88. As originally sold, it had a 28" Mod choke barrel. It now wears the 18.5" cylinder-bore barrel, with #4 Buck in the tube, and slugs in a butt-cuff.

If you don't have the shorter barrel yet, just put in the Imp Cyl choke.

DO NOT SHOOT WITHOUT A CHOKE TUBE IN PLACE! You will wreck the threads in the barrel.


Never mind HOW I know, I just know!