8 shots--why not?

[MissiontoMars]

I own one of these and really like it! As much as I'd like, I don't keep it loaded with 7. Six in the tube and more readily available IF needed. It really doesn't feel too nose heavy after that 1st shell is chambered, leaving 5 in the tube. The weight & balance with 1 chambered and 5 in the tube is not bad.
I'll take the overall weight difference. Similar to using an 8rd mag in my .45 vs. the stock 7rd, or worse yet the NY 5rd.

This is a great point. Just because you have the ability to load it with 8 rounds, adversely effecting the swing and balance, there is no requirement to do so.

If you are sitting with your gun resting on a bed or a couch, with someone breaking their way into your front door (or through the window like they were doing in my case) swing and balance are moot, compared to being loaded to your max round count, in case of multiple targets.

Alternatively, if you are outside with coyote's and stray dogs on your property (again, my personal experience) loading up 1 in the chamber and 3-4 in the tube will maximize your ability to swing from target to target...

[Grakken]

What if I fart in the bad guys general direction?

Get a Vepr12 and carry 10.

[Chewy65]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but my 18" Mossberg 500 has 8 shots and the magazine tube doesn't extend beyond the barrel. I don't really understand the compactness argument. It'd make more sense for me if that allowed you to have a 12 or 14" barrel, but it doesn't.

As for 5 versus 8 shots, I suppose it may not matter as a practical real world matter. But let me ask you: if you hear people breaking in, and you scramble to find a weapon. Two shotguns are there. Identical, except for the amount of rounds each holds. 5 shot and 8 shot. Which one are you going to grab? 5 shot and hope you can manage to do tactical reloads, or 8 shots?

It might depend on what you have to do. If you are going to have to travel through tight spaces (carry a child, travel to your safe room, or whatever) I might choose the lighter and shorter 5 shot. If I am ready to hole up behind the door of my safe room, then the 8 shot.

[ERdept]

I always load with 8 shots, and 1 in the chamber.

First four shots are the make a hole in the wall, to fire through.