Which one should I get?

[tvfreakarms]

Thinking about getting a shot gun. My first. So, I don't know to much about them. Its mainly to have fun and HD.
BIG 5 has a sale going on. But there are 2 brands that are $195.
The Mossberg 88 and the rock island armory. Which one is a better shotgun?
Which one has more aftermarket accessories available? I've seen the 88 with the magpul stock which I like.

http://m.big5sportinggoods.com/mobile/mdetails/Mossberg/0310105330055//maverick-88-12-gauge-8-shot-pump-shotgun/_/A-4502647

Rock island

http://m.big5sportinggoods.com/mobile/mdetails/Rock%20Island%20Armory/0310130930032//m5-nickel-12-gauge-pump-security-shotgun/_/A-4789277

2 by 2...hands of blue

[Quiet]

They are both good budget shotguns.

Maverick 88 is Mossberg's budget line and Mossberg 500 accessories/stocks will work on it.

The Armscor RIA M5 is based off the old High Standard Flite King shotgun. No one really makes accessories for it.
I believe it can use some Remington 870 stocks with some fitting (dremel) work.
Aftermarket 7 round tube for the RIA M5 costs around $75.

Both of the shotguns, in the links, have 20" barrels.
But, the Maverick has a 7+1 round capacity and the RIA has a 5+1 capacity.

[SonofWWIIDI]

Get both!

[keith1911]

I'd lean to the Maverick if it is your first shotgun and only have $200 to spend because it is Mossberg's budget 500.

[iluvmycolt]

Another vote for the Maverick.

[omgwtfbbq]

I would go Maverick due to the availability of aftermarket parts. Also don't care for nickel plated shotguns.

[bigbearbear]

If this is going to be your first shotgun, I won't recommend either of those. They are configured for HD/Tactical use with shorter barrels, cylinder bore and no chokes. You might find that many clay shooting ranges won't allow you to use your shotgun as many of them have min. barrel length requirement for shooting trap, skeet, sporting clay or 5-stand.

Clay shooting is be one of the most fun thing you can do with firearms, they are excellent for training yourself for HD as you'll be forced to learn how to mount the shotgun correctly and how to hit fast moving targets. If you shoot trap (singles) or wobble trap, you'll also be shooting targets thrown at random angles.

See if you can find something that has at least 26 inch barrel and comes with a removable choke set. That way, you can use it for clay shooting without having to be concerned with min barrel length requirements.

[tvfreakarms]

I was leaning toward the maverick myself.
Thanks

2 by 2...hands of blue

[j1133s]

If this is going to be your first shotgun, I won't recommend either of those. They are configured for HD/Tactical use with shorter barrels, cylinder bore and no chokes. You might find that many clay shooting ranges won't allow you to use your shotgun as many of them have min. barrel length requirement for shooting trap, skeet, sporting clay or 5-stand.

Clay shooting is be one of the most fun thing you can do with firearms, they are excellent for training yourself for HD as you'll be forced to learn how to mount the shotgun correctly and how to hit fast moving targets. If you shoot trap (singles) or wobble trap, you'll also be shooting targets thrown at random angles.

See if you can find something that has at least 26 inch barrel and comes with a removable choke set. That way, you can use it for clay shooting without having to be concerned with min barrel length requirements.

I don't think it's very good HD practice, but breaking those clay birds is a lot of fun to do with shotgun.

However, HD and clay shooting shouldn't be the same barrel. HD should be simple (cyl choke w/o choke tube for less failure) and shorter barrel.

Not familiar with those 2 models, but can those guns change barrels? If so, then you can add a longer barrel that takes different choke tubes later.

I first got into shotguns by playing IPSC 3 gun games, so I bought a Remington 1100 tactical. Then I got into clays and bought a 26" barrel for it. It worked very well.

[SDM44]

Maverick

I used to own the 5-shot version (18" barrel version) and it was a great gun. You can bolt any Mossberg part onto it. Still regret selling it for some quick cash back in the day.

[The Jack]

Another vote for the Maverick.

However if you can scrape together another $120, the Mossberg 500 combo is a good gun too. You get 2 barrels, 1 for HD and 1 for clays/hunting. For a first shotgun it allows you to do a number of different things.

http://m.big5sportinggoods.com/mobile/mdetails/Mossberg+500-Silver-12-Gauge-Pump-Shotgun-Combo/0310105330054/_/A-4502597

[bigbearbear]

I don't think it's very good HD practice, but breaking those clay birds is a lot of fun to do with shotgun.

However, HD and clay shooting shouldn't be the same barrel. HD should be simple (cyl choke w/o choke tube for less failure) and shorter barrel.

On the contrary, I think shooting clay is one of best way to learn about using a shotgun for HD. The fun factor has a lot to do with it, it makes the shooter wants to go out to shoot and practice. It'll force the shooter to get the fundamentals of using a shotgun right; making sure the shotgun fit, mounting the shotgun correctly, keeping eyes on target instead of sights like a rifle/pistol and how to lead for moving targets etc.

Once you have the fundamentals, it'll be easy to learn about specialized areas such as HD/tactical use of shotgun.

The longer barrels and chokes aren't much, if any, of a handicap for HD use. Chokes are simple things, put some anti-seize on the thread and screw them on, then forget about it until the next cleaning session.

Anyway I'm getting off topic for the OP, sorry about that. We all have our own method of self defense which is why we share them on forums like this one.

Cheers man.

[Legasat]

Any pump that says Mossberg or Remington will serve you well. Don't know much about the others.

[Steve_In_29]

Another vote for the Maverick.

However if you can scrape together another $120, the Mossberg 500 combo is a good gun too. You get 2 barrels, 1 for HD and 1 for clays/hunting. For a first shotgun it allows you to do a number of different things.

http://m.big5sportinggoods.com/mobile/mdetails/Mossberg+500-Silver-12-Gauge-Pump-Shotgun-Combo/0310105330054/_/A-4502597

I agree with both comments above.

[sonofeugene]

Another vote for the Maverick.

However, some accessories won't fit the cheaper Mossbergs. Can't say whether the Maverick is one of them, but if you end up liking the Surefire forend light for the Mossy, you may find that it won't work with your gun. Either at all, or not without a lot of extra work.

Frankly, I'd spend the extra money on a 500.

Mossberg is an excellent choice, though.