Big 5: Mossberg combo or two separate shooters

[Caribouriver]

Say you want a shotgun that can do both tasks reasonably well: HD and field. Big 5 has a Mossy with two barrels (18" & 28") that sounds like it would do both jobs - but will it really? I've been a woodworker for over 50 years and have found that multi-purpose machines are a hassle. True, they save space and are cheaper than several dedicated machines but the set up time is frustrating. Is it the same with shotguns? So, if you don't have a ton of money and you're kinda old so stuff doesn't really have to last forever, would the Big 5 Mossberg combo do? Or would its sloppiness (from what I've read) be so irritating (FYI, irritation increases along with muscle atrophy as you age) and not do either job satisfactorily that it would put me in an early grave? Would a short and a long Benelli (also on sale at Big 5) be way better (and WAY more dough)? What would you do? Thanks in advance
joe

[BigDogatPlay]

The only thing different is the barrel, which has nothing to do with "the machine", IMO. The action is going to work the same regardless of which barrel you have mounted.

I think the 500 combo is a pretty good value, all things considered. If you're on a budget, it's a well made, American made, gun that should give many, many years of service. If you want to spent a little more you can wait for the Remington 870 combo when it comes on sale, or spend a lot more on a Bennelli. At the end of the day, you'll still have one gun with two barrels.

FWIW, my two decade plus old Mossberg 500 shipped with an 18.5 inch barrel when I first bought it all those years ago. This past year after I bought an 870 Police solely for HD, I picked up a 24 inch ported and choke tube equipped second barrel for the 500 to shoot clays and hunt from time to time. The gun is still smooth as butter and I enjoy shooting it in either configuration. It's like having two guns for the price of a barrel.

[Caribouriver]

Appreciate the reply BigDog. BTW, Is that Big 5 combo currently on sale a Mossy 500? I am OK with one gun and two barrels. I just don't know enough about the product options to make a sensible decision. No question, the action is important.

[Sheepdog1968]

I've owned Mossbergs for over 20+ years. The 500 is a solid firearms. Given the price, it is IMO a great deal for someone who wants to do both home defense and some bird or clay shooting. Yes, you can spend more and buy finer instruments but this will be good enough for what most people need/want.

[Rob454]

I had a biog 5 combo. Worked great. its nice to have two guns in one package

[antonio]

I have had mine for 16 years has killed many birds. I just recently upgraded 2 my Winchester Sx3

[trautert]

Despite the fact I'm not really a shotgun guy, I own several of every type, and of a number of different brands. My all around go-to gun is a Mossberg 500 combo purchased about 15 years ago. About 7 years ago I bought a rifled barrel for it, with a cantilever scope mount, for shooting slugs at pigs. So now, for maybe $500, I have three barrels, and can hunt all year round, and have that 18" barrel installed for HD. Takes all of 40 seconds to switch barrels.
Hard deal to beat, in my book.
Tom

[xxINKxx]

My mossberg 500 i got from Big 5 needed a new magazine spring after 1 use..I guess doing some research, the stock spring is a POS and its a really known flaw with that gun (which it was, it was so flimsly and thin, it binded up after 1 time loading it up and was ruined) I got a heavy duty spring from wolff for a few bucks

Other then that, Mossy 500 from big 5 FTW, the version with 2 barrels is a good deal, you can do clays, or HD in 1 package

[damndave]

It's a decent combo at a very good price. Can do both reasonably well. If you really want to get into shooting clays, you will want something better in the future.

[GUNBRAT]

I will not shoot anything but Benelli

[antonio]

GUNBRAT Welcome to CALGUNS..........

[sigs229]

here's another guy whose owned the combo mossy 500 from big 5 for about 16 years. its a good tool that gets a job done for a great deal. i think i payed $219 back them. i think they're going for about $279 now. If want to spend an extra $150-200 you could probably get a remington 870 home defense model then buy an extra longer barrel. IMHO the remington has a smoother action, the ability to change chokes(the mossy combo 28 barrel comes with fixed modified choke), and ability to change magazine tube(mossy 500 has fixed tube. the choice is up to you. do you want to spend the extra money, like i said the the mossy combo will get the job done.

[CalNRA]

the 500 combo is a very good starter gun and is sufficient for 98% of people out there. In fact in my unscientific testing, I prefer to shoot slugs out of a 500 with synthetic stock than an 870 with a wooden stock. Dunno why, but I enjoy shooting the 500 a lot.

[Caribouriver]

Great replies. Thank you one and all for the feedback. For me, and thanks to you, the choice is now clear that the Mossy 500 combo is a good starting point. Big 5, here I come. Today.

[stix213]

I like my Mossy 500 combo I got from Big 5. I use the 28" barrel to shoot clays, and the 18" barrel takes about 30 seconds to install. Though I use the 28" barrel almost exclusively and just keep a full mag in my Glock on the off chance I ever needed to protect myself in my home. (and a 10 round mag in my Saiga 7.62x39, but that would only be needed if society collapses )