Noobie SG Questions please help clarify

[mnh327]

I'm looking at getting this:

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/default.aspx?action=detail&storeid=2503823&rapid=0&listingid=-2082855099&offerid=

It is a Mossberg pump with 20 inch barrel, 8-shots.

Can this be used for trap shooting? Can you add chokes, or is there one built-in. Can you shoot bird shot and slugs and buckshot out of this barrel?

In general, can you shoot slugs out of a barrel that has a choke?

Are you at a significant disadvantage with skeet/trap-shooting with this 20 inch barrel vs 28"?

[bjl333]

I'm looking at getting this:

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/default.aspx?action=detail&storeid=2503823&rapid=0&listingid=-2082855099&offerid=

It is a Mossberg pump with 20 inch barrel, 8-shots.

This Mossberg is a good gun and the design has been around for a long time. So there is no problem with this shotgun!

Can this be used for trap shooting? Can you add chokes, or is there one built-in. Can you shoot bird shot and slugs and buckshot out of this barrel?

You can use anything to shoot anything. You will just be at a disadvantage using a 20" barrel. I don't know if this shotguns has removable chokes or not, assuming it has. You can put in a tighter choke to shoot trap. The disadvantage comes from having too short of a barrel to properly gauge a bird's lead. If short barrels works in trap shooting then all the trap shooters will not be using 30"-34" barrels for their game.

Yes, You can shoot bird, buck and slugs (see below) out of this barrel.

In general, can you shoot slugs out of a barrel that has a choke?

Yes, you can shoot slugs thru this barrel providing it has an IC, SKT or CYL chokes, preferably SKT or CYL . The tighter chokes will expand into the barrel when a slug passes through it, causing it to be stuck in the barrel.

Are you at a significant disadvantage with skeet/trap-shooting with this 20 inch barrel vs 28"?

See above.


Guns, just like anything else are purposely designed for a particular reason. This one is for HD/SD.
Can it be used in clays sports? YES!
Can you ride a Harley Cruiser on a racetrack? YES!
Are you gonna get the best out of both? Probably no ...


Get the Mossberg Combo with 2 barrels and you should be happier by the end of the day!!

[mrkam]

Pretty sure that one is just a fixed cylinder (completely open) choke. It won't accept other choke tubes. So, you're good for buck and slugs for HD or just shooting for fun, but as far as skeet and hunting, it won't be great...

[mnh327]

Thanks guys. I'm getting a better understanding now.

[crazy]

Can you use this for trap? Yes. Will you hit anything? No. I don't think you will find a longer barrel to fit this shotgun either because I think the magazine tube is longer. Big 5 sells a Mossberg combo. It comes with a HD barrel and a28" barrel for less than $300 when they are on sale.

[shortround1]

Can you use this for trap? Yes. Will you hit anything? No. I don't think you will find a longer barrel to fit this shotgun either because I think the magazine tube is longer. Big 5 sells a Mossberg combo. It comes with a HD barrel and a28" barrel for less than $300 when they are on sale.

Yeah, the Mossberg 500 with the 7 round mag tube is not interchangeable with other barrels. Maverick made one for it a while back but I don't think you can really find them anymore. So basically with this model shotgun, you can only use the original barrel, and it is cylinder bore without the ability to change chokes. It'll be good for shooting any of the main 3 types of shotgun ammo but the OP will be at a disadvantage for any sporting activities other than close-range plinking. As crazy suggested the Combo deal might offer more possibilites, then again I don't think you can add a magazine extension on the 5+1 model 500 either, so that's why 590's and 870's are so cool... more options

[zfields]

Its an open choke. I have the same shotgun. Very easy to replace barrels though if you pick one up.

[shortround1]

Its an open choke. I have the same shotgun. Very easy to replace barrels though if you pick one up.

To the O.P. Keep in mind:

7+1 round Mossberg 500 model 50577= you're pretty much stuck with the 20" cylinder bore barrel.

5+1 round Mossberg 500= you'll have a bunch of different barrel options.

[ojisan]

^ Yup.
Get the 5+1 Combo, you can do it all with this set.

[hcbr]

+1 on the combo, may want to have the option of the longer barrel with chokes. Also yes too in the fact that mossbergs are great shotguns whether it's your first or part of many other shotguns in your collection!

[pTa]

Some ranges have a 24" bbl requirement/ I was todl you could shoot slugs out of any choke/

http://thefiringline.com/forums/archive/index.php?t-10227.html

http://www.ohiosportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23155

People telling you not to=FUD

[POWG]

Think of the Shotgun as a "tool" for a "game" - whether clays, hunting ...or your life.

Compare it to Golf - which requires a variety of clubs to play to your maximum level of efficiency.

Yes you can shoot at anything with any shotgun and any type of ammo. However, success will be limited at best.

You must decide first what you are planning to do with the shotgun and buy accordingly, with the understanding that as your level of experience and variety of purposes grows, so will your need for new guns. Hate it when that happens - NOT!

Take some quality instruction and get some quality advice ... you will actually shorten the learning curve and save some money in the long run!

Have fun, shoot well & often and ...be safe!

POWG is out.