Got beat up by my Mossberg 500 today

[jdg30]

I haven't shot my Mossberg 500 in quite a while but have been wanting to lately. The original stock on it seemed a little too long to fit comfortably so I ordered and installed a Hogue 12" LOP stock. I thought the new stock would be more comfortable but it actually seemed too short and made the original stock feel more comfortable in hindsight.

Today I took the Mossberg 500 out with the 18.5" barrel to test out some rounds. I started out with 5 1-oz slugs and besides making big holes in the target, the recoil made them very uncomfortable to shoot and I didn't have the desire to shoot another slug. I shot 5 bird shot shells after that and they weren't bad, but weren't exciting either. Next I tried the 5 2-3/4" 00 buck shells that I keep the gun loaded with. They were alright to shoot but the recoil still wasn't comfortable at all. I felt like I was punching myself in the face with my hand holding the short stock. The stock also was very uncomfortable on my shoulder. To finish, I shot 3 out of 5 3" magnum 00 buck shells and called it quits. That was the first time I've ever shot the 3" magnum shells and in my opinion they are the most uncomfortable shells I've ever fired. They kick very hard.

I switched the Hogue 12 LOP stock back to the original and am going to return the Hogue stock. I haven't shot this gun much but this outing didn't really excite me about the gun at all. I got it used from a coworker for cheap and have shot it once with the longer barrel and once with the short barrel. This is the first and last time I'm shooting it with the short stock.

I really like the shotgun but it seems rather abusive to shoot it. Almost every shot when I was shooting, the slide would be back after firing and the action open from the recoil of the gun. This doesn't seem right. I'm not real experienced with shotguns but this session hasn't left me looking forward to shooting it again.

Is this a normal experience for you guys who are shotgun fanatics? I'm not a wimp but shooting this gun today made me feel like throwing in the towel. What can I do to have fun shooting defense loads through a shotgun? Is there a better shotgun out there for me with regards to recoil or are they all like that? Any advice would be appreciated, Thanks

[Oceanbob]

It is after all...a Shotgun. Really, unless you're shooting Clays, it's going to be brutal.

[JTecalo]

I'm kind of a full figured guy and those 3" magnums still were too much in my 500.

The 2 3/4 low recoil federal 00buck were much better

[GMG]

You think that's bad, try it with a pistol grip.

[ElvenSoul]

20Gauge?

[Charles4400]

I also tried the 12" hogue stock and found it too short BUT there is a secret 13" hogue stock available which feels much nicer.

Contact http://aimprotactical.com/ and ask them about it. I believe it was created just for them and though they don't advertise it in the their products section of the web site, they did get them produced. They might have some left. I got mine from them.

Anyways love my Mossy 500 with the 13" hogue stock!

As far as the pain, try bringing the stock closer to your chest instead of on the ball of your shoulder...should help alot (put your arm out like a chicken wing then pull the gun in to mount it towards your chest and not on your shoulder muscle...that should be the best spot to mount {and you don't have to leave your arm bent out after you found the mount position.})

[BlackICE]

I had the same feeling when I shot slugs or buck. I put on the biggest recoil pad on the stock and it helped a lot!

I have a 44 mag Marlin 1894 that I shot with heavy 240 and 300 gr loads that left my shoulder badly bruised afterward. Since the gun was so light I would say it is worst the the Moss 500 with slugs. I also put a big recoil pad on it. No more bruises.

[gotshotgun?]

Can't escape physics, you want a wall of lead launched outward? Expect some return punishment. I honestly think it has more to do with mindset and style than size or toughness because I've seen some small guys shoot magnum rounds without issue.

[chad68]

Cool guess I will pick up some 3" magnum shells at the gun show in a couple weeks.

I'm always up for some pain. All I have ever shot is bird shot.

[Thefeeder]

><

Here is some Advil

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=425953

If you can shoot 100 rounds at clays and feel fine then you should be able to fire 100 rounds of low-recoil 00....why? Because they are both 3-3 1/4 Dram loads. One has lots of small pellets and one has few big pellets.


Gun fit + good mounting + stance = minimum felt recoil

[crackerman]

You're doing it wrong. I can bang 3" duck loads all day long and they arn't gently at all.

That said have you shot a shotgun often? that 12" stock is cool and all if you are wearing armor or lots of heavy coats otherwise its not really worth it. I had one and nearly broke my nose when I shot it. Also are you getting the stock up to your cheek and not bringing your head down.

Get yourself a bantam mossberg stock and a good limbsaver recoil pad and you should be fine.

[mindwreck]

are you pushing out at the pump grip and pull into your shoulder with your strong hand? holding out on it helps with the recoil. Magpul taught this in their shotgun video. It will also prevent that issue of having the pump come back from the recoil.

shotguns aren't bad. When i got my first shotgun i was pretty scared, but i said to hell with it and loaded up 3" slugs. i just dumped the tube and it was nothing like what people make it out to be.. its no 22 but its nothign to fuss about.

With a proper grip and stance you'll feel differently about your shotgun.

[jyo]

One of the reasons I prefer the 870 to the 500 is the steel receiver---extra weight to help with recoil---added a mercury recoil reducer and Limbsaver recoil pad (same as Remington R9 pad) and now practice with reduced-recoil shells---BIG difference. Shorter stocks are not the answer---they are for the wearing of tactical vests. Also, be sure and mount the gun properly---pulling it firmly into your shoulder.

[Kerplow]

another reason to buy a semi-auto.

[JagerDog]

Those are stout loads and shooting at paper. Gonna bite, no way around it.

Get some lighter practice loads.

And yes, 12" stock is designed for shouldering with armor or quite small people. 14" is average, but 13" is a decent compromise for tactical use. The 12" places your strong hand too close to your cheek. Another option is an AR style pistol grip stock.