Which Mossberg 500 Model?

[robojet]

Sorry folks, total newbie looking for advice and this is my first post

I am looking to purchase a shotgun for home defense. It will also go to the range with me occasionally. I'm comfortable with my decision making on handguns and rifles... but with shotguns... I need all the help I can get. So, in my recent lurking on CalGuns.net (I've been a lurker for some time), it seems the popular choice is either the Remington 870 Express Tactical or the Mossberg 500. So I started looking at the specs and found a bunch of Mossberg 500 models. I had no idea! So, here I am thinking I've narrowed it down to 2 possibilities, it was really more like 30! Now, I know some of those could be thrown out of the mix right away... but still.

So, which of the Mossberg 500 models should I be considering? I do like the 'door busting muzzle' and certainly looking at the 18"/18.5" barrel length. Pistol grip is interesting, but not sure how that is practical or if it makes firing easier/more difficult.

Any advice? THANKS!

[Mossy Man]

Tip #1

For the most part, a traditional rifle stock is better than a pistol grip with stock. A pistol grip only is practically useless IMO unless you're breaching doors.

Coming from a Mossberg 590 owner, I have this to say:

If its mainly for HD, just buy a cheap Big 5 clone shotgun.

Examples are the Stevens 350 Shotgun (Ithaca 37 clone, which is good because it's also got a nice bottom-eject if you want an ambi gun), H&R Pardner (870 clone), Hawk Interstate 982 (another 870 clone), Maverick 88 (Mossberg 500 with crossbar safety....made by mossberg)

These can all be had for under or around $200, are very suitable for home defense, have a long model-history of service, and are all made out of heavy steel and will last a long time.

you can get a Maverick 88 8-shot (7+1) for $219 at big5 right now

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/Default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2504019&rapid=1633316&listingid=-2068741364&pretailerid=-98565

you can also get the stevens 320 5-shot (4+1) with ghost ring sights and a PG/stock for $259 (this appears to be a win1300 clone)

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal.com/big5/Default.aspx?action=browsepagedetail&storeid=2504019&rapid=1633316&listingid=-2068741325&pretailerid=-98565

And these aren't even the best deals i've seen

a lot of these clones can accept most of the accessories for the shotguns they copy, also.

[epcii]

If you want a "doorbuster", Bud's has the Cruiser model for $289 shipped right now. Shooting it straight is easy. All you have to do is raise it to your eyeline. I know people shoot it from the hip in movies, but...that's Hollywood. If you want a butter-smooth action, beater shotgun, look for an old Winchester 1300. I got mine for $170 and it's something I'll never get rid of.

[STUCH77]

i'd say the 500A tactical model #50588 but with a full stock.

[robojet]

Thanks for the quick responses! I went looking for the tactical model suggested by stuch77, my head is still swimming looking at the models and I'll continue looking with fresh eyes tomorrow... but I did see this: MOSSBERG 500 ''THUNDER RANCH'' SHOTGUN, 12G, 18", 6 SHOT. This got away from the pistol grip that seems may not be the practical choice, but had that door buster that I think could be useful. Am I heading in the right direction?

[STUCH77]

try flex 500 tactical cruiser #50673

[robojet]

I just now found the 500As you mentioned. Also looked up 50673, but that's a pistol grip. You mentioned going full stock.

Will continue checking tomorrow. Thanks!

[STUCH77]

its all up to you. i just like to shoulder my long guns. but a pistol grip gun will work for hd.

[robojet]

so, is it safe to say that a 500 is a 500, the different models are just outfitted differently? So, I just need to pick out the 'accessories' so to speak, like barrel length, overall length, chamber, capacity, etc.? I'm convinced that I need to go with a full stock now, and I was looking at the shorter barrels, so 6 shot seems to be what that is.

[MustangSteveGT]

If you plan on changing the furniture, magazine tube, barrel ect; then the answer would be whatever cheap used pawn shop one you can find to modify.
There's a lot of relabeled cheaper Mossberg 500's floating around like the Revelations for example that can be had for cheap.

[STUCH77]

again its up to you. and yes a 500 is a 500. Theres also the 590 or 590A1 family these are military spec guns made for and used in the military but we can own um to. but i always like more firepower so i went 20inch barrel 7+1 500A. but wanted the 590A1 SPX 9 SHOT #50771 OR blackwater #51772

[heavyrecoil]

IMO, if it's a Mossberg you want, the combo sets always "on sale" at Big 5 are probably your best bet-- they include an 18" cylinder bore "home defense" barrel and a 28" fixed modified choke barrel "for the range" (as you mentioned above). If you're purely focused on HD, the model #50577 (pretty much also always "on sale" at Big 5) is a good choice.

[STUCH77]

IMO, if it's a Mossberg you want, the combo sets always "on sale" at Big 5 are probably your best bet-- they include an 18" cylinder bore "home defense" barrel and a 28" fixed modified choke barrel "for the range" (as you mentioned above). If you're purely focused on HD, the model #50577, pretty much also always "on sale" at Big 5, is a good choice.

^^^^this also.

[madland]

I recently bought a 500Thunder Ranch..it has a shorter lop stock but the tri-rail forend sucks imho. With a 3" magnum rd the gun kicks more due to the shorter stock and the pump's side rail will catch your thumb if you're not holding it right. And your grip hand will knock you in the nose if you're shooting some hot loads as well..but some here suggested a different grip which I'll try next time at the range. I definitely like the compactness of it for HD though. It also came with a red Hi-viz front sight that makes target acquisition fast. My .02

One Turners had it priced at $600. Another had it tagged at $400 so I asked the salesman if that's a sale price or regular..he says regular for $400. I thought for that price and the included mods it's a steal so I got one. Seeing as I'm looking to change the tri-rail pump and try a slightly longer stock I might've been better off with an 870. But again the biggest thing I like about the 500TR is its compactness for HD and 5+1 is more than enough..if I need more than that then I've probably got bigger problems!

[STUCH77]

heres mine i reschered hard for months.