18.5" Barrel VS 20" Barrel Plz come and Vote! TY

[shamanrock]

Hi

Let the debate begin!

I want to buy a Mossburg either a 500 or a 590.

I origianlly wanted the 18.5" barrel for HD. But I can buy on sale a Mossberg 500 8 shot 12 ga 20" barrel.

What do you guys like better 18.5" or 20" barre; for HD? Is it that big of a difference when walking in your home and around tight corners?

Plus what feel do you like better of these two in your hands with gun loaded with ammo? I hear that when the 20" is loaded it doesnt feel as balanced?

I hear guys do like 8 rounds as opposed to 6 shots. Then I hear if you need more then 3 shots you better hope SWATTS coming to help you. lol

Can I change the forend on the 20" barrel?

And can I change the 20" barrel out to a 28" barrel?

Fire away!

Thank you

[WDE91]

I would be going with the 590 due to construction

[-hanko]

I'd get the Remington instead, but I actually prefer Ithaca's.

I'd get the 20" because you can shoot more bullets and avoid the SWATTS.

-hanko

[shellslinger]

It depends what you want. Personally I would go with the 590a1 with the 18" or Mossberg 500 Cruiser (same thing as the 18" 590a1 with few differences) barrel so you can add magazine extension and choose different barrel lengths from the Mossberg 835 series. Then you can have the best both of worlds and not worry.

Or you can get a Remington 870 as well, it'll do everything what your asking for same as the Mossberg. I have the 20" 590a1 and handled the 18.5" and they feel the same except the front of the 18.5" was a tad bit lighter. But front heavy for me was a good thing to keep the muzzle rise down.

[Pistolgrip Pump]

I own the "20 590a1 and love it. I'm sure you can put a +1 or +2 extension on the 18.5", but why bother when you can have more ammo for only 1.5 inches more of barrel? And that extra barrel helps with recoil as stated above.

[AE102]

I got a 500 20" with 8 shot, swapped the stock and forend to Hogue ones. The Hogue stock is shorter than the stock one so overall length is like a 18.5" shottie but still holds 8 rounds

[shamanrock]

Thank you everyone you are all most helpful!

I decided to buy the Mosseberg 500 12 ga with 8 shot with 20" barrel.

I too like more ammo.

I picked both up today and really didnt notice a big difference in weight and yes Im sure when my 20" is loaded with ammo it will be a tad heavier, but no prob. Shellslinger and Pistol if thats the case on keeping the muzzle down I like my decision even more thanks.

I was so gun ho on buying a pistol grip with standard butt stock. But after seeing so many you tube videos on guys getting cheek slapped and jaw soreness and spitting blood I said forget that Knox Blackhawk next gen one or two. And also after holding the pistol grip on mossberg 500 today then held the one I bought I found myself liking the way the standard stock. Mine felt better for me to my surprise. So I will save some money.

But AE102 you have a good idea.

Actually funny you said this because when I treid the Mossberg that had 18.5 barrel it had adjustable stock. I didnt like it for me. When I shorten stock it felt uncomfortable and unatural. When I picked up my Mossberg 500 with standard stock size it felt perfect so Im gonna stay with this.

Also Im DEFINETLY gonna add on a tactical flashlight any suggestions one that will not cost over $200.00 but is very hi in illumination?

Also any suggestions on a heat shield for my 20" barrel? I dont want to scratch up the barrel like I hear some guys complain though. Its really just for looks I doubt I will heat up my barrel so bad I cant touch it. Id have to be in a gun battle for over 30 minutes. lol

[08GTCS]

I was going to say 20" because I had the same dilemma when picking out my Mossberg 500 and I ended up with a 20" for the increased ammo capacity. As for your flashlight, get a Streamlight TLR-1S. You can get one new for $100, they're extremely durable and bright, they don't weight very much, and the 1S has the strobe feature in case you use the gun in a HD situation. You can get a factory Mossberg heat shield on Ebay pretty cheap. They are a tight fit on the barrel but it shouldn't scratch your barrel unless you have no idea what you're doing when you put it on.

[shamanrock]

Hi 08GTCS I was thinking of getting the Streamlight TLR-1 til I saw the sttreamlight TLR-2 it has a laser as wll. But wow the price tag is ridiculas imho... I have a laser on my Ruger 357 and love it it too is expensive its a crimson trace. But from what Ive heard the laser quailty on the streamlight doesnt come close to crimson trace.

I do like the idea of the strobe light for HD. I liike that the TLR 1 is 160 lumens like the TLR 2.

Which do you like better?

Also. What rail do I buy for this? I'm reading when you own a Mossberg 500 with longer barrel we have to make sure its the perfect size or rail will scrtach your gun. This is getting way to long of a project to get the right one for our 20" barrel and longer magazine tube. Yikes...

I hear laserlyte is cheaply made and dont buy it.

What aboutn this rail for Mossberg 50 20" barrel?

http://shop.nordiccomp.com/NC-Shotgun-Tube-Clamp-w-Rail-BCT-XX-12-00.htm

Also I like this guys rail, KZ Trial Rail, what do you think of his rail for my Mossberg 500 20" barrel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpzTtGI3DQA

But I'm not sure if I trust putting rail to close to barrel for a host of reasons. I saw this check it out

http://www.gggaz.com/mossberg-500-590-forearm-flashlight-mount.html

But its a hundered bucks! But at least you dont have to worry about taking it apart when cleaning barrel if you have a heat shield attached. Which Im still on the fense if I really want the heat shield we all know its only for looks. Also here where the rail is placed its not gonna weight down your barrel like other rail placements go. But I just read if your Mossberg was made after 2006 this wont fit... Geez you think they make a product for all?

If I put on a rail for TLR-1 do I have to get a special rail if I want to add a heat shield? I see some guys saying the rail they bought the screws are not long enough to fit thru rail and heat shield.

[shellslinger]

Hmm....have you've checked out the Surefire G2X? It's 70 bucks at 200 lumens. I hear that the Fenix Tk11 at 285 lumens for 70 bucks as well, is a pretty good choice but I don't know how well this light will hold up.

As for a flashlight mount, I hear good things about the Elzetta flashlight shotgun mount
http://www.amazon.com/Elzetta-Tactic.../dp/B004R5V47C.