Is it time for an upgrade?

[ajl2121]

Hello all...My first gun was a Mossberg 500. At the time I wasn't old enough to purchase a handgun, and I knew very little about rifles. Besides, I was buying it mostly for defensive purposes. I recently added a USP .45F w/ factory mepros, and was wondering if it is time to upgrade my 12 gauge (I would actually just add another shotgun, not sell the mossberg).

I decided that eventually I want to own at least one handgun, shotgun, and rifle. I also decided that I would rather own a few higher-end quality weapons than several average ones. For my rifle, I am planning on getting either a U15 AR15 or an M1A scout/socom 16. With that being said, would my third gun, the Mossberg 500, need upgrading? What do you all think?

I figured if I purchase a semi-auto 12 gauge, and SHTF, I would have my 3 core weapons to use as well as have an extra mossberg 500 (possibly to arm a friendly). The main point of my question is, is the mossberg 500 a reliable, accurate, durable, and reputable enough of a weapon to be included with the USP and M1A? I know the mossberg will get the job done, but when it's lives that are threatened I have no problem investing more money for only a minimal improvement.

[Josh3239]

Well first off pumps have a reputation for being more reliable than a semi auto. Secondly, Mossberg makes some great shotguns. I would definetly not worry about reliablity or durability with a Mossberg in any situation.

If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Between the AR and the M1A, that is really a decision you have to make. The only positive I see in an M1A that an AR doesn't have is detachable magazines. Obviously on an AR that is a quick fix. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages and come to your conclusions.

[What Just Happened?]

Do you feel that it is reliable? Can you go a whole day of clays or action shooting or training course without having to do major fixes? Your firearm should be reliable with the ammunition that you will be using.

I'm going to pick up a Mossberg 500 tomorrow and run it through a couple courses of fire at SSA, so I hope the 500 is a reliable firearm, else my Sunday is gonna be unpleasant. Oh and they let you shoot their regular courses with shotguns, so you can feel free to test yours out if you wish.

[Baron]

Your 500 is fine. They are durable shotguns. The blueing my get messed up, but that's never stopped one from working. Your mossberg is fine....

But if you want to get an Upgrade... Then go with a nice Semi... Mossberg has the 930 and 935, Remington has 1100 and 1187, and of course Beneli's M3 and M4

it never hurts to supplement your pump with a semi...

When it comes time for me to buy a semi... I'm gonna go with the 930, just to keep all my shotgun's Mossbergs... otherwise I'd go with the remington 1100

[ajl2121]

Well first off pumps have a reputation for being more reliable than a semi auto. Secondly, Mossberg makes some great shotguns. I would definetly not worry about reliablity or durability with a Mossberg in any situation.

If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Between the AR and the M1A, that is really a decision you have to make. The only positive I see in an M1A that an AR doesn't have is detachable magazines. Obviously on an AR that is a quick fix. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages and come to your conclusions.

detachable mags are of great importance to me. I'm not sure how long it would take in a sticky situation to switch out a fixed mag, but I would definately rather have a detachable one. I thought by getting the U15 stock, I could have 10 rd. detachable mags???

[ajl2121]

I forgot to ask...Does your Mossberg 500's forend move around freely? Aside from the obvious pump action, my forend grip has ALOT of wiggle room. It seems to rotate from side to side...No malfuntions, however.

Also, I never fired my mossberg 500 enough to know if this specific gun is reliable. I shot a total of 75 birdshots (25 on each outing), and everything shot perfectly. Should I shoot some 00 bucks?

[Baron]

I forgot to ask...Does your Mossberg 500's forend move around freely? Aside from the obvious pump action, my forend grip has ALOT of wiggle room. It seems to rotate from side to side...No malfuntions, however.

Also, I never fired my mossberg 500 enough to know if this specific gun is reliable. I shot a total of 75 birdshots (25 on each outing), and everything shot perfectly. Should I shoot some 00 bucks?

Yes, I'd say you should go shoot some OO buck. That way you'll know what to expect, when and if, your life depends on it. Try some rifled slugs too... And be prepared for some kick... Birdshot is nothing compared to OO buck and slugs.
My wife's 500 doesn't have any play in the forend. And mine doesn't have the factory one anymore, I've converted mine to use the Knoxx Sidewinder, but it didn't have any play either when it did have the factory one on

[Gunaria]

Ah shotgun's are like women's shoes, one for every different type of occasion. They are just like G.I. Joes, you have to collect them all. There's always room for Jell-O. If you have money to burn, get many more types of shotguns then you will ever shot. Get a side by side, over/under & a semi-auto. It's always good to have a back-up plan to a back-up plan.

[Josh3239]

detachable mags are of great importance to me. I'm not sure how long it would take in a sticky situation to switch out a fixed mag, but I would definately rather have a detachable one. I thought by getting the U15 stock, I could have 10 rd. detachable mags???

Oh sorry, forgot you were interested in the U15. In that case, fixed magazines aren't an issue. IMO I'd go with the AR15, but I love Ar15s.

They are lightweight, reliable, they can be built into anything, be slightly modified to change cartridges, very easy to build and smith, accurate, ammo isn't to badly priced, mags are cheap and easy to find, and most parts are easy to find.

[ajl2121]

Yes, I'd say you should go shoot some OO buck. That way you'll know what to expect, when and if, your life depends on it. Try some rifled slugs too... And be prepared for some kick... Birdshot is nothing compared to OO buck and slugs.
My wife's 500 doesn't have any play in the forend. And mine doesn't have the factory one anymore, I've converted mine to use the Knoxx Sidewinder, but it didn't have any play either when it did have the factory one on

So, it is abnormal for my mossberg 500's forend to have "wiggle room?" Mine is able to rotate left and right for a total of maybe a half inch.

[savasyn]

No, I think most 500s wiggle around quite a bit. It's fine.
I've had my 500 for 18 years and have put 1000s of rounds through it without a single failure on the gun's part. I'm sure I'll have to replace the mag spring at some point, but it's still going strong after all these years.

If you are only planning on having a couple of guns, worry about your rifle 'cuz the shotgun you have it plenty fine! Otherwise, as suggested above, get a few more of various types

I added a Benelli M1S90 and a Mossberg 590A1 to my collection. I use the 590 for HD, the Benelli for matches and the 500 for clays. They are all great at their respective jobs.