Mossberg 500 sights

[Junkie]

I recently picked up a Big5 Mossberg 500 Combo with 18.5" HD barrel and 28" field barrel. I've never owned a shotgun before, and haven't used one much.

I went and shot a couple rounds of skeet with it yesterday, which I enjoyed (although I'm not very good at it yet). However, I'm not a big fan of the bead sights on it.

From what I'm seeing, there are no cheap red dots that're likely to hold up to much 12 gauge use.

The HD barrel only has a single bead at the front, while the field barrel has two beads. I can probably get used to the field barrel sights, but only having a front sight on the HD barrel doesn't seem very effective to me.

What are some reasonable sights for the HD barrel? The receiver is drilled/tapped, so there are some sights I can buy or I can easily put a rail on. The bead sights are apparently 5/40 threads.

[outrayge]

How much did you pay for the Big 5 combo? I'm planning on buying one when they have that combo on sale but it hasn't been running probably due to the panic.

[shellslinger]

I have shot shotguns with both beads and ghost ring sights. Honestly, the bead probably does have faster target acquisition. I think the bead is just fine and if you're going to be shooting clays the bead is perfectly fine. However, if you really want to mount a red dot, the Bushnell TRS-25 is a good option.

There are replacement beads for your Mossberg as well. Meprolight Tru-Dot looks like a good option. And there are rear Iron sights you can put on your mossberg as well. Check out Aimpro for that.

[Junkie]

For a red dot I'd really prefer an open style sight to a tube, I just don't like tubes.

Thanks for the sight suggestions.


edit: as far as I can tell the AimPro is only for barrels with a front dovetail, which mine doesn't have

edit2: I paid $360 + fees etc which seems a little expensive but I was looking for a used one for months and couldn't really find anything.

[outrayge]

For a red dot I'd really prefer an open style sight to a tube, I just don't like tubes.

Thanks for the sight suggestions.


edit: as far as I can tell the AimPro is only for barrels with a front dovetail, which mine doesn't have

edit2: I paid $360 + fees etc which seems a little expensive but I was looking for a used one for months and couldn't really find anything.

Thanks for the response. Near where I live (Orange), I think it's around $380 without the sale. I hope you used the coupon on the big 5 website. I believe if the sale pops up within 30 days of purchase, you can try and get a refund for the difference.

[hermosabeach]

For hunting, sights are not really needed. You watch the bird more than the bead.


With the mossberg 500 combo, the gun will keep slugs in 12" at 100 yards.

If serious about using the shotgun for self defense, I cannot highly enough reccomend taking a 4 day defensive shot gun course.

Skeet is a great game... I have not tried them but Winchester just came out with a tracking load that enables the shooter or coach to see where the shot pattern/ column goes.

[ArmsUnlimited]

SAGE the maker of the m14 ebr has some awesome combat sights that fit the mossberg 500, built for combat like everything by sage. usually their stuff is pretty hard to get ahold of but we have them

https://www.armsunlimited.com/Sage-Shrouded-Ghost-Ring-Combat-Sights-Mossberg-p/sgrsk-843m.htm

[plsmyk]

For home defense situations, the bead is all you need. You'll just be firing across a room, not at something across a field 50 yards away. Before you spend the money on some sights, practice shooting some buck shot/slugs with the bead at "across the room" distances. I think you'll be surprised at how accurately you'll be able to shoot. Putting a red dot or some type type of optic on an HD shotgun is overkill and just "clutters" up the gun IMHO.