Help me choose my 1st shotgun...

[balmo]

...which will be mostly used for trap shooting. But at the end of the day, could be changed to be a HD shotgun. I am choosing between a Maverick 88 Field with 28" barrel OR a Mossber 500 combo 18.5" and 28" barrel. The 88 has a removable choke tube whereas the 500 is a fixed modified choke. Does having the ability to change chokes in skeet, trap, etc. important? The 500 combo does have a HD barrel but those can be had for around $90 if I went with the 88. The one thing I do like about the 500 is its tang safety as I am a lefty.

[Dattebayo]

It seems you have already picked out a gun in your price range. The Mossberg shotguns will work great for both skeet and trap. It may be a little difficult at first to do doubles, as you would have to pump the shotgun for a follow up shot, but it is definitely not impossible and something even beginners can pull off with a little bit of practice. If you have the money, the 500 is a higher quality gun, so buy that - but if cost is a playing factor, the Maverick 88 is a fine shotgun which I personally also own.

Chokes are important in the games as that is one of the best ways to control the spread of the load in your shotgun. It isn't as important to switch chokes in the middle of a skeet game or in a trap game, as it is typically easier to have different loads for the minor difference in presentation, but more critical to change chokes if you were playing skeet and decided to play trap afterwards.

Skeet is a game played at a closer range than trap, so for the games of skeet, a more open choke is recommended. Cylinder, Improved Cylinder, Skeet, Light Modified, and Modified chokes are often used for skeet. Depending of the spread in your particular shotgun, you would decide on the best pattern for your target.

Trap is shot at at more of a distance where Modified, Improved Modified, Full, and sometimes even Extra Full will be utilized depending on the skill of shooter and the spread of the gun.

[Bill Steele]

...which will be mostly used for trap shooting. But at the end of the day, could be changed to be a HD shotgun. I am choosing between a Maverick 88 Field with 28" barrel OR a Mossber 500 combo 18.5" and 28" barrel. The 88 has a removable choke tube whereas the 500 is a fixed modified choke. Does having the ability to change chokes in skeet, trap, etc. important? The 500 combo does have a HD barrel but those can be had for around $90 if I went with the 88. The one thing I do like about the 500 is its tang safety as I am a lefty.

I have not looked at one in a while, but the last time I looked at the Mossberg Combo, the Field Barrel (the long one) was ported and had removable chokes and came with a Cyl, Mod and Full choke tube.

[Dattebayo]

I have not looked at one in a while, but the last time I looked at the Mossberg Combo, the Field Barrel (the long one) was ported and had removable chokes and came with a Cyl, Mod and Full choke tube.

You definitely have to be sure and check, as I heard some of the Big 5 models of those come with a longer fixed modified choke and a HD barrel.

[Bill Steele]

You definitely have to be sure and check, as I heard some of the Big 5 models of those come with a longer fixed modified choke and a HD barrel.

I just went on Mossberg's site and they list the Combo kit with the HD Barrel (short one) with a fixed Cylinder choke and the Field Barrel (long one) with their Accu-set chokes, which are removable.

Here is the link: http://www.mossberg.com/product/shot...-combo/54169-0

Maybe Big 5 has their own special kit, great idea to check, or maybe skip Big 5 altogther...

[Dattebayo]

Maybe Big 5 has their own special kit, great idea to check, or maybe skip Big 5 altogther...

This, as they have their own variation of the combo production line.

[balmo]

Big 5 combo come with 18.5" HD barrel and 28" Vented Rib fixed modified choke. I've asked the saleslady and she told me their 28's are fixed choke.

On the other hand, Bass Pro (and maybe Cabela's as well) combo comes with a 24" rifled barrel and 28" vented rib screw in chokes.

[Dattebayo]

Big 5 combo come with 18.5" HD barrel and 28" Vented Rib fixed modified choke. I've asked the saleslady and she told me their 28's are fixed choke.

On the other hand, Bass Pro (and maybe Cabela's as well) combo comes with a 24" rifled barrel and 28" vented rib screw in chokes.

As explained above, it would be advantageous to have your longer barrel have interchangeable chokes. Possibly buy the 5 shot 18.5" barrel model and then purchase the longer choke hunting barrel from an online source.

http://www.tjgeneralstore.com/moss-bbl.htm

All though bear in mind though, buying the barrel aftermarket is about 50% of a the cost of a totally new Mossberg shotgun, so just buying 2 Mossbergs maybe a better answer.

I personally got my Maverick 8-shot Security w/ 20" barrel and it came to my realization of that, so I just bought a designated sporting clays/hunting shotgun.

[Bill Steele]

...On the other hand, Bass Pro (and maybe Cabela's as well) combo comes with a 24" rifled barrel and 28" vented rib screw in chokes.

That is a different combo kit offered by Mossberg (different SKU).

Click on the link I posted above and you can get the SKU that fits your desires. Davidson's offers that kit on Gun Genie. Unfortunately it is not in stock.

In any case, you are not talking about a great deal of money either way, in addition, it is not like you need an 18" barrel to shoot a bad guy... Just sayin.

[Dattebayo]

That is a different combo kit offered by Mossberg (different SKU).

Click on the link I posted above and you can get the SKU that fits your desires. Davidson's offers that kit on Gun Genie. Unfortunately it is not in stock.

In any case, you are not talking about a great deal of money either way, in addition, it is not like you need an 18" barrel to shoot a bad guy... Just sayin.

I agree! If you had to have only one, I would pick the choked longer hunting barrel. I just suggest purchasing the 18.5" barrel first as they appear harder to find than the longer hunting barrels.

[The sarge]

Agreed on the choked longer barrel. I have the flex 500 with a 28in vent ribbed and ported barrel. Buying the extra barrel seperate is more expensive but it ensures you get what you want. Don't settle for close to what you want as you'll end up buying again. And you don't need a fancy over under or something else for trap. My 500 works just fine at punching clays and is better at it than I am(best of 21 so far). However I still want a fancy one just because!

[balmo]

Thanks guys. Seems like the Maverick 88 28" is the least expensive entry into trap shooting. I saw one at my local Dick's for $220. 18.5 HD barrels can be had for ~$95 new. Hey, if I even want to be tacticool, I can get the standoff barrel, hehehe (but there always OOS)

[G21Shooter]

I would highly recommend the Mossberg 500 combo with the field/HD barrel, I've got one and its nice. Not into trap or skeet but I use the longer barrel to shoot squirrels and the chokes it includes work great with #7.5 or 8 out to 40 yards. I think the extra money is worth it for the quality over the 88.

One plus with the Mossberg is it's tapped and drilled for a optic so you could put a red dot on it.

[balmo]

Okay, I finally got my Maverick 88 Field shotgun yesterday! Pump action is still a little stiff, but im sure it will loosen up after a few round of trap shooting. I did a field strip and took me a couple of minuites to figure out how to assemble it back.

Plans for the 88 are:
-Removable Mossy action slide
-ATI Akita stock/forend
-FO front sights
-Different chokes

[VL221]

If you are into Magpul gear, they are coming out with a Magpul stock and Magpul foreend grip in September 2013.