Need Help / Advice on Mossberg 500

[brian5271]

I need help from the Mossberg experts! I bought a Mossberg 500 combo pack from Big 5 yesterday. It has an 18.5 inch barrel and a 26 inch (might have been 28, I can’t remember) modified choke barrel and 5+1 tube.

I went to Big 5 with the intent of buying the 20 inch 7+1 shot version, but changed to the combo at the last minute, and now I am having second thoughts.

My primary reason for purchasing is home defense. My secondary reason is to have a shotgun I can shoot skeet with. I have a nice Browning Auto 5 with a full choke barrel that I can use for trap, but it is too big and the full choke makes it not so good for skeet.

Is a modified choke on a 26 or 28 inch barrel ok for skeet shooting?

If I end up having to purchase a different barrel for skeet, like one with an adjustable choke, would I be better off going back and see if they will start a new DROS with the 20 inch 7+1?

As I recall, the barrel mounts by a screw in the end of the tube, so are the barrels different for the 7+1 tube than for the 5+1 tube?

Any help or advice here would be great!

[Roland Deschain]

As I recall, the barrel mounts by a screw in the end of the tube, so are the barrels different for the 7+1 tube than for the 5+1 tube?

AFAIK this is correct on the Mossberg 500 so I assume you would need a different barrel for a different capacity tube.

[shellslinger]

The barrel should be okay for skeet shooting.

You wouldn't have to start a new dros. They can just change it on your 4473.

Yes the barrels are different.

[bigbearbear]

Keep your combo pack, I think it is great value and the 28" barrel with fixed modified choke is ok for skeet/trap. My shotgun came with a full set of chokes and I've used nothing but modified choke on mine for trap shooting so far. In fact, the fixed choke can be a good thing. With a removable choke, you'll sometimes see people constantly tightening it because some can come loose after some shots (yes, I know about the purple Loctite...). You won't have that problem.

If you switch to the 20" barrel option, some ranges/clubs will not allow you to use your shotgun to shoot skeet or trap because the barrel length will be too short.

[RedFord150]

For your purposes, I would keep the combo.
The Mossberg Pump is a very entry level SG for skeet. If you started shooting skeet on a regular basis, you would want a better gun anyway.
If you just shoot skeet once in awhile, the Mossberg with the 28" barrel is good enough.
I bought the 7+1/20" barrel version because I already had a Beretta O/U for skeet.
Good luck.

[CK_32]

Just keep and run the combo.


If you like the look of the longer tube understandable. But if you don't think it's fit for HD if you can't get it done with 5+1 of 12g you have bigger problems.

But the combo is a great fit for both skeet and HD.

[Masterdebater]

ive shot clays for many years now with a now well worn 500 combo pack and yes, its great for skeet, get good with it and surprise everyone when they find out you're using a 500

[brian5271]

Thank you all for the advice. I think I am going to keep the combo pack. I like the idea of the 18.5 barrel for HD and the 28 with the modified choke should be fun for trap. I think I might ask Missus Clause for the 24 inch barrel with the adjustable choke for Christmas. That should be fun for skeet.

I already ordered some old wood stocks and forgrips from ebay that I got for cheap. I am going to try my hand at refinishing them and see how they come out. I really like the wood more than the synthetic stock.
One of these days I will save up for a nice over / under to use for skeet, but

I have a few other guns higher on the list. Until then, I should be able to have some fun with my cheap Mossberg.

[BadMatt]

To fit that wood pump grip you need a new a pump assembly. You can get them from mossberg

[supermario]

I have a 24" with adjustable choke ported barrel for sale on here. I looked allllll over and they don't make them anymore. I will sell for what I paid for it. If your local and ftf, maybe I drop few $. Pm if your interested.

[brian5271]

To fit that wood pump grip you need a new a pump assembly. You can get them from mossberg

I need to buy one, but I am going to wait until after I redo the wood to see how it comes out.

I have a 24" with adjustable choke ported barrel for sale on here. I looked allllll over and they don't make them anymore. I will sell for what I paid for it. If your local and ftf, maybe I drop few $. Pm if your interested.

I will send you a pm.