What should I do with this M500 12 GA

[RandyRhoads]

Pick up a used 26" or 28" 1100 or 1187 with Rem-choke barrels for around $350-$450 and call it a day. I'm not saying you couldn't shoot dove with that gun but a field gun with a longer barrel will point and swing much smoother. Since you'd only have one choke I'd recommend Imp Cyl or Mod with #8, 1 or 1 1/8 oz. loads. Gun Club Target shells are cheap, great for everything, and are reloadable.

And keep what I have? Thanks for the advice on the hunting gun but now I really want to know the downsides to what I have.

No stock and a shorty barrel. I'm inside, so close. What's to change on that? I want the smallest thing available that can clear my hallway. It can do that correct? I fold down the stock and I can put a slug in a target on my property (longer, but still close range, not competition shooting). Are you calling this a tacticool mall ninja gun purely on looks?

NEED VISUAL of what some "normal" good home defense shotguns look like.

[anti]

And keep what I have? Thanks for the advice on the hunting gun but now I really want to know the downsides to what I have.

No stock and a shorty barrel. I'm inside, so close. What's to change on that? I want the smallest thing available that can clear my hallway. It can do that correct? I fold down the stock and I can put a slug in a target on my property (longer, but still close range, not competition shooting). Are you calling this a tacticool mall ninja gun purely on looks?

NEED VISUAL of what some "normal" good home defense shotguns look like.

I'm not questioning your choice of home defense shotgun, I'm just suggesting you pick up an actual field gun because having the right tool for the job tends to make things easier and that much more enjoyable. A short barrel, cylinder choke shotgun will not pattern or swing as well as a field gun with a longer barrel and tighter choke.

[Merc1138]

The shotgun you already have will work just fine for HD. I question the heatshield, since if you're dumping that many rounds through a shotgun while defending your home, you either grabbed the wrong weapon or you had be prepared to kiss your rear goodbye due to the hordes invading your house. The folding stock, not ideal for shouldering due to the cheek weld... but again how much HD shooting are you really doing, and at short distances anyway. It's fine, leave it be. It's not my ideal shotgun, but it doesn't have to be(since it's not mine).

The mossberg combos with the 2 barrels are still both fixed chokes(cylinder for the short one, modified for the longer one if I remember right). Like I already said, and Anti clarified, get yourself a gun to hunt with. You'd still be keeping your total count of guns fairly low, while having 2 different shotguns setup differently without compromising swapping parts back and forth. removable chokes, make sure the stock fits you ideally, and whatever else you want for features to make it the be all end all hunting shotgun for you.

[WINGEDSWORD]

Mossberg

To try and clarify my points. 1. reloads home defense is just that. Not home offense. if you're not a cop you shouldn't be going down the hallway clearing rooms. One room with wife and/or children make them come to you. so you shouldn't need multiple rounds. . Fixed stock shoulders better. hip shooting is movie bs charge doesn't spread that much at close range. 3.unless you're some kind of gangbanger with multiple enemies anyone breaking is after loot. most of the time the sound of the bolt closing and they're gone.

At any rate, the choice is yours and what you are comfortable with is what matters. Personally my choice for home defense is my Colt government. backed by a Remington 1187.

[CSACANNONEER]

Had a slug barrel. Was a total waste.


Can someone explain the impracticability of this and why it's a POS tacticool. Perhaps a picture of one how you think is practical for home defense? I know it definitely looks like a mall ninja gun...but besides the looks...

I mean minus the fold down stock this is the same gun I carried in Afghanistan for a while for TCPs...

Personal preference. I'm not a fan of tacticool shotguns. 30 years ago I bought a M500 combo kit from Big5. Back then, they came with heat shields, pistol grip forends and pistol grips. I found those items less than useful. The folding stocks also suck for actual shooting. I traded that gun within a year but still use a M500 as a HD gun today. It has an 18" barrel and just regular furniture. No folding stock or PGs to snag on crap and no 50lb sling full of extra rounds.

[RandyRhoads]

Hmm. Now im considering selling. What would be a fair asking price and where would. I aadvertise?

Really doubt id buy a.benelli, expensive, saw one at the range.constantly malfunction

But isnt a full stock and barrellike that impractical inside a structure? A shorty is more like a maneuverable handgun with a bigger payload. I just imagine anytning longer being.to easy to take/disarm by someone coming.around a corner. Plus the reliability of a pump compared to a semi...

[CSACANNONEER]

Hmm. Now im considering selling. What would be a fair asking price and where would. I aadvertise?

Really doubt id buy a.benelli, expensive, saw one at the range.constantly malfunction

But isnt a full stock and barrellike that impractical inside a structure? A shorty is more like a maneuverable handgun with a bigger payload. I just imagine anytning longer being.to easy to take/disarm by someone coming.around a corner. Plus the reliability of a pump compared to a semi...

I shoulder my shotguns and aim them. If you shoulder yours with the folding stock out, it's no longer than mine however, you have the stock and two PGs that can and will snag things in the dark. Your sling is another snag point. The sling, sidesaddle and heat shield are just unnecessary extra weight unless you truly believe you're going into a prolonged firefight or fending off hoards of zombies. These cumbersome additions are highly prized by the mall ninja crowd who can't hit scat and only use a shotgun to impress their friends and make noise. Look at what competitive three gunners use and see what real professionals who actually have tons of experience with tactical shotguns choose to use.

Personally, I'd try to sell your gun for a premium and replace it with a 500 with a 28" vented rib barrel with screw in chokes and an 18" barrel for SD.

BTW, do you still have the slug barrel? If it is rifled, I'd be interested in it if the price is right. I'd like to test some non toxic slugs and see if I want to try to deer hunt with it. I've never hunted big game with a shotgun before but, I current live where it would be a perfect gun to use. I have a non rifled slug barrel already but would be interested in trying out rifled one.

[RandyRhoads]

Thats the.thing. in my home id never shoulder it. Stock stays folded inside. The longer the overall length the easier to have it taken up close and.personal.

Ive practiced hip firing. Any range of being indoor hip shouldn't be any.issue. aiming without a stock inside is possible that close too. I cant see needing s stock inside. My thought is pieing a corner at night id rather have it in tight low atmy.hip to be abke to draw back and fire should the intruder come around the corner quick, rsther than have it shouldered and out where they could grab the barrel and.yank you off balance forward and disarm. Just my.thought, curious to hear all thoughts reason s and opinions.

And sorry no. Slug barrel was destroyed along with all the other parts in my house fire.

[RandyRhoads]

For a premium? How much and where? I like that idea and may do that but keep a PG for HD, unless someone can convince me why a stock indoors is better?

[WINGEDSWORD]

Mossberg

No one can convince you if you aren't willing to hear what is being said. you said that you wanted a hunting as well as a home defense shotgun. You still seem to believe that you'll be "Going down the hallway" That's not defense that's offense. The job of Law enforcement. From a set position shouldering is much better. You're more certain of the shot hitting center of mass. shouldering is easier with a fixed stock.
You say that you've practiced hip shooting. That's against a fixed target. You don't have to track it. It's much easier to track your target looking over the barrel. your enemy is not necessarily going to move the way you predict.

[NaClAddict]

Usually you can score a used accu-choke m500 28'' for about $40. Why not do that? Accu-choke is great for wing shooting. Later you could get it threaded for choke tubes if you want. Or score a used one with tubes for about $100.

[RandyRhoads]

I am listening. But if someone breaks in my house, and I exit my.room tk defend my home that isn't home defence??? Im supposed to stay in bed, let them ransack my stuff, wait for yhem to enter my room, while waiting for LEO to arrive?

If they are in my home especially armed, isnt that consider ed immediate threat? If I defend my home thats home offense, and hiding in a closet waiting is hlme defense??

[Mitch]

I am listening. But if someone breaks in my house, and I exit my.room tk defend my home that isn't home defence??? Im supposed to stay in bed, let them ransack my stuff, wait for yhem to enter my room, while waiting for LEO to arrive?

That's basically the advice given by Massad Ayoob and plenty of other famous trainers.

[CSACANNONEER]

I am listening. But if someone breaks in my house, and I exit my.room tk defend my home that isn't home defence??? Im supposed to stay in bed, let them ransack my stuff, wait for yhem to enter my room, while waiting for LEO to arrive?

If they are in my home especially armed, isnt that consider ed immediate threat? If I defend my home thats home offense, and hiding in a closet waiting is hlme defense??

Are you really trying to say that you are planning on using deadly force and becoming the aggressor just to protect personal property? If so, you may want to rethink that and read up on the laws. Also, consult your attorney. If your intent is to use a firearm in an offensive way to protect personal property, you'll end up in prison if you go through with it.

BTW, you might as well hang onto the PG since we all know (thanks to Alison Myeres) that pistol grips allow one to shoot from the hip without having to reload. So, according to CA DOJ, a PG will save you money on ammo. But, if I am facing a threat to myself or another human being, I want to should my shotgun and aim it instead of playing mall ninja and thinking I can probably hit my target if I shoot from the hip because, I practice looking like a fool at the range.

[RandyRhoads]

Chill out...I.am here.to.learn..I.thought ca.was.castle law..entering.a.home through locked door.uninvited was enough to be.perceived.as.a.threat against.your life.

I wasnt.talking.about chasing a burglar down..but.if I was.in bed with a.girlfriend or wife im really supposedto wait until they can.be in.the room.and.hurt her.instead of gettin them the hell out first? What.if.someone has.kids and the.intruder is outside your.kids.room? Youre.going.to sit there and.wait.for them to get in thr room?

Please, clarify