Mossberg JIC shotgun?

[K_Mac]

I'm thinking of buying a new shotgun for home defense, camping, etc. Anyone have any experience with this weapon? I have never used a shotgun with only a pistol grip. Any opinions? Thanks guys.

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=28&section=products

[MattinOK]

IMHO I would get a standard Mossberg 500 or similar and then put a folding stock on it. The pistol grip only is called a breaching grip. Unless you plan on breaching doors a top folding stock would probably be better. I have a Maverick 88 (made by moss.) with a top folder and extended mag. when you need the stock it's there-- but when you don't it just folds out of the way.

[K_Mac]

That is exactly the kind of information I'm looking for. I looked up top folding stocks on-line. I had no idea they were available. Looks like it would make the gun far more versatile. Thanks. 8-)

[K_Mac]

A couple of other questions: Can 00 buck shot be used in a rifled slug barrel? Should it be? Will it hurt anything?

[MattinOK]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot43.htm

[K_Mac]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot43.htm

Thanks again. That is a very cool site. 8-)

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Not knowing your budget, I would suggest the Benelli M4 at the top end of the home defense category.

Sticking around where you are at now price-wise, I agree with the Mossberg or the Remington 870 with a folding stock.

The stocks are cheap and easy to replace. The other nice thing is that if you buy the standard shotgun and replace it with a home defense style stock, you can always put the original stock back on and hunt with it (if you choose).

Buckshot should not hurt the rifled barrel, but I dont know that I would put hundreds of rounds through it and not expect some filling and grinding on the rifling. If you expect to shoot shotshells mostly, I would likely go with the smooth bore as that is what they are designed for.

Home protection shotguns are perfect (to me) due to one overall characteristic - they are less likely to penetrate adjacent walls and hit unintended targets in the event that you miss your subject. Buckshot will penetrate a whole lot less than a slug.

Your children and pets will thank you.   

[MattinOK]

Not knowing your budget, I would suggest the Benelli M4 at the top end of the home defense category.

Sticking around where you are at now price-wise, I agree with the Mossberg or the Remington 870 with a folding stock.

The stocks are cheap and easy to replace. The other nice thing is that if you buy the standard shotgun and replace it with a home defense style stock, you can always put the original stock back on and hunt with it (if you choose).

Buckshot should not hurt the rifled barrel, but I dont know that I would put hundreds of rounds through it and not expect some filling and grinding on the rifling. If you expect to shoot shotshells mostly, I would likely go with the smooth bore as that is what they are designed for.

Home protection shotguns are perfect (to me) due to one overall characteristic - they are less likely to penetrate adjacent walls and hit unintended targets in the event that you miss your subject. Buckshot will penetrate a whole lot less than a slug.

Your children and pets will thank you.

Another possible advantage to shotguns in case of a HD situation. If you have to go to court the lawyers are not going be able to say "OMQZ you killed him with a baby-killing black evil-spec-op monkey assault rifle." (only intended who use a carbine for HD)

[K_Mac]

The M4 is definitely out of my price range. It looks like it would be fun to play with...

I'm going to go to a couple of the larger dealers in the area tomorrow or Monday and actually handle the 870 and 500. Thanks again for the input.

[SDoolittle]

Having carried the Model 500 in combat and while hunting, I'd suggest that you go with the 870. Remington makes a far better shotgun than Mossberg and the accessories are almost unlimited.

[Senkoman12]

the only 870 that isnt a pos is the wingmaster model, the express is junk, my friend has one and i think my mid 80's mossberg 500 is better, and lighter

[NHfroggin]

the only 870 that isnt a pos is the wingmaster model, the express is junk, my friend has one and i think my mid 80's mossberg 500 is better, and lighter

:

I dont have trigger time with the mossberg but i own an 870 super mag  as do many people i bird hunt with and its a great gun. I checked the websites and both shotguns are about 7 pounds currently. Im a little confused on how a 30 yr old shotgun can weigh less than a new model.. :-?

[SDoolittle]

I'm a little confused about how the most popular shotgun in America can be a POS!

[Stasher1]

I'm a little confused about how the most popular shotgun in America can be a POS!

Dude, don't even bother. You're arguing with a 15 yr old.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276806711/19#17

[Siebert Outdoors]

Having carried the Model 500 in combat and while hunting, I'd suggest that you go with the 870. Remington makes a far better shotgun than Mossberg and the accessories are almost unlimited.

I havent use one in combat unless you count hunting and clays, but I have used an 870 alot. That is the route I would go.

[SDoolittle]

I'm a little confused about how the most popular shotgun in America can be a POS!

Dude, don't even bother. You're arguing with a 15 yr old.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1276806711/19#17

Gotcha! Thanks!

[HuntFishAK]

Anoter vote for the 870.  Proven time and time again.  The Moss 500 wouldn't be a bad choice either.  I have an 870 Super Mag and I love that gun.  There is no sound quite like racking a round in a pump action boom stick

[Senkoman12]

I'm a little confused about how the most popular shotgun in America can be a POS!

the express is horrible, the only 870 worth something is the wingmaster, it is so much smoother and shoots so much better than the express, i have hunted and shot the 500, wingmaster, and express, and out of all of them the wingmaster is the best, and the express the worst, the only reason i dont use my dads wingmaster all the time is because it doesnt have a 3in chamber while my mossberg does, just get mossberg 500, most reliable i have ever used along with the wingmaster

to Stasher1 and Bird dog, what does me being 15 have to do with anything, i know a good bit about shotguns, because its pretty much the only firearm i use for hunting and shooting

to NHfroggin, now that i think of it, the weight could be from a number of things, i think its because of his pos synthetic stocks

im not gonna argue anymore, you guys have your beliefs and i have mine, my dad told that it doesnt matter if you win an argument on the internet because you still are an idiot for trying to win an arguement on the internet

[slonezp]

The one thing no one has mentioned is the amount of times the gun will be fired. It has one purpose, home protection, not hunting or shooting clays. Mossberg makes a good reliable shotgun as does Remmington. There are thousands and thousands of each brand in circulation. The gun may never get fired and certainly never see the use that a bird or deer gun would see. Someone earlier mentioned a gun with a folding stock. More of a multipurpose application. Might be the way to go.

[Micro]

The simple fact is either the Mossberg or Remington are fine choices.  The one advantage the Remington has over the Mossberg is when it comes to long magazines.

In the Remington, the barrel support slips over the magazine.  If you want to extend the magaine, you just buy and extension and new spring.

On the Mossberg 500, the barrel support screws into the end of the magazine.  That means if you want to extend the magazine, you need a new magazine AND barrel.  If you buy a Mossberg that already has a long magazine, you will need to replace the magazine if you want to put, say, a vent-rib barrel on it for bird hunting. 

Personally, my choice is a Benelli Super Nova.  It's a really nice gun.  But be warned, the barrels cost nearly as much as a new gun. 

[K_Mac]

Well after spending most of the day looking at firearms (a pretty cool way of spending a day) I think I am going to go with the 870. I am going to have my local guy order it for me as soon as I decide what cofiguration I want. The choices are huge...

I also looked at some nice handguns, esp. a little S&W 38+P revolver that would make a nice little pocket gun. I think I'm hijacking my own thread. :

Senkoman12 I don't care if you are 15 or 50 I appreciate your opinion. You think the Wingmaster and 500 are better guns than the Express based on your experience. That's cool. 8-) It's when you say the Express is a pos that you cross the line IMO. It is not about winning the argument, it is about respecting other people... Just my $.02

[Senkoman12]

Well after spending most of the day looking at firearms (a pretty cool way of spending a day) I think I am going to go with the 870. I am going to have my local guy order it for me as soon as I decide what cofiguration I want. The choices are huge...

I also looked at some nice handguns, esp. a little S&W 38+P revolver that would make a nice little pocket gun. I think I'm hijacking my own thread. :

Senkoman12 I don't care if you are 15 or 50 I appreciate your opinion. You think the Wingmaster and 500 are better guns than the Express based on your experience. That's cool. 8-) It's when you say the Express is a pos that you cross the line IMO. It is not about winning the argument, it is about respecting other people... Just my $.02

let me say this I apologize for any disrespect towards anyone, what I should of said is get what suits you, if the 870 express suits you well thats fine

[MattinOK]

Well after spending most of the day looking at firearms (a pretty cool way of spending a day) I think I am going to go with the 870. I am going to have my local guy order it for me as soon as I decide what cofiguration I want. The choices are huge...

I also looked at some nice handguns, esp. a little S&W 38+P revolver that would make a nice little pocket gun. I think I'm hijacking my own thread. :

Senkoman12 I don't care if you are 15 or 50 I appreciate your opinion. You think the Wingmaster and 500 are better guns than the Express based on your experience. That's cool. 8-) It's when you say the Express is a pos that you cross the line IMO. It is not about winning the argument, it is about respecting other people... Just my $.02

I suggest you go for a flash light mount. If you ever do have to use it for home defense; it's WAY easier having to not worry about finding a light. Put something along the lines of a Shure Fire G2 and you're set.  8-)

[K_Mac]

Everybody I talked to at least mentioned some kind of light. Too many choices, so little money. Thanks for all the help guys. I'll let you know what I end up with.

Well done Senkoman12.

[slonezp]

Well after spending most of the day looking at firearms (a pretty cool way of spending a day) I think I am going to go with the 870. I am going to have my local guy order it for me as soon as I decide what cofiguration I want. The choices are huge...

I also looked at some nice handguns, esp. a little S&W 38+P revolver that would make a nice little pocket gun. I think I'm hijacking my own thread. :

Can be very addicting. Fishing and guns=2 very expensive hobbies. Why couldn't I like soccer? All I'd need is a ball, some shoes, and a pair of shorts.