Why did I wait so long?

[Windage and Elevation]

I have wanted a GOOD shotgun for about a zillion years ( I'm 51, so, yeah, about a zillion) In desperation I bought a $135.00 shotgun from Academy sports about 2 years ago. A Maverick. Well. not bad, but you better want it like it comes from the store. As close to 'un- customizable' as they come. Finally, after a year, I gave to to my kid. He didn't have a shotgun and was stoked to get it.... So, finally, I went to the Austin gun show last weekend and bought a Defender 500. Got it for $235.00 (Insert your "I got screwed" story here), NIB. Now, I can start to dress it! I'm thinkin a side saddle, light, and maybe a collapsible stock - ghost ring sights? I dunno - post your opinions, and pics would be great!
:woohoo-1:
W&E
:rantmeter:

[tump]

i,m redoing an old 870 into a hd/riot gun (it was my grandfathers gun and can be put back to original in 5 min.) i got a tube extension off of gb's trader new condition for a good price. combat stocks had an ati stock on sale. so everything just kind of came together.got the polychoke off the barrel & chopped it to 20" and the choke will be reattached thursday a bit of allumahyde 2 and i should be good to go. good luck with your project.

[Mike U.]

If you really want a shotty you can build on, you have to try a Remington 870. There are tons of after-market additions for this shotgun. You can actually find a good used one for the price of your Defender.
Also, with different barrels, the skies the limit with what you can do with it. From hunting quail on up to bear and everything in between.

I started out with a Charles Daly Field Model set-up for quail busting. Then after finding there wasn't much in the way of tweaking it, I went to an 870 and am now an extremely happy shotgunner. I'm now scheming to get a used 870 for the truck. The one I already have is pimped out big-time. It started out as a synthetic stock with a 6 shot tube extension and here's what I ended up with:
http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r314/Mike_U_photos/Mvc-005f-1.jpg
It has a Knoxx Industries "SpecOps" recoil reducing stock, vertical fore grip, 3 watt LED flashlight and a deluxe heat shield with ghost ring combat sights. I also have a fully rifled slug barrel for it that easily changes out with the smooth bore thats on it now.
I love 870's!

[Player]

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y268/baylorhenry/shotgun.jpg
think mine would go against zombies good?

[robocop10mm]

IMHO the 870 is the standard by which all others are judged. The Winchester (especially the 1300) is a better gun. The 1300 is stronger, faster to cycle, lighter and quieter when patrolling (no clack in forend).

Sadly, the Winchester is no longer. The FN is a fine descendant, just a bit pricey for me.

I do not care for the Mossberg/Maverick 500's. The trigger group is a pain in the arse. The shell stops are not connected to the trigger group and are hard to put back in. I am not as familiar with the 590's. Dunno about the trigger group.

Without a doubt the Winchester has the strongest barrel. I saw a test where an 870 had a slug forced halfway down the barrell and a slug was fired (remotely). The barrel split from stem to stern.

The Winchester survived this test and put both slugs on paper. When two slugs were forced halfway down the barrel of the 1300 and a slug fired behind them it split about 1" at the muzzle, blew off the sight bead but was still serviceable. That's a barrel!

I have two 1200's and one has over 1000 rounds through it. It still works like a champ.

[Optimus Prime]

I went with the Mossberg 590 as close to issue as you can get. (the real ones have steel trigger guards and safety selecters) 20" barrel, 8 round tube, and the best part, bayonet lug.

[WildBillCody]

The Maverick 88 is the same as the Mossberg 500, except for the safety I think, I know barrels and stocks will interchange.

[okie shooter]

What Wildbill said, the mavrick and the mossburg are the same, slightly different receiver and different finish, assembled in TX.

from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_500





Maverick Arms subsidiary
Mossberg also markets a less expensive shotgun under the Maverick Arms name: the Maverick 88, in blued finish, with synthetic stocks. Maverick and Mossberg shotguns share some similar parts, but Maverick shotguns differ in some ways, such as lacking sling swivel studs and having cross-bolt safeties instead of tang safeties. Maverick Arms models are assembled in Texas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas), rather than in Mossberg's main facility in Connecticut (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut).

[k98k792]

Old school. 70s Wingmaster, St. Louis PD. Rack (and Badge) no.119 .(I added the heat shield,slings and painted the front bead with Glow Inc. paint. http://glowinc.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=2
Took off the extended mag,handles better with out it. I bought a 24 inch barrel off Ebay for 50 bucks, for busting clays.

[nevada]

Does that Knoxx recoil reducing set-up really work? It's not very pretty, but it would be worth it if it saved the shoulder.

[wonderwolf]

Yeah I dislike the fact that mossbergs have the plastic parts. Anyplace that sells the military parts for the guard and safety?

[mritt4]

I’m considering a new shotgun and I saw this thread. 590A1 or 870, recommendations? My buddy has a SPAS12; just doin’ my best to keep up with the Jones’ for about a grand less…

[Darkwatch]

Here's My mossy...as far as the trigger being plastic i have never had a problem with it but it has never seen heavy...err well any combat. It's a good shooter at a good price. I wish it were an 870 but I only paid $150 for it and I got another barrel for it in the deal....zombies be affraid!http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/darkwatch70/2006_0725Image0006.jpg

[cetme]

I keep on finding 2 3/4" chambered 870's for under $100 and adding parts to them, I'm not getting another unless it's super cheap or it's a 3 1/2".

[Sky Buster]

all I have to say is benelli SBE2 in max4camoe

<~~~~~Drools I think they are the best all around gun. From ducks deer squirl quail turkey dove crow. You name it you could hunt it with the SBE

[M1 Tanker]

For you and I Sky I would agree, but it seems a lot of guys on the forum want a tactical/home defense shotgun. Our 28" barrels aren't what they have in mind :)

[casey439]

28 inch barrel is for defending mansions where you have enough room to swing it with out knocking the lamps over :bubba:

:icon_lol:

[M1 Tanker]

I defend the dove field and duck blind with mine...I consider it Anti Aircraft fire.

[k98k792]

I bought a 28 inch barrel for my 870 off Ebay for 50$. Swap it out for clays,then back to 18 inch for the bedside. I also have my Dads 16 guage 870 with a 28 inch barrel. Sometimes I take it ,for old times sake.

[Windage and Elevation]

So far, So Good! Still debating a Hi- Viz, or light, or whatever. Oh, yeah - and a SLING! :rockon: