Scatter gun time

[xernex]

So, during my trip to the gunstore today I decided it was time for a shotgun, but... I decided to come home to think on it. I looked a an 870 then a couple of mossbergs (500/590).

I'm trying to decide between the two now.. Looking something to put a few things on (heat shield, pistol grip/tactical stock etc)

Figured I'd get opinions outta you guys.

Also I'll take ammo opinions too just to see what you guys prefer

[okie shooter]

Either shotgun should allow you to find plenty of accesories that you are looking for without much trouble. The mossburg has a brother that many folks over look too, the mavrick models, they are slightly different but most of the accesories fit from the 500 line, but the shotgun is not quite as nice as the 500. Both the rem and the mossburg/mavrick, should have plenty of speciality barrels available too.

If higher capicity mags though is what you are wanting, you need to stick with the 590 or the reminginton 870 as they both allow mag extensions and high capicity variants are available from the factory too.

That said, the main thing I use my shotguns is so shoot clay pigeons, not the big bird hunter here.

[weasel_master]

I like my 870 a lot. I've just recently handled a Mossberg 590. I like my 870 better for some reason. The 590 already comes with a heat shield and if you're looking to get tactical, it's already part way there with the lug, heat shield and 9+1 capacity.

[xernex]

^ yea the heat shield and 9+1 is a big selling point of the 590... I handled a few today and I really enjoyed the 870 marine, but the price tag was a little of a put off.

Since I'm working on my AR build and working on getting a mill right now i'm being tight on my shotgun project

[wonderwolf]

I say the 870 was my fathers gun....the 500 is the shotgun for my generation.

My behind the door shotgun is a riot 500 which I got for well under $100, Saw another used one at a show this past weekend for $145 really wanted to pick it up but could not justify it.

I swapped the wood out on mine with black plastic. Heat shield is not needed unless you really start to throw lead with one. And its mostly to just keep you from grabbing the barrel when its hot that and it looks neat but sometimes gets in the way. I shoot 5 stand on a regular basis with my combat gun to practice loading and unloading it. Pistol grip is fun....But not practical.

I have a tacstar side saddle on the receiver and a specter gear saddle on the stock for a total of 12 rounds on the gun but non loaded. I keep a 14 round ammo pouch next to the gun for grab'n go purposes. I have used this set up for lots of shooting sessions and have not had a lost round or breakage to date. Some guys who push those wal mart elastic stock shell holders have obviously never used one as I and others have lost ammo using them in the field.

If you are going to shoot with a lot of buck or slug a ghost ring sight is optional but not needed. With the same amount of practice it takes with the ghost ring I can hit a 10" gong at 50yards using a bead sight and it wont snag, break or move in a hurry.

Something I dislike about civilian models of shottys, esp on the mossbergs

The trigger guard and safety are plastic. I was lucky and got a metal saftey on mine.

Also I think the police models and military models are built with slamfire.

http://www.spectergear.com/
http://tacstar.com/tacstar/index.htm

[xernex]

thanks for the info wonderwolf

I guess my whole point for the shotgun is fun... thats why I want to do the stock and pistol grip. Also was looking at a heat shield w/ ghost rings built in.

Only reason I'm doing the shotgun thing is I dont have one.. and I figure the next time all my friends go shoot clays it'd be fun to show up w/ a "tac-ed" out gun.

Also appreciate the links

[Optimus Prime]

I don't think a ghost ring would work for clays, and like it's already been said, the little bead is alot more practical. I went the Mossberg 890 option with the heat shield and 9+1 tube, mostly because it's almost identical to what the military issue version of the 590 is (the Govt. ones have metal trigger guards and safty switches) so it fits in my collection as well as being a good house gun. Plus when I finish my AR they can share bayonets. It's always fun to have a bayonet on a shotgun.

[xernex]

ghost ring would work for clays, and like it's already been said, the little bead is alot more practical

Yea, that is true... but darnit I like the way it looks haha...

I think I'll be keeping everything stock for a little bit.. at least till the mill is paid for and the ar is complete... though a gun show rolls through town next weekend so who knows if I'll even have a buck to my name after that.

[weasel_master]

[QUOTE=Optimus Prime;20369]....I went the Mossberg 890 option with the heat shield and 9+1 tube, mostly because it's almost identical to what the military issue version of the 590 is (the Govt. ones have metal trigger guards and safty switches)....QUOTE]

What's the difference between the 590 and 890?

[k98k792]

870 Wingmaster,5 rounds. CLASSIC is never out of style.

Here is a great forum for Tac shotties
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=6080e9ef172ce76ea2efc48f98334bca

[Woodman in MO]

My Dad got the Rem 870, I got the Moss 500. 6 one way, half dozen the other I say.

Handle both and see what you like.

[Optimus Prime]

[QUOTE=Optimus Prime;20369]....I went the Mossberg 890 option with the heat shield and 9+1 tube, mostly because it's almost identical to what the military issue version of the 590 is (the Govt. ones have metal trigger guards and safty switches)....QUOTE]

What's the difference between the 590 and 890?

The difference is me typing without drinking coffee... I meant the 590.

[xernex]

you had me looking all over the net for 890 stuff too man... I was like where in the world did he find an 890 haha

[GearShanty]

I like the safety location on the Mossberg 500 better than the Remington 870. On the Mossberg, the safety is on the back of the receiver and can be turned on or off without moving your firing hand from a ready-to-fire position. Your thumb finds the safety somewhat naturally on the 500.

The Mossberg is limited to magazine capacity by the barrel. There are 5 shot barrels and 8 shot barrels. The barrel band acts sort of as a cap on the magazine tube.

The Remington barrels loop over the magazine tube. There are magazine extensions available for the 870's that require only minor modification.

If I remember correctly, the Mossberg barrels are slightly less expensive than the Remington barrels.

That being said, I have a Mossberg 500 5-shot, 28" Vent Rib that I bought at Walmart for $179 (was $199, but had a scratch on the receiver). I have added a 18.5" Cyl bore barrel and have a 24" Rifled barrel w/ integral scope mount.
A black powder barrel is on my Wish list.

[MID]

I chose the mossburg 500. That gun fits me the best, i got the one with the dual bead sight. It was a regular bead up fornt and a little one midway.
It works awesome. VEry fast target acquisition. Plus it shoulders perfect. I just bring it up to my shoulder look down the barrel, and the sights are allready lined up. When we go trap shooting,( not skeet or sporting clays) i can hit 25 of 25 most of the time. That got a little boring so now i shoot two or three clays at once, with an uncocked un shoulderd shotgun. MAkes things considerably more difficult. I still manage around 19 out of 25.

[bullseye]

I have what was sold as an 870-HD(home defence) that I got new at a gun show for 380.00. It has the black plastic stock set on it and the mag extension. I use it for everything with no problems. I've hit milk jugs at 100 with slugs, I shoot poor man's skeet with it(12ga shells, 20 ga shells, 30-06,45,& 22 brass). It patterns nicely for what it is, points quickly, and it's an 870, so I know it is reliable. You can dress it up any way that you can imagine, add all kinds of accessories, and do whatever comes to mind with it and it will do it. I'm looking at the Knoxx recoil reducing stock for it because I love the 3" 000 buck but after a few it hurts. :) It stays just inside the door loaded with 7 rds of Remington 3" 000BK with 10 pellets coming out at 1125FPS. It might be overkill, but one shot will do it, and I have no neighbors too close either. Go with the Remington 870 and you'll be covered.

[Darkwatch]

Here's my Mossy 500 I got used for $150. It came with 2 barrels (the 24" rifle sited barrel in the pic and a 28" choked bbl I cut down to 20" and put a hi viz (wal-mart$5) front site on). Shoots like a dream and I even like the wood (i've always been a tac guy when it come to shotties):rockon:
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j65/darkwatch70/2006_0725Image0006.jpg

[Player]

people diss mossbergs a lot because they're cheaper, but i think they're good shotty's. it's either that, or you get a benelli.

and again, i'm much more of a rifleman than a shotgunner

[xernex]

Awesome pic Henry..

I'm also more a rifle guy than shotty, but I guess everybody needs at least one...

[SteelCore]

HK's Benelli M1 series..it is a fine home defense shottie. Does have ghost ring and front blade sightm, but we did have some luck with #6birdshot and clays after a few misses. Used the nova
http://www.randymays.com/benellim1.gif

[GearShanty]

During one of the classes I took, one of the departments brought 2 of the 14" semi-auto Benelli's (M4's I think). They were VERY nice, but had trouble cycling low-brass birdshot and less-than-lethal rounds. The 18.5" or the newer 14" versions may do fine. They were still fun though. The Benelli's were a whole lot more manueverable than the 8-shot 20" bbl shotguns that were there.

[Norton]

I am like half the USA I have a Mossberg 500c, I have had it since 1975 the first gun I ever bought with my own money. I also got to shoot one in the Army that was just like mine back home but parked.
The Mossberg 500 is the best 12 ga pump in the world for the money.

But since we were talking about cool shotguns and have all seen the Mossberg..


This is one of the coolest. It is a 1968 vintage High Standard Model 10,
I always thought it looked like a Astronauts weapon.

[MicroPilot]

Heres an unusual shotgun. Less than $400.00.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/images/ssi/11662.jpg

[Optimus Prime]

I think it would be great fun to show up at a skeet range with a good ol' cowboy lever action shotgun...

[MicroPilot]

Me too! You would have to be quick on the shot though with a 20" barrel!

[Optimus Prime]

still want to go with my 590 combat and shoot with the bayonet fixed...

[okie shooter]

Heres an unusual shotgun. Less than $400.00.

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/images/ssi/11662.jpg
Got to love the lever action shotguns day(though a 1901) in the sun though, Terminator II, where Arnold shot one, cocking with the flip move, while rideing the cycle.

[xernex]

Well I ended up getting my 500 this weekend. Ended up w/ a Persuader since it came with the adjustable stock, pistol grip, heat shield and speed load on the stock... I just got back home a few minutes ago so as soon as dad gets ready to go out we're gonna take it and a couple of the single actions and the lever's out for some shooting