Recently purchased an Mossy 500 with the 20in. barrel, extended mag tube (7rnds) and tactical tri-rail: http://www.mossberg.com/product/shotguns-pump-action-500-special-purpose-tactical-tri-rail/50575?u_field_prod_sight_type=Bead@221&u_field_prod_capacity=8@0&filterNodes=2562,2563&nodeRef=2562,2563&redirect=1&lastnode=1&filterNodes=2563

 

Is this a good choice for home defense?  I have seen mixed opinions on 20in barrel as opposed to the normal 18.5 and I obviously missed out on the option to use it as a combo for HD and hunting (assuming I may have the opportunity someday).  

 

My initial reaction is that the extended barrel and extra weight would hurt use for HD and clays, but the tighter shot pattern and 2 extra rounds might be nice for target shooting.  Obviously, we aren't talking a MASSIVE change from a 18.5 with 5rnd capacity (as opposed to the switch to a 28in barrel) but there's a difference.

 

Just looking for opinions on this set-up for both HD and as a fun range(indoor/outdoor/clay) gun.  Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

Also, if you have any suggestions on affordable cleaning tools, please advise.  Thanks guys

Cleaning all you need is a bore snake for a shotgun. The barrel will really not make a difference of pattern all that much and you can easily get a collapsible stock for cheap if your worried about length. 1.5" only matters where it counts;).

It will also make an all around gun I bust clays with a 18.5 in 20gauge 500 with a folding stock

it's an excelent choice for HD, and fun at the range

I have that very same shotgun and I'm using it for HD. I personally don't think the extra length will make a big difference in my scenario and the weight is not a concern for me either. I also always take it to the Clinton meets to bust clays and it does just fine as long as you're pretty quick. The 14.5" LOP stock was a little too long for me so I swapped it with a Hogue 13" LOP stock which feels great. I also swapped out the tri-rail forend with a Hogue forend and she feels really good now. I've used it through two shotgun classes, probably have over 1000 rounds through it now and never had an issue with it.

 

ETA, here's how she sits now.

 

I have that very same shotgun and I'm using it for HD. I personally don't think the extra length will make a big difference in my scenario and the weight is not a concern for me either. I also always take it to the Clinton meets to bust clays and it does just fine as long as you're pretty quick. The 14.5" LOP stock was a little too long for me so I swapped it with a Hogue 13" LOP stock which feels great. I also swapped out the tri-rail forend with a Hogue forend and she feels really good now. I've used it through two shotgun classes, probably have over 1000 rounds through it now and never had an issue with it.

 

ETA, here's how she sits now. [Picture removed because you can see it an inch above this quoted re-post ]

Looks good man!  May I ask why you added the heat shield?  Would that be a safer option if one intends to spend long day out shooting clays?

 

 

Thank you all for the feedback, I appreciate it.  Looking to add lights on it pretty soon and I'm ordering that bore snake asap.

I always find it funny how people buy something, and then AFTER purchasing it make a thread asking how it is or opinions about it haha.

 

It's good for HD. Put a couple hundred rounds through it and see how you like it. Then go from there if you want to accessorize. Most of the time, people buy a gun and put 10lbs of crap on it and then realize a few months later it's all unnecessary.

 

I am unsure a regular 28'' VR barrel will fit on that. It's made for the 5rd tube and yours is 7. They most likely sell one for yours but if not, then that really sucks if you plan on shooting clays or hunting.

 

Get the VR barrel if you can, or want to, and that way all it takes is 5 seconds to switch barrels from HD to go out and shoot clays or whatever.

If your primary intention for this gun is to bust clays, I would look into getting a longer barrel. It's definitely not impossible to hit clays with short barrels, it's just a little harder. I got the heat shield after I took it to the first shotgun class because that's when I found out how hot a barrel can really get after shooting it repeatedly.

 

That plus I like the way it looks.

You can get a different magazine tube if you want to switch to a longer barrel. It's going to be a pain in the ass because I dont know if they offer a longer barrel for the extended magazine tube and changing out the tube every time you want to swap out barrells is quite a hassle.

I always find it funny how people buy something, and then AFTER purchasing it make a thread asking how it is or opinions about it haha.

 

I asked for other people's opinions because I wanted just that...opinions.  I just don't come from a background of firearms and while I like my choice and would certainly not regret it, I would use the opinions of others to help inform future purchases or, if applicable, modifications.

 

I bought this shotgun because I wanted it, but I was wondering if there were other options I should look at to suit my varied purposes. 

 

 

Edit: I will say thank you though because I do appreciate the feedback in the rest of your post.  I just wanted to explain myself.

Remember a shotgun is not a rifle, and you aren't aiming. You are pointing. The extra length on the barrel is not so much for sight radius as it is to balance the gun and put some weight on the end for a smoother swing. The only downside I see to your gun is the rifle style sights. I think a bead is much more conducive to shooting clays. Just my opinion though.

Remember a shotgun is not a rifle, and you aren't aiming. You are pointing. The extra length on the barrel is not so much for sight radius as it is to balance the gun and put some weight on the end for a smoother swing. The only downside I see to your gun is the rifle style sights. I think a bead is much more conducive to shooting clays. Just my opinion though.

 

Good pointers, thank you sir.  My model actually does have bead sights as it is unmodified.  I believe that the picture attached by Lalo was taken after he had switched out the sights on his Mossy.  

Should be a great gun.  And everything is so cheap and readily available that you can try any combination of barrels, mag tubes, stocks, etc like I have over the last 35 years I've owned mine.  You'll probably be surprised that that barrel will shoot tighter than you thought after you pattern it.  Ed.

You did just fine and it's a great gun and cool gun and reliable etc.

 

 

You have plenty of options for customization.  If you like you can change the stock and forend to a myriad of choices... For better comfort, control, looks, function, etc.

 

You can also add one or more barrels which are extremely easy to change...if you a hunting, sporting, etc. barrel you can go from 18.5" to 30" ... and you can change for looks, function, etc.

 

 

All in all a Mossberg 500 (590/590A1) is one of the top two shotguns made, along with the Remington 870, and you have plenty of options for the future and should have plenty of confidence in your purchase.

I believe I have the exact same gun (possibly minus the tri-rail).  It's a great choice for HD.  I have it loaded, next to my bed.  It's fun to shoot at the range, and for clays from shorter distances, like skeet and the practice trap field at Thunder Mountain.  I added an XS Big Dot front sight, which gets epoxied right over the bead.

 

Now for the bad news.  You cannot swap out the barrel for a 28" one for shooting trap.  The seven round magazine precludes that, as RF suggested. I learned that the hard way by ordering one from Midway (after speaking with a customer service rep about it), then having to send it back.  The solution is actually quite simple.  If you want a similar gun with a longer barrel, just get another one.  They are available for around $300, and that way you won't have to swap the barrel on your HD gun every time you want to shoot clays.

 

Oh, and as for the weight compared to an 18.5" barrel, I believe the difference is insignificant.  I have a 590 A1 with the shorter barrel, and it's much heavier.  Nonetheless, I've used both at all day classes without any problems.  (And I weigh less than 150 pounds.)

Thank you all for the opinions, and the information.  It is all quite helpful.

 

Old Glock Guy - I'm sure I will be buy another one as soon as I can but I am a student so after ammo, and range costs, it may take a little longer to rack up some dough from my side jobs.  But it's definitely a goal anyway.  My friends think I'm crazy but who knows when they'll make it even harder to purchase.  I refuse to sit and wait and be left with no protection of my own.  I had to call 911 last night and after 3-4 attempts all I got was ringing with no answer.

 

Good to know that others have the same model and have been quite satisfied over the long term.