Do You Like Mossberg Shotguns?

[gmerkt]

You mention pistol grips. Learning to reliably hit your target requires proper technique and practice, and a pistol gripped shotgun is more difficult than a traditionally stocked gun.

This ^^

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I used to. No longer own any tube fed shotguns. I use long stroke gas piston (ie AK) with muzzle brake. Brake alone reduces recoil about 50-60%. Long stroke action reduces it even more. This results in accurate rate of fire the same as an ar15 (300 rounds per minute). Plus mag changes are easy, no continuous reload stuff like with tube fed guns.

 

[HereandNow]

Be careful about Washington State shotgun laws now. You cannot have buttstock with a pistol grip anymore unless you owned it already owned it before the law changed.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/news/general/wa-compliant-guns/

Wow, thanks for the heads up on this. Appreciate it and will do my research.

 

[HereandNow]

If the Op is smaller size, look on the net for a youth stock. A lot of times a kid will start out with the smaller stock and then out grow it. Lucky that Mossberg's are pretty universal fit. you can use a stock or barrel from a Maverick also.
The youth stocks are not just cut off, they are also reduced in the wrist area, moving the trigger pull shorter. A good stock fit will make night and day difference in how well a shotgun shoots for you. The rear sight on a shotgun is your eye, So the stock fit puts that rear sight in the right place. If it doesn't fit the rear sight will not be in place for each shot. Good Luck DR

It sounds like a youth stock may be the way to go. Thank you.

 

[HereandNow]

I used to. No longer own any tube fed shotguns. I use long stroke gas piston (ie AK) with muzzle brake. Brake alone reduces recoil about 50-60%. Long stroke action reduces it even more. This results in accurate rate of fire the same as an ar15 (300 rounds per minute). Plus mag changes are easy, no continuous reload stuff like with tube fed guns.

Good info. Thank you.

 

[HereandNow]

Some of these Mossberg's work well. Some, not so much.
I have tons of experience with them. They can be rough, but still work as they're supposed to, or they can be rough, and fail miserably.
If you've got one, test it out and make sure it's trustable. And try it with lots of different ammo. Just a slight variation of rim thickness or rim diameter, can make a difference on a shotgun that is otherwise struggling.

The 500's and variants have been around a long time, and they're serviceable for most folks. And for folks that don't know the difference, or really don't care, they continue to profess these shotguns as wonderful.

Good to know. I have it for home self defense so won't be doing regular shooting with it. I will def try it out with different ammo. Cheers.

 

[HereandNow]

Get the stock FIRST. A gunsmith might be able to shorten the stock on your shotgun, rather than making you buy a new, short stock. Please trust me on this.The stock is what will make or break the shotgun for you. Seriously. If the stock is too long for you, you won't be able to shoulder it properly and your shotgun will beat the snot out of you.

Ok I will heed your smart advice. Thank you.

 

[HereandNow]

This ^^

Sounds like PG's may not be the way to go for both accuracy and changes in state law . Thanks

 

[GWS]

Good to know. I have it for home self defense so won't be doing regular shooting with it. I will def try it out with different ammo. Cheers.

I respectfully suggest you do shoot it regularly. If this is the gun you're going to stake your family's safety on then you need to know how your shot patterns, how your shot drops over distance how to reload quickly or switch to a different type of ammo such as slugs and how to handle it when something goes wrong. but primarily you need to be able to handle your shotgun instinctively and confidently and that comes from training and regular practice.
Good luck and good shooting

 

[g-nel85]

Be careful about Washington State shotgun laws now. You cannot have buttstock with a pistol grip anymore unless you owned it already owned it before the law changed.

https://www.classicfirearms.com/news/general/wa-compliant-guns/

Only applies to semi autos, not pumps

 

[dangerranger60]

Good to know. I have it for home self defense so won't be doing regular shooting with it. I will def try it out with different ammo. Cheers.

I would shoot it often enough that you can pick it up, load it, and make it safe without really having to look at it. it takes shooting it a lot at first, and then a few times a year to keep it in your memory. When bad things happen is not when you want to be looking at the manual for loading instructions.
if you remember the news coverage of Tim Walls struggling to load his shotgun on camera? That's what it looks like to not know how when everyone is looking at you. Lucky no one was shooting at him. DR

PS practice with the lightest Dove/ target loads you can find. but also fire a few buckshot load so you know what's coming. you will probably have to order 20 ga defensive loads, they are not common on store shelves. they have very long shelf life so don't worry about ordering too many.
Good Luck DR

 

[HereandNow]

I respectfully suggest you do shoot it regularly. If this is the gun you're going to stake your family's safety on then you need to know how your shot patterns, how your shot drops over distance how to reload quickly or switch to a different type of ammo such as slugs and how to handle it when something goes wrong. but primarily you need to be able to handle your shotgun instinctively and confidently and that comes from training and regular practice.
Good luck and good shooting

Totally agree and thanks for the input!

 

[HereandNow]

I would shoot it often enough that you can pick it up, load it, and make it safe without really having to look at it. it takes shooting it a lot at first, and then a few times a year to keep it in your memory. When bad things happen is not when you want to be looking at the manual for loading instructions.
if you remember the news coverage of Tim Walls struggling to load his shotgun on camera? That's what it looks like to not know how when everyone is looking at you. Lucky no one was shooting at him. DR

PS practice with the lightest Dove/ target loads you can find. but also fire a few buckshot load so you know what's coming. you will probably have to order 20 ga defensive loads, they are not common on store shelves. they have very long shelf life so don't worry about ordering too many.
Good Luck DR

Thanks. I do have some bird shot I am preparing to learn with but have wondered about buckshot, slugs, etc. for home defense. I will try out several types of ammo. I do want to get to the point where I can load it in the dark if I need to. Will take a lot of practice.

 

[10mm]

20ga buckshot is not punishing to fire. Good proven platform, a buddy has one with the pistol grip. I call it Mrs. Mossberg. Miss Mossberg is the .410 version.
You should find it fairly easy to get familiar with. Great choice for a wide variety of uses. Enjoy and safe shooting!

 

[Coupe27]

Sentimental because my first gun ever was Mossberg, so of course! Still got it

 

[RVTECH]

Some of these Mossberg's work well. Some, not so much.
I have tons of experience with them. They can be rough, but still work as they're supposed to, or they can be rough, and fail miserably.

Ditto this. I TOO have had several Mod 500's come and go my way and some functioned fantastic and some not so.

I still have one, a 'Revelation' branded Mod 500 (Western Auto) and while older and worn functions well!

 

[OutwardHound]

Severel years ago I went to my LGS looking for a Maverick 88. They didn't carry the Maverick but I got a great deal on a Mossberg 500, 12 gage. In retrospect I might have gone with a 20 gage, the 12 is a bit of a thumper. No complaints with the shotgun however. Function and performance 100%. I put HiViz fiber optic sight on which really help my old eyes. I like the ability to swap the field barrel and the shorter( 18.5") "security' barrel.

 

[Proud_Patriot]

20ga. should be fine for you, just make sure you find places to practice shooting. Familiarity and maintenance is key. My first shotgun was a Mossberg 500 12ga., and I loved that thing! There are lots of options to customize yours.

 

[Proud_Patriot]

Severel years ago I went to my LGS looking for a Maverick 88. They didn't carry the Maverick but I got a great deal on a Mossberg 500, 12 gage. In retrospect I might have gone with a 20 gage, the 12 is a bit of a thumper. No complaints with the shotgun however. Function and performance 100%. I put on HiViz fiber optic sights that really help my old eyes. I like the ability to swap the field barrel and the shorter( 18.5") "security' barrel.

Breacher barrels look aggressive and fitting for home defense. It doesn't really matter if it's a 12 or 20 gauge... if an intruder hears you racking, they gonna RUN!

 

[DLS]

.

. if an intruder hears you racking, they gonna RUN!

Except when they don't. Relying on this scare tactic instead ot traing has resulted in very poor outcomes for some defenders