Which Mossberg 500 model?

[golden chicken]

I'm looking at two models of Mossberg 500 right now and trying to decide between the two. Realistically, it'll be a range toy and possibly for HD, and I don't envision myself hunting with it. I think I would like to add a red dot at some point.

The two models are the combo field/security #54169 and the persuader #50577. I like the look of the wood furniture on the combo and I like the idea of the extra capacity of the persuader.

So, I guess the main question is, if the initial cost is the same, would it be cheaper/easier to add the extended barrel/magazine tube onto the combo or add wood furniture onto the persuader?

The second half of the question is, is there any real reason why one would choose a synthetic stock over wood, given the shotgun will mostly live in a case in a closet and only be shot at a range?

Thanks

 

[Sprocket]

The Remington 870 - pre 1990

 

[golden chicken]

Wife is opposite-handed. Tang safety mo-betta in this case.

 

[Dan-o]

Any of the 590s
Great guns!
Never had a problem with my old 500 but everything just seems better on the 590.

 

[92G]

i prefer the 590 due to the tube design which is how mossberg should have designed the gun to begin with. while the 590A1 has a retardedly heavy barrel, the remaining 590 models are lighter and easier to handle. for whatever reason most shops do not stock these. i went with the following 2 models and couldn't be happier. the 500 models look cheap. mossberg's current wood looks like trash...if going with a wood stock model i would suggest handling the exact gun your'e going to buy beforehand.

model # 50778, 18.5 barrel, nimble and excellent HD option

model # 50670, longer barrel, threaded for choke

 

[Kevin_NH]

They're all fine, just stay away from the Maverick 88 and you'll be happy.

So, I guess the main question is, if the initial cost is the same, would it be cheaper/easier to add the extended barrel/magazine tube onto the combo or add wood furniture onto the persuader?

The combo makes it easy to switch between barrels, only when using specific mag tube length that came with those barrels -- switch to the extended magazine tube and you need barrels which fit that tube length, changing out the tube is more hassle than a simple barrel swap.

if going with a wood stock model i would suggest handling the exact gun your'e going to buy beforehand.

You can also buy older used guns with nicer wood, or aftermarket wood stock sets.

 

[golden chicken]

i prefer the 590 due to the tube design which is how mossberg should have designed the gun to begin with. while the 590A1 has a retardedly heavy barrel, the remaining 590 models are lighter and easier to handle. for whatever reason most shops do not stock these. i went with the following 2 models and couldn't be happier. the 500 models look cheap. mossberg's current wood looks like trash...if going with a wood stock model i would suggest handling the exact gun your'e going to buy beforehand.

model # 50778, 18.5 barrel, nimble and excellent HD option

model # 50670, longer barrel, threaded for choke

Thank you for your advice. I have been to a few places and found exactly what you described as far as the wood goes. Today, I went to Old Glory looking for a 50778 and walked out with a used 500ATP with wood corn cob forend and wood stock and flip-up rifle sights on an 18.5" barrel. According to my google reasearch, it was made in 1983, but it looks practically unfired. The vintage wood has a much more solid feel to it than any of the new ones I handled.

 

[whacko]

Thank you for your advice. I have been to a few places and found exactly what you described as far as the wood goes. Today, I went to Old Glory looking for a 50778 and walked out with a used 500ATP with wood corn cob forend and wood stock and flip-up rifle sights on an 18.5" barrel. According to my google reasearch, it was made in 1983, but it looks practically unfired. The vintage wood has a much more solid feel to it than any of the new ones I handled.

I have a mid 1990s manufactured 500 and it looks much better than the current new manufactured ones. The fore end on the newer ones are blocky......mine has a more tapered And rounded fore end.

 

[mac1911]

Watch for sales and buy the cheapest one.
Unless you want some fancy wood it’s going to cost about the same to add a wood set or mag extension

For HD consider a youth 20g
Short compact easy to move around with.
Don’t bother with red dots and shit on a HD shotgun.

 

[golden chicken]

Don’t bother with red dots and shit on a HD shotgun.

I tried the sights without my contacts in and I can see the rear sight clearly but the front blade is all but invisible. A red dot might actually be the best option for me.

 

[mac1911]

I tried the sights without my contacts in and I can see the rear sight clearly but the front blade is all but invisible. A red dot might actually be the best option for me.

I’m in the camp that a HD shotgun needs 0 sights:
Grew up shooting birds with a rifle old SxS that had no sights.
In the end go with what you feel comfortable with.

 

[PilotRPI]

For HD consider a youth 20g
Short compact easy to move around with.
Don’t bother with red dots and shit on a HD shotgun.

This is my setup, but with an 870 youth. It is super compact and holds 5 or 6 shells of buck. Also fun with clays since it is so small.

 

[johnnymac101]

I have the Persuader- its good for putting 8 holes in cars at NES shoots!

 

[Retired-LEO]

Which ever model you go with.

I like the SHOTLOCK for storage for H.D.

https://www.shotlock.com/shotgun

 

[golden chicken]

Related question for anyone who might still be following this:

I bought a standard bead sight 18.5" smooth bore barrel and a Meprolight trijicon front bead replacement that I intend to use instead of my rifle-sighted 18.5" smooth bore barrel since I can't see the rifle sights without glasses or contacts. What would you do with the rifle-sighted barrel? I'm torn between feeling like it belongs with the shotgun because that's the way it was built and knowing that I'll never use it so I should sell it.

 

[mac1911]

Related question for anyone who might still be following this:

I bought a standard bead sight 18.5" smooth bore barrel and a Meprolight trijicon front bead replacement that I intend to use instead of my rifle-sighted 18.5" smooth bore barrel since I can't see the rifle sights without glasses or contacts. What would you do with the rifle-sighted barrel? I'm torn between feeling like it belongs with the shotgun because that's the way it was built and knowing that I'll never use it so I should sell it.

Give a good coat of rust inhibitor and toss it in the closet.

 

[Billy2]

Life is short buy both!