Hello all, I've been browsing this forum and others for a while, trying to figure out which direction to go for my first purchase. I'm not totally new to guns, I've used a couple Mossberg 500's and just love how they work. I am however new to buying a new gun and I want to make the right investment for my needs. I'll try to organize this post but chances are good I'll start rambling a few times. Basically, I'm looking for advice for my needs and opinions about my line of thinking.
Needs/Considerations:
I live in a semi-rural area, just outside a small town. As such, I'm not concerned too much about home defense. I mean, it's a thought in the back of my mind, just not a primary concern. So, I don't need a super-tactical shotgun with shortest possible barrel. What do I need? Primary concerns are pest/vermin control and woods self defense. I've used a youth model 500 with either a 22" or 24" barrel and unknown choke to take down a pesky rabbit at 45 yards. I'd like to continue to do that. I'd also like to have something that I can sling over my shoulder and carry in the woods for bigger predators. I hear of wolves and cougars attacking people and running into a smaller bear is certainly possible. I'd like to be confident in loading up some magnum buckshot and slugs to remedy any of those situations in the woods.
Sure, I could carry a .357 magnum or similar for a woods carry and use a .410 choked up for smaller pests. But that brings me to the 'why' part below.
Also in the back of my mind with home defense is the ability to hunt in a SHTF situation. There's plenty of pheasants, geese, quail, rabbits and whatnot running around. I could even load up a slug and get a deer at 100 yards. I could put food on the table with a shotgun. I probably won't, but I could.
Why a 12 gauge?
Pistols are fine but having shot a few, I'm not a horrible shot but it leaves me wanting a bit more accuracy. Also, I just don't like holsters. Carrying around a pistol can be awkward. I prefer something I can sling over my shoulder, even if it weighs 5x as much. My choice for 12 gauge stems from the fact that this will be, somewhat, a defensive weapon and in those situations, you want oomph. I've also researched both local stores and online catalogs and there's just more variety out there for 12 gauge. Defensive rounds, light loads, flight control wads... more to choose from.
Why a pump?
Reliability and cost. I'm sure the 935 and SA-20 are called reliable but there's more cleaning required and while I'm not going to slack on that, those platforms can be more sensitive to contamination and some rounds. I would love to have a 935 and have lesser recoil but that's not enough reason to overcome higher maintenance and cost in my book. Especially when there's very nice and affordable recoil pads. Plus, there seems like there's more accessories for the 5xx line.
Where am I at now?
My current thought process has me heavily eyeballing the 590, specifically the 50663. I like ghost sights, used them before on an AR15 and loved the function and accuracy. They don't stick out much and aren't as fragile as a scope/optic but provide more accuracy than a bead. But, I'm not 100% set on that model. For not much more, I can get the 590A1. The thicker barrel doesn't sell me, nor does the metal safety (I'll probably replace it anyway). The two things I do like are the parkerized finish and metal trigger group. The $40 more for the A1 version seems worth it for a more durable coating. I'm even looking at the 51668, the 590A1 with speedfeed stock but I'm not sure it's worthwhile, there's reports of it not holding rounds properly. Did Mossberg fix these issues?
I also like the 590 for the ammo capacity. But a big hang-up I have is cylinder bore. I'd like to have an improved cylinder to reach out a bit further to get pests/vermin. It's my understanding that a cylinder bore won't do humane kills with birdshot at 50 yards. However, I need to have the right balance for choke since I'd still like to load up slugs for woods carry. I'd like to just keep 1 choke in the gun at all times, not have to think about it. I've thought about having a local gunsmith ream and tap the 20" cylinder bore barrel for a choke but I don't know if I'm overthinking this or not.
I've thought of the 500 but I can't seem to find the right loadout for me. I feel like the 590 is a better investment for durability and longevity.
I'll be stopping in the local gun store tomorrow and see about getting a feel for the models they have, how they pull up and feel.
Bottom line, I want to get this right. I don't often have significant funds laying around and this is something that's been on my wishlist. The only other gun I have is a Marlin 60 .22 rifle. This shotgun will be my first new purchase and I want to make the right choices.
So, if you've read this and have some advice, thank you. Hopefully this can brew up some discussion.
Needs/Considerations:
I live in a semi-rural area, just outside a small town. As such, I'm not concerned too much about home defense. I mean, it's a thought in the back of my mind, just not a primary concern. So, I don't need a super-tactical shotgun with shortest possible barrel. What do I need? Primary concerns are pest/vermin control and woods self defense. I've used a youth model 500 with either a 22" or 24" barrel and unknown choke to take down a pesky rabbit at 45 yards. I'd like to continue to do that. I'd also like to have something that I can sling over my shoulder and carry in the woods for bigger predators. I hear of wolves and cougars attacking people and running into a smaller bear is certainly possible. I'd like to be confident in loading up some magnum buckshot and slugs to remedy any of those situations in the woods.
Sure, I could carry a .357 magnum or similar for a woods carry and use a .410 choked up for smaller pests. But that brings me to the 'why' part below.
Also in the back of my mind with home defense is the ability to hunt in a SHTF situation. There's plenty of pheasants, geese, quail, rabbits and whatnot running around. I could even load up a slug and get a deer at 100 yards. I could put food on the table with a shotgun. I probably won't, but I could.
Why a 12 gauge?
Pistols are fine but having shot a few, I'm not a horrible shot but it leaves me wanting a bit more accuracy. Also, I just don't like holsters. Carrying around a pistol can be awkward. I prefer something I can sling over my shoulder, even if it weighs 5x as much. My choice for 12 gauge stems from the fact that this will be, somewhat, a defensive weapon and in those situations, you want oomph. I've also researched both local stores and online catalogs and there's just more variety out there for 12 gauge. Defensive rounds, light loads, flight control wads... more to choose from.
Why a pump?
Reliability and cost. I'm sure the 935 and SA-20 are called reliable but there's more cleaning required and while I'm not going to slack on that, those platforms can be more sensitive to contamination and some rounds. I would love to have a 935 and have lesser recoil but that's not enough reason to overcome higher maintenance and cost in my book. Especially when there's very nice and affordable recoil pads. Plus, there seems like there's more accessories for the 5xx line.
Where am I at now?
My current thought process has me heavily eyeballing the 590, specifically the 50663. I like ghost sights, used them before on an AR15 and loved the function and accuracy. They don't stick out much and aren't as fragile as a scope/optic but provide more accuracy than a bead. But, I'm not 100% set on that model. For not much more, I can get the 590A1. The thicker barrel doesn't sell me, nor does the metal safety (I'll probably replace it anyway). The two things I do like are the parkerized finish and metal trigger group. The $40 more for the A1 version seems worth it for a more durable coating. I'm even looking at the 51668, the 590A1 with speedfeed stock but I'm not sure it's worthwhile, there's reports of it not holding rounds properly. Did Mossberg fix these issues?
I also like the 590 for the ammo capacity. But a big hang-up I have is cylinder bore. I'd like to have an improved cylinder to reach out a bit further to get pests/vermin. It's my understanding that a cylinder bore won't do humane kills with birdshot at 50 yards. However, I need to have the right balance for choke since I'd still like to load up slugs for woods carry. I'd like to just keep 1 choke in the gun at all times, not have to think about it. I've thought about having a local gunsmith ream and tap the 20" cylinder bore barrel for a choke but I don't know if I'm overthinking this or not.
I've thought of the 500 but I can't seem to find the right loadout for me. I feel like the 590 is a better investment for durability and longevity.
I'll be stopping in the local gun store tomorrow and see about getting a feel for the models they have, how they pull up and feel.
Bottom line, I want to get this right. I don't often have significant funds laying around and this is something that's been on my wishlist. The only other gun I have is a Marlin 60 .22 rifle. This shotgun will be my first new purchase and I want to make the right choices.
So, if you've read this and have some advice, thank you. Hopefully this can brew up some discussion.