18.5" vs. 20" Mossberg 500 for HD?

18.5" vs. 20" and why? Please explain.

  • 18.5"

    Votes: 45 70.3%

  • 20"

    Votes: 19 29.7%
  • Total voters
    64
S

SKILCZ

Inactive
I'm considering an 18.5" or 20" Mossberg 500 for HD duty. The pragmatist in me thinks I should get the 20" for the extra two round capacity at the cost of 1.5" of extra barrel length. That said, I suspect the 18.5" would swing more quickly as it's shorter and lighter.

I also wonder whether the added weight of the 20" barrel and +2 rds would benefit my wife when shooting in terms of more mass to absorb the recoil or whether she'd feel better with a lighter, easier maneuvering 18.5" barrel. I don't know anyone who has both to compare.

To me, for an HD shotgun, it seems odd to not have the magazine flush with the muzzle. It seems like wasted space that could hold another round or two. Obviously, it's likely to be a moot point as it's unlikely that any of us will need our HD shotgun or need to empty the magazine if we do. It's more of a hypothetical argument, I guess.

My other question is, how easy is it to find longer barrels for the 7-rd mag Mossberg 500? I'm not sure I've ever seen one.
 
Inch and a half makes almost no difference in the average man's hands! I wouldn't likely worry about it!
Brent
 
If the gun is dedicated to HD, then I would get the 20", just because it allows the extra rounds. While swing characteristics are a BIG deal in wingshooting, I wouldn't worry about the swing of 18.5" vs. 20" unless you plan on being attacked by a gang of killer pheasants in the near future.

If you are going to have a dual purpose gun, then I would get the standard model with an 18.5" and a 28" for hunting. Don't forget to put the mag plug back in for hunting. In theory hunting barrels exist for the long magazine model, but I've never seen one.
 
Most 20 inch barreled guns do not allow additional round count. The VAST majority are just typical 5+1. It takes one of them Uber Cool models to get 7+1. Also, keep in mind, no 5+1 gun can be converted without a new barrel and mag tube for mossberg 500 but the 590 and 870 just need a mag extension. It can be used on an 18 inch barrel with no risk of damage when fired...
Brent
 
I got the 18.5 because one came up and it was too good of a deal to pass on. I would have gotten a 20" if the deal was right. I don't consider other configs on this shotgun because it just sits near bedside for only one purpose. Whether you get 18" or 20" the most important thing is to get some shooting time with it and the ammo you choose to carry. Unless you are shooting it alot it would be hard to tell the difference between two IMHO.
 
I would go with the 18.5", its lighter and holds 5 in the tube. If you cant hit your target inside your house with 5 shots then you need to spend some more time at the range
 
I would go with the 18.5", its lighter and holds 5 in the tube. If you cant hit your target inside your house with 5 shots then you need to spend some more time at the range
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I agree 100%. This is simple, sound advice.

I would add that more important than the barrel is the ability to act effectively in an emergency. Controlling the fear, thinking clearly, and making good decisions will save your life, not the 1.5" barrel difference. Practice emergency response like your life depends on it.
 
Personally, I was waiting to pickup a Mav 88 in 20" with the 7+1 magtube. But when push came to shove, the 5+1 28" Mossberg came up at the right price and I jumped on it. I tried clearing my bedroom door with the 28" barrel, and it works well, I sometimes over swing it, which makes me think I'll buy the 18.5" barrel at some point. But, I don't think barrel length really makes a difference with the shotguns, nor does the extra 2 shells in the tube. You just gotta practice with the gun and become proficient with it, and then the barrel length don't matter as much.

But, I'd suggest the 18.5" Mossy 500, since you'd have more options for replacement barrels with the 5 round tube than the 7 round tube.
 
20" plus some i.m.o.

grab resistant
works well with shot sizes , smaller than 00 buck







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I went with the 18.5 inch vote. The Mossberg I bought for double duty came with that barrel and the 28", I keep it as an HD weapon, with one round in the chamber, so you can swap 'em out for anything else.
As mentioned, easier to operate in the house than a 20".
 
Think I saw this same poll on the High Road. As I said there, I bought the 18.5 cause of more barrel options. Afterwards I purchased a 28' vent ribbed barrel for sporting purposes. Later found out Mossy makes the same 28' barrel for the 7 shot. There's a part# for it on the Maverick website. To do over I'd go with the 20' 7 shot for the capacity and I think it just looks cool.
 
you can never have too many good guns, i have both and i like both. the 18 1/2" comes with a second hunting barrel which is a plus. the 20" maverick holds 2 more shells. push comes to shove i want the 2 extra rounds. the extra 1 1/2" length difference means nothing to me in handeling.
 
tighter, albight not much, pattern
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Not measurable with the average tape measure at any distance under 25 yards I bet.
2 inches additional barrel means nothing to pattern unless that 2 inches is full choke then it still would be very negligible at home defense range.

Brent
 
shorty for me

You mention home defense, and +2 rounds is not a bad thing, but I/m not sure how essential it is for that role.

I can tell you that the near 2" shorter overall length is significant in and out of a vehicle, vessel, etc, and possibly in hallways, corners and doorways. The 18" gun will be significantly lighter also. Especially w/o an extended mag tube.
 
i chose 18.5". With 2.75" shells, you can run 5+1 (after shaking the dowel out of the 500 magazine), which isn't too shabby.

I wouldn't mind 2 extra shells, but given the choice, I would keep the shorter length since 5+1 is already formidable. Further, i have extra shells in a sleeve on the stock available for quick reload. With the length the shotgun already presents, 1.5" is substantial IMO.

Running Remington reduced recoil 00 buck.

patiently waiting for someone to make reduced recoil #1 buck (the supposed optimum for defense & pattern without over-penetratioin)
 
For the Mossy 500 I'd go with the 18.5" barrel for pretty much the same reasons as were mentioned before: Shorter overall length and more barrel options (easy to find long barrels for 500's with the 5 shot tube rather than the 7).

Try holding them both if possible and see what feels more comfortable to you. Also, barrel length probably doesn't matter as much if you are taking cover in a bedroom (or similar area) with the gun pointed at the door.
 
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