Mossberg 500/590 compared with 835
- Thread starter Ledbetter
- Start date
Hey guys!
As you can tell by my post count, I’m new to the forums and I’m just as new in the world of shotguns. I thought I’d do a little homework before I purchased my first “starter” shotgun and after reading through the threads, I find myself leaning toward the Remington 870.
However, I’m interested in finding some opinions about the advantages/disadvantages of shotguns within the Mossberg family. Specifically, I’m looking for a comparison between the 500 vs. 835 models. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for providing a great place for information!
As you can tell by my post count, I’m new to the forums and I’m just as new in the world of shotguns. I thought I’d do a little homework before I purchased my first “starter” shotgun and after reading through the threads, I find myself leaning toward the Remington 870.
However, I’m interested in finding some opinions about the advantages/disadvantages of shotguns within the Mossberg family. Specifically, I’m looking for a comparison between the 500 vs. 835 models. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for providing a great place for information!
nascarnhlnra
New member
Well I'm no expert when compared to the more experienced T.F.L.er but I.M.O. the 835 is more of a shotgun designed for turkey and other bird hunting type of duties.The 835 has a 3 1/2 inch chamber and has a choke installed.The 500/590 series I.M.O. are more geared toward deer hunting duty as well as HD.Hope this little bit helps I'm sure some of the resident shotgun experts will chime in with much more info then I have provided.
swampgator
New member
All three use the same receiver. The 590 and 835 are for the most part the same gun, with the exception of the chamber length.
If pinned for an answer I'd say that the 590 and 835 are "purpose" built shotguns. As nascarnhlnra said the 590 is more of HD type and the 835 more a turkey gun.
fir3fox,
I've owned several Mossys over the past 15 years. They are IMO a fine shotgun. Any of the three listed will serve for years. However if money isn't an object, go with the 870.
If pinned for an answer I'd say that the 590 and 835 are "purpose" built shotguns. As nascarnhlnra said the 590 is more of HD type and the 835 more a turkey gun.
fir3fox,
I've owned several Mossys over the past 15 years. They are IMO a fine shotgun. Any of the three listed will serve for years. However if money isn't an object, go with the 870.
Poodleshooter
New member
The 835 is also overbored compared to the 500 and the cylinder bored 590's. This means a much wider bore and different choke tubes and constrictions that can handle heavy shot payloads. It's designed to excel with heavy steel, non-toxic and turkey loads. If big magnum loads are your game, go with the 835. If you want an incredibly versatile system that doesn't excel for waterfowl or turkey, go with the 500.
David Park
New member
Poodleshooter's right about the overbore, and that also means that the 835 cannot fire slugs, as they will wobble around in the barrel and may get stuck. 
This is mentioned in the FAQ on Mossberg's web site.
I lust for a tricked-out 590 for HD, but bought a 500 because it will do most anything, with the right barrel(s).
This is mentioned in the FAQ on Mossberg's web site.I lust for a tricked-out 590 for HD, but bought a 500 because it will do most anything, with the right barrel(s).
swampgator
New member
But in theory, if you owned say a 590 for HD, but you wanted to hunt with it, an 835 barrel would swap right in, right?
Prodigalshooter
New member
I just picked up a 500 with the two barrel option. One is a vent rib 28" modified and the other is a 18.5" cylinder bore. I can use the long one for trap, dove, quail etc. and the short one will be HD and defensive shooting game gun. I know there are nicer finished shotguns out there, but this was a killer deal IMHO ($219.00).
Anyway, I'm happy!
Anyway, I'm happy!
swampgator
New member
as posted by Prodigalshooter:
$219 is an excellent deal for a 500 with the second barrel. The Mossy will last quite a long time, definetly long enough to get your money's worth!
$219 is an excellent deal for a 500 with the second barrel. The Mossy will last quite a long time, definetly long enough to get your money's worth!
Al Thompson
Staff Alumnus
At that price you'd have been foolish to pass that one up. Though we're both 870 fans, my bro-in-law pulled a mossy out of a duck pond on the opening day of duck season. The SG had to have been there 10 or 11 months, but a little steel wool, WD-40 and it's back in shape.
Think I'll ever talk bad about a 500 again??
Think I'll ever talk bad about a 500 again??
Prodigalshooter
New member
Wow ! That's a good story Gizmo99, must have been a sorry day for the fellow that lost it!
MOSBERG 835 INFO FROM THE FACTORY
they recomend not shooting slugs in the std barrel but do have a rifled barrel with either sights or scope mount avaiable. they also have a 18.5 inch smooth bore barrel with a bead sight for those that want it. cylinder bore and no accu-choke. once i have this barrel the 835 will truely be a "do-everything" shotgun.
28" 3.5 vent rib barrel for hunting
24" rifled barrel with iron sights
18.5" cylinder bore for home defence.
what other shotgun does any man need?
they recomend not shooting slugs in the std barrel but do have a rifled barrel with either sights or scope mount avaiable. they also have a 18.5 inch smooth bore barrel with a bead sight for those that want it. cylinder bore and no accu-choke. once i have this barrel the 835 will truely be a "do-everything" shotgun.
28" 3.5 vent rib barrel for hunting
24" rifled barrel with iron sights
18.5" cylinder bore for home defence.
what other shotgun does any man need?
ReadyOnTheRight
New member
You can't swap 835 and 500 barrels.
The 835 barrel is the width of a 10-gauge. I think it might actually be a 10 gauge barrel. This was their solution to handle the pressure of a 3.5" shell -- I believe Mossberg wsa one of the first out there with a 3.5" shotgun.
As others have said, you can't shoot slugs in an 835 because it will "bounce" (that's a technical term) around the barrel.
Good deal on the 500 w/ extra barrel for $219!
The 835 is great, but a little heavy for upland bird hunting or self defense if a 500 will do.
The 835 barrel is the width of a 10-gauge. I think it might actually be a 10 gauge barrel. This was their solution to handle the pressure of a 3.5" shell -- I believe Mossberg wsa one of the first out there with a 3.5" shotgun.
As others have said, you can't shoot slugs in an 835 because it will "bounce" (that's a technical term) around the barrel.
Good deal on the 500 w/ extra barrel for $219!
The 835 is great, but a little heavy for upland bird hunting or self defense if a 500 will do.
One other thing. The 835 with the extra slug barrel package is definitely hell on wheels as far as a field gun, but it's a lot more $$$.
Also, on hunting with a 590...I don't know what the different states' hunting regs are, but many would likely not find it amusing for someone to be hunting with 8 shells in the magazine. I may be wrong...
Also, on hunting with a 590...I don't know what the different states' hunting regs are, but many would likely not find it amusing for someone to be hunting with 8 shells in the magazine. I may be wrong...
swampgator
New member
On the six shot 500 the mag tube can be plugged with an unsharpened #2 pencil. I would imagine that the 590 could be also, but you'd need a longer pencil. 12" wooden dowel should suffice.
ReadyOnTheRight
New member
Does anyone know why Mossberg doesn't sell an 18.5" barrel for the 835?
Big 5 stores (in the western US) have the Mossberg 500 combo (18.5 & 28" barrels) for $200 to 220 once every three weeks or so. The 8 shot 500 (also $220) is alternated in there on off weeks, along with the 870 for $260 or so.
Sportsmart had a slight better price on the 870 if I recall.
Sportsmart had a slight better price on the 870 if I recall.
The only advantages I see to the 835 are the 3.5" capability and the ports, and neither is crucial.
A steady diet of 3.5" mags in a shotgun as light as the 835 will loosen your fillings, ports, overbore etc nonwithstanding.
Unless you're a way better than average waterfowl hunter with a recoil tolerance level much better than average, the 3.5 really doesn't offer much. Even then a good 10 gauge will be the better choice.
Mossies are good shotguns, tho not my favorite. Any of the family will give you good service. If I HAD to get a Mossie, it'd be an 835 for geese, a 590 for "Serious" shooting, or a 500 for GP shotgunning.
A steady diet of 3.5" mags in a shotgun as light as the 835 will loosen your fillings, ports, overbore etc nonwithstanding.
Unless you're a way better than average waterfowl hunter with a recoil tolerance level much better than average, the 3.5 really doesn't offer much. Even then a good 10 gauge will be the better choice.
Mossies are good shotguns, tho not my favorite. Any of the family will give you good service. If I HAD to get a Mossie, it'd be an 835 for geese, a 590 for "Serious" shooting, or a 500 for GP shotgunning.