Multi-purpose shotgun advice wanted

Last year I was also looking for a "multi-purpose" shotgun. I'll try and explain my own rationale - hope it helps.

I wanted a shotgun for the following reasons:

1. Home Defense (the world seems to get more scary everyday and dont want to depend on dialing 911 alone)
2. World comes to and end, but I'm still here - need to hunt.
3. Target Shooting (needed a new hobby)

I read a huge amount about Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870 both in 12g.

Based mainly on this article: http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
(no dremels please, no painful thumb crunch, location of satefy)

I purchased a Mossberg 500 - 12g - 5+1 - blued (on sale at Big5) - looked at the Marine finish but ultimately decided I couldn't afford it - in hindsight, I haven't needed it - but still may have been nice.

The purchase I made at Big5, came with:
1. A 18.5" smooth bore (home defense - short range barrel)
2. A 26" improved choke (bird shot - clay pigeon, hunting if the world comes to an end)

I then purchased a Mossberg scope/barrel combo (cheaperthandirt.com - was the best price at the time):
3. A 24" fully rifled barrel w/Bushnell Sportsman 3-9x32 scope.

NEXT:
I'm 6' - 135lbs on a good day will a pocket full of change (been underweight for decades cant seem to do anything about it).
My son is 15yrs old 5'9" - 150lbs.
My wife is 5'1" and she would kill me for posting her weight so I'll very slender.

I purchased the Knoxx SpecOps - recoil reducing stock (http://www.knoxx.com/NewStyleKnoxx/Products/SpecOpsStock.html ), and the optional Knoxx Limbsaver for SpecOps pad (direct from knoxx - phone order only). These items, have made my 12g the most popular among all my friends who shoot, as the easiest recoiling, most easily adjustable LOP shotgun they've ever fired.

So on that note:
1. 18.5" - I used #00 buck 2 3/4"
2. 26" - I shoot #4 bird 2 3/4"
3. 24" or sometimes 18.5" - I use rifled slugs 1oz 2 3/4" or sometimes for fun 600grain 3" magnums.

With the replacement stock, none of us have any problems with the 12g recoil or Length of pull (LOP).

Since Oct, when I got the gun, I've put around 200 rnds of #4 bird, 250 rnds of #00 buck, 60 rnds of 3" magnum 600grain slugs, and ~450 rnds of 1oz slugs through the gun. I've had - ZERO - jams, or feed problems.

Cleaning mainly with boresnake only... (opps!)

So just last week, doing some patterning on 00 buck (many differnt brands), I started having a problem on my 18.5" setup not wanting to fully eject rounds therefore I had to "double-pump" the gun - I took it down to a gunshop this morning, and the guy laughed at me and told me to use solvent (not just a boresnake) - as I have melted plastic goo in the chamber.

Oh! Almost forgot... Also I ended up on a camping trip in the Mt Shasta area for several days, the gun stayed nicely in hand w/18.5" barrel installed, and 00 buck loaded (5 rnd mag), during hikes with friends, it was an easy extra the whole time. At night back at the cabin the gun rested in my SKB dry-tek case (http://www.skbcases.com/sports/product/shooting/drytekbags.html. ) sitting on the outside "shooting deck" all night with many other guns exposed to the elements - several other people complained about finding mild rust on their weapons after the trip. I had no problems with mine.

Anyway, hope this helps!

A very happy Mossberg 500 12g owner,

Michael
 
EJJR My 2 cents

If you plan on doing alot of hiking and are looking for a self-defense gun.Look at Mossbergs "Cruiser" in either 20GA or .410. They weigh in at 5 1/2 lbs. If by self defense you mean the two legged kind either should efficiently deter an attack. I know they would change my mind.
Thanks Blueclaw
 
Thanks all, all perspectives are welcomed and appreciated.

So, I went to the local Dick's Sporting-goods and handled a few different SG's
( Moss 500/590, Rem 870, Benelli SuperNova) Handled pistol-grip only, full stock with pistol grip and full "traditional" stock models.

Long story made short, I prefer the "traditional" stock the best. Over-all the Benelli's had the best ergonomics for me. Moss and Rems seemed to possess more rattling than the Benellis; (Though I'm not sure if this isan issue related to manufacturing or in-store demo'ing/handeling.) and felt "cheaper" even though the Benelli's had more plastic. ( no bash intended, just my intial perception to the models I actually handled.)

mcubed4130: Very informative post, ty. It gave me an idea that I hadnt previously hadnt considered. Perhaps I should just consider using a dry bag. Can get a Class 5 (Waterproof and submersible to depths greater than 12 feet.) roll-up dry bag for less than $100.


I guess all that is left is to wait until I can actually test-fire them to see if my intitial preferences remain the same.
 
Big5 Sporting Goods offers 870s and Mossy 500s about every 3-4 weeks for about $240 for the Mossy in either 5-shot with a hunting bbl and a 20 cyl bore or the 8-shot Persuader, about $100 more for the 870. Either is a good deal. The 870 is the best best pump 12 shotty period, the Mossy is the best for the $. I have a Persuader next to the old fart sack plus a 9mm handgun.
 
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