Guys, Greetings from Manila! I need your advice on my choice of a mossberg 500 with wood pistol grips,16 in barrel or a standard stock 590( mil spec)....I heard that a pistol grip only shotgun will have more shove or recoil compared to a standard stock pumpgun...may I please have your comments/experiences? The two models are my only choice at my favorite gunstore...I will use the pumpgun for home defense and occasional car gun when going to unfriendly neighborhoods...I live in a condominium thus I want my pumpgun to be handy in case of trouble requiring me to use a narrow stairway... Hope to hear from all soon, thanks in advanced....Clarence
Pistol grip mossberg 500 or Full stock 590
- Thread starter clarence
- Start date
Agree w/ above
I have 20", 8 round 500, "special purpose"...I put folding stock/pistol grip on it....With stock folded its difficult to control (maybe I need front PG as well)at least with heavy loads, but very compact...Would only use it this way "in a pinch"...Given half a second, I'd open stock and shoulder weapon, much more controllable...The other downside with PG on Mossberg, is safety not easily accessible...I practice working the safety, still a little weird
I have 20", 8 round 500, "special purpose"...I put folding stock/pistol grip on it....With stock folded its difficult to control (maybe I need front PG as well)at least with heavy loads, but very compact...Would only use it this way "in a pinch"...Given half a second, I'd open stock and shoulder weapon, much more controllable...The other downside with PG on Mossberg, is safety not easily accessible...I practice working the safety, still a little weird
PG only shotguns are much harder to use effectively. After HAVING to qualify with them, and after hundreds of rounds, any shotgun use by me will be with a full stocked shotgun. And, except for contact distance AS scenarios, it'll be shouldered.
All Mossies are hard to actuate the safety with PGs.
And, until we have hinges installed in our forearms, there's no real advantage to using a PG.
Folders are borderline. I recognize that storage and carry concerns may dictate their use, but they're more punishing to the shooter.
All Mossies are hard to actuate the safety with PGs.
And, until we have hinges installed in our forearms, there's no real advantage to using a PG.
Folders are borderline. I recognize that storage and carry concerns may dictate their use, but they're more punishing to the shooter.
I can confirm that a Mossberg 500 with a full buttstock and rear pistol grip makes operation of the safety a bit awkward... even after lots of live and dry fire practice.
If you search this thread you'll find lots more comments like Dave McC's about how pistol-grip only shotguns are way harder to learn and use... and are probably not a good idea.
If you are going to practice a lot, the recoil of a 12 ga will probably become a factor in your enjoyment and willingness to continue practicing. I can't imagine shooting as much as I do now with a pistol-grip-only gun... ouch.
--Bruce.
If you search this thread you'll find lots more comments like Dave McC's about how pistol-grip only shotguns are way harder to learn and use... and are probably not a good idea.
If you are going to practice a lot, the recoil of a 12 ga will probably become a factor in your enjoyment and willingness to continue practicing. I can't imagine shooting as much as I do now with a pistol-grip-only gun... ouch.
--Bruce.
Jim Watson
New member
I saw a shooter who, after many misses shooting a pistol grip Mossberg from the hip, raised the gun to eye level to take aim. The recoil straight back into his face knocked out a tooth. I have heard of other cases.
Get the straight stock and have it cut off to the shortest length you can use without your thumb hitting you in the mouth.
The 16 inch barrel - not legal here, the minimum in the USA is 18 inches - should make it portable enough.
Get the straight stock and have it cut off to the shortest length you can use without your thumb hitting you in the mouth.
The 16 inch barrel - not legal here, the minimum in the USA is 18 inches - should make it portable enough.
Guys,
Thank you so much for all your response/advise.....sure appreciate your taking time out to lend your insights/experiences...now I think I am prepared to decide which model to get....One more thing...I find the full stocked mossberg 590 a bit heavy...is it really that way? Some full stocked brands seem a bit lighther....would appreciate some advise...Thank you and hope to hear from you guys some more before I finally order my pumpgun...
Thank you so much for all your response/advise.....sure appreciate your taking time out to lend your insights/experiences...now I think I am prepared to decide which model to get....One more thing...I find the full stocked mossberg 590 a bit heavy...is it really that way? Some full stocked brands seem a bit lighther....would appreciate some advise...Thank you and hope to hear from you guys some more before I finally order my pumpgun...
Clarence, you're very welcome.
As to shotgun weight,most folks do better with a "Serious" shotgun of more than 8 lbs. The weight soaks up recoil and aids the swing through inertia. Believe me, after carrying it a bit, it'll not strike you as heavy. Since both my trap gun and slug shooters run 8 to 9 1/2 lbs, a standard 870 feels like a pixie wand in comparison.
As to shotgun weight,most folks do better with a "Serious" shotgun of more than 8 lbs. The weight soaks up recoil and aids the swing through inertia. Believe me, after carrying it a bit, it'll not strike you as heavy. Since both my trap gun and slug shooters run 8 to 9 1/2 lbs, a standard 870 feels like a pixie wand in comparison.
I agree with dfaugh and Hkmp5sd,
get a folding stock.
With the stock folded it is very maneuverable in tight spots and still can lay down effective fire at very short ranges (in tight apartments). When the range opens out to several yards or so, then unfold the stock. Magnums are more of a handful than they are worth at that range, unless you really want the impact of 000 buck (then unfold it or be prepared for partially stoved wrists until you get used to such loads)
And yes, it is possible to use a two-handed grip way out there like a pistol, but the recoil also partially racks the action. Okay for novelty but not recommended except to say you did it.
get a folding stock.
With the stock folded it is very maneuverable in tight spots and still can lay down effective fire at very short ranges (in tight apartments). When the range opens out to several yards or so, then unfold the stock. Magnums are more of a handful than they are worth at that range, unless you really want the impact of 000 buck (then unfold it or be prepared for partially stoved wrists until you get used to such loads)
And yes, it is possible to use a two-handed grip way out there like a pistol, but the recoil also partially racks the action. Okay for novelty but not recommended except to say you did it.
nascarnhlnra
New member
IMHO I would go with the full buttstock (synthetic material) for control, ease of safety operation ( On Mossy ) and I find the recoil much more manageable compared to the pistol grip. I personally don't care for pistol grips more for Hollywood but not fun in reality at all even for a big guy. Like others said the heavier gun will also help tame the 12g.