As far as tactical, that means different things to different people. For a combat shotgun, I don't think you can go wrong with an 870 Remington pump in 12 gauge. I've got one with three different barrels and a wood stock. I love it. I have used 870's to hunt big and small game. I've shot skeet and trap with them (not well, but it's me and not the gun, though the weight is a bit much). I've never used one in a gun fight, but I've got a few aquaintances who have used them in Vietnam, cops who have carried them in raids, and my father used one in a gun fight as a cop (although 30 years ago). For a shotgun, the 870 is hard to beat.
However, I've also owned a Moss. 500. I didn't dislike that shotgun. There wasn't anything wrong with it. If it's a home defense shotgun, there probably isn't much difference. I like the feel of the action on the 870 better, but it doesn't really matter much. If you find a Mossberg that you like, I couldn't tell you you did wrong.
Two issues. I've had to use shotguns, in training and in the field, that weren't mine. The out of the box 870 or 500 work just fine. However, I cut about an inch and half off the stock on my 870, and replaced the recoil pad with a plastic butt. That fixed the pull for me, and I've found the rubber recoil pad to be a hinderence to mounting the shotgun quickly. The rubber recoil pad, for me, catches on everything. The other "tactical" feature I'd like are peep or "ghost ring" rear sights.
I've used an aimpoint electronic dot sight, and I liked it. My current shotgun just has rifle sights. For home defense, I don't think you need more than 5 rounds, but I'd hate to be wrong. If things go that bad that you shoot two rounds and something's still going on, top off that shotgun as soon as you can.
A pump shotgun is just as fast as a semi-auto. It just takes some practice, and if you have a pump, it will never jam because of the pressure in a shot load or because the gas system is dirty. A pump is just as fast as a semi-auto. You can cycle the action on a pump faster than you can reaim. I had my doubts until a training session where I saw a guy empty a pump shotgun like it was a full auto. It wasn't practical, but it did build my confidence in the weapon.
However, I've also owned a Moss. 500. I didn't dislike that shotgun. There wasn't anything wrong with it. If it's a home defense shotgun, there probably isn't much difference. I like the feel of the action on the 870 better, but it doesn't really matter much. If you find a Mossberg that you like, I couldn't tell you you did wrong.
Two issues. I've had to use shotguns, in training and in the field, that weren't mine. The out of the box 870 or 500 work just fine. However, I cut about an inch and half off the stock on my 870, and replaced the recoil pad with a plastic butt. That fixed the pull for me, and I've found the rubber recoil pad to be a hinderence to mounting the shotgun quickly. The rubber recoil pad, for me, catches on everything. The other "tactical" feature I'd like are peep or "ghost ring" rear sights.
I've used an aimpoint electronic dot sight, and I liked it. My current shotgun just has rifle sights. For home defense, I don't think you need more than 5 rounds, but I'd hate to be wrong. If things go that bad that you shoot two rounds and something's still going on, top off that shotgun as soon as you can.
A pump shotgun is just as fast as a semi-auto. It just takes some practice, and if you have a pump, it will never jam because of the pressure in a shot load or because the gas system is dirty. A pump is just as fast as a semi-auto. You can cycle the action on a pump faster than you can reaim. I had my doubts until a training session where I saw a guy empty a pump shotgun like it was a full auto. It wasn't practical, but it did build my confidence in the weapon.
) and one of their extended safetys on a 870.