Field/Security Pump Shotguns

Major Commander

Major Commander

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I'm researching a Field/Security combo pump Shotgun, mainly for (nuisance) Bear defence (hopefully I'll never have to use it for that). The prices for the 2 barrel combos aren't much more than for the single barrelled gun, and maybe someday I'll want to use the longer barrel. I don't plan on shooting it much after I've worked with it to find the load it likes, and to achieve competence with it.
I checked the supporting dealers first; these are the best prices & information that I've found on the web so far:
1. Stevens 350 F/S Pump Combo, 3", 18.5" Cylinder bore & 28" Vent rib, Multichoke, bottom load/eject,button safety, synthetic stock, bead sights, capacity 5. $250. @WSS
2. Mossberg 500 (it may be a Maverick Model 88, as it is black in the photo and Mossberg does not list a black 500 F/S) F/S Pump Combo, 3", 18.5" Cylinder bore, & 28" Vent rib, fixed modified choke, side eject,top tang safety(judging by the poor photo), synthetic stock, bead sights, capacity 5.
$290. @Cabela's
3. Mossberg 500 F/S Pump Combo, 3", 18.5" Cylinder bore & 28" Vent rib (doesn't specify choke), side eject, top tang safety, wood stock with cut checkering, bead sights, drilled & tapped for a scope, capacity 6 (2 3/4") $320.@ WSS

I've heard that the 350 has an awfully stiff trigger, the button safety is behind the trigger, and the 350 can be a pain to break down completely for cleaning; the 500 has a plastic tang safety and trigger guard (not sure about the 350's trigger guard). AFAIK they all have dual action bars.
Does anyone have any advice on these models as far as any advantages of one model over the other,(ie chioke compatability), or deficiencies,weakness in these models? Any advantage of the wood stock over the synthetic, other than looks?
Thanks for any input.
Yours, M.C.
 
The top tang safety is a definate bonus on the Mossberg, the last thing you need to worry about is "is the safety on or off" when being chased by a bear.
 
I like the top tang safety of my Mossberg 500 but did not like the fact it is make of plastic. I bought and installed a metal one and am now a happy camper.
 
The Maverick 5-6 shot has a standard lenght tube, and therefore all the mossberg standard barrels will interchange. 8-9 shot type has a longer tube, so other barrels will not fit.

The Maverick 88 has an aluminum receiver, and it the lightest (about 6 lbs) of the bunch because of it. Lighter is good it you are luggining it around, it kicks (slightly more) than a heavier one, but not bad.
 
I beat the #### out of my mossbergs. I have a 400g (500) and the 535ats combo deer/field. The 535 has taken over 4000 rounds from 3.5" turkey and buck loads to slugs to dirty promo loaded reloads and never had a problem. Its bounced out of my atv gun rack at 30mph altho scratched its not hurt. Always goes bang and patterns well. I paid $309 for the combo a couple years ago at cabelas. Its taken deer bear ducks geese turkey and all manner of small game. I've use it to break ice while duck hunting the plastic parts have held up. My 400g I have dual pistol grips and a 18.5" cyl barrel it is also indestructible I'd highly recommend the mossberg 500 series. There's many barrel options and stocks chokes and sites u can add to them. The top tang safety is a real plus. As for the stevens I've never handled one but I have an ithaca 37 bottom eject that has been flawless in function. It doesn't have any blueing left and it hasn't been taken apart in about 25 years. Held vertical when u touch the release it can almost kick out the empty its so smooth
 
I actually purchased the Mossberg combo you mentioned. ADVANTAGES: cheap to buy, easy to clean, fixed MOD barrel works great on waterfowl with steel shot, short security barrel patterns 00 buck very well, very light in weight, subdued finish. DISADVANTAGES: has rear sling lug no front sling lug, I had to tune the shell stop to keep rounds from jumping out of mag when firing HEAVY loads (easy to do) recoil is noticeable due to it's weight (hey it's a 12 gauge shotgun) I had to remove some burrs to smooth the action(or just shoot it alot) I do not consider the plastic safety and trigger guard to be a disadvantage unless it was going to be used in combat.
OVERALL RATING: This gun works great, is cheap to buy and is well designed and manufactured 9.5 out of 10.

regards Darryl
 
Thanks for the helpful info. I haven't been able to reply lately as I've been busy with my old dog.
I went to the Bracebridge gun show and shouldered an M500, Maverick and Savage. The Savage was new, the Maverick was well used and the M500 supposedly had 10 rounds down it. The Savage was the smoothest & tightest, looked really well made in & out. The safety wasn't in a good position for me. The Maverick was just worn, loose, and was missing one action bar, but still felt good. I could tell that it was still a good shotgun was probably great when new. The Mossberg 500 was solid, but not as smooth or substantial as the Savage, and the fore-end was a little loose/sloppy. The top safety was better positioned for me. All felt a little short for my monkey arms. Kind of apples to oranges comparison as they weren't all NIB, but helpful nonethe less.
I'm leaning towards the M500, but the feel of the Savage's action was the best. But it will have to wait for now; had to put the old girl down, got a big vet bill to pay.
Thanks for your help.
 
I'd go Mossy 500. The Maverick 88 is the same gun as a 500 only bare bones. No drilling and tapping, no metal slide under the foregrip, crossbar safety(not tang), and no sling lugs.

If you want to carry with a sling or possibly add a ghost ring to it get the mossberg 500 as trying to do this to a maverick 88 after market will cost you more. I have the mav 88 and carried it for a bush gun - they are cheap and reliable. You don't feel guilty beating it around the bush, and in the bush sloppy is good. It doesn't jam up if you get a grain of sand in the wrong spot.

Get the two barrel gun as well. At some point you might want to go bird hunting...I kind of regret not doing that but now I have a nice old Baikal single shot 12ga to use instead(USSR manufacture ;) )

Also for ammunition get Brenneke style slugs if you can find them, or if not use the 2 3/4" Federal 1.25oz slugs. You can use the 3" but the recovery time is significantly higher due to recoil and I don't think you gain much as the slugs are soft lead and expand a lot(meaning penetration may be less at higher velocities). If you're practicing use cheap winchester 1oz slugs as the point of impact at defense ranges is the same for all intents and purposes. Less recoil and cheaper to shoot, but still practice with the full power slugs of your choice when you can.

I personally set up clays on sticks at various ranges(usually out to 3-20m) and heights(whatever sticks are laying around to use) in a fan then unload on them as fast I can. Builds target acquisition and ranging skills. Also it's fun to watch things explode. :D

Also a limbsaver recoil pad is a good investment. About $50 and worth it.
 
Thanks for starting this thread Major Commander, (and sorry about your dog, we've lost two over the last 12 months, and it ain't easy) I am in the market for the same thing. I have a couple of questions to add to your thread if I may.

I have narrowed my choice in shotguns down to either the Mossberg 500 or 590 (due to left handedness mostly). The research I have done has indicated that the 500 has a closed mag tube making it difficult if not impossible to clean. If this is the case how does one remove/replace the plug to change from defense mode to bird mode??

I have read where 835 and 590 (6 shot only) barrels are interchangeable.( I understand there are a couple of 590s that are 590s in name only and still have the closed end mag tube of the 500 and as such would not be compatible.) Can anyone confirm or deny this?

Thanks all.
 
Major Commander said:
2. Mossberg 500 (it may be a Maverick Model 88, as it is black in the photo and Mossberg does not list a black 500 F/S) F/S Pump Combo, 3", 18.5" Cylinder bore, & 28" Vent rib, fixed modified choke, side eject,top tang safety(judging by the poor photo), synthetic stock, bead sights, capacity 5.
$290. @Cabela's
Click to expand...

I bought this package from Cabela's just two weeks ago. Does what it says on the box. Now I have a great camp/plinking gun as well as an easy-swap backup option to my Browning Silver for hunting. It's a Mossy 500, not Maverick, and it's a solid gun. Lots of accessories, generally decent out of the box.

wapitiwhacker said:
If this is the case how does one remove/replace the plug to change from defense mode to bird mode??
Click to expand...

To get the plug out, you just unscrew the barrel and remove it, and tilt the gun forward. The plug slide right out the front.

Major Commander said:
The Mossberg 500 was solid, but not as smooth or substantial as the Savage, and the fore-end was a little loose/sloppy. The top safety was better positioned for me.
Click to expand...

The fore end does not fit super tight, they're all just a bit loose. Oh well.

madtrapper143 said:
DISADVANTAGES: has rear sling lug no front sling lug
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As for the missing front sling swivel stud, you can actually buy one that screws into the mag cap screw to give you a sling mount point up front. I think it's like $5 or something.
 
Maybe I'm nuts but I wouldn't even look at the new shotguns for the purpose you are describing. You can buy a Winchester model 12 used , in good shape for around $250-$300 on the EE. Cut the barrel back to 18 inches and install a new bead. Remove the magazine plug(if there is one) and fill er full of 12 gauge slugs. There, you have a super shotgun for dealing with nasty critters at close quarters and high quality, good fit and walnut stocks besides.
If you happen to be a southpaw, grab an Ithaca 37 and do the same thing. The bottom ejection is quite popular with lefties. My 2 cents.
 
Mike Webb said:
Maybe I'm nuts but I wouldn't even look at the new shotguns for the purpose you are describing. You can buy a Winchester model 12 used , in good shape for around $250-$300 on the EE. Cut the barrel back to 18 inches and install a new bead. Remove the magazine plug(if there is one) and fill er full of 12 gauge slugs. There, you have a super shotgun for dealing with nasty critters at close quarters and high quality, good fit and walnut stocks besides.
If you happen to be a southpaw, grab an Ithaca 37 and do the same thing. The bottom ejection is quite popular with lefties. My 2 cents.
Click to expand...

I have been considering that option as well, but part of the reason for doing this the other way around is to get a newer gun capable of shooting steel. My only other shotgun right now is a Model 12 featherweight with a full choke barrel. I don't want to butcher the barrel or shoot steel through this shotgun, hence a $300.00 gun capable of both defence and hunting duties is attractive. I have to say tho', as a lefty I do love those Model 37s;)
 
wapitiwhacker said:
I have been considering that option as well, but part of the reason for doing this the other way around is to get a newer gun capable of shooting steel. My only other shotgun right now is a Model 12 featherweight with a full choke barrel. I don't want to butcher the barrel or shoot steel through this shotgun, hence a $300.00 gun capable of both defence and hunting duties is attractive. I have to say tho', as a lefty I do love those Model 37s;)
Click to expand...

If you want steel shot capability, you must be hunting waterfowl. Generally speaking, a short handy pump which is desirable for protection from large predators and small game hunting is going to be somewhat out of it's element in a duck blind. If you cut off an old Ithaca 37, steel shot wouldn't be an issue but it would be useless for waterfowl with no choke. I guess I misunderstood the original post, I thought you were looking for a knockabout camp gun.
 
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