Looking for input on Mossberg 500 2 barrel combo.

[eh-must]

Hello and thank you all for any help justifying/deterring a purchase.

I am looking for a first shotgun and am looking for some input.
I have done some searches and reading but just wanted to get a little CGN opinion.
It will be a bit of a multi purpose gun but not heavily used.
My in-laws have some land nearby that I can shoot on so once a month or so would be the busiest I can imagine.

My priorities for the gun will be:
1. simply having a shotgun to allow new shooters to try it (winning hearts and minds).
2. my own enjoyment of just shooting (punching paper, pumpkin disposal, etc.).
3. shooting clays (casually).
4. secondary firearm for self defense (if this is ever a valid reason for a PAL application).
5. participate in 3 gun (participate not compete with the big boys).
6. hunting (this is not likely but could I manage with it if I got invited on a hunt of some kind).

I understand that there is no "one gun to rule them all" however I would like to gain some experience with each of these of these activities first hand.
After gaining some experience I can then purchase a dedicated shotgun for the specific purpose and still effectively use this one for the other tasks.

I found what appears to fit the bill here but I'm wondering if there is anything else that I have totally missed.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/3964/mossberg-500-combo-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun
I would prefer to buy new because as I'm learning, I can at least know how and why it's not working because sure enough I will break or wear out some parts, not to mention any gremlins that can haunt any mechanical advice.

Thanks again for any advice and to those that read this whole post: .

 

[johnny-xring]

I applaud the decision for the Mossy--and the two barrel deal is a sure winner. There is always that back and forth debate about one maker being better than another. I have found that Mossbergs are very dependable and perform quite well. I have two--a 590 that I kind of made into a 590A1 (sights, heavier barrel) and a 500 SPX (I won it in a raffle). I didn't like the tactical stock on the SPX at first but the little thing really grew on me. I have a Remington 870 "Wingmaster" and would not part with it for anything. There are lots and lots of things to put on the 500 if you want to do so later on or just keep as is. Your priorities are sound and I think you will be happy with the purchase. One place to look for Mossberg parts and stuff down here: Havlin Sales (good people and I got the 590A1 barrel from them). Lots of other vendors but the only thing I would put on that 500 first thing is a good sling.

Go for it!

 

[Runningfool]

That is a great starter shotgun setup for sure. Did you know they have a 3 barrel combo? Field barrel, rifled barrel, and a turkey barrel with a set of chokes. It is very versatile and if you have access to land in SW Ontario then you would have access to turkey's and deer which makes 2 of those barrels very handy! The field barrel is great for just about everything else. Buying the 2 or 3 barrel combo is a great way to start and is much cheaper than adding barrels or dedicated turkey/deer guns down the road.

 

[lairdski]

The Mossy Combo was my first shotgun. No complaints, couldn't think of a better starter shotgun and the price is right.

 

[eh-must]

Johnny:
Thanks for your input. I love the look and reputation of the 590A1 and would consider it if all I wanted was a tactical shotgun. I guess it kinda handicaps some of the other sport shooting, and slightly more expensive. Every dollar saved on purchase is another box of ammo so that comes in yet again.
Cheers,
Aaron.

 

[eh-must]

Runningfool,
Thank you also for the input.
I saw the 3 barrel combo and love the camo patterns. I would lean toward that one if hunting was higher on my list of priorities. Would I be able to accomplish some of the same things with an 18.5" bbl shooting rifled slugs as with the 24" rifled bbl? Maybe not from the same ranges but still responsibly take a humane shot on an animal? I really should get out to a hunter safety course but again I can't spare it from the ammunition budget yet.
Cheers,
Aaron.

 

[frumpy]

The Mossberg 3 barrel combo was my first gun. The biggest issue I found with it is the aftermarket support. If you are planning on shooting 3gun stuff you may want to go with an 870. The biggest set back IMO is that you can not easily add a mag extension with the 500, you are pretty much stuck with a 5 shot tube. On my 870 right now I am running a +5 extension (9 total in the mag). If you decide you want to grab a shorter barrel it is very hard to find anything under 18.5" and if you do you are going to be paying for it.

As far as clays, if you are just using a hand thrower or cheap mechanical thrower (or even at the range just for fun) I wouldn't get hung up on having a long barrel, there is no reason you can't do it with a shorter barrel. I have taken my 8.5" grizzly out to break clays and had good results. I'd check out the 870 tactical or the norinci/dominion arms 870 clones.

 

[.30/06 FTW]

I bought that exact same gun from pretty much the same reasons as you. I'm not a big fan of shotguns, so I bought it pretty much as one gun to do a whole bunch of things decently. Overall, I'd say the gun has great value for your money, and I enjoy it quite a bit. The one downside to it I'd say is the forend. The action bars are permanently attached to the forend (the entire assembly is basically one piece). It's fairly flimsy which can cause some minor difficulties when cycling the action, so I bought a new slide action tube assembly and pre-ordered a Magpul forend which will hopefully make things better.

Here are some pics of what I've done to mine (keep in mind I still have the other barrel so this was mostly cosmetic):

 

[eh-must]

I've been really busy, but wanted to say thank for the latest input.

 

[1970cyclone]

I looked at this shotgun and the Mossberg 535 ATS (also sold at Cabelas) and purchased the 535 because it comes with 3 screw in chokes and the slug barrel is rifled. I paid 389.99 + gst.