Thinking mossberg 535, is it the right first 12gauge choice?

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strider3700

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I never figured I'd have so much trouble picking a simple 12 gauge pump but between the 870 express, 870 wingmaster, mossberg 500, 535 debates/flamewars I think price is going to win out. I can't find anything other then hearsay saying that the 500's are worse then the 870's and most of the reviews I track down compare the 500 to the 870 wingmaster. That would be fine but there is a huge jump in price between the two.

Anyways All I want is a reliable 12 gauge pump that with appropriate shell choice can handle grouse, pheasant, duck, maybe geese and possibly if I drop in a slug deer. I want the flexibility of 2 3/4" and 3" working.

At this point I'm thinking 500 or 535 with a 28" barrel SIR has the 535 in synthetic for $277 and the 500 in laminated wood for $281
Since they both come with 3 chokes I figure I'm good to go. I don't care between wood and synthetic so I figured why not get the one capable of handling 3.5" shells just incase I feel like hurting my shoulder one day.

However I'm wondering will mossberg 500 accessories, barrels, whatever work on the 535?

I know that there is nowhere near as many accessories for the 500 available as there is for the 870 but 870 express is $366 with one choke and the wingmasters start at $736 with all 3 chokes

So is there a reason not to get the 535 over the 500? Am I missing something that makes a 870 express worth the extra $90? I did the hunt for the used wingmaster thing already and they aren't the most common here and I'd want to see anything in person if I was buying used but thats just me.
 
Russell's sells the 870 Express (3") for $339. It's a little closer to the price of a 535. The first shotgun I ever bought was a Mossberg 500, because the store was sold out of 870's and I was young and had to have a new gun wright then. It was replaced within a year at a loss to an 870 Express Synthetic which I have used ever since. There was nothing wrong with the 500, I just should have waited for the 870 to come in to get what I really wanted. If you really want an 870 but are settling for the 535 then save a while longer and get what you really want
 
Personaly I prefer the 535 over the 870 Exp. The 535 is lighter, the front bead is drilled and tapped not so on the 870 exp. Also the safety is where it should be. The factory Mossy recoil pad is good to, Rems is kinda hard.

For only a few bucks more you can get the Mossy 535 with smooth bore and fully rifle barrel.
 
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I bought the 535 waterfoul/black synthetic from SIR for the same reasons and am really happy with it. Going to do the hunting course and start stocking the freezer next season and I wanted a versatile hunting gun. Simple choke system, and super reliable gun. Has a recoil pad on the butt too which is nice for slugs, and the fibre optic sight is stock too.

From what I know, none of the 500 barrels or aftermarket stuff fits the 535. I don't really modify my guns anyways so I'm not at a loss. I'd probably only want to put ghost rings on it, if I were to mod at all anyways. It is also early in it's production (I think the 535 is only a year or so old) so optional stuff may still be on the way.

Cheers.
 
strider3700 said:
Why did you switch from the 500 to the 870? On paper there seems to be little difference between them
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Because it wasn't the 870 that I really wanted. The 500 shot fine but it didn't handle as well as all the 870's I've used.
 
Mossbergs 10 year warranty is worth considering as well.

I shoot a Mossy 835 Ulti-mag, and has been a good reliable shotgun for many years in the goose blind, and at the trap range.

No flys on the 870. Probably the most popular pump gun on the market, since the Ithaca Model 37.

Can't go wrong with either in my mind.
 
Thanks for the help everyone. A member on here with a great trader rep has offered me a barely used 535 combo for a great price so I've decided to go that route.
 
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