Best value in a Mossberg 500 18.5 hi-cap ?

[Slackdaddy]

My adult son is looking for a home defense weapon, I talked him into a 12 or 20 shotgun, unless he plans to practice a lot with a pistol.
He is familiar with my Mossberg shotguns and likes the "On Top" safety vs a rem cross bolt.

1) Is Mossberg the only one with the on top style slide safety?
2) What is the best budget model M500 style HD shotty ?,, prob a 12ga, he is 6-5 and 225#

 

[tosainu1]

I would do a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 20 gauge that's a great value

 

[outrider58]

I'm not a big proponent of shotguns for HD, but struck out on top safety receivers other than Mossberg.
Shotguns do have a problem with over penetration. If that's not a problem, then...
Shotguns can be a bit unwieldy in tight spaces. It depends on his situation, of course.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I would do a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 20 gauge that's a great value

The Maverick has a crossbolt safety down at the trigger guard.

 

[Slackdaddy]

I'm not a big proponent of shotguns for HD, but struck out on top safety receivers other than Mossberg.
Shotguns do have a problem with over penetration. If that's not a problem, then...
Shotguns can be a bit unwieldy in tight spaces. It depends on his situation, of course.

Understood,
But in my sons case, he will not at this point in his life become proficient with a handgun,
His budget is roughly $250 - 300
A carbine is only going to be about 3" shorter and twice the price.

 

[outrider58]

Understood,
But in my sons case, he will not at this point in his life become proficient with a handgun,
His budget is roughly $250 - 300
A carbine is only going to be about 3" shorter and twice the price.

I prefer AR9 pistols. Short, light, and maneuverable, but I understand everyone has their own preferrences.

 

[HappyCamper]

I had my eye on this auction, but don't really need another one. It looks like it's in really good shape. 20" long tube.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1019982677

 

[tosainu1]

The Maverick has a crossbolt safety down at the trigger guard.

Yes your right I forgot that and that's the reason I sold mine for cheap back in the day...

 

[Worsley]

I prefer AR9 pistols. Short, light, and maneuverable, but I understand everyone has their own preferrences.

I also am a big fan of AR9 pistols and regret getting the can for my 5.56 first....

 

[RRomig]

My adult son is looking for a home defense weapon, I talked him into a 12 or 20 shotgun, unless he plans to practice a lot with a pistol.
He is familiar with my Mossberg shotguns and likes the "On Top" safety vs a rem cross bolt.

1) Is Mossberg the only one with the on top style slide safety?
2) What is the best budget model M500 style HD shotty ?,, prob a 12ga, he is 6-5 and 225#

I need to move some stuff out. I’m in a mood to deal.
Very very little use and have box

Mossberg 500 Persuader

Price reduced

www.mdshooters.com

 

[Biggfoot44]

I would do a Mossberg Maverick 88 in 20 gauge that's a great value

The Maverick 88 has a push button safety . For the tang safety , you need an actual Mossberg 500 .

 

[19smiller]

Finding a 500 for less than $300 shouldn’t be too hard. They sell on gunbroker for around $250 all day depending on configuration. Keep your eye out at local stores and I am sure you can find one. They were also sold as Westernfield and maybe New Haven (box store brand mossberg), so if you see one of those it’s the same thing. If you are set on a shotgun, the 500 is a solid choice, it won’t disappoint. I’ve set one up for my dad and another for my brother-in-law.

 

[slsc98]

Understood,
But in my sons case, he will not at this point in his life become proficient with a handgun,
His budget is roughly $250 - 300
A carbine is only going to be about 3" shorter and twice the price.

Unfortunately, $250-$300 were 1990’s mebbe 2000’s prices and isn’t going to get him a new Mossberg 500 today, unless he can find one used (if then)

If you have an FFL dealer that won’t charge you too much to do the transfer the best way I’ve found is to find the *new* gun I’m after at the lowest price available on gun.deals.com or wikiarms.com, have the FFL email or fax a copy of his FFL to that vendor, create my own login on the vendors website, purchase the gun via credit card, and designate the FFL to receive the gun:

https://gun.deals/search/apachesolr_search/015813505161?suggestion-term=Mossberg%20500

RifleGear is a frequent go-to for me as they do not charge any tax and, iirc, their shipping is only $20 or so. VERY good vendor to do business with:

Mossberg 500 12GA 18.5" 6rd Shotgun w/ Heat Shield & Pistol Grip

Mossberg 500 12GA 18.5" 6rd Shotgun w/ Heat Shield & Pistol Grip

www.riflegear.com

FFL finder, by zip code: https://duckduckgo.com/?t=h_&q=ffl+finder+by+zip+code&ia=web

 

[Pale Ryder]

Walmart every day price for a M500 20g is $297. It comes with either a 21 or 24 inch barrel??

 

[King Chicken]

I need to move some stuff out. I’m in a mood to deal.
Very very little use and have box

Mossberg 500 Persuader

Price reduced

www.mdshooters.com

Someone buy this! Hot DEAL!
Wish I could.

 

[hogarth]

I'd get the 12 ga with 18.5 inch barrel. Easier to maneuver and the 6 or 7 shells it holds are adequate for home defense. 12 ga provides more options for self defense ammo.

 

[Sirex]

The Maverick 88 is the budget Mossberg, but ahs the crossbolt safety. Look at local gunshops for a used Mossberg 500 with the tang safety. I have seen plenty out there. I like the Mossberg over most other shotguns for the fact I could repair it if needed, and I also like the tang safety. Many gunshops also have Westernfield 550 shotguns, which were just Mossberg 500s rebadged for Montgomery Wards. They typically have longer barrels, but are cheaper. You could always buy a cheap 18.5" barrel, and sell the long barrel. I've done that twice.

 

[Slackdaddy]

Thanks for all the advice,, this info is for my son who lives out of MD

 

[Uncle Duke]

Were I to have my wish, given preference coupled with what I'm most used to, every long gun made would have a tang safety. If your son is used to a 500 tang safety, I wouldn't deviate from it on a defensive shotgun. I would personally opt for another 500, and retain that familiarity.

I shoot 3 different shotguns, all with a safety in different locations. Tang, behind trigger guard, and in front of trigger guard. Fun to switch guns. But more than once, on the comparatively low pressure stakes of a rolling rabbit, I've reached for a safety that isn't there.

To me, with a defensive shotgun in mind? That's a rather sobering fact.

 

[joppaj]

Mossberg 500 Retro
- 12 Ga
- 18.5” barrel
- smooth bore
- very good overall condition


Sticker price: $395
MD Shooters price: $350

Call us at 301-585-4448!

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