Thinking of getting a shotgun

[Fang]

I'd like to purchase a shotgun for the home (because these armed invasions are starting to get irritating) and wanted to get some feedback on what I was considering.

After performing some research, current inclination points to the Mossberg 500 Special Purpose (http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_336/products_id/39622). The ergonomics sound more appealing than the Remington 870: The slide release is in a more convenient location, the shell lifter doesn't hang down when in battery (permitting easier loading) and, most importantly, it uses a tang safety. I shoot clays fairly frequently, so I get a lot of practice disengaging the tang safety on an over/under.

Why a 500 instead of a 590? For one, it's two inches shorter (18 vs. 20) and holds only five rounds; i.e. it's more compact, and lighter at the muzzle when fully loaded. It doesn't have a heat shield sitting on the top and comes stock with the bead sights to which I'm accustomed. It also comes with a pistol grip; although I'd probably never use it, it would be nice to have as an option. Finally, it's cheaper, which is better as long as it doesn't mean quality is sacrificed.

Any feedback, information, or considerations I've missed would be welcome.

[Clinotus]

I’ll be honest and tell you that right off the back I would suggest and applaud the Mossberg decision, further to that I would suggest a Mossberg 5xx in pistol grip – I mention this solely as your intent is to utilize this weapon for home defense (and perhaps for any SHTF situations).

You can move with ease throughout any environment with the Pistol Grip configuration as opposed to the full stock shouldered. Don’t listen to the many tales of woe on the internet about the pistol grip breaking your hand, it will leave you a bit sore, but it’s not a deal breaker by any means. And again in the interest of being upfront and honest, I have a Mossberg in pistol grip and I find that on the range with walking targets I’m extremely accurate with it vs. a stocked Mossberg.

But back to one of your original thoughts about the safety. One of the reasons that I prefer the Mossberg over the Remington is completely due to the safety’s position. On the Mossberg the benefit of a tang like means that for SHTF/HD situations you can simply manipulate the safety by pushing it forward with your thumb, thusly removing the need to move your hand out of position from the action at the exact moment that you need it there. The Remington on the other hand requires you depress the button from the left to the right to place the shotgun into fire mode. If you are moving from room to room, or backing into a room, the ability to be ready to fire within an instant from safety favors the Mossberg.

Again the ergonomics of the Mossberg shine thorough when it comes to the slide release, its position on the frame makes it any easy to manipulate with a single hand.

I think the aftermarket does tend to favor the Remington a lot more, things like stocks, Surefires, slings and so forth are in abundance. You can also sometimes find a cheap Remington Police Department trade in… But despite the cost I’ll still stick with my plain Jane no nonsense simple 500.

[Fang]

If I get the Mossberg, I may splurge on aesthetics and pick up some wood furniture: http://havlinsales.com/model500.htm . As mentioned, this would be primarily for the look and feel of it, but I don't see how it would hurt anything on an indoor gun.