Ithaca M-37 
Posted on 11/05/2008 7:44:40 PM PST by Westchester
First-time poster with honest question. I'm buying a shotgun for home defense and hunting purposes should the need for survival arise soon (have numerous rifles already but no shotgun).
But it's been a LONG time since I've been around a shotgun and I have several extremely basic questions. First, will the Mossberg 500 do me fine for the two purposes above or do I need to upgrade to the 535 because it can use up to 3 1/2 inch? Second, what's the difference and why do I need to care? Keep in mind I only need it either to unload on an intruder or to kill birds and whatnot if I have no other food source.
The next question...I was in a hurry to buy ammunition tonight after the things I've read in the last 24 hours. WalMart has Federal 12-gauge shells, 2 3/4 inch, 8 shot for $4.67 a box so I bought a bunch of boxes just now. Is this usable stuff for the reasons I need it or should I make the next batch something different?
Thanks in advance for all your help. I know how enthusiastic about guns all of you out there are, but please bear in mind I need ONLY these questions answered. :)
The Mossberg gets the nod here because it has a tang safety.
A Mossberg is a good shotgun, but unless it is a strictly financial consideration, and you have to get a pump gun, I'd recommend that you buy a Remington 870.
It may be a bit more expensive (maybe not if you shop around), but there are far more choices for parts and accessories available for the Rem.
It's dead simple to shoot (as is the Mossberg, to be fair), reliable, and the fit and finish are far superior to the Mossberg. You'll have a family heirloom that will last for generations.
The selection of alternate barrels alone make it a better selection. You can go from short-barreled home defense, to a 30” goose, to 26” Skeet/Trap barrels (and a huge selection of others) in seconds.
I've had one for over 30 years, and after 10’s of thousands of shells, it's as good today as the day I bought it (maybe better, it's loosened up to be as smooth as silk).
Again, just my opinion.
And upgrade to a tritium front sight bead or HiViz at the very least.
OO Buck is the best ammunition for home defense. Its like throwing 9 .38 special rounds at the same time! Its what we carry in our patrol cars, extremely efficient! The Mossberg 500 is a good choice, our dept. has those and Rem 870,s! NO need at all for the 3 1/2 chamber unless you plan to hunt turkeys, or deer. 3 1/2 shells are rather expensive too!
Why don’t you get real honest advice and go to a gun owners forum like GlockTalk.com, AR15.com etc instead of getting posters to brag about what they have and the possibility this information will be mined and used against gun owners in the future.
Ithaca M-37
[1] The 500 is fine. 31/2” shells give a lot more kick than you need, and are basically really suited for geese. 3” is plenty for duck and home defense, and 23/4 are good for pheasant. You can shoot both out of the 500.
[2] Go with #4 for inside [won’t go through walls], double aught outside. Use birdshot for birds. Try to get heavi-shot, or something similar, plus chokes for the birds.
[3] Consider a really good recoil pad, especially if you decide you have to have 31/2”. Pump shotguns kick like hell. Also, for home defense, consider a small flash light, and possibly a ghost ring sight. For hunting, check out rifled slugs for deer.
I use my 500 with an after-market, 28” barrel for hunting birds. For other “game”, I have the short barrel and a folding stock for tight quarters. This is also the 8-shot model.
Get some #00 for defense.
Also, 12 gauges are by no means a requirement. All gauges of shotguns have approximately the same muzzle velocity; It's the throw weight of shot that is the only real difference throughout the various gauges.
Second that.
This is the best response of the thread. Even a 410 will kill at homeowner range.
Speaking as an NRA Instructor with 20 years experience, a pump isn't necessarily the way to go, even for somebody that's not a novice any longer, but not yet a "pro." Under EXTREME pressure like that which you're likely to experience in a hostile situation, there is the frequent tendency to "short stroke" the pump to chamber a new round having fired the first. If this happens you'll get a "double feed jam" and it will require a gunsmith to solve the problem. You'll probably be dead so that's an issue for your kin after the will is read. Contrary to popular belief (ie Hollywood MYTH) it is possible to miss with a shottie inside the home, thus requiring the followup shot.
That's why I always recommend a semi auto shotgun for home defense. If it's not going to do double duty as a real hunting piece there are three top of the line choices: The Benelli M2 & M4, the Beretta tactical and the Remington Tactical 1100. I personally own a much older Benelli and couldn't be happier.
There is a Taurus handgun that also fits the bill. Don't have time to post a link to the video for THE JUDGE that's on their website but it's pretty impressive. Maybe somebody else here can do this?
Dang they are $5.50 here.
Me too. Much more Lefty friendly.
Can't understand why other mfgrs. haven't seen the light as to LH shooters.
ever shoot an 870 and a 500 back to back? the recoil on the 870 seems a lot nicer too.
That’s what I thought until I put a pistol grip full stock on mine. I can no longer reach the safety with my thumb so the 870 gets the nod. The plastic tang safety also has to be replaced with one from Brownell’s.
The guy should just buy an extra barrel. On the other hand, it doesn’t take much to buy another shotgun.
Yes, this is starting to be ridiculous. At one time there were about six very knowledgeable gun people on this board and all you needed to do was ping them. Now it’s getting to be smartass answers and vanity posts.
That revolver has been shown to be useless except for impressing people who don’t know better. Go to the box of truth website.
Mossberg 500 is my home defense weapon. I use #4 Buck. Good Choice. It’s also the shotgun issued to members of our military who depend on a shotgun every day.
A Mossberg is a good shotgun, but unless it is a strictly financial consideration, and you have to get a pump gun, I’d recommend that you buy a Remington 870.
You might also look at the Remington 870 Express line.
They are the 870 model but not as “finished” as the higher grade guns. (not as polished etc) and are cheaper ... probably under $200.00 unless they have gone way up
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