Please. Ensure you are both trained to use it safely.
My rule, which I am working on following, is that a person should have no fewer than three firearms.
1 sidearm, 1 rifle, 1 shotgun.
So far I only have a rifle. I’m working up toward the other two purchases. I’m also fairly new to the world of owning firearms.
Sounds like you picked up a decent weapon. If you have ANY intention of ever using the pistol grip, though, I’d go ahead and attach it and get used to it. A little change is really a big change when you suddenly need to use something. Others here may disagree with me. Default to their advice. I’m still really new.
Better to have it and never need it, then need it and not have it.
Also, get some dummy rounds and practice cycling with shells in the magazine. Takes more force and feels different than empty cycling. Your wife especially might not rack the action forcefully enough to chamber a shell.
And of course, get out and shoot with the thing. Have to be familiar with it in operation.
One of the departments I used to work for issued the 500ATP in 12ga for a trunk gun, and we found them to be very reliable. Good choice, just make sure you and your wife shoot it enough to feel comfortable with it. I have several “war stories” from my 20+ year police career where just the sound of the action being worked was enough to defuse a dangerous situation.
Just make sure you know how to use it safely.
Probably the next thing to do is pattern it to see just where it shoots. If the pistol grip allows one to keep the butt stock too then it might be a good idea to attach it.
My Winchester pump with a pistol grip and normal length stock, feels much better in my arthritic hands than the original. If it is simply one of those which shortens the length, then either throw it away or sell it.
I lost all my guns in a boating accident
Good choice for home D.
You might also want to pick up a .22 rifle for general firearms learning and training. Much less intimidating, and less tiring, to shoot than a 12 ga., and better for learning marksmanship. And you can shoot all day for a small cost.
I like the Henry lever-action, Ruger 10/22, Savage bolt-action... but there are many good .22’s.
Congratulations. I need to add one of those to my collection as well. If you decide to get a 22 rifle, might I suggest the Ruger 10/22 for a good dependable affordable addition.
One thing to be aware of with the Mossberg regarding the use of pistol grips is that the slide release is to the left and slightly behind the trigger guard. The pistol grip will make it awkward to depress the button unless you are shooting left-handed.
That Mossberg is a fine choice. For a personal defense shotgun I prefer it over the Remington 870.
You mentioned purchasing two more firearms so I hope you’ll accept a bit of unsolicited free advice.
You need a handgun and I recommend a decent used .357 magnum revolver. You should be able to find one by S&W, Taurus, or others for less than $400 or so. If you can find a Model 19 S&W for that price, life is very, very good.
Then you need a rifle. I’m going way off the usual reservation here and will recommend a quality, used bolt action rifle by Winchester or Remington chambered in either .308 or 30-06 caliber. Have a qualified gunsmith look at any used firearm before you purchase. It’s worth the small fee.
I think you’ll find if you go this route you’ll have perfectly serviceable defense weapons and you’ll have saved a ton of money that you can put into ammunition and, more importantly, time at the range.
Now for that Mossberg see if you can scare up some of the Federal Low Recoil Tactical buckshot loads. At close range, where you’d use them, they’re devastating.
For slug loads get some of those Federal Copper Solids. You’ll want some standard #6 birdshot rounds for inside the house. Trust me, they’ll stop an intruder dead, and I do mean dead, in their tracks inside of about 20 feet and won’t overpenetrate your drywall.
Now get thee to an instructor and learn how to use that thing!
Best,
L
And throw that pistol grip in the trash. Just trust me.
The Mossberg 500 12 ga. is my choice, as well. I put the pistol grip on it the first day I got it, because that makes it shorter, and more wieldable in an inside environment. I actually taught myself to shoot it from the hip and have become pretty accurate at hitting targets up to about 50 feet out that way.
Check out YouTube for some videos/tips on cleaning and maintenance, you'll be glad you did.
I’m jealous. A Mossberg has been on my to-do list for years.
You made the best choice for the first defense weapon, IMO. Learn as much about safety as you can, and use repetition a lot to make safety steps second nature.