Modifications to Mossberg 500 Tactical
 

Hey all,

I have a few questions about what I'm wanting to do to my Mossberg 500 Tactical and was hoping the collective experience here will help me make the "right" decisions.

Right now I have Mossberg 500 Tactical (as stated above) http://www.mossberg.com/product/shot...l-6-shot/50420

What I'm looking at doing #1:
- Removing the adjustable stock and pistol grip then adding a "birdshead grip".

Why am I doing this?
1. I've read that it reduces the feel of the recoil
2. Reduce the length since this is primarily my home defense weapon
3. I am a right handed with a blind right eye. Now when I go shooting with my AR-15, I actually shoot left handed for aiming purposes. With my handguns I've taught myself to shoot right handed while aiming with left eye (not ideal but since I'm right handed I do not want to try to draw my CCW with a left hand).

When it come to a shotgun I've found the pistol grip to be better for me if I need it quickly, as in, i have been woken up in the middle of the night. Reason being, I can hold the gun out some and aim better then from the shoulder.

4. I think it looks awesome (being honest here :D )

Questions here:
What are your thoughts on this kind of grip? Are they worth it? Better than a pistol grip? Brand recommendations?


What I'm looking at doing #2:
- Adding a sidesaddle ammo carrier

Questions here:
Should I go 4, 5 or 6? I'm leaning towards 4 since I've read that 5 and 6 could interfere with the forend. Also, if I need to reload my home defense shotgun quickly, I'm probably not going to have time to get more than a few in anyways (plus I probably would need to learn to use it better :D ). Brand recommendations?

What I'm looking at doing #3:
- Adding a muzzle brake

Why am I doing this?
1. I've read that it helps in close quarters
2. Read/seen YouTube reviews that it could help if a intruder tried to grab at the barrel (sharp edges at the tip)
3. I think it looks awesome (being honest here :D )

Questions here:
Is this something I should consider adding for a home defense shotgun? If so, what type? Brand recommendations?

Thanks for any advise. I'm also open to seeing what modifications or changes you've all made to a tactical shotgun.

IMHO before you make any Mods to it, shoot it and see how it handles for you, but shoot it more then once.....

Also remember if you wake up you are still groggy and which means less control of the gun.

I like the pistol grip myself, also don't need muzzle brake IMHO for slugs or double ott Buck shot..................

Buy the extension for the shell tube like the LEO uses, then no need for ammo carrier


Here is the shotgun you need to find yourself, Compact and lots of ammo:

http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps577d67c6.jpg

Clyde

Thanks. I have shot this many, many times.

Agreed but based on room and hall sizes, I don't see any long risky shots being needed.

I've tried the pistol grips before. I was originally thinking a folding stock with pistol grip. Get the best of both worlds.

As for the muzzle brake. I'm not set on it yet. Just a thought as I am window shopping and researching right now.

Thought about this and would like to do it.

@NAMVET72 that shotgun looks like exactly what I need!

Birdhead and pistol grips are illegal in CT, so I'm going to reserve judgement on that until I arrive in a FREE State. In my (limited) experience with shotguns and pistol grips, I'd recommend leaving the shoulder stock on. We think a "scattergun" will knock down everything, but the truth is, you still have to aim it, even at shorter distances. The spread on a 12 gauge at 10 feet really isn't "that" big. Yes, in the heat of the moment.... you can still miss with a shotgun.

I would concur with Doc on the tube extension rather than a saddlebag. I found that they get in my way, while keeping 7 or 8 in the tube works just fine thank you very much.

Muzzle brake: Aside from maybe looking good, especially those door opener ones with the sharp corners.... you can expect a louder report when the gun is fired, as the gasses are coming out the sides. If you fire it inside the house without "ears on".... you're still going to have ringing ears for a couple hours, but the muzzle brake will make it even louder.

OOOPS! Clyde... That shotgun is illegal in Connecticut also. Too many rounds!

Let me throw one more thing into the mix here. I am a right handed with a blind right eye. Now when I go shooting with my AR-15, I actually shoot left handed for aiming purposes. With my handguns I've taught myself to shoot right handed while aiming with left eye (not ideal but since I'm right handed I do not want to try to draw my CCW with a left hand).

When it come to a shotgun I've found the pistol grip to be better for me if I need it quickly, as in, i have been woken up in the middle of the night. Reason being, I can hold the gun out some and aim better then from the shoulder.

NOTE: Added this to my original post

What isn't illegal in Connecticut? I hear slingshots are nice...

Slingshots are illegal there to, to many rubber bands.............:D:eek: Padre has to throw rocks..........:eek::eek::eek:

Clyde

My stones are registered with the State. Fact is.... they're so big they qualify as weapons. nannernannernanner

Is that why you are telling people you had to "register with the state"?

On one of my shotguns I use "cards" in place of a side saddle. They're velcro backed and (theoretically) you can carry a few and just tear 'em off and slap new ones one as needed. A bit too tacticool, you say? Well, perhaps but it also makes sense which is why I chose them. Moreover, you don't need to dicker around with your gun's hardware.

Here's an example:

http://www.originalsoegear.com/colle...a-shotgun-card

I would dump the pistol grip they are not very practical. I would love to have someone from Mossberg show me how you are supposed to work the safety with their pistol grip. Unless you have an 8" thumb you are SOL. I would replace the pistol grip stock with a standard stock. The butt of the stock comes in handy in close quarters. To accurately aim, you are going to need to go left handed. Take that into consideration when considering a side saddle. If you choose to go with a pistol grip only, the whole idea of a side saddle comes into question because you will not have the gun against your shoulder.

That is a very good point. The safety is very hard to reach with a pistol grip. Another point for the birdshead grip.

I think I'll avoid the sidesaddle for now and go with a 8 round tube extension.

I'm still leaning towards the birdshead grip. They aren't very expensive and I'd really like to at least try it out. If I don't like it I can always either a) put my pistol grip and adjustable stock back on. Or b) get a standard stock.

Thanks

No Jon... listen to me... you need to send me your Mossberg 500. I will use it, and keep it safe here in Connecticut. When I move away... it will still be safe. I promise... I will take care of it..... trust me... I'm your uncle. Really.... trust me, send me the Mossberg...... Send me the Mossberg...... Send me the Mossssssssbbbbbbbbeeeeeerrrrrrrrrgggggggggg.......
ROFL

K.I.S.S.


http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...ps20c6864a.jpg

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/i...psff87c280.jpg

You could always just get a Super-Shorty and be done with it. :D

Agreed, Keep It Simple.

http://i1032.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9d849bf6.jpg

I like the K.I.S.S method for shotguns but, for the OP's issue maybe not. Think about this...... maybe, mount one of those 45* pict rails on the receiver facing to the left. Then, mount a mini red dot or something similar to it. When you shoulder the weapon right handed, the red dot "might" (I have never tried it) line up with your left eye. Make sense?

For example..... http://www.amazon.com/TMS-Tactical-D.../dp/B0081LP992

Point it and shoot it....no need for dots....just a bead at the end of the barrel..
My one son likes a ghost ring, I don't know why, he shoots clay from the hip. The other son likes a single bead. He uses it, very well.

I understand that Joe but, I'm speaking for the OP's situation. I shoot clays with no bead or sight on the shotgun.

I actually really like this idea. The rail isn't expensive and I could always buy a lower end red dot to try it out.

I did order the birdshead grip to try that too. I think it will help with aiming when/if I have to shoot righty.

I 100% reccomend the birdshead raptor grip. I also have a stocked Benelli, so I have both setups. I have a raptor grip on my Mossberg cruiser, and I love it!!!! Just practice with it, and you will hit whatever you point at... well I do anyways.. I have no issues pointing and shooting and hitting a 6" object from 15-20 feet. The beautiful thing is the difference between a pistol grip and this grip. It's very natural and when firing you get this natural swing action, that prevents to grip from slammning into the web of your hand, and also lacks recoil. Alos the tang safety is easily accesible with the grip. I like going to my moms property and leveling 1-2 ft ant hills with it! It also is easier to clear rooms with the shorter length. You will be very happy with this setup! Do it!!!

I have a TLR-1, GG&G mount, 3G 7 round card side saddle, Choate ext, and don't forget that breacher muzzle can shear grabby hands, and knock the stupid off of faces!

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps75a1fc99.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps39bad4cc.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...ps16cebc07.jpg

Ghost rings are great for Slugging.. I have them on my Benelli Supernova. My mossy has a front bead, but I jsut shoot that one from the hip! :D