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I bought a new Mossberg 500A 12 gauge that came stock with pistol grips, a 20" barrel, and a heat shield at the gun show this weekend in Fort Worth (where, by the way, a dealer discharged a 9mm round and was escorted out).

The shotgun has a capacity of 7-8 depending on shell size, and right now I've got 7 rounds of 2 3/4" #4 buckshot loaded, but nothing in the chamber.

(For those curious, it was just under $300. I saw a beefier 590A1 for $500 - and the dealer was willing to go down to $450, but it only held 5+1. I decided to go for capacity and cost since I'll want to add some options that both guns would need, the wife wasn't necessarily ecstatic at the new purchase, and I just can't see me ever needing the combat-readiness of the 590. If I ever have to use my shotgun for personal defense, unload it in the process, run out of handgun ammo, and have to proceed to beat the assailant with the shotgun to the point that it is damaged, I guess I've earned a shopping trip for a new one.)

Questions:
1. I'm interested in either a telescoping or folding stock. Does anybody recommend one kind over another? Specific brands / models? This shotgun is purely for home defense. I heard that some of the telescoping stocks aren't sturdy enough for the impact of a 12 gauge. I think I want to keep the pistol grip feature in any stock that I add.

2. I've considered adding saddles to hold additional shells. . . anybody prefer one sort over another? Cheaper Than Dirt had one for the receiver area.

3. Anybody use an aftermarket foregrip that they like? Any reasons to leave it alone?

4. Do you recommend ghost ring sights? It is pre-drilled to accept sights, but I'm not sure they are needed (especially for the cost. . . $80 at CTD).

5. Anything else that you would definitely recommend? I'm considering a sling, but it's probably not urgent. I don't think I need / want a lighting system.

Feel free to post pics of your home-defense shotguns if you've got 'em.

I like the Knox Industries. They make the Knox Copstock which is a folding style stock. They sale several different stock. They even have a six position stock like on ARs. I bought mine through Cabela's.

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Questions:
1. I'm interested in either a telescoping or folding stock. Does anybody recommend one kind over another? Specific brands / models? This shotgun is purely for home defense. I heard that some of the telescoping stocks aren't sturdy enough for the impact of a 12 gauge. I think I want to keep the pistol grip feature in any stock that I add.

I agree with carlson1: Knoxx is the way to go. Knoxx was recently purchased by Blackhawk; you can view info here: http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOp ... 58,165.htm.

2. I've considered adding saddles to hold additional shells. . . anybody prefer one sort over another? Cheaper Than Dirt had one for the receiver area.

If you choose a saddle, definitely pick one that's hardware mounted to the receiver (and make certain it doesn't interfere with action; that may mean settling for a 4-rounder). The cheap-o elastic sleeves are useless; all it takes is one time when you really want to get a shell out in a hurry and have that sleeve start running away from you as it slides or stretches, and you'll throw it right in the trash. BTW, best way to carry the shells on the saddle is primer down. Grasping that end of the shell from the bottom when you go to reload the tube saves you wasted motion. To do a single-round speed-load, you pull the shell downward, position it with the primer toward the pinky, then load it into the open receiver from the bottom (again, less wasted motion, and if you should lose your grip on the shell, your palm is still underneath it to catch the shell and allow you to roll it up into the receiver). BTW, I also prefer 00 buck to #4.

3. Anybody use an aftermarket foregrip that they like? Any reasons to leave it alone?

I don't like 'em for shotguns, but that's just my preference. They can snag on things, are more susceptible (IMHO) to short-stroking the pump, and if you ever have to use your shotgun as an impact weapon at close range, having that foregrip snap off would not be a convenient thing.

4. Do you recommend ghost ring sights? It is pre-drilled to accept sights, but I'm not sure they are needed (especially for the cost. . . $80 at CTD).

I think ghost rings are basically okay. The downside is that they may be susceptible to damage in an impact-required situation or if they smack against a solid object. Another option is to consider fixed handgun sights. A gunsmith can fit certain handgun sights to your shotgun. Lower profile than ghost rings and more durable; a bit slower sight acquisition, but you probably aren't gonna be shootin' sporting clays with this one.

5. Anything else that you would definitely recommend? I'm considering a sling, but it's probably not urgent. I don't think I need / want a lighting system.

I like slings. A fully-loaded 12-gauge is fairly heavy, and if you have to go to a handgun temporarily (house clearing, for example), you don't want to set the shotgun aside, and you don't want to have to carry it in your off-hand. I like a basic two-point sling for shotties. The best carry position when slung is strong-side shoulder, barrel to the rear, muzzle down (safer direction; faster presentation from slung position). But I think you'll find the pistol grip interferes with that, and you'll have to go with the muzzle up.

And if you ever get the chance, take a good tactical shotgun course. It'll be an eye-opener, even if you've been a shotgun hunter for years.


I need a new acronym: IANAE, "I Am Not An Expert." It's often difficult to write up a post without sounding like I know more than I really profess to know. I made a resolution a few years ago to be an avid, perpetual student, but I'll never be an expert. I've met some experts along the way, though--and I think we really do have some on this board--but I ain't one, so everything I say is just MHO.

Two things I think important on a home defense shotgun- sling and mounted flashlight. Sling helps with the weight of the weapon and the light won't add any weight to the gun, but will in most cases momentarily blind your target. I think that is to one's advantage in any home self-defense situation (nighttime of course). I personally don't like to add a saddle, seems cumbersome. I really doubt that for a home defense situation I'm gonna need 13 shotgun rounds.

I have a 590 with a ProMag 6 postion stock. I glued the factory recoil pad on it. Seems O.K. so far for $58.

I really wanted a Knoxx recoil reducing stock though, so I recommend that.

The only things I thought about adding was a sling and a laser. I have a 3" magnum 15 pellet buckshot in the chamber and 2.75" slugs and buckshot in the tube alternating.

GrayHawk wrote:I personally don't like to add a saddle, seems cumbersome. I really doubt that for a home defense situation I'm gonna need 13 shotgun rounds.

In my experience, if it's attached to the left side of the receiver, the extra shells are pretty much balanced at the gun's center of gravity. They change the weight of the shotgun, but not so much the balance...which I think is more important.

As to needing extra rounds, I keep four slugs on the side of my Tac2 870; the tube is charged with 00 buck. It isn't so much about needing more ammo as it is about needing different ammo. I want 'em there for hot-swap in case the situation calls for a slug.

So for me, a few rounds on a saddle bespeaks the old, "Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."