Home Defense/SHTF Shotgun?

Love it

Own 2 500s (alot like the 590, but not mil-spec and a few small differences)

Both are Iron Clad

Both are an essential part of my home defense/SHTF plans.

- Ryan

What is the difference between the 500 and the 590? the reason im looking at the 590 is mainly because it is used in the military, therefore one would think its better at combat situations.

jcabin said:

What is the difference between the 500 and the 590? the reason im looking at the 590 is mainly because it is used in the military, therefore one would think its better at combat situations.

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You'd think that...but from everything I've seen they're about the same.

590 has metal trigger guard instead of plastic, and a different barrel attachment mechanism.

I went with the 500 security because it was approximately half the price.

Anyone use a Saiga 12? I'm considering one myself...

Get the 590A1----->You'll love it!

Unless you have reason to believe that your home is going to be overrun by droves of doves, then a shotty is probably not as close-quarters friendly as is a good handgun. I pitty the home invader that gets a face full of what one of my Glocks will introduce him to.

IF I were going to use one of my shotguns for h.d., it'd be a semi-auto, not a pump. Ever tried to fire a pump from around a barrier or from a prone position?

I have a Mossberg 500 for home defense. Why shotgun? Cause if I am nervous and shaky, I want to cover the wall with buckshot and not worry about pin point accuracy. Why pump? Because I've never owned a semi auto shotgun that never jammed and I want to be darn sure I've got more than one shot if someone's shooting back. As much as I love my XD, even when I had more handguns, they were backup to the scattergun for my home defense arsenal.

Mercmar said:

Unless you have reason to believe that your home is going to be overrun by droves of doves, then a shotty is probably not as close-quarters friendly as is a good handgun. I pitty the home invader that gets a face full of what one of my Glocks will introduce him to.

IF I were going to use one of my shotguns for h.d., it'd be a semi-auto, not a pump. Ever tried to fire a pump from around a barrier or from a prone position?

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That's a good thought, but I keep my Mossberg for nightime HD. If the situation ever arises, I'm grabbing my 590A1 that sits in the corner of my bedroom and hunkering down. No need to shoot around corners- just cover the doorway. Anywhere else in the house, the pistol is always within arms reach.

fivehourfrenzy said:

The Mossberg 590 is a decent setup, but the build quality just doesn't quite match the 870.

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That is certainly debatable....

I have a 500 cruiser. It looks nearly identical to the 590 with one less capacity but a lot cheaper.

fivehourfrenzy said:

IMO if you want a pump, there's only one: Remington 870. The Mossberg 590 is a decent setup, but the build quality just doesn't quite match the 870.

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Can't speak for the 590 but I have two Mossberg 500's and also owned a Remington 870.

The 870 is a fine shotgun but I preferred the 500's, so I kept them.

gkelley3 said:

Can't speak for the 590 but I have two Mossberg 500's and also owned a Remington 870.

The 870 is a fine shotgun but I preferred the 500's, so I kept them.

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I agree. I sold my 870 to purchase a 500. I just like it better. I don't know why people knock Mossbergs. I look at them as the AK-47 of the shotgun world. They aren't as pretty as some of the others and yes they do rattle a little, but they are reliable and will tear up whatever they hit.

Well, I have both an 870 Express (new) and a Mossy 500 (20+ years old), both are great and I'd have a tough time saying which is my favorite??? Really, you're not going to go wrong with either.

I like the 870 better....I have had a mossberg and to me it just feels sub-par to the 870. I keep an 870 express (black synth. 18.5 barrel, side saddle, stock saddle, and surefire 9p light on the end).

I think both will serve your purpose just fine though.

Before you buy a shotgun for home defense, walk through your house with an (unloaded) long gun and try to turn corners, go up stairs while turning corners, etc. You might decide a pistol works better for your situation.

Unless, of course, you're just looking for a reason to buy another gun. In that case, by all means... stimulate the economy!

for a SHTF good choice, depending on the stock it will work for home defense, not clearing, but defense. A 500 won't make it for thousands of rounds, but a 590 is the MILITARY shotgun, good for over 2000 rounds of +P 3" buckshot. Thats a lot of buckshot. Thats 2000 without a check up. For a zombie invasion I always viewed a shotty as too heavy, but to make it out of the neighborhoods in a riot, the audible concussion effect it will have may keep me alive so go for it. (my plan is to take the shotgun to the edge of town then transition to my AK.

yocan said:

A 500 won't make it for thousands of rounds.

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I beg to differ. I have a 20-year-old-plus Mossberg 500 with several (10?) thousands of rounds (everything from trap loads to 3" steel loads) and the only part to break on me has been the plastic safety button. $5 and 10 minutes took care of that.

To the OP: I have a Mossberg 590, two Mossberg 500s, a Winchester 1300 and a Remington 870. All are great guns, but there are subtle differences. Just pick which one you like better and that fits you better... You really can't go wrong either way.

All of that being said, my favorite shotgun is a Remington 1100 TAC4.