South FLA, just curious, did you have an older model 500 or a newer one? Single slide bar or double?

I bought a Mossberg 500A in May of 1990... it was my only shotgun until about 5 years ago and I hunted dove, quail, pheasant and shot a lot of skeet & trap every year with it. I lost track of the round count several years ago, in the neighborhood of 9500 so i can't give you a true reading now but it's a lot!

Anyway, I hunt with guys that have guns costing more than my old trucks did. ...lol Bottom line is that I was the only guy in the group with a "cheap" mossberg (yes they teased me about it) and the only guy in the group that never had a breakdown in the field in that 20 year period. (And yes, I teased them about that) I just broke that streak 2 months ago but it was my fault, as the ejector screw backed out... I didn't tighten it enough after the last cleaning/reassembly. :-[

I like the 500 better than the 870 since I'm a lefty- the safety is ambidextrious on the Mossberg.

Bottom line is either is a versitile, reliable shotgun, capable of lasting a lifetime with proper care... and both are budget friendly.

Hmmm. Seems like you guys think I should check out the 870.

Turns out my buddy has an 870 for me to try out. He also has a mossberg (although I think its an 835 not a 500) and few other more expensive guns I can play with. We plan on getting together within the week to shoot. Should be fun.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone, and keep the advice coming!

He also has a mossberg (although I think its an 835 not a 500).

Don't overlook the 835, it's maybe a little bulky and heavy, but it's a catchall shotgun.

South FLA, just curious, did you have an older model 500 or a newer one? Single slide bar or double?

Single slide bar, back in late 2000 early 2001 duck season.

Rem 870.  I have three barrels, the one that came with it and a rifled slug barrel you can shoot accurately at 100 yds and an 18" smooth barrel (it's legal).  That 18'" barrel, without any other dressings, makes it look BAD and is easy to handle in close quarters.

Here's a pretty informative article to confuse you even more

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/The+Home+Defense+Shotgun

870

He also has a mossberg (although I think its an 835 not a 500).

Don't overlook the 835, it's maybe a little bulky and heavy, but it's a catchall shotgun.

That is an absolute horse of a gun.  I bought one used and put it through 3 years of absolute hell duck and turkey hunting in some of the worst conditions Iowa has to offer and it always went boom and always ejected.  I have had 2 870's and had issues with both(newer models, my wingmaster is also a stud). 

I also have a charles daly 20 gauge auto that is my pheasant gun and it has never had a misfire-no fire.  I have some guns that are alot prettier and more expensive but those two guns see the majority of the work and always perform.  I see no reason in dragging my Citori out through the buck brush chasing quail.  Yeah it is fun to shoot some skeet or trap with but I would be too worried about it getting scratched taking it out in the junk.  The new 870's are not made like they used to be.