Both models are very nice shotguns. I use a Mossberg 500 with a collapsible stock and pistols grip as well. As far as the capacity of the flex, 8 is a good amount. In a personal defense situation you will need to hit your intruder once (in MOST cases) and scramble the call the authorities. My Mossberg 500 holds 5 in the magazine and 1 in the chamber. You additional shells mean additional weight as well which is something to keep in mind. I do not believe the flex or 590 is necessary for you, but home defense shotguns often turn into weekend hobbies with friends, so if you like those models then go with them. Any tactical mossberg 12ga will exceed your expectations and make you very happy. Good luck with your purchase and let us know what you decide to go with. And welcome to the forum - this is a great community.

 

+1

Keep in mind although this will be your first HD weapon, if you're like the rest of us it won't be your last. There are a ton of accessories you can buy done the road if you want to "ninjafi" a Mossy 500. ( or a 590, 930, Rem 870, etc.).

My only suggestion would be avoid pistol grip if possible. In concept and theory it makes perfect sense -- more maneuverable, easier to tuck out of the way when not in use-- but shooting at the range at paper silhouettes that don't move or shoot back is completely different from having to defend your life as your rousted out of bed at oh dark thirty, wearing skivvies, with sleep in your eyes and you have a meth spiked armed and committed attacker or two in your home. Despite what you might have heard the racking sound of a pump will not be enough and a shotgun in a CQB area like a home NEEDS to be aimed if its going to be effective. You may be able to shoot a pistol grip shotgun better than anyone you know with a shoulder stock, but you'll never be able to shoot a pistol grip better than YOU could with a shoulder stock.

Hope that helps. Good luck and welcome to the community!

 

This is a Mossberg 500 persuader. Probably my favorite shotgun.

 

Go with a 500 with 18.5" cylinder bore barrel. As said before, stay away from pistol grips, get one with a full stock or one with collapsible stock and pistol grip like Brick's.

 

Also, you can always add the pistol grip later... But I recommend you get familiar with the regular stock first, you may like it more.

Better yet, get the Mossberg 500 combo, with the 18.5" cylinder bore and 28" barrel. Then join LIF and then start coming out with us to Yaphank and shoot trap and skeet. That way you get to practice with your shotgun in a fun way and meet a great bunch of people!

Everybody wins!!!!!

 

You could always get a top folding stock. The fold up for when you want to store it and comes with 5 or 6 shot saddles for extra ammo.

 

The folding stocks are very nice. There have been a few for sale in the sale sections of the forum. You can also buy a bone stock mossy 500 and add what you like like mentioned above. The possibilities are endless.

 

I was in the same spot your in about a month ago. The thing with the pistol grips is they are mainly for firing from the hip. For home defence wouldn't you want to make sure you can aim and make a shot count. As others have said you can get a folding stock.

 

I wish gunshops would stop pushing PG only shotguns on people. Or at least steer them away from them if they walk in wanting one and don't know any better. They are pretty much a novelty.

 

I visited quite a few shops. My intention was to purchase a poistol grip. The first shop woulh have sold me the PG off the rack. Fortunately I wanted to learn more about whats available before making a decision and all the others discouraged the PG. I decided on the adjustable stock and its on order.

 

My 590 mariner with a folding stock, surefire light and side saddle, simple and reliable. I like the folding stock for storage reasons. For HD, I would unfold it and shoulder it, if time permitted.

 

I also like w/o the pistolgrip

 

So what did you go with???

 

Why not a Flex 590 tac?

I would go with the 500 tac myself. Though the 590 is a little more heavy duty, and the accessories will pretty much be the same, the 500 has more aftermarket support for barrels (longer, rifled,...) in-case you wanna take it hunting or trap, it doesn't take too long to swap barrels. There is alot of aftermarket support to beef the 500 up to 590 specs easy.

 

I chose the Mossberg 500 - 8 Round Tactical. I used it for the 1st time last wekend at the trap and skeet range in Yaphank.

I shot 75 rounds and only hit 5 clays, i need a lot of practice or some lessons from someone who knows what he's doing.

 

barrel switching on the 500 is easy, but the barrel has to be specific to the round capacity. If you have a 8 rounder, you can only switch barrels with other 8 rounders.

Clays are not the same as human targets. Humans generally dont move greatly on two axis's. Plus if your using a ghost ring site, its actually harder

Fron't bead sites only are easier to do clays, you have a much bigger field of view. Its more of an intuitive shot.

Be one with your gun.