Buy a short 18”-21” barrel for it. Then you’ll have a very versatile shotgun.

 

Hmmmm, NEVER thought of that. I'll definitely look into it!!

 

Check out CDNN. For as little as $70 you can buy a new 18 1/2 inch barrel for the 500.
Just a thought. Turbo

 

I've been considering the buy a shorter barrel option....and REALLY leaning toward that. This is a very naive follow up question, but I just don't know that much about shotguns... Here goes: In it's stock config., the receiver is stamped that it will take 2 3/4" AND 3" shells. If I swap out the barrel, does any of that change? In other words, might the new barrel be able to handle ONLY 3" and not 2 3/4" anymore? I'd love to retain the versatility. Thanks!

 

Trade it in for something better I would

 

I'm open to suggestions. What would be "better," and also not break the bank?

 

An older 870 I'm Shure someone would be willing to trade one. 870s don't die they are reliable and built like a tank. Mossberg 500s die horrible deaths though the trigger mechanism is the weak point over the years I have seen more broken trigger guards triggers and trigger frames than any other shotgun made.

 

Put a new shorter barrel on it and be done. Nothing at all wrong with a Mossberg 500. An older one like yours is a better gun than the junk 870 expresses, winchester SXP, and imported tacticool pumps one can buy new. If you found a good used 870 police or wingmaster for a cheap price, then maybe sell the mossberg, but either way you'll just end up spending more money on something that will spend its life in a closet.

 

That's why I said old 870. Expresses aren't machined well unless you get lucky. But Mossberg 500s and variants that have plastic trigger assemblies do have that major weakness.i have owned many I have taken in on trade fixed and sent away.

 

MOSSBERG 500 MAV 88 12GA 18.5 BARREL TARGET SPORTS

MOSSBERG 500 MAV 88 12GA 18.5 BARREL TARGET SPORTS

www.cdnnsports.com

 

Keep what you have and just get the short barrel like what noweil posted above. The Mossberg 500 makes a great home defense shotgun and there are many aftermarket accessories for them.

 

You can dress up a Mossberg to be anything you want for a very reasonable price. All shotguns are good, better, best. Never seen one that's junk.

 

Buy another barrel. Check auction sites. You don't need anything great. Bead front or rifle sights will work for you. If you ever really need it you won't use the sights anyway.

 

MOSSBERG 500 MAV 88 12GA 18.5 BARREL TARGET SPORTS Here you go

 

MOSSBERG 500 MAV 88 12GA 18.5 BARREL TARGET SPORTS Here you go

Definitely the way to go.