Hey guys I am new! Just bought my first Shotgun!

[coldfusion167]

Hey everyone. I stumbled on these forums and they so far seem great. I just picked up my first shotgun.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y42/coldfusion167/mossberg_88_01_sm.jpg

The Mossberg Maverick Model 88. I wanted something basic for home protection. This is what was recommended to me. Please let me know if it was the right decision. I also picked up a box of Fiocchi shells. This is what the box says:

3 1/4 dram equiv
1290 velocity
1 oz
7 1/2 shot

I don't really know what that means but the guy at the gun shop said they were good for home protection because they really won't shoot through all the walls in my house.

Are there additions that I can add to this gun? All suggestions and comments will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and I look forward to making an everyday visit here! :D

[Don Lu]

Nice gun...congrats ! Many would say that a pistol grip shotty is not the best chioce for a first shotgun...b/c its harder to aim and control that your standard shotgun w/shoulder stock. But its still nice, just practice a lot w/it until you can shoot it accuratley. I have a Rem 870 that Im about to put a pistol grip on...enjoy.

[coldfusion167]

Thanks for the feedback! I was also told that I could add a shoulder stock to the gun. I just don't know if I want to because I like how its a smaller shotgun. I was thinking about taking it to the range today to get a feel of the gun.

Funny that you brought up the Remington 870. That was the gun that I was actually looking for at first. But I was told that the Mossberg is a better gun. Something about the Mossberg being more reliable.

[.45 COLT]

1 1/2 shot
Maybe 7 1/2 shot? 3 1/4 Dram Equivalent load of 1 ounce of shot would be a MV of 1,290 FPS. I think you have a 1 ounce load of # 7 1/2 shot. Just my opinion, but I think 7 1/2 shot is pretty small stuff for HD. Of course, a load in someone's face would definitely spoil the rest of his day.

DC

[hogdogs]

CF, I own the 500 mossberg in 20 gauge but other wise the same gun as yours. I suggest you go ahead and buy the poly stock from mav/mossberg. Enjoy the pistol grip as well but you will find a much more versatile home defense weapon with the full stock. The length is not notice able... trust me on this! Plus you add several effective stances to your bill of goods if you need.
One thing I noticed right off was how limited I was with the pistol grip and how vulnerable a person is to the possible sneak attack of a second intruder. you can traverse your home with the stock under your arm and that alone really increases your death grip on your gun. You also add the dead on aim of a shouldered gun. Watch our soldiers and cops on real life videos and you will notice the lead men have their weapon at the ready to fire shouldered position. The guy with a pistol grip gun is in the rear with weapon down.
Brent

[coldfusion167]

Once again thanks for the comments guys!:)

Colt - sorry I made a typo and you are correct. It is a 7 1/2 shot. The reason why I guess they recommend these shells was because of concern that if I had to shoot it wouldn't go through all the walls in my house and end up harming somebody in another room. Again I am new to this so I really was just listening to what they had to say.

hogdogs - would the 'poly stock' be the 'shoulder stock'? Sorry but I am a totally new to all this and I am still trying to learn all the lingo and everything else that comes along. If so - do you know where I can check it out online? I am really considering the full stock now that I have read your recommendation.

Thanks a lot guys! Much appreciated!;)

[hogdogs]

For HD I would load #3 BUCK, 00BUCK and slugs. Yes the 00 and slug can penetrate a wall but the velocity and energy is very greatly reduced real fast. It is your job to picture the other side of the wall prior to shooting but it is not as bad as many rifle and pistol rounds. As for 7 1/2 I would only use it if it was all I had. I hunt squirrels and rabbit with #6 and dog size animals and coon get #4.
In shot guns the bigger the number the smaller the pellet and 7 1/2 is called a "bird shot"...
Brent

[hogdogs]

If you go back a few pages in this shotgun section you will find a post titled redneck tree service. That dead tree was greatly weakened with 7 1/2 shot but not until we took slugs to it were we able to push it over.
And mind you it has 30-50 7 1/2 rounds all at less than one foot from the tree trunk...
Brent

[coldfusion167]

My main concern was that if I did shoot the gun I didn't want it to go through all the walls in my house. Since I don't know anything about the ammo I took the guys advice and picked up the 7 1/2. Maybe I will pick up something a bit bigger like you suggested. Is there a site where I can learn more about the ammo?

thx again!

[hogdogs]

The website "box o truth has just what you want to see... drywall tests gelatin tests etc. Very good read! shotguns are my choice of safe HD gun. a little drywall patching may be called for but it ain't going to penetrate too many walls.

Brent

[hogdogs]

As for accessories, there are endless offerings. if you want to scare the intruder away or invite a punk to want your gun cuz it is cool than outfit it with all them items including heat shield, laser, white light, folding stock... As for me I like a plain Jane black beauty just like you have with a cheap factory plastic stock.;)
Brent

[coldfusion167]

do u have a link for the box o truth?

What is a heat shield? And are the last sights really that accurate?

thx

[Scattergun Bob]

I like mossberg pump guns, got me a 590. You might think about a shoulder stock some day. I know it is hard to believe, but at normal room distances scattergun patterns are very small. Hard to believe you can miss at 12 feet with a load of shot, It due happen. Shoulder stocks help us point our shot more better.

Shoot the heck out this gun, you will love it. Scattergun Bob says; you got yourself a hammer Son, go by some more nails and hammer away"

As far as shot size, you will work that out, it's a personal confidence thing.

Good luck & Be Safe

[hogdogs]

http://www.theboxotruth.com/index.htm
Here you go...
Brent

[hogdogs]

here is one on drywall... http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm
here is something to look at as well...
http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=109958&highlight=penetration+test
taken from...
http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/ballistics_shotgun.html
Brent

[coldfusion167]

I'll check those links out!

Thanks again guys!

[Don Lu]

I didnt read all the post thouroghly so sorry if this is repetative BUT, you can still keep your pistol grip and have a folding stock..the folding stock may not be as cushioned/comfortable as reg shoulder stock. just some options for you...and since you are a newbie, I'll let you get away w/the remark about mossberg beong more reliable than the rem 870..:D. moss and rem are both great...like comparing honda to toyota. No difference in reliability in my opinion. I also have a Mossberg 835. Im also new to shotguns..inhereted both guns from father but am really enjoying them so far...do you own any other guns or is this totally new to you ? Just asking b/c, I have a good amount of handgun expirience and find that it has helped as far as getting acclimated to breaking down gun, shooting, and understanding terminology.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/23868.jpg
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/52857.jpg
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/images/41872.jpg

[coldfusion167]

Don Lu - The only reason why I said Mossberg was more reliable than Remington was because that is what I was told...lol...Whoops! ;)

Anyway I am totally new to guns. I wanted to start out with a shotgun because there was basically no waiting period like a handgun. Those folding stocks seem like a good idea. I think that I may consider getting one soon since it improves accuracy. Thanks for the suggestions!:)

[Zombie Steve]

Congrats. Great gun.

I would also look at putting a shoulder stock on it, and look into getting some buckshot (#4, #2, 00 buck).

Also, regarding home defense, try and find somewhere out in the woods where you can move and shoot safely, or ideally, a Cowboy Action range. A static firing line is very different than shooting a shotgun in tight spaces, or being on the move. It was quite an eye opener for me anyway...


Be safe and have fun!

[Caeser23]

can't go wrong with the mossy or the 870.

[graniteob]

I put a folding stock on my 500 20 ga and some ghost ring sights. I also got a tactical flashlight with pressure on/off switch.

[coldfusion167]

graniteob - can you link me to a picture of the ghost ring sights? I was thinking on how I can put a better sight on my gun. I think that I am going to get a shoulder stock as well. I just don't know what kind yet.

thx

[lon371]

http://www.centerfiresystems.com/index.asp?PageAction=PRODSEARCH&txtSearch=heat+shield&Page=1

These people have some ghost rings. If you dig around their site, they have a bit of add ons. I have bought several items in the past, all good. If you send them an email they will reply.

[Tomac]

If you must have a pistol grip then at least get the folding Knoxx CopStock. Not only will you have a full length stock if needbe but can be fired folded w/one hand quite comfortably due to the recoil-reducing properties of the pistol grip.
Tomac

[DDG89]

Congrats on your new shotgun!!!!!
I would shoot the hell out of it before i made any modifications. Pickup some more ammo and make sure she works fine.

[graniteob]

Here is the kind of sights I put on mine. They are a little expensive but they glow in the dark and are very solid. I just got the standard tritium dot front sight.

http://www.xssights.com/store/shotgun.html

If you don't want to spend that much you can get a heat shield that has a set of ghost rings built in for about 30$. I just helped my cousin put one on her new mossberg. Fit was good and had a clear sight picture.
http://www.atigunstocks.com/products.aspx?category=13&page=1&id=55

[olddrum1]

A load of 7.5 size shot at twelve to 15 feet is close to getting hit with a slug but a lot nastier. It will penetrate the garage wall, go through the kitchen and exit through the kitchen ceiling. My Exs cousing was so in it when his dad and mom got home from the lake. Box of Truth site is good stuff. OO buck went through I believe 15 pieces of sheet rock. Thats seven rooms!!!

[coldfusion167]

Thanks again for everyone's reply! I appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

I finally got to shoot my shotty yesterday. All I can say is its an amazing feeling! Even the 7.5's have a bit of a kick. I can't wait to try some bigger shells. I was thinking about getting one of those flashlights for my gun - since I am using it for HD. Any suggestions!?


olddrum1 - Nice links! I am considering getting the $30 option. What do you think? Good idea or should I save a little and get the better upgrade!?

Thanks guys! Much appreciated!;)

[Caeser23]

either sure dedicted shotgun grip or an led