18-1/2" vs 20" barrel Maverick 88 shotgun

[balazona]

Which one is best for HD?
5+1 shots model looks cool.

[rantingredneck]

Neither is necessarily better than the other for defensive use.

If you get the 18.5" 5-shot model you have more options for other uses down the road as you can more readily swap the barrels.

[balazona]

5+1 shots model feel more compact.and it doesnt feel muzzle heavy as well.

[BlackFeather]

Extra weight at the forend helps manage recoil and stay on target which is nice for an aluminum receiver... My opinion...

[chris in va]

Wish I had bought the 20" barrel instead of the 18 for my 500. You can get chokes for the longer one and practice on clays better.

[rantingredneck]

Chris,

That depends on which configuration of 500 we're talking. I interpreted the OP to be asking between the 8+1 20" version and the 5+1 18" version. With the 20" 8+1 version you've got to swap the mag tube to be able to swap to other barrels. Not sure if they make a choked barrel for the 8+1 version in a 500. They do in the 590....

If we're talking about the 5+1, 20" version, I agree it is more versatile and the extra 1.5" of barrel length is not a hindrance. Awhile back Mossberg made a special run of 18.5" Heavy Wall accuchoked 500 barrels for a federal agency (Marshal's Service I think?). They sold the overruns to havlinsales.com and Havlin sold them to the public at large. I have one on my 500 now and it's a handy little joker. Throws evil buckshot patterns with an extended modified choke and Remington Express 2 3/4" shells. I swap out to the 28" barrel for birds and such, but the 18.5" does deer and turkey duty. I've got a 24" slug barrel for it that rarely gets used.

RR

[chris in va]

Wow, no kidding. I'll keep my eyes open.

[Mossy500]

not much of a difference, a tad bit more weight, but barely any, and for close quarter use your not sacrificing any acuracy