New Guy Intro. 1st gun

johnnyeastside · November 23, 2008, 06:51 PM

I've been lurking and learning from you guys for a week or 2. I just bought my first gun. A Mossberg 500. It came with a top folding stock, but I don't like it. I'm shopping for an adjustable stock. 20" inch barrel, 8 shot. It's for home defense. I hope to get to shoot it a lot. A few friends have some land to shoot at and I need to get familiar with this gun. The wife is looking forward to trying it out, and I had a talk with my 11 year old about it so she won't need to feel 'curious'. I haven't shot it yet. Only had it for a week. I've been reading as much as I can online from guys like you. I still need to figure out where to keep it and what to load it with. We live in a town house in a nice quiet neighborhood in Harford Co. MD. There was a home invasion on the main road a few blocks away.

Deegle · November 23, 2008, 08:58 PM

Congrats. That is a fine looking HD gun.

Dave McC · November 23, 2008, 10:17 PM

A couple things....

Get the stock fitted to the smallest shooter and learn to run the gun as is.

Wood stocks provide the easiest modification.

For now, shoot it with 7/8 oz loads. If you can't find them ask over at Valley Gun Shop on Harford Rd. 410-668-2171. Trust me on this.

The light loads will get you over the form hump. Once your form gels, you can handle heavier stuff.

madcratebuilder · November 23, 2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

For now, shoot it with 7/8 oz loads. If you can't find them ask over at Valley Gun Shop on Harford Rd. 410-668-2171. Trust me on this.

The light loads will get you over the form hump. Once your form gels, you can handle heavier stuff.

Good advise. The Knoxx recoil reducing stock help with the heavy loads. You can find new/used on evil bay cheap.

Streaker · November 25, 2008, 08:10 PM

Thats a pretty fine weapon you have there madcratebuilder.
How about giving us a rundown on what you used for that build.

zippy13 · November 25, 2008, 09:27 PM

Greetings, johnnyeastside, and welcome aboard.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave McC

A couple things....

Get the stock fitted to the smallest shooter and learn to run the gun as is.

Wood stocks provide the easiest modification.

For now, shoot it with 7/8 oz loads. If you can't find them ask over at Valley Gun Shop on Harford Rd. 410-668-2171. Trust me on this.

The light loads will get you over the form hump. Once your form gels, you can handle heavier stuff.

Dave's one of the resident gurus around here and you can take his recommendations to the bank.

You have quite a few decisions ahead of you. Living in a townhome with a wife child are factors that must be considered when selecting how best to utilize your new gun for home defense. May I suggest that you check out Scattergun Bob's recent thread Level 101 Fighting Shotguns

johnnyeastside · November 25, 2008, 09:34 PM

Thanks guys. I've read that 'Level 101' post a few times already. I'm trying to soak up all this good info and advice. I'll be asking lots of questions....

November 23, 2008, 08:58 PM	#2
Deegle Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 251	Congrats. That is a fine looking HD gun. __________________ "The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good." George Washington

November 23, 2008, 10:17 PM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	A couple things.... Get the stock fitted to the smallest shooter and learn to run the gun as is. Wood stocks provide the easiest modification. For now, shoot it with 7/8 oz loads. If you can't find them ask over at Valley Gun Shop on Harford Rd. 410-668-2171. Trust me on this. The light loads will get you over the form hump. Once your form gels, you can handle heavier stuff.

November 25, 2008, 08:10 PM	#5
Streaker Junior Member Join Date: January 14, 2008 Posts: 2	Thats a pretty fine weapon you have there madcratebuilder. How about giving us a rundown on what you used for that build.

November 25, 2008, 09:34 PM	#7
johnnyeastside Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 23	Thanks guys. I've read that 'Level 101' post a few times already. I'm trying to soak up all this good info and advice. I'll be asking lots of questions....