Shot a composite 500 since I was 12, thing nearly pumps itself now it's so word out but I've never had one problem. I don't even know how to take it apart, the only cleaning its ever gotten was a little rem oil in the action...I bet it's disgusting inside

Okay thanks again y'all

For sure, my max spending limit is $500.
But I was also trying to get the most for my money and I saw these Mossberg 500s at academy:

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores...2025+4294951388

I really like those shoulder stock + pistol grip ones.

They are great guns and it's my opinion that Mossberg got the safety setup right.

That would be ideal for HD, but expect to get laughed at if you whip that bad boy out on a milo field come September...

Yes, that set up is not good for hunting. Is the breecher choke a screw in choke, or is the barrel made that way? Can't really tell from the pic and the specs Academy gives don't say either way.

OP, in my opinion, you would be wasting money to buy that particular shotgun. For less money, you can get a Mossberg 500 with a standard stock and two barrels, one for hunting with chokes, and one 18" cylinder bore for HD. That will serve any purpose you would need, and do everything that this "tactical" shotgun can do. If you must have one with a pistol grip setup like this, go with a Remington 870, due to the location of the safety.

There are even multiple versions of the 590a1. Buds Gun Shop sells them but they're out of stock now. Last week they had them in stock.

Mossberg 590a1

Yep, biggest difference between the 500 and 590a1 is that you can open the magazine tube on the 590a1 at the muzzle end and remove the spring and follower...easier to clean and replace parts in the field for military. But the 590a1 is in no way restricted to military. Anyone with an internet connection or a good gun shop can get one.

I had a 590a1 for awhile and traded it off like an idiot. Isn't the barrel on the 590s heavier than on a 500?

I would buy a 870, they are better made and will hold up to use alot better. Theres more options available for barrels and scope mounts,etc for the 870. We can only use shotguns here in Iowa for deer and i have used both but wouldnt trade my 870 for anything. Just my 2 cents.