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Mossberg 500 – It’s a Series, Not a Make and Model

Posted on October 16, 2024September 12, 2024 by Josh Kinser

When you see an abbreviation or name and a number it normally stands for the maker of the firearm and the model number. AR-15 is ArmaLite and the 15 model, and Glock 9 which is the ninth edition of the Glock pistol.

Mossberg’s incredibly popular 500 however is a series and not the 500th version of the design, even though they’ve been designing rifles for over 100 years. 500 would be impressive considering the Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun series did not come out until August of 1962.

A series of guns is similar to a series of cars in that the base is the same, but each is modified for a specific use or purpose. You have a standard Ford Mustang, then a Mach 1, the Shelby, a convertible, EcoBoost, etc… Each one has the essence and core of the standard model, but designed with features that cater to a specific need or market audience.

The Mossberg 500 series is the same in that it has the main features, feel, and control of one of the most loved pump-action shotguns, and it is customized into four standard variations including:

500® FLEX
500® FIELD
500® ATI® TACTICAL
500® FIELD COMBOS

Each of these variations serves a different purpose, and knowing these differences will provide you with a better experience as you use it. And we have a feeling that once you give them a try at a range, you’ll be ready to purchase one for your personal armory. Not to mention they look incredible on a gun wall which is why they’re featured often in tv and films. We share some movie and tv appearances below.

Here’s a quick table with the core specs and differences to help you figure out which Mossberg 500 is right for your needs. Then we share a bit more detail for each variation below.

	500® Flex	500® Field	500® ATI® Tactical	500® Field Combos
Barrel length	22” – 28”	20” – 28”	18.5”	22” – 24”
Recoil	Light	Light to Medium	Medium	Medium
Hunting (seasons)	Deer, waterfowl, and all purpose	Turkey and all purpose	Home Defense	Deer, Turkey, Waterfowl
Home defense (1 – 10 scale)	5	5	8	5
Gauge	12 and 20	12, 20, and .410	12	12 and 20
Capacity (standard)	5+1	5+1	5+1	5+1
Cost (used to new)	$350 – $700	$400 – $1,000	$750	$600 – $800

500® FLEX

This is the ultimate multi-purpose pump-action shotgun of the series in that it has a light recoil and versatile gauges ranging from 12 – 20 making it fun for practice at a range and for hunting in the field. It’s the lowest cost out of the series making the 500® Flex an affordable option for new enthusiasts, and allows them to train and learn to shoot like a pro.

It is long so it isn’t as ideal for home defense situations as you’ll want stealth and the ability to angle and aim while turning corners, so go with the ATI® TACTICAL option if that is one of the uses you’d like this firearm for.

500® FIELD

With a versatile barrel length ranging between 20″ and 28”, an easy to handle recoil, and reasonable price point for a used or basic model, you’re going to love hunting with the 500® FIELD from Mossberg. It’s an all purpose pump-action shotgun that works for most game as it can handle 12, 20, and .410 gauges and works for everything from turkey to deer.

It is on the pricier side if you want all the whistles and bells, and just like the FLEX, it is not ideal for home defense situations. However if you’re in a rural area and the threat is far enough away, this could do the job, but is nowhere near as good as other shotguns for home defense purposes.

500® ATI® TACTICAL

Having a barrel length at 18.5”, a 12 gauge capacity, medium recoil, and a reasonable price at roughly $750, the 500® ATI® TACTICAL is your home defense and personal defense pump-action shotgun from the Mossberg 500 series. It is lightweight, accurate, and as the name states, made for tactical use.

We do not recommend it for hunting compared to the FIELD or COMBOS variation, but you could do well at a range shooting for sport. It is a tactical weapon so use it for defense and sport shooting.

500® FIELD COMBOS

When you can’t decide which option from the Mossberg 500 pump-action series to choose from, get the combo. It isn’t ideal for home defense, but as the name implies it is a combination of the best features from each of the models.

You can use it for hunting deer and turkey, practice at a range, and has the flexibility of both 12 and 20 gauges. The price point is in the middle of the other three lines ranging from $600 to $800 on average making it an affordable firearm.

If you need it for home defense, this is not as ideal as the TACTICAL option even though they have a similar recoil because the barrel length is longer. And it won’t have as much velocity as some of the Field variations which can have an extra 4” of barrel length if that is important to you.

Now that you know how to shop for the right Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun, here’s some movies, tv shows, and fun facts to get you excited for its arrival.

The Crow (1994 version) has a Mossberg 500 in the pawn shop with a Mariner finish, and you can see two of them in Point Break three years before as two of the members in Bodhi’s gang carry them. Predator, one of the ultimate classic films, features a Mossberg 500 with Billy carrying it along with an M16.

Ready for the holidays, the Mossberg 500 shotguns are featured in Halloween (2018) and Harry and Kumar 3D holiday special. And speaking of specials, remember the classic 1987 movie Harry and the Hendersons featuring a big foot? Now’s the time to rewatch as Jacque Laleur has a Mossberg 500AT.

There’s a reason you’ll see Mossberg 500 pump-action shotguns in movies and hunting films, it’s because it is a trustworthy and reliable option, and looks great. It’s reliability is one of the reasons it is used by militaries including the US Marines, Army, and Navy, and international defensive forces like Guardia Civil in Spain.

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The Snub Nose .38, Is it Good for Concealed Carry?

Posted on October 9, 2024October 1, 2024 by Josh Kinser

A snub nose revolver, also known as the .38 special, saturday night special, snubbie, and bulldog revolver, is any revolver that is less than 3 inches in length making it easy to store on your body undetected. The compact size of this revolver combined with variations that have an internal hammer are why people choose a snub nose .38 as their concealed carry weapon of choice for personal defense.

Its size makes it easy to carry concealed, and the lack of an external hammer reduces the chance of it getting snagged on your clothes when you need fast access in a threat situation.

Although the barrel is short, the frame can range from small to large and you can find snub nose 38’s from most major manufacturers including:

Ruger
Smith & Wesson
Colt
Charter Arms
Kimber
Taurus

Fun fact: The .38 special was designed in 1898 and the 45 acp in 1904 making them similar in age and both created for military use and later on personal defense. And both are considered great choices for concealed carry firearms.

With all these manufacturers and pop culture with features in Bugsy, Drugstore Cowboy, and the Original Charlie’s Angels driving demand, you’d think the snubbie is a perfect choice for self defense, but it may not be.

The 38 special is normally compared to the 45 acp which is why we mentioned the fun fact above, but they are not the same. This is why it is important to test both before deciding which to choose for concealed carry, because in a threat situation you want accuracy and speed.

A revolver like the 38 special is easier to hide than a 45 acp, but will have limited rounds compared to the semi-automatic pistol. So if your accuracy is not as good in a threat situation, the additional cartridges will be handy. A 45 acp is going to pack more of a punch on the threat and will likely have less recoil than a snubbie.

The 45 is slightly harder to conceal if you’re petite. The most important thing is to practice and be prepared so if the unfortunate situation where you need a defensive firearm happens, you’ll be ready. But don’t let these couple of paragraphs stop you from choosing a snub nose .38 for self defense, the snubbie has a long history of protective uses with law enforcement which is why some call it “the detectives gun”, and not just because the manufacturer’s like Colt have a model nicknamed “Detective Special”.

As you learned above, the snub nose .38 was original for the military, and the Smith & Wesson “Military and Police” model became a standard issue after world war 1 when it proved to be highly efficient, and remained standard issue for close to 70 years after. Tons of firearm innovation and technology occurred during these decades, so if the snubbie was not good for self defense, it had lots of opportunities to be replaced. And if it had been, we wouldn’t have had quotes about the “saturday night special” specific to firearms in action and suspense tv and movie scenes.

The snub nose .38 is a good choice for self defense when it comes to concealed carry. The most important thing is you train and practice in case a threat situation occurs. It may turn out that the snubbie is the best option for you.

Wrapping Foil on Your Doorknob Does Not Work

Posted on October 2, 2024August 27, 2024 by Josh Kinser

Wrapping foil around your doorknob is not going to stop a burglar from entering your home. It may protect the doorknob if it is antique and you’re painting or staining the door, but painters tape would be a better solution.

The myth about tin or aluminum foil on the doorknob stopping a burglary is based on rumors where people claim:

If the foil is ripped or has fallen someone tried to access your home and may return.
You can locate fingerprints or DNA and identify the potential intruder if they aren’t wearing gloves.
The noise can alert a dog or animal and they can wake you at night or scare the intruder off.

Each of these theories has merit, but they also have flaws. For example wind and weather can knock foil off a doorknob, especially if you wrap it while you’re on vacation. And many homes have motion sensor lights that go on so the intruder would see the foil on the doorknob and leave the foil alone. But that doesn’t mean they’ll leave your house alone, they may try a window instead.

As for fingerprints, unless you’re changing the foil each time you go in and out, and the burglar does not wear gloves or pockets the foil, you’re not going to get fingerprints. There was an interesting study done with gloves and DNA where they simulated break ins to an office with and without gloves. The goal was to try and recover DNA samples, and you can learn more here. It is a lot harder to gather DNA from a doorknob than you’d think.

The third talking point could have merit. Dogs have incredibly sensitive ears, and they can likely pick up on the noise. This article from Newsweek has multiple reasons dogs don’t like foil, and one expert they cite shares it is the noise when it crinkles.

You could try to train your dog to respond and wake you up when the foil is crumpled or makes noise, but a lot of factors could trigger this and you’ll be getting woken up regularly. And if your dog hates the noise, you’re going to be causing them stress that is not needed.

Although foil on your doorknob is not going to protect you, you can do a few things that may help buy you time so that you can access your firearm and protect yourself from a threat situation.

Motion sensor lighting can deter some burglars prowling at night. You’ll see many city and state government websites recommend this as one line of defense like Macon County Georgia where they also tie in noise and time, Houston Texas, and Seattle Washington.
Alarm systems can deter some burglars, and Newport News has a tip that may help. They recommend you do not advertise which system you have as some home intruders will know how to disarm specific ones.
Dogs barking can scare off intruders as the barking could wake you up, and the intruder does not want a close encounter with a person who may be a better fighter or properly armed for self defense.
Cameras, including doorbell cameras, have been known to reduce package theft, and may be helping to lower burglary rates in neighborhoods where houses are equipped with them according to this article on the DOJ website about doorbell cameras.

If none of the above deter a threat situation, make sure you have a gun safe that is easy to open in your bedroom, or a quick access gun safe hidden so you can get your firearm for the worst case situation, needing to use it.

The thought of a home intruder is not a fun one, and unfortunately wrapping foil on your doorknob likely won’t deter them. It’s more myth than fact. But now you have other ways that are recommended to protect your loved ones and your home.

The Best Ammo Cartridge & Handgun Combo for Bears

Posted on July 9, 2024October 1, 2024 by Josh Kinser

From Pennsylvania to California, when you go hiking, camping, or plan a trip to explore with your loved ones, you’re going to come across a bear. The most important thing to remember is not to panic or run, bear attacks are rare according to NPS, so keep your cool. And that has double meaning if you’re in Alaska or just north of Duluth and find a Polar Bear!

If you find yourself in the one-off occasion where self-defense is needed, here are the recommendations for an ammo cartridge and hand gun combination that in our opinion work best on most bears. But please note that no handgun is a match on its own. The goal is to neutralize and stop the threat.

To make our recommendation we considered:

Average size of continental north American bears including black and grizzly which both inhabit all 48 states, although the populations have been decimated in some.
Lethal range
Accuracy at 100 yards
Ease of access for active lifestyles (fits in a chest holster)
Animal weight and size
Recoil
Ease of loading
Capacity

Fun fact: Did you know that the popular Kenai chest holster was designed specifically because of a run in with a black bear while the founder was mountain biking?

Remember, you’re on a trail or a hike, you won’t have your hunting rifles, a hand gun is your option. So here’s our top choices with the reasons why.

Top Choice for Continental North American Bears

Handgun: Glock 20 for pros and 40 for people with less experience
Ammo: Buffalo Bore Heavy 10mm Outdoors
Holster: Kenai chest

This combination should be universally effective with a bit of training. The Glock 40 has less recoil than the 20 due to the 20’s shorter nose, making the 40 the best for people that have less experience in intense situations so they can re-aim more easily. And adversely the Glock 20 is best for people that remain calm and can handle large recoil.

The 10mm cartridge has an effective range of roughly 100 yards allowing you to protect yourself from a bear if it comes within a football field length. The outdoorsman line has a flat nose allowing it to penetrate deeper through tissue and bone up to 3ft helping to neutralize the bear in an effective and more humane way.

Best for Black Bears

Handgun: XD-M® ELITE 4.5″ OSP™
Ammo: Underwood 10MM auto 200 grain flat nose, cherry coated, hard cast ammo
Holster: Crossbreed Chest Rig Holster – XD-M / XD-M Elite 4.5″

With charging speeds of 25 – 30 mph, and weighing up to 400lbs at 5 – 7 feet tall, you’re going to need speed, control, and accuracy. That’s why we choose the Springfield Armory Elite 3.8 Compact OSP™ for the handgun combined with Underwood 10mm auto at 200 grain.

Bears are big and a single bullet won’t stop them, especially if you’re caught off guard. With a capacity of 16 and ammo designed specifically for wild boar and for black bear defense, you’re going to have enough firepower to neutralize the threat. And both come at a reasonable price. And who better to make the perfect chest harness for the firearm than the manufacturer.

Designed specifically for being on the trails, out hunting, or enjoying the wilds for hiking and photography, you’ll hardly notice it’s there.

Best for Grizzly Bears

Handgun: Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP

Ammo: Solid Core 10mm Auto 200 Grain

Holster: The chest rig by crossbreed holsters

Coming in at 400 – 800 lbs depending on male or female, and 7 feet tall when standing according to the Idaho state department, and up to 10 feet according to the Detroit Zoo, you’re going to need accuracy and a second shot faster as a single bullet likely will not neutralize the target.

Speed is key as these animals can run up to 35 miles per hour. That’s why our pick is the Springfield XD-M Elite 3.8-inch Compact OSP with a 10mm.

With the manageable recoil, your ability to re-aim and fire your second round becomes easier. The compact design won’t get in the way as it’s holstered letting you enjoy your time in the wilds. If a grizzly is charging and you need to take multiple shots, your wrist and life will thank you for the extra seconds.

It has an 11+1 capacity for ammo with a six inch barrel giving you plenty of accuracy and flexibility to render your target with a 10mm auto cartridge. The reason for solid core with this firearm is because the 10mm auto with 200 grain is designed to penetrate and break through bone. It is designed specifically for bears, and grizzlies are some of the biggest in North America.

Did you find this guide to the best handguns and ammo for defense against bears helpful? Great because we enjoyed writing it.

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Where Burglars Go First in Your Home & The Reasons Why

Posted on June 18, 2024October 1, 2024 by Josh Kinser

Did you know that most home invasions and burglaries happen during the day because kids will be at school and the adults will be at work? And this holds true across the entire US as you can see from the government websites in Everett Washington, Austin Texas, Idaho Falls Idaho, and even the Supreme Court here with 72.4% of them occurring while nobody was home.

And according to each government website, there’s no particular door lock that is better than another. But that does not mean you cannot be prepared. This is because intruders tend to follow the same pathway whether they’re breaking into a house, a condo, or an apartment.

Burglars first look by the front door for hidden keys. They could be in fake rocks, under door mats, hidden panels, and the normal hiding places. This is where you want to use strong deterrents. Place a security system with cameras and recording device by the doors and entry points, warning signs such as video surveillance systems, beware of dog, and motion activated lights are also a valuable first line of defense.

What works better here are cameras and recording devices, and don’t forget motion activated lights at night. But these won’t stop every burglary which brings us to the next point, where they go.

Most burglars are in your home to steal easy to carry valuables from wallets to jewelry, cash laying around, collectibles, and things that can be sold easily. They’ll check master bedrooms, offices, and living rooms for display cases.

Pro-tip: Bathrooms are high target items because burglars can find prescription medications they can sell on the street.

If the home invader has not discovered what they’re looking for, they’re going to go for other bedrooms, wine cellars, look for hidden shelves, and safes in closets. It all depends on how confident they’re feeling and how much time they have to search. And that leads to the next section, how to secure your items. After that we’ll go over protecting yourself and your loved ones.

Tips to Secure Your Valuables from Burglars

Make sure safes are bolted to the ground or the wall. Unbolted safes can be carried and lifted away.
Medicine cabinets should have a lock on them and not be made of glass that can be shattered.
Put security cameras in your home and have them point towards the valuables that are on display.

There’s also things not to do like using fake cans of soup and shaving cream, or hiding jewelry in the fridge. If you can buy the products like a fake stone that stores a key at the store, or find hiding ideas online, burglars know about them too. This includes the popular fake dirty clothing like diapers and underwear that hold money.

How to Protect Yourself From Burglars

The best way to protect yourself is to be trained in self-defense and have a plan in place if a burglar invades your home. The first and best course of action is to find a quality instructor who can train and educate you should be your first plan of action. Read their reviews online, see what certifications they have, and talk to others that have hired them for training.

Beyond training and education, make sure your firearms are easily accessible to you in the event you need them, while also ensuring they do not fall into the wrong hands.

Strategic placement and quality matter here, we’ll use gun safes as an example.

Keep all guns secure in a safe that is secured to the floor or wall with a lock.
Have a hidden gun safe next to or under your bed that can be opened even with sweaty hands. Some biometric safes will fail if you’re fingers have sweat, and your palms and fingers sweat more when you’re nervous.
Have your long guns and non-protective firearms secured in a gun safe or military grade gun cabinet that will not be easy to open by the burglar.
Have a hidden gun safe accessible in a closet or under your mantel that can be opened by a code or key you carry with you.
Make sure your guns are properly stored and organized so you can access your protective firearms like a handgun without having to struggle or pause.

Home invasions happen but you do not have to be left defenseless. With proper training and education on a quality home defense plan, you can be ready should a threat situation ever arise.

If the situation arises that you are home when an invasion happens, make sure your firearms are out of reach of the invader, but within your reach so you can protect yourself if needed.

Pistol, AR-15, Shotgun – The best for home defense is?

Posted on April 17, 2024October 1, 2024 by Josh Kinser

Considering a pistol, AR – 15, or a shotgun for your primary home defense weapon? Great choices! And each can be effective depending on the type of home you have, how much space you have, the room you need protection in, and what is or is not allowed by law. As states begin banning specific weaponry, your options may become limited, but there is always a proper backup.

Space is one of the most important aspects when deciding which of these firearms is right for your home defense needs. If you live in an apartment and only have space for a hidden gun safe for example, chances are it can store a pistol so you won’t have access to an AR or shotgun. And if there is space in a closet by the front door for a traditional gun safe you can access, your AR – 15 is able to be there when you need it most.

This guide takes the following into consideration when recommending how to choose between these three firearms for home defense:

Room size
Rural, urban, suburban dwelling
Type of gun safe that fits in the space
Length of room and or distance
Ease of refilling ammo
Amount of rounds per loading

Comparing the AR-15, a standard pistol, and a shotgun.

	AR-15 Rifle	Standard Pistol	Standard Shotgun
Penetration	Medium (because fragmentation)	Strong	Strong
Magazine capacity	30 rounds	15 rounds	5 Shells
Length	36"	4.5"	22" - 28"
Accuracy	Medium-High (pointability)	Medium	High
Turning corners	Difficult	Simple	Difficult
Points of contact	4	2	4
Easy to Control if Hand-to-Hand Fighting	No	Yes	No

AR-15s dominate when it comes to home defense because the capacity is higher than a pistol or shotgun, it is lightweight, and much like a pistol, the AR-15 has comfortable grips. And just like a pistol, the controls can be maneuvered by a single hand. Much like a shotgun, AR-15’s are not as effective if you live in a home with narrow hallways, corners, or you’re in a room like a bedroom with furniture that can block your ability to aim and angle. That’s where pistols come in.

For next to your bed, in an office, or spaces without much distance between yourself and the intruder, pistols are better for home defense than shotguns or AR-15s. If the intruder gets close to you the pistol can be used to bludgeon them during hand-to-hand combat while not hindering your mobility like a larger gun. Not to mention you can control and hold the pistol with one hand compared to your long guns which could wind up in control of the attacker.

Don’t count a shotgun out for home defense when comparing them to AR-15s and pistols. Yes, they only hold five shells, but they’re easy to reload and the accuracy and penetration give you control of the situation when there is enough distance between you and the intruder. If you live in rural spaces, and a trail cam detects a disturbance, shotguns can be quite helpful as you can control the situation from a safe distance. And in a larger room with things you do not want destroyed, the accuracy and aim compared to an AR-15 or pistol will keep you and your home better put together.

There’s pros and cons to each firearm, so a good rule of thumb is for crowded rooms with furniture, tight spaces, and where you could wind up in a fist fight with an intruder, go pistol. If there is space to angle and you have wide hallways, AR – 15s are your best bet for home defense. If you need accuracy, want full penetration, or need distance, go with a standard shotgun.

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Category: Self-Defense