I had a Mossberg 500 persuader which I got for 125.00 brand new, I couldn't pass it up. It came with both stocks and had an 18.5 inch barrel and 6 shot capacity. It was a decent gun, especially for the price and it was very reliable. I never experienced any problems with it using a wide variety of ammunition. I personally like Mossbergs as the slide release can be engaged while maintaining firing position and the safety mounts atop the receiver. If you use a pistol grip stock, the location of the safety absolutly sucks. Its such a hinderance that I dry fire my 590A1 9 shot, leave the safety off and keep 8 rounds in the magazine. All I have to do is rack the slide, no buttons to
manipulate...which is a blessing because the Mossberg safety is incompatible with pistolgrip stocks. The trigger on my Mosbberg 500 persuader was horrible, though it did get slightly better. It was like the nightmare I have where I can't shoot the bad guy because the trigger is so stiff. With use it eventually broke in a little, but I put nearly 800 rounds through it and it still sucked, and thats putting it bluntly. It caused me to miss too many times to count. The recoil was also horrible, almost as bad as the Benelli Nova. With the exception of the Police Magnum and 590A1, I believe the 870, 1300 and 500/590 are equals. They are all reliable and durable weapons used by LE agencies and militaries for years as defensive weapons, for which they are well suited. Any of the above would be well suited for HD use and one should select the weapon best suited to them. I have hunted with 870's my whole life and they are the most natural, but I do currently own a uber-rare factory 590A1 9 shot with heatshield/ghost rings. My only consideration would be the trigger on the Mossberg 500's. I have heard others complain of this, so its not just my weapon. It could be a serious impediment in a gun fight....seriously, its that bad. Its extremely stiff and makes accurate shooting nearly impossible.