RE: Modified barrel/shot size
I have been on bolth sides of this issue. had a mossy 500 with the plane jane 28" fixedmod barrel, missed plenty of shots... limits your range considerably. bought the 20" with the screw in chokes, gained about 20 yards and impoved the handeling of the gun considerably. hunt with what ya got but keep your options open, the 500 can be a versatile gun.