Mossberg vs Remington

[Black Majik]

I have 3 Wingmasters, so I'm a bit biased towards 870s.

A few things I like about Remingtons would be the steel receiver, the push button safety (same as my BB guns growing up), and the forearm release in front of the triggerguard instead of behind it.

[squatting_caveboy]

I got a Mossberg 500 combo at Big 5 for $259. Love it. Can't beat it

[bigstick61]

The 500 is a good gun. I bought the 590SP from Big 5. Personally, I like the ergonomics much better on the 500 series than on the 870. It was also much easier for me at the tme to find a military-configured Mossberg than a similar 870, especially at a good price.

[CHS]

What's the difference and what are your reasons?

The Wingmasters are a bit more "polished", literally, than the 870's. They tend to run and operate a bit smoother.

Granted, they're about double the price and they have a mirror-shiny bolt.

[ZRT650]

To me the quality between the two is noticably different. I feel that the mossbergs are far inferior to remingtons especially with that adhesive they use on the barrels and the metal looks cheap ( to see what I mean look at the you think you can top my shotgun, or something to that effect, picture thread). I know that the finish on the 870 is not what it used to be but it still gets my vote and judging by sales volume I seem to be in good company. As per your stock If you are really set on a folding stock go with the knoxx top folder the ati's and such are garbage and scream mall ninja. If you want

[sephy]

I prefer Remington. I have the 870P now and it is definitely nicer than the Express though. Budsgunshop has some used shotguns worth looking at.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/654_775/products_id/411537360

[Rambo, John J.]

Now, Big 5 has the Mossberg for under $300, and Turners has the Remington for under $400.

Is there enough of a difference between the two to warrant the $100 difference? I've seen cops and military carry both, so I'm assuming they're both equally as good.

I've owned both. Bottom line, you can't go wrong with either. Last I checked, they're both made in America so you're good to go.

I'm only guessing but I think that one of the major reasons for the price difference is that the Remington 870 has a steel receiver and the Mossberg 500 has an aluminum alloy receiver. If you've ever worked with machine tools, it's way easier to work with aluminum. The 870 receiver is machined from a solid block of steel. In case you think that steel is the only way to go, the M16/M4/AR15 uses an aluminum alloy receiver. Most of the SIG pistols use aluminum alloy frames too so it must be ok. Aluminum will be lighter too. I wouldn't equate lower price with lower quality here.

I like the ergonomics on the Mossberg over the 870. I like the slide release behind the trigger guard on the 500. On a standard stock, I also like the tang-mounted safety on the Mossberg. For a pistol gripped shotgun though, the Remington's safety position would be better.

The weaknesses on an out of the box 500 I see would be the plastic trigger guard and the plastic safety button. These can be an issue long term.

The 500 has a dual extractor so it's theoretically more reliable in extraction. The Remington has a single extractor. Does it make a difference? It doesn't appear so as I've never heard of any internet horror stories of failed extraction and dead mall ninjas clutching their 870.

I also like the position of the shell lifter of the Mossberg. When loading shells, the position is up. When you pump the 500, the shell lifter moves down. It's the opposite for the 870. Theoretically, it might be better in a stressful situation.

If you're gonna add anything onto the shotgun like a sidesaddle or some kind of optic, the steel receiver of the 870 is the way to go. The Mossberg 500 I have is drilled and tapped for mounts but I'm not so sure it would stand up to abuse. I don't think that the standard 870 receiver is drilled and tapped. Depends on the model I suppose. Make sure the receiver is tapped for mounts on the 870 if that's what you are looking for.

Check it out for yourself before you plunk down the cashola. See what your personal preferences are. You'll be good to go with either though.

[HondaMasterTech]

A) Big 5 regularly has sales every week.
B) I bought one of the 500's because it fit my hand better. I found without a pistol grip the pump action "button" was placed better for my preference on the mossbergs vs. trying to find an 870 that I thought felt right for the right price.

I agree. The controls on the Mossberg are located in a more ergonomic fashion. For home defense, I feel this is essential. The gun functions just fine. I have fired countless rounds through mine without a single malfunction or anything falling off ( falling off, wtf? )

I've completely disassembled mine and I like the way it is designed. Simple. I like simple.

[GraveTrain]

IMO, if it was the Mossberg 500 or 590 v. the Remington 870. I'd have to go with the 870. HOWEVER... if it was the 590A1 and the 870, I went with the Mossberg 590A1. I preferred the 590A1's ambi safety, parkerized finish, heavy barrel and the factory installed gsr.

LOVE my Mossy, love the way it shoots and although it's heavier than the 870, I like the weight. Great shotgun right out of the box. I have no intentions on modding my gun with the exception the the Gun Connection +2 magazine extension and MAYBE a Vang/Brownell's larger safety. No pistol grip, collapsible stock or other stuff. Keeping this a sleeper.

Can't go wrong with either the 870 or 590A1.

[BHPFan]

If having just the out of the box stock, I like the Mossberg better. If the shotgun has a pistol grip (like the Mesa or Knoxx), I prefer the 870.
My Mossy 590A1 has a Knoxx stock and I admit, it does not have good ergonomics for Mossberg shotguns.

However, overall, I like the 870PD the best as it is made out of steel (unlike Mossy and Winchester) and no plastic triggerguard like 870 Express.

[mbrown]

Can't go wrong with either gun. I have an 870 express and I really like it. Having said that, the deal at Big 5 on the Mossy is hard to ignore.

[Jerry X]

I'll go with Remington.

[sevensix2x51]

it seems that if you like purdy shotguns, then the remington is for you. my stepdad loves his 870 for shooting doves.
that said, i like my mossberg for the same reason i like my mini-14. for the lie of me, i cant break it. no matter how hard i try. okie slugs, 3" magnums, 1 hand racking, sand, dirt, mud, whatever. it eats it all, with a crappy aluminum receiver. and its cheap. cheap+invincible=win (imho.) i built my second mossberg 500 from a stripped receiver, with no manual or gunsmithing skills. just the brownells exploded parts drawing. theyre that easy.

[CHS]

it seems that if you like purdy shotguns, then the remington is for you. my stepdad loves his 870 for shooting doves.
that said, i like my mossberg for the same reason i like my mini-14. for the lie of me, i cant break it. no matter how hard i try. okie slugs, 3" magnums, 1 hand racking, sand, dirt, mud, whatever. it eats it all, with a crappy aluminum receiver. and its cheap. cheap+invincible=win (imho.) i built my second mossberg 500 from a stripped receiver, with no manual or gunsmithing skills. just the brownells exploded parts drawing. theyre that easy.

And if you want "purdy" AND indestructible, get the 870. They're just better than the mossbergs.

[Rob454]

To tell you the truth Ive owned both and I prefer the look and feel of the Remington but the Mossberg has a better placement of the safety and slide release. The Mossy feels a little cheaper than the Remington IMO. I have a Mossberg 500 home defender that i would gladly trade for a Remington plus a little cash on my end.