870 to moss 500 comparison?

[zfields]

Newb to scatterguns, trying to find a good comparison to a Rem 870 and a moss 500 series shotgun.

Anyone able to suggest some good reading material?
Will be used for HD/light 3 gun usage.

[TKM]

If you just turned 18 and saved your paper route money I think you have to buy a Mossberg 500 and start calling it a shotty.

And refer to it as a moss online.

That, and register for the selective service.

When you get old and start drinking Scotch instead of Coors Light and shooting Smiths instead of Rugers you may reconsider.

[shellslinger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA_KklQsYFw

Nutnfancy's review is pretty good. Compares the 590a1 vs the 870. And if you want more material, you can check out Hickok45's video on the 590a1 as well.

I may be more biased towards the 590a1 just because I own one, however, I will tell you that the 870 is great and you can't go wrong with either one. I say, whatever you can get for a cheaper price or what feels right to you go for it. At the end of the day you'll end up with a winner with either one.

I suppose my best advice for you at this point is to go to your local gun shop and actually handle both of them.

Hickok45's video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmdMNwSxEcs

[diirk]

I agree with shellslinger. I was just in the same situation and ended up purchasing a Mossberg 500 Tactical at Big 5. If they had an equivelent Remington there at a similar price, I may have gone that route instead. Either way, I don't think you can go wrong. They are both comparible and decent weapons. If you have the extra coin, a 590A1 is even nicer.
Check the sales ads here too, there's a really nice FN for sale.....that was just a little out of my budget, or I would have been all over it.

[BraveUlysses]

When you get old and start drinking Scotch instead of Coors Light and shooting Smiths instead of Rugers you may reconsider.

That's funny. That day was Friday for me. It was an actual day. I decided the GP100 is no longer for me and I need an nice S&W revolver after comparing about 20 of them at the shop. Oh and guess who now needs reading glasses.

[NaClAddict]

My buddy has a 870 with the magnum chamber. Sometimes after firing the action gets stuck and he has to slam the butt on the ground while holding onto the slide. 2 trips back to Remington and multiple types of ammo have yet to fix the problem. Mossy's are rackety but mine sure smoothed out after a while.

I never hesitate to recommend a mossberg. Mine is a champ. Sois my ruger p-94. Guess I'm still juvenile at heart. But I never drank Coors light.

[sniper5]

+1 for Shellslinger. Handle them both and see which one you like. Both are great and will last longer than you will.

[BigDogatPlay]

There are probably several dozen 870 vs. 500 / 590 threads here but what the heck...

Will be used for HD/light 3 gun usage.

Many who play, even casually, at 3 gun won't use anything but a semi-auto. If you want to fool around with 3 gun a little, then I'd choose the 870 for the reason that it has a steel receiver. More durable and more weight to help with recoil, particularly if you are just starting out with shotguns. Until you get the basics of shouldering and mounting the gun down, even low base target loads can beat you up after a decent practice session.

For HD, either gun will do very well and both have buttloads of aftermarket parts available to customize (if desired) so it comes down to how the gun fits you and how well you shoot it. The only way to determine that is to go out and try them for yourself. You likely have friends who own both types, ask to try theirs.

[inbox485]

There are rabid fanbois for both, but here are the major contrast points:

870:

• Steel reciever
• lighter barrel
• Action release in front of trigger guard
• Cross bolt safety behind trigger
• single extractor
• tighter feel to action

500:

• Aluminum alloy reciever
• heavier barrel
• Action release behind trigger guard
• tang mounted safety
• dual extractor
• loose almost sloppy feel to action

In terms of longevity, accuracy, suitability, etc, I've yet to see an argument in favor of one or the other that didn't peg my BS meter. With even remotely reasonable care either one will outlast you by a long shot. If you get either and learn it, you will be happy with it. Either way, take the time to familiarize yourself with the functions of both. They are too common to not be familiar with them.

Configuration for configuration, the weight differences were within a few ounces.

Ergonomics can be a big tipping point. People that were raised / rigorously trained with 870's often won't touch anything else. They do what they've done and don't care to mess with anything else. In my experience, people that pick up both and play with the functions a bit prefer the ergonomics of the 500 series. If you want a pistol grip, you will find the ergo advantages tip closer to the 870 do to the safety placement.

Cost can also be a factor. The 500 series tends to be a bit less expensive.

[Pfletch83]

I like the position of the forearm release and safety on the Mossberg.

though either make will preform well.

[zfields]

If you just turned 18 and saved your paper route money I think you have to buy a Mossberg 500 and start calling it a shotty.

And refer to it as a moss online.

That, and register for the selective service.

When you get old and start drinking Scotch instead of Coors Light and shooting Smiths instead of Rugers you may reconsider.

Thanks, I just spent a bunch of money on a new pistol. And dont worry, my scotch cabinet is well stocked.
Oh, Ill stick to my CZ and Springfields, thanks though.


Thanks for the links. Ill check them out. As for going semi auto for 3 gun, I know semi auto is king, but I like to start with the basics to see what I like in a gun, then step up. Im moving to TX in a few months, and am waiting on picking up a Saiga untill then : )

[zfields]

To be honest, Im leaning towards the mossberg due to price, and since it already has a few of the extras pre installed (the big 5 special) that I would need for the 870. I really doubt I will ever be using magnum shells, so that isnt much of an issue.

Aftermarket seems huge for both, guess its time to go annoy the cute sales girl and handle the guns for a while again.

[shellslinger]

To be honest, Im leaning towards the mossberg due to price, and since it already has a few of the extras pre installed (the big 5 special) that I would need for the 870. I really doubt I will ever be using magnum shells, so that isnt much of an issue.

Aftermarket seems huge for both, guess its time to go annoy the cute sales girl and handle the guns for a while again.

You can use 3" mag shells in the Mossberg just fine, the material of the receiver isn't really a big deal, none of us will really ever wear one out lol. But yes, please check the Mossberg and the girl out and see which you like better, if you catch my drift.

[inbox485]

The only downside to the aluminum receivers is if you try to bolt on a side saddle. Go Velcro on that piece. Otherwise there is nothing an 870 can handle that a 500 can't.

[zfields]

whats the issue with bolting on a side saddle? Is there a similar issue with an optic rail?