Remington 870 vs Mossberg 50516

[sherm2954]

Any opinions? I know very little about shotguns and want to buy one (pretty cheaply) for home defense and going out to shoot with my kids...would appreciate any input on the good, the bad, and the fugly....thanks

[daybreak]

i'll bet that 60% of people here will recommend the 870 and the other 40% the mossberg.

I vote mossberg. The controls make way more sense. The tang mounted safety is much easier to operate, and ambidextrous versus the 870's crossbolt safety mounted behind the trigger. The action release is much more intuitively placed, and much easier to operate (behind the trigger, not in front of it like the 870's). The dual extractors are a plus over the 870's single extractor. The shell elevator stays up when you're loading, versus the spring loaded lifter on the 870 that can sometimes snag your fingers.

The biggest plus for me is the location of the safety on the mossberg and the action release. Also and unfortunately, I read a lot of complaints about the quality control of the newer 870 expresses, but I have not experienced the complaints firsthand. After handling and shooting both shotguns, the mossberg was the clear winner to me.

[aippi]

I do not hear a lot of complaints about the 870. I hear one complaint about the chambers and that is because guys don't clean the weapon first and go right to the range and start shooting cheap bulk ammo. A simple cleaning process before you shoot the weapon resolves any issue. It is an ammo issue and occurs in many other models. The 870 bashing by the Mossberg guys feeds the issue on the blogs and guys who follow my simple cleaning process end the issue.

As for the 870 Express. That $1,200 Wilson Combat is little more then a painted Express as they start with the Express HD model. That $1,200 AI&P Tactical is a Parkerized Express as I start with the Express HD model and upgrade some small parts. Same with Night Hawk and most all the others as they start with Express HD. Infact most all of the custom shotgun builders build on the 870 and only a couple build on the Mossberg. That should tell you something.

You simply need to go pick up each weapon and hold it. You decide. Posting this gives you little useable input except the opinion of those that own the 870 and those that own the 500. Both are quality shotguns that will serve you well and it comes down to what you prefer as to controls and how it handles for you. You are going to get a lot of opinions and very few facts. You will be well served with either model over any of the clones and cheap china imports. And yes the import clones guys are going to thread jump this even though your question concerns the Mossberg -v- Remington, ignor them.

[inbox485]

Functionally speaking, either of them will put lead on target accurately and reliably and keep doing so for much longer than your trigger finger will last.

870 is the shotgun of choice in law enforcement as well as some military groups. IMO it is more a matter of tradition than anything else. The real tangible benefit to the widespread use of the 870 is the barrel and accessory options. You won't find yourself wishing they made XX for your 870, because if you can think of it, it probably is already in full swing. They also don't have 4 different barrel interfaces like the Mossbergs do which further limits your options on the Mossberg.

The key difference between the two is ergonomics. You'll find most 870 guys either come from a law enforcement background or were taught to shot by an 870 guy. They get used to the 870 ergonomics and like it how it is. In my experience, most new shooters that pick up both a Mossberg and an 870 lean towards the Mossberg for ergonomic reasons, but you really have to figure that out on your own.

Speaking to your specific choice of Mossberg 500, you have a lot of package options. The magazine tube on your selection is the most universal for Mossbergs and will allow you to use a hunting barrel in the future should you choose. The pistol grip has its uses, but they are very limited. I wouldn't pay more for it. The fore end on that model is the hunting version and while it will allow you to grip the fore end closer to your body (this often reduces fatigue), it will interfere with having a side saddle if you ever decide to get one. The heat shield is a gimmick in the tactical / hunting fields, but can save you from burning yourself if you like to rip through lots of ammo at the range at forget to mind the hot barrel. I wouldn't pay more for one of those either, but I wouldn't throw one away either.

Handle both. If you like the ergos of the 870, aippi is spot on with the express hd model recomendation. If you like the ergos of the 500, I'd suggest you look at the home/field combo package at big-5. It frequently goes on sale, and you'll have a long barrel for clay or hunting for a lot cheaper than buying a separate barrel later on. It won't include the heat shield, or the pistol grip, but those are both cheap accessories you can get later after you learn how to use a shotgun and if you still want them.

[ChrisTKHarris]

I have a Mossberg 500, it works great, but it feels cheap. Get an 870.

[Bigbird19]

[aippi]

Come on Bird. He did get a great response from Inbox and to some extent even me. The OP wanted to know and now has some good info to go by and not just some opinions. Most of these type threads end up This -V- That but this one is going well. Be nice a leave the poor Mule alone.

[prc77]

I'll try and keep this thread going in the right direction.
As said above, both shotguns will serve you well, for decades. The 870 does allow for easy install if you want a mag extension and keeping with the 18" barrel.
Increasing the length of the magtube on the 500, and keeping the 18" barrel can be done, but it is involved and will cost much more. So the 590 with a 18" would be a better choice in that case.
+ 1 and +2 extension are available from multiple vendors for both the 870 and 590.
I personally use the 500's, due to the the placement of the controls, me being a lefty long gun shooter.

Try them both, if you can and then decide.

[IrishPirate]

my vote is the 500. my flame suit is in for repairs so i'll leave it at that....

[Stupendous_Man]

I have a 500. I believe that it will last forever, and work forever. It shoots accurately and has just been a reliable workhorse. If the zombie apocalypse came tomorrow, I wouldn't be sad that I had a 500 at my disposal.

All that being said, when I have enough money, I will get a higher end 870, and to be honest, if money wasn't at all a concern for me I would have gotten the 870. They just seem more elegant, the action feels smoother to me, and it just feels (and is) a more expensive gun. The mossberg just seems like more of a tool. Plus as someone else said, the controls are in superior locations. If I'm not strapped for cash, I would still keep the mossberg around just to have a throw around gun.

[cali_armz]

i do not have any hands on experience with the 870, although ive read plenty of positive reviews on them.

i do own a mossberg 500, and its been flawless for me. solid, reliable and very affordable.

[SparrowHanger]

I'll try and keep this thread going in the right direction.
As said above, both shotguns will serve you well, for decades. The 870 does allow for easy install if you want a mag extension and keeping with the 18" barrel.
Increasing the length of the magtube on the 500, and keeping the 18" barrel can be done, but it is involved and will cost much more. So the 590 with a 18" would be a better choice in that case.
+ 1 and +2 extension are available from multiple vendors for both the 870 and 590.
I personally use the 500's, due to the the placement of the controls, me being a lefty long gun shooter.

Try them both, if you can and then decide.

A 590 is not a 500. If you get a 500, forget about one of the favorite defense addons; the magazine extension.

Also, I don't know how often it happens but have seen some complaoints agbout the Mossberg shell lifters dropping rounds. Theh 500 also comes with a lousy safety button that you had best replace with a metal one.

Still, if you don't want an extended tube the 500 is a good gun. It's just not an 870.

Something else to consider is their respective receivers. The Remington's is steel while the 500 is a metal alloy similar to aluminum. Most of us will never wear either gun's receiver out, but the added weight can be a factor. The Remington's additional weight helps to absorb recoil but the ligher Mossberg is easier to carry on a long trek.

[inbox485]

I should have mentioned this earlier, but since you mention you are a new shooter, make sure you understand the manipulations for running a shotgun before you compare ergonomics. The main ones being the safety and the action release. Also try to get your hands on one of each with and without a pistol grip stock. Some people really like them, and that may sway you toward the 870 since the PGS Mossbergs make it hard to reach the safety. I'm not a huge fan of Nut'n Fancy (mainly just because he takes 3 hours to spit out 20 minutes of material), but his review of the Mossberg and Remington platforms is well worth watching before buying.





and the 5 minute version:

[inbox485]

A 590 is not a 500. If you get a 500, forget about one of the favorite defense addons; the magazine extension.

Also, I don't know how often it happens but have seen some complaoints agbout the Mossberg shell lifters dropping rounds. The 500 also comes with a lousy safety button that you had best replace with a metal one.

Still, if you don't want an extended tube the 500 is a good gun. It's just not an 870.

Something else to consider is their respective receivers. The Remington's is steel while the 500 is a metal alloy similar to aluminum. Most of us will never wear either gun's receiver out, but the added weight can be a factor. The Remington's additional weight helps to absorb recoil but the ligher Mossberg is easier to carry on a long trek.

I've never been able to figure out the shell lifter thing. I think I've heard of it happening maybe two or three times in as many forums, and it was an older design each time. Even at that IIRC it was operator related kinda like if you don't seat a shell all the way into an 870 it can pop back on top of the shell lifter and be a mess to unjam.

As far as the safety, the only issue I've ever seen were ones that were shipped with loose screws and no thread lock. I've never heard of one breaking. Same goes for the trigger guard. I've heard claims that somehow some knuckle head has broken one, but nobody has ever coughed up pictures.

The receiver as you mentioned is both a pro and a con. Ironically, the only shotgun I could talk my wife into buying was a Charles Daly which is an 870 knock off with an aluminum receiver. The lighter receiver balances the gun impressively well, and the overall package is feather weight as shotguns go. I've never seen or heard of an aluminum receiver failing from fatigue, or bending from abuse, but bolting on side saddles has ruined many an aluminum receiver.

[sherm2954]

Thank you...great information!