Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 in 18.5 inch

[L-2]

My Mossberg 590A1 18.5" w/GRS is still my favorite after ~25 years:

https://www.mossberg.com/590a1-m-lok-50765.html

I've got a couple of 870s too, but don't even know, if ever necessary, who or where I'd get them repaired as I understand the present Remarms company won't work on the pre-Remarms stuff. Otherwise, my Remington 870s work fine and feel good too.

[oddball]

Brand new, I'd buy Mossberg 500/590 any day over new Remington 870. I have experienced a couple of new 870 Express shotguns maybe 10 years ago, and the fit and finish of them were awful. I have two 590s (Shockwave, 18.5") from the last 7 years and they are great, still have them. But my 1960s 20 gauge 870 Wingmaster is an excellent shotgun, the fit and finish really remarkable, smooth as butter. If you're jonesing for an 870, be patient and buy an older Wingmaster.

[BigPimping]

Well I purchased a new Mossberg 500 persuader today. it has the factory heat shield. $400. I’m pretty happy with the purchase..

[beerman]

You did fine BP. As oddball said, if buying new, 590 all day, that said an older wingmaster is good as gold. New ones are lacking. The true Ford vs Chevy debate.

[BucDan]

If you have a sportsmans warehouse nearby, get the Moss 500 combo for $420.

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/shotguns/mossberg-500-3-in-1-combo-shotgun/p/1503780

[SDDAVE56]

Well I purchased a new Mossberg 500 persuader today. it has the factory heat shield. $400. I’m pretty happy with the purchase..

Good choice. Get a box of dummy rounds, practice naked in front of a mirror!

[turbolarry]

Well I purchased a new Mossberg 500 persuader today. it has the factory heat shield. $400. I’m pretty happy with the purchase..

Nice.
Have fun blasting 00 buck and slugs

[kid386]

Fan of the 500. I have one in 20 and one in 12. I just prefer where the safety is located vs the 870.

[bigbossman]

.... I have experienced a couple of new 870 Express shotguns maybe 10 years ago, and the fit and finish of them were awful.,,,,,

Oddly enough, that's why I prefer the 870 Express for duck hunting...... if it falls out of the boat, I won't cry about losing it. Ugly though mine may be, it is a reliable and sturdy producer and I have no complaints. Yeah, the wood and wood finish is crap, and whatever they finish the metal with likes to rust while you watch, but it kills everything I point it at, and has never let me down in the field.

[Grendel Guy]

Cleaning my Wingmaster was easier than falling down. My bil brought his 500 for me to clean. When I was done I told him never again. Springs and pins went everywhere.

[Cowboy T]

Well I purchased a new Mossberg 500 persuader today. it has the factory heat shield. $400. I’m pretty happy with the purchase..

Yep, that's a good choice. Mossberg 500's are good general-purpose shotguns.

[BigPimping]

Did you get the version with a stock, or is it the pistol grip model? There’s so many options that it’s hard to follow. While I do prefer the 870, Remington makes it difficult to like them. The wood stock versions have a 14” length of pull which is just too long. The pump is also way too long. Finding a (new) set of wood of the proper lengths is nearly impossible. I know that Hans at Vancomp was offering modified Remington stock sets for $195.00. I believe his LOP was 13”. He also shortened the pump. Looks kind of weird. Hogue markets a 12” rubber set, which is a bit short unless you’re wearing heavy clothing or a vest, etc. Magpul is probably the best option considering the stock spacers, etc. It would be nice if Remington had a “Shop Remington” site, and offered wood stock sets, short barrels with and without sights, factory mag extensions, etc. Perhaps there’s just not enough market demand.https://vangcomp.com/product/vcs-mod...nut-remington/

I got the version with the stock. I don’t like the birds handle or a pistol grip at all. it it’s much too difficult to control and you can’t aim it.

[BOBGBA]

...I got the version with the stock. I don’t like the birds handle or a pistol grip at all. it it’s much too difficult to control and you can’t aim it.

Yep. To me, a regular stock is more versatile.
It can be shot from the hip (if needed), doubt I'd ever have to do it that way, but who knows.
I'm much more comfortable shooting using a shoulder mounted shotgun.

I agree. Some people have different needs, but it’s not for me.

Yep.

[W.R.Buchanan]

BP: Hope you read my sticky at the top of the page? Depending on what you plan on actually doing with the gun, IE: Tactical Shotgun Classes, 3 Gun Shoots, Home Defense, Arming yourself for the upcoming Chinese West Coast Invasion ? What you want to do with the gun can, and should, influence your decision.

Tactical Shotguning is all about "Gun Handling." Anyone can hit a target out to 50 yards with just about any Shotgun. It ain't that hard. However running that gun in a Dynamic Tactical Situation is a completely different animal. Being able to keep the gun running, by either keeping the magazine topped off or single loading it after you run it dry, is where the task gets a little more complicated. Also Clearing any Malfunctions can be another consideration.

Both Remington and Mossberg make good guns, however I feel that the Mossberg offers some differences that I have come to appreciate, and make the task of keeping the gun running easier.

1. The Safety on the Mossberg's is on the back of the receiver. This makes the gun Ambidextrous. May or may not be a consideration for you?
2. The Ejection Port on the Mossberg's is larger than the Remington 870's and this makes them easier to single load than the 870.
3. The Bolt Release on the Mossberg is behind the trigger guard, and is operated by your middle finger without having to reposition your hand to activate it like on the 870. This is much faster !!!

These are the main mechanical differences. However there are other things that I feel are relevant to this discussion.

Mossberg's are less expensive ! If you have followed any of my Threads about some of the guns I have built, you'll note that I buy used guns. None of them have cost me more than $300, which leaves me lots of room for customization. I have 5 of these guns and 4 of them have Magpul Furniture which I consider to be the best Ergonomically. They can be easily changed to make the gun fit you correctly, which is another consideration,

Mechanically the two guns are very similar and IMHO there is no significant differences between them, and both have been used at one time or another by the Military and numerous Police Agencies so you really can't go wrong here.

I like the Mossberg's because it is easier to make them run super smooth, and I can do one top to bottom in about 2 hours.

I would suggest that you read my sticky "What I did to my Shotguns" and learn some more about why I feel this way. I also did 7 Tactical Shotgun Courses at Front Sight which added up to about 200 hours of training, so that I can actually run one somewhat "Efficiently."

Good Luck and this is my first post back at the site after the changeover.

Randy 1450468.jpg 100464677.jpg IMG_2173.jpg

[SDDAVE56]

"Good Luck and this is my first post back at the site after the changeover".


Well in that case, welcome back. I do enjoy reading your posts.