Shotgun Question: Thoughts/Opinions?

[roger1022]

Was at Turner's today and while browsing the rack I noticed some shotgun on sale.

The choices were:

-Remington 870 Express Tactical
-Benelli Super Nova Tactical

I went ahead and put down a deposit on the Benelli.

After getting home and talking to buddy #1 (a big firearms enthusiasts) and he said Benelli, good choice. Talked to anther buddy and said get the Remington since parts and accessories are easier to find (also in the event of a SHTF event). He strongly urged me to change my mind.

I'm not a fan of the Freedom Group or their politics so I don't want to give them any more money. However my second buddy kept saying I should get the 870 over and over again.

Was thinking of getting a Mossberg 590A1 but I don't recall seeing any.

So is the Super Nova a good choice. Or should I have gotten the Remington instead or wait for a Mossberg?

Thanks!

[11011500a]

The 870 was a great gun, but not anymore. A while back looking to add a 2nd 870 but walked out with a pair of Mossbergs. It feels & looks cheap, the problems folks are having with them is not worth the name.

[NapalmCheese]

Don't buy an 870 Express. If you want an 870 get a used Wingmaster, then you're not giving money to Freedom group and you'll be getting a good shotgun.

The Benelli is great. I use a Nova as my duck gun. The barrels are expensive unless you get a Carlson's, which would allow you to use the gun for more than just sitting in the corner waiting for a robber to break into your house. I prefer the skinny wrist of the 870 however, and the fact that the 870 is a 3 inch chamber instead of a 3.5 inch chamber is a major bonus for this short armed guy.

If the S hits the F do you really think you're going to be scrounging around for parts for your 870? I don't know what kind of S you think is going to hit the F, but the most likely scenario of you fending for yourself and possibly keeping looters at bay following a large natural disaster doesn't really fit in with the 'if it breaks I can find parts for it' idea (unless you have the parts on hand).

Other than that pick the one you like to look at more, since that's most of what people do with their tactical shotguns, along with the occasional course or watermelon exploding BLM trip. I know mine sits in the shotlocker unless I'm practicing getting it unlocked.

[lewdogg21]

Napalm stated it pretty well.

[dlquinn71]

I stick with the Nova. Its a well built shotgun by a great company.

[far from tactical]

And it begins

[Bert Gamble]

I just attended a course where a few people had 870's that were modified by Vang Comp. They were light and accurate. I am considering getting one when I don't want the weight of the M4.

[Bsandoc40]

Remington 870. It's much more versatile, and almost infinitely customizable.

... Mossberg 500 would come a close second...

[zfields]

There are plenty of Nova part's out there, they just tend to be made by higher end / specialty producers.

[damon1272]

With the potential for a Presidential restriction on Imported guns I would go with the remington. I would stay away from the express though as I have seen them jam up under hard use. Stay with the wingmaster. Benelli makes a great gun but I would be somewhat cautious due to import potential restrictions.

[aippi]

Being there is only one 870 and every single part in the Wingmaster is the exact same part as in the Express except one, I am amazed at the mis-information being given on these forums. Any question like this brings out opinions and little in the way of facts as few people, including me know both models inside and out. I do however know the 870 and doubt there is a better pump being made today, different yes, but better, NO.

[loophole]

Another thing to consider:

If you had bought the 870, you could join in on the hundreds of threads that discuss "my 870 won't extract" or "my 870 jammed" or "I had to bang my 870 on the ground to get it to open". Also, you can get a quick primer on gunsmithing, learning how to disassemble your brand new shotgun and work on it so it won't jam, even though it should have come from the factory that way. Oh, I know, the ammo is to blame. It's just that all other shotguns are built to fire any ammo that's given to them. You want a shotgun that only performs with the best - kinda like a car that will only run on Premium.

Last but not least: if you had bought an 870 and performed all the necessary modifications to make it do what it should have done in the first place, you can always lay awake those sleepless nights and ponder whether or not it will eff up again when you're trying to defend yourself or someone you love.

Or, you can take the shotgun you bought and just go shoot it.

Of course, that's just one man's opinion.

[ronrichards64]

My 1st shotgun was a 870 wingmaster ,Sold it and regetted it, Bought a stripped recever ,wingmaster , added express trigger and bolt .wood stk, 18.5 bar, will not sell this ever, bought a Mossberg 500a 20 inch for backup. My friend likes his Nova.The 870 is one of the greatest shotguns ever made.

[negolien]

Really easy choice

It really depends on the use. The Nova is a great shotgun for skeet, trap and hunting. While the 870 is obviously a defense gun... as for these 870's suck posts...Look at what the Police Cruisers have in their racks and tell me what gun you see there. It sure aint a Mossberg. I do however think there's a good alternative to the Remington though and that is the Hawk 982. This shotgun is pretty much the old 870 imho. It's a very well made and durable home defense weapon.

It still comes down to what you want to use it for.

Defense= Remington 870 or 870 clone... Hawk 982.

Sporting shotgun = Can't beat the Nova for diversity...it will eat any load you feed it along with mixed loads.

Looking for a best of both worlds gun?? Get the Mossberg combo.

[NapalmCheese]

It really depends on the use. The Nova is a great shotgun for skeet, trap and hunting. While the 870 is obviously a defense gun... as for these 870's suck posts...