Remington 870 Express or the Mossberg 500A?

[RNE228]

Have and shoot both(well, Mossy 835 wich is like upsized 500). Both have taken lots of ducks as well as clay birds. Dropped the Mossy in the duck pond once; drained it, pushed a napkin thru the barrel with a broke off tule, and kept hunting.

Both have nice options(factory and aftermarkt) and camo/wetlands patterns. A buddy shoots a 500; he switches easily from hunt barrel to short barrel.

The 835 is nice over the 500, cause it take 3-1/2" shells.

I've noticed what others have posted; the Mossy does not "feel" as solid as the 870.

[RedFord150]

Not on the duck refuge...

When I picked out my Riot SG with a 20" barrel, I never thought about using it for ducks.
However, should those ducks start flashing gang signs and inciting a riot, they are toast :-(.
A good friend of mine is a retired LEO. He refers to the short barreled SG's as 'great for social situations'.

[riftol]

I went to Turners today and have been searching for a shotgun for sometime. I first checked out the Remington 870 due to its popularity and the Remington name (On sale for $370).

The service rep helping me stated that he preferred the Mossberg 500A that was about $40 cheaper than the Remington. Main reason was the safety was easier to access. He mentioned that you have to reach around to get to the safety on Remington. I tried both and must admit the Mossberg did have a better safety feature.

I'm guessing its a personal preference thing, but what's a better beginner shotgun? The price on the Mossberg is about $40 cheaper mind you. I know Remington 870 has been the shotgun of choice by most LEO in the US.

Decisions, decisions!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I had a Mossy 500.

It's a good gun.

I recommend it.

[Thefeeder]

When I picked out my Riot SG with a 20" barrel, I never thought about using it for ducks.
However, should those ducks start flashing gang signs and inciting a riot, they are toast :-(.
A good friend of mine is a retired LEO. He refers to the short barreled SG's as 'great for social situations'.

If SHIF, I'll put my money on the duck hunter and I'm not being sarcastic

[DArBad]

I have my Mossberg 590A1 for a few days now. The " heavy-walled " barrel is quite impressive, same with the 9 rounds capacity (I have the 20 inch barrel).

My next purchase will be a Remington 870.......for comparison's sake.

Which is better?????.........Both, I think.

[adamjay]

Q: mossberg 500 or Remington 870 express?
A: yes, definitely!

I prefer the breakdown of the Remington.

[marcusrn]

Wouldn't you agree that you get more street cred with a Remington? It's flashier per se?

Street cred comes from being a killer and a maimer. It will never ever be associated with flash ( unless muzzle flash).

[Garand1911]

The 590 is better than 500, and 870 is best choice.
Per the magpul shotgun video, the 870 is superior when it comes to switching loads while maintaining a loaded mag tube. The mossbergs are more difficult.
870 is steel receiver vs 500 aluminum.
The weakness in the 870 is the ejector, DO NOT leave the slide back on the 870 for long periods, its hurts the ejector, and replacing them is expensive, since they are riveted in.
The mossberg top safety is better for lefties or people that want to look down and see the guns condition. Heavy rounds can push the safety back if its made of metal, or break it if its made of plastic.
The older 870s with the metal/alum trigger housing is better than the plastic one of the new 870s and 500s.
Probably more aftermarket barrel options on the 870.

[Just-in]

I own a 500 and an 870 and prefer the 870. It's easier to re-assemble after cleaning imo is my biggest gripe about the Mossberg.

[marcusrn]

I have a 590A1,18in that's vang comped and bored, Ghost rings sights, has cordura sidesaddle and ext mag and surefire light forend. One might say it's tactical.
I never thought I,d sell it but I have 4 combat shgns and need the roof fixed and house painted. I made a good trade from a guy who was the head shotgun instructor at Front Sight Bakersfield. $580.00 face to face in North County SD and i'll let you shoot it at Rainbow.

"Fear the man with one gun".

I have no street cred but am co-plaintiff in peruta. PM me for this great shotgun.

[kilrain]

Tastes great! vs Less filling!

9 vs 45

Chevy vs Ford

I love these threads!

[Gem1950]

One thing that should be reiterated is the quality of the older Wingmasters.

If I were to build another HD scattergun it would be from a good used Wingmaster 870. It doesn't take much, you can find them for maybe 200-300 bucks. Either saw off the barrel or buy a new 18.5" cylinder bore and you have a top notch HD shotgun better than most new ones. You can do as much or as little as you desire with extra parts and coatings or you can go whole hog and send it to a custom shop for the Cadillac treatment.

[marcusrn]

I wouldn't get either. I'd go used wingmaster or save for a 590A1. As far as the safety position it has been fairly irrelevant. I never use the safety anyway. Either round chambered or not.

Chuck Taylor instructs that for the more trained one can be off safety and simply break the action an 1/8 or 1/4 inch and this will suffice for "a safety". You're using large muscle that is already attached to your forearm grip, much faster than either manual safety device. Note; for the trained only.