help me decide. Mossberg 500 vs. steven 320?

[Triton8260]

big 5 has a stevens 320 for $199 and the mossberg 500 combo for around$300. i mainly want a home defense shotgun so the stevens is more appealing in that respect but I was reading some problems with the forearm that have reportedly now been fixed in the newer models. But the mossberg is also such a good deal since it comes with a 28 and 18 barrel. Help me decide!

[jdewolf]

Mossberg, go with the trusted name.

[sanjoseskater]

Mossberg 500 combo is great. Worth the extra 100$ plus it's warrantied by mossberg so if it ever breaks all u have to do is send it to Texas to get fixed. I have two mossberg and they are great and tons if accessories and youtube videos on how to clean them.

[afteractionreport]

Mossberg. Made in USA....isnt stevens made in china?....

Regardless my.moss500 hasnt failed.me yet....

[afteractionreport]

Just go with mossberg but if youre really on a budget maverick88 is a quality sg made by mossberg but with parts from mexico...

Most accessories for the 500 fit the mav88 and its nearly identical...
This most likely will b my next pump action sg....ima pimp it out with some nice wood furniture since my m500 is for HD and is set with a PG for easy manuvering in my apt...

[dirtrider04]

Mossberg

[axhoaxho]

Agree with Mossberg. A proven model, with wide support of accessories/know-hows.

If budget limits, the Maverick 88 could be an alternative.

[TMB 1]

Agree with Mossberg. A proven model, with wide support of accessories/know-hows.

If budget limits, the Maverick 88 could be an alternative.

[Blackhorse2010]

Of the two, definitely the Mossberg if it's within your budget.
That being said, I picked up the Stevens for $179 OTD instead of the Maverick just because it felt more robust and a lot smoother.
The forearm issue has been fixed and is a non-issue.
If you're looking to add aftermarket parts, then forget the Stevens. There aren't any.

[Atekhed]

Mossberg. Best choice of the two by far even if you never use the longer sporting length barrel, you may be able to sell it and bring the cost down closer to the Stevens.

[Jimmybacon43]

Mossberg hands down although the combo pack from big 5 has a relatively low quality stock and a pinned for end with no action slide tube. I would get the dedicated Mossberg 500 home defense model, it should still be around 300.

[brian.243]

Stevens 320 is a copy of the Winchester 1300.
I bought one and so far it's a solid gun no issues.

[Steve_In_29]

Mossberg, go with the trusted name.

Steven's (an old American brand) now owned by Savage (a trusted name).

Mossberg. Made in USA....isnt stevens made in china?....

Regardless my.moss500 hasnt failed.me yet....

Mossberg = made in USA, except when they aren't.
Mavierick 88 = parts made in Mexico
Mossberg 20G semi-auto = made in Turkey

Mossberg 500 combo is great. Worth the extra 100$ plus it's warrantied by mossberg so if it ever breaks all u have to do is send it to Texas to get fixed. I have two mossberg and they are great and tons if accessories and youtube videos on how to clean them.

Steven's is backed up by Savage so warranty isn't an issue either.

All that being said if aftermarket accessories are the driving force then the Mossberg is the clear winner. But if you just want a shotgun that works and don't plan on goo-gaaing it all up then there is nothing wrong with the Steven's.

I bought two of the Steven's 350 (Ithaca 37 clone) and have been VERY pleased with them. I specifically picked the Steven's over the bottom of the line 500 and Maverick 88 as the Steven's felt much more substantial and seemed better put together.

[kilrain]

Steven's (an old American brand) now owned by Savage (a trusted name).

Now owned by Savage? Now? Savage acquired Stevens in about 1920, FYI

Mossberg = made in USA, except when they aren't.
Mavierick 88 = parts made in Mexico
Mossberg 20G semi-auto = made in Turkey

All true. Also true is that the current Stevens branded shotguns are made in China. All parts, all guns. Doesn't bother me, but it's a fact nonetheless.

Steven's is backed up by Savage so warranty isn't an issue either.

I wouldn't be too enthused about that warranty. A quick google search will quickly reveal issues with it, probably because replacement parts have to come from China.

All that being said if aftermarket accessories are the driving force then the Mossberg is the clear winner. But if you just want a shotgun that works and don't plan on goo-gaaing it all up then there is nothing wrong with the Steven's.

I agree, nothing wrong at all. Some of the guns have had problems with the action tube/action bar connection point, but the DESIGN itself is solid.

I bought two of the Steven's 350 (Ithaca 37 clone) and have been VERY pleased with them. I specifically picked the Steven's over the bottom of the line 500 and Maverick 88 as the Steven's felt much more substantial and seemed better put together.

I have a Stevens 350 and have been extremely pleased with the overall quality and reliability of it. That being said, if I had to choose to between it and a Mossberg 500 as my ONLY shotgun, I'd take the 500. But then again, this is 'Murica, save up and buy both.

[Triton8260]

Well I decided to get myself a maverick 88 since they ran out of the mossberg 500. Overall good buy!