help me decide. Mossberg 500 vs. steven 320?

[kilrain]

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

A fine choice. Shoot the hell out of it.

[Steve_In_29]

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

I was aware of this but "when" the rights were acquired wasn't germane to the conversation. Simply that they were both WELL known American companies was what I was getting at.

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.

Wasn't disputing that fact. I was just showing that even other supposedly American shotguns were sourced from overseas and that a weapon shouldn't be dismissed out of hand simply because of country of origin. The Chinese (or other country) simply build the weapons as good (or as poorly) as the sourcing company specifies.

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.

But the fact is that there is a valid warranty and Steven's/Savage isn't going to leave a customer in the lurch.

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 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.

Another plus for the 350 is that (short of an actual Ithaca 37) it is the only leftie friendly pump shotgun on the market due to it's bottom eject. Plus the 7.6 lb weight helps soak up recoil pretty well.

For all the worrying about capacity (I'm just as guilty) the truth of the matter is that for pretty much EVERY home defense encounter a single shot or perhaps two is all that's going to be needed (as backed up by figures others have posted in here). So the 5+1 capacity which served decades of cops well will work just as good for a homeowner.

While as I stated there's nothing inherently wrong with the Mav88 or bottom of the line 500s, when it came down to which one to buy (for my son and grandson) I went with the Steven's 350 due to it's tighter feel, all steel construction and seemingly better build quality.

I note the OP picked up the Mav88 and he will get good service out of it as well.

[kilrain]

I was aware of this but "when" the rights were acquired wasn't germane to the conversation. Simply that they were both WELL known American companies was what I was getting at.

It's germane in that your clear implication is that the Stevens name means quality when, in fact, the company named Stevens that actually made guns hasn't been around for 94 years or so. As for Savage, yes they owned the name and made many of the old Stevens shotgun that were so highly thought of but once again, that was a long time ago.

That doesn't mean the Chinese made guns are not solid, serviceable arms and my experience is that they are.

Wasn't disputing that fact. I was just showing that even other supposedly American shotguns were sourced from overseas and that a weapon shouldn't be dismissed out of hand simply because of country of origin. The Chinese (or other country) simply build the weapons as good (or as poorly) as the sourcing company specifies.

While you may not have been disputing it, you clearly left it out of your list to bolster your point. I was just keepin' you honest......

But the fact is that there is a valid warranty and Steven's/Savage isn't going to leave a customer in the lurch.

Oh I don't know, they might. The gun world is replete with "warranty" work horror stories. Either way, parts are coming from China and that translates to long wait times no matter how you cut it.

Another plus for the 350 is that (short of an actual Ithaca 37) it is the only leftie friendly pump shotgun on the market due to it's bottom eject. Plus the 7.6 lb weight helps soak up recoil pretty well.

Browing BPS is ambidextrous, even more than the Ithaca or Stevens since the safety is on the tang/reciever. While not what the OP was looking for generally, an old used one bought on the cheap would work pretty dang good.

For all the worrying about capacity (I'm just as guilty) the truth of the matter is that for pretty much EVERY home defense encounter a single shot or perhaps two is all that's going to be needed (as backed up by figures others have posted in here). So the 5+1 capacity which served decades of cops well will work just as good for a homeowner.

I agree 100%. The two common schools of thought, "If you can't solve the problem with five rounds from a 12 gauge you aren't going to, it's going to solve you" vs the "I never want to be killed for lack of shooting back" both have a ring of truth. It's up to the individual, based on their individual situation I reckon.

While as I stated there's nothing inherently wrong with the Mav88 or bottom of the line 500s, when it came down to which one to buy (for my son and grandson) I went with the Steven's 350 due to it's tighter feel, all steel construction and seemingly better build quality.

I note the OP picked up the Mav88 and he will get good service out of it as well.

My Savage 350 is my "truck gun" and I definitely don't feel undergunned or quality challenged.

[Steve_In_29]

It's germane in that your clear implication is that the Stevens name means quality when, in fact, the company named Stevens that actually made guns hasn't been around for 94 years or so. As for Savage, yes they owned the name and made many of the old Stevens shotgun that were so highly thought of but once again, that was a long time ago.

Sorry but I still don't see the point, as like I said it was simply pointing out that the 320/350 were backed up by known American names and if you paid attention you would see that I called out Savage as the name to trust.

While you may not have been disputing it, you clearly left it out of your list to bolster your point. I was just keepin' you honest......

While I can understand your feeling the need to double check my ethics...there was no need in this case. The fact that the Steven's shotguns were made in China had already been pointed out in post #4 of this thread so I wasn't making a list of where all shotguns were manufactured, I was simply pointing out that other well known brands were built offshore as well.

Oh I don't know, they might. The gun world is replete with "warranty" work horror stories. Either way, parts are coming from China and that translates to long wait times no matter how you cut it.

Or possibly a quick turn around as they decide to simply exchange guns.

China or not has no real bearing on a company's warranty service. As backed up by my own experience with Kimber, where after two trips through their warranty pipeline I still have a defective pistol (frame rails are not parallel) that never should have left their factory in the first place.

Browing BPS is ambidextrous, even more than the Ithaca or Stevens since the safety is on the tang/reciever. While not what the OP was looking for generally, an old used one bought on the cheap would work pretty dang good.

Thanks for the info. I tend (like many others) to get too concentrated on the Rem/Moss offerings and forgot there are still other brands. Though the BPS is a bit pricier then most people are looking for in a starter shotgun. As is an actual Ithaca from the resurrected company of that name.

The OP has made his choice though, so all of this exchange is moot.

[kilrain]

Sorry but I still don't see the point, as like I said it was simply pointing out that the 320/350 were backed up by known American names and if you paid attention you would see that I called out Savage as the name to trust.

Bottom line, Stevens is a name only, has been for many years. It essentially means nothing and is trading on past glory. To imply that the name Stevens somehow means modern quality, whether it belongs to Savage or not, is specious at best.

While I can understand your feeling the need to double check my ethics...there was no need in this case. The fact that the Steven's shotguns were made in China had already been pointed out in post #4 of this thread so I wasn't making a list of where all shotguns were manufactured, I was simply pointing out that other well known brands were built offshore as well.

And yet you failed to mention it in your list...as stated, you left it off to bolster your point. A valid way to make a point I suppose, I was just pointing it out, sorry you don't like it....

Or possibly a quick turn around as they decide to simply exchange guns.

China or not has no real bearing on a company's warranty service. As backed up by my own experience with Kimber, where after two trips through their warranty pipeline I still have a defective pistol (frame rails are not parallel) that never should have left their factory in the first place.

Of course it has a bearing. Replacement parts are built there, as are replacement guns. It takes time to get stuff from there to here, on top of warranty replacement/repair approval and actual replacement/repair time.

Thanks for the info. I tend (like many others) to get too concentrated on the Rem/Moss offerings and forgot there are still other brands. Though the BPS is a bit pricier then most people are looking for in a starter shotgun. As is an actual Ithaca from the resurrected company of that name.

Yeah, a new BPS is usually more, but used ones can be had fairly cheap. For that matter a used Ithaca 37/87 can be had cheap. I was just pointing out that the Ithaca and Stevens aren't the only "ambidextrous" options.

The OP has made his choice though, so all of this exchange is moot.

Yes, but since when has a point being moot ever stopped a conversation? Hell, if that was truly the criteria, you wouldn't have taken the time to reply.

[Triton8260]

Used didnt factor in becUse I wanted to take advantage of Black Friday. Ive yet to see a reasonably priced Ithaca 37.i really want one since Im a southpaw but I had to settle for the 88.

[kilrain]

Used didnt factor in becUse I wanted to take advantage of Black Friday. Ive yet to see a reasonably priced Ithaca 37.i really want one since Im a southpaw but I had to settle for the 88.

I saw a used one at Second Amendment Sports in Bakersfield less than 6 months ago for $250. It had a a long, hunting barrel with the bead missing. The wood was in in fair shape, the bluing about 60% to 70%. It was there for a couple of weeks before it sold.

They are around.......

And you didn't really "settle" for an 88, it's a great gun.

[Triton8260]

I saw a used one at Second Amendment Sports in Bakersfield less than 6 months ago for $250. It had a a long, hunting barrel with the bead missing. The wood was in in fair shape, the bluing about 60% to 70%. It was there for a couple of weeks before it sold.

They are around.......

And you didn't really "settle" for an 88, it's a great gun.

Yeah not looking for a fixer upper. Since theres no sight.

I know but i wanted a tang safety

[Just-in]

The debate should be Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

[sealocan]

No need to disagree folks. everyone knows the new Glock and Wesson shotguns that are hecho in Belgium are absolutely top of the line in quality.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/11/17/handing-zip-guns-buy-backs/

and if it ever needs warranty work it's done right in your basement.
;-)

that link is from the Calguns thread...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=15298740#post15298740

(and my vote is for the Mossberg 500 combo but only because I've owned a few and I really like where all the controls are.)

[Triton8260]

The debate should be Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

I don't like how the remington is needlessly more expensive. There is no forearm wiggle on them afaik but that is a non issue for 99% of people.

[kilrain]

Yeah not looking for a fixer upper. Since theres no sight.

I know but i wanted a tang safety

Fixer upper? You mean a tape measure, some tape, a hacksaw and file?....

Sorry you didn't get the tang style safety you wanted, but I doubt a crossbolt style safety will cause you any trouble.

[kilrain]

The debate should be Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870

I kinda think the made in China Stevens vs the Maverick vs used whatever is a nice change of pace from the never ending 500 vs 870 threads.

No need to disagree folks. everyone knows the new Glock and Wesson shotguns that are hecho in Belgium are absolutely top of the line in quality.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/11/17/handing-zip-guns-buy-backs/

and if it ever needs warranty work it's done right in your basement.
;-)

that link is from the Calguns thread...

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=15298740#post15298740

(and my vote is for the Mossberg 500 combo but only because I've owned a few and I really like where all the controls are.)

I like that, but I need it entirely in tactical black with a pistol grip, seven rails, two lights, three lasers, a red dot co-witnessed with ghost ring sights and about 50 rounds of extra ammo strapped to it in various methods.......

[TMB 1]

I kinda think the made in China Stevens vs the Maverick vs used whatever is a nice change of pace from the never ending 500 vs 870 threads.

I don't know anything about the Chinese Stevens, but I have a Chinese 93/97 I really like. It seems to be built just as good as my two original Winchester 97s

[kilrain]

I don't know anything about the Chinese Stevens, but I have a Chinese 93/97 I really like. It seems to be built just as good as my two original Winchester 97s

I have one of those as well, the "Trench" model with the bayonet lug and heat shield. I agree they seem pretty well built but mine has a weird habit of the action bar disengaging from the bolt occasionally. One of these days I suppose I should look into figuring that out.