[mljdeckard]

Hi guys, I'm kind of new here, and I apologize if this has been addressed, and I just don't see it.

The shotgun I use for pretty much everything is a 870. I like to keep things simple. Just like I don't want three handguns for field, home, and carry use, I don't want three shotguns for skeet, hunting, and HD use. (I know the real skeet guys will yell at me for that.) So I put a 18.5" barrell on it, and load it with Federal tactical 00 buck.

I've seen the Mossbergs, and every accessory available for one is available for the other, and the Mossbergs are somewhat less expensive. I was once in a store, and the cashier mentioned they had a special on a Mossberg tactical model, and I asked him which was better for close quarters combat, a Remington or a Mossberg? He replied a Remington is better for hunting, a Mossberg is better for tactical. I asked him why, and he gave me the Homer Simpson blink. (This was in a dedicated weapon shop, not a sporting goods store.)

Is there any significant edge one has over the other? I know the usage is the same, but is there any advantage in strength, reliability, or field result one has over the other? Or is it six/half dozen in all reality?

[DTakas]

Here's a link to an article I read that helped me make my decision as to which one to get for a tactical shotgun. It may help you too.

http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html

[Gary G23]

I only own 870's. I think they are both good guns BUT if you are use to an 870 it might make sense to stay with a 870.

[Starter52]

I can't see how either of these shotguns could really be better than the other. I suppose a left-hander might prefer the Mossberg safety, but otherwise IMO these guns are equal.

Pay your money and take your choice.

[Dave McCracken]

Both good. You've used to the 870, stay with it.

As for the dude in the shop, he makes a living selling guns. He had Mossbergs in stock.

The hardware is not yhe most important part here. Training,judgement, mindset, and experience all play bigger roles.....

[jwmiller]

I recently went through the same research, but I was buying my first shotgun which will be used strictly for HD. What I found is that they are both excellent guns with an extremely large user base each. The only real differences are that the 870 has a steel receiver the Mossberg is aluminum, and the placement of the safety and action lock is different. I liked the feel of the 870 a little more, but ultimately I chose the Mossberg simply because I think the safety and action lock is easier to use, especially if in a stressful situation. Since you are used to the 870, this probably won't be a problem.

[rustymaggot]

there isnt enough difference to matter. both are good shotguns and both do the job reliably. they have different locations for some of the controls, which ever your comfy with is the one you should use. im a mossberg guy personally. i like where the slide release is located. thats the only reason i prefer one to the other.

[Roadwild17]

More or less a six of one/ half doz of the other thing. Other than the lay out of the controles the mossys are offered in more HD configurations, but nothing that cant be done to a remmy.

[dfaugh]

there isnt enough difference to matter. both are good shotguns and both do the job reliably

More or less a six of one/ half doz of the other thing.

Agreed. I've always had Mossbergs, as they are slightly less expensive, and never had any reliability problems with any (including a couple that fired many thousands of rounds), but there's not enough difference to argue about.

The only thing I would say is "better" about the Mossbergs is the safety placement, which I personally find more intuitive, but that's a very small thing.

[Hoppy590]

as said before both are quality guns. all of the expressed opinions here are valid and well thought out. im kinda surprised,normaly the 870 camp rises to arms ( that phrase kinda losses its meaning on gun forums, huh?) when the mossy V. 870 debate arises

[Roadwild17]

I was thinking that too Hoppy,, maby there all at work so they can afford the next wingmaster ;)

[ArmedBear]

If you're used to an 870, there's no reason to change. Remington has made the 870 available in several new HD configurations this year. These configurations are all available as regular production from the factory:

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/smsil_tac870.jpg

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/smsil_tac8701.jpg

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/870expsyn18.jpg

http://www.remington.com/images/products/firearms/shotgun/870marinemag%5B1a%5D.jpg

Those are sold as regular Remington 870s, not as LE guns. Many more are available through Remington LE division, but you can really pay a premium for them.

Remingtons are easy to disassemble and clean, and their steel receivers are more amenable to accessories like sidesaddles, sight mounts, etc. without concern about damaging the aluminum Mossberg uses.

Some like the Mossberg safety a lot. But if you're used to the 870, you're practiced with the safety.

An 870 IS a superior firearm in terms of long-term durability, but you will never shoot either gun to death if you use it for HD. A hardcore waterfowl hunter I know did blow his Mossberg to pieces over time, but we're talking about orders of magnitude more rounds of heavy loads than a HD gun will ever see. Chances are your HD gun, either 500 or 870, will still feel like new in 20 years, even if you practice with it regularly.

[deolexrex]

+1 for Mossberg's safety and action lock.

[Roadwild17]

The mossy are also "easier" to add a +6 side-saddle. You have to cut or change the for-grip on the remmy.

[ArmedBear]

Not on the new "tactical" models. Note the shortened foreends.

[Fred Fuller]

You're already accustomed to the 870. Stick with what you know, because under pressure you won't be thinking about having a different gun in your hands with a different control layout, and it could cost you dearly. You got the 870 chops down pat, don't go changing guns now- and if you'd been shooting a Mossberg in the field, I'd say exactly the same thing about it, too.

If money is a problem, shop for a used 870- they're everywhere and can be found at good prices. In over 30 years of using 870s I haven't bought a new one yet...

lpl/nc

[tuna]

While both are good, and the Mossberg's saftey is in a better place (this from an 870 fan!!!:eek: ) I think you'd do well to stay with the 870. Even though the saftey and action lock are better situated, they won't do anything for you under stress, while your hand is looking for where your muscle memory says the saftey is supposed to be.

Besides, the Remington is just a better gun!:neener: :neener:


p.s. you could buy the Mossberg, and use it at the skeet range until you get used to it...

[Hoppy590]

hey tuna, where abouts are you in western mass?

[deputy tom]

I own and like them both.I prefer the machining of the "old style" Wingmasters vs economy model Express' but also like the price point of the Mossberg 500 for a truck/trunk gun.YMMV.tom.

[Black Snowman]

Another vote for stick with what you know.

[Grunt]

Well, I have 2 Remingtons and 1 Mossberg. When I was in the Marines, we prefered the M590 and these days in the Air Force, the M870 is more common. I do like the Remington but it does have a couple shortfalls. First is the shell carrier especially on older models. Generally, these are solid and if a shell slips past the left shell latch, a round shoots onto the carrier and the bolt isn't going back or forwards until you get it out. Had this happen on one of my Remingtons (operator error unloading the tube) once and I had to take the trigger assembly out in order to get the offending shell out of the reciever. After that, I cut a slot with the dremel up about 3/4 of the length of the shell lifter so if it ever happens again, I can push the shell back into the tube with a key or knife blade. The Mossberg has a carrier that rides against the bottom of the bolt so this isn't an issue.
The next problem I have with the M870 over the M590 is how the shell latches and ejector are staked in place. I've had to restake a few shell latches that had worked loose that were brought into the CATM shop because they quit working on the line. On the M590, the shell latches are not attached to the reciever at all. While this does make it a little more tricky when putting both the latches and trigger group assembly back in, there are no stakes that work loose over time. Another advantage the M590 has is the ejector is held in by a screw where as the M870 again has the ejector staked in place in the reciever. While I've never had a problem with this design, like the staking jobs done on the shell latches, it's always possible that the ejector may need to be restaked sooner or later as well.
I really don't think that a civilian shotgun is going to see the beating some of our shotguns take nor are probably as old (serial numbers on some M870s I've seen date them back to 1957 production dates) and how well a Mossberg would hold up after that many years has yet to be seen. For most folks, I guess it would come down to personal preference.

[mljdeckard]

Thanks guys, this is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for.

[WeedWhacker]

I was all set to buy a Mossberg, due to the multiple reasons cited above, plus the fact that the "elevator" stays in the 'up' position so as not to catch your fingers while reloading.

Then I wondered why I was going to pay $350 for a pump gun, and bought a $400 Saiga-12 from Fuzzy Bunny Movie Guns (http://www.fbmginc.com). (They'll be making 10-round 12-ga mags if no one else has any out soon - they've already made a 30-round .308 mag for the .308 Saiga rifles.)

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Find the best deal on EITHER that you can and pick one up. There isn't really enough difference between them to worry about which one you're "used to." In fact, I'd recommend adding a Winchester 1300 to the list to try out if you do happen to come across one. IMO, the "HD" models of all three brands are similar and will perform comparably.

For the record, I prefer a Mossberg 500 over an 870 for shooting furry and/or feathered things, but I can't say I really have a preference when it comes to defending my home and self - as long as I have at least one of them when the time comes.

[foghornl]

I'm a Mossberg guy, but get what "feels 'n' fits" you the best. You mentioned you have used 870's, so that would be my choice (said while standing in your shoes).

I REALLY like the look of the classic 870 Wingmaster, but the Mossy 'fits' me better.

[bigj8550]

Stick with the 870. I have had both sold the Mossberg to my little brother because I have one shotgun with three barrels now. One 18.5" barrel for home defense, one 26" modified choke barrel for skeet, and one rifled slug barrel for deer season. The barrels swap out in just a few min. and you can buy barrels through midway for pretty cheap I believe 99.95 for a 18.5" for the 870. I use the mag ext to increase cap to 8 Rd's. I don't use a side saddle or any other add ons other than a tactical flashlight. If I can't take care of a situation with 8 Rd's of 00 mag buck shot Then I can't take care of the situation at all. BTW if you buy one new check on the prices of barrels before you buy and buy a model with the most expenisve barrel on it. It usally goes cheaper that way!:)

[1911_CQB]

500. :D

[trigger45]

Mossberg 500. from a guy that had an 870 and killed his first 3 doves with an 870.

[Mannlicher]

I own and shoot a Mossberg 590, and a Remington 870. I don't see either of them as having an advantage over the other as defensive weapon. Both are robust, reliable and easy to operate. If I were starting out, I would just buy the one I got the best deal on.

[Cosmoline]

For me the choice is easy because I love a tang safety and hate the 870's little hidden button safety. For going cocked and locked on the trail, the Mossbergs are far far superior. You don't want a foot blown off (or worse) because you or a branch or a strong wind kicked the Remington safety off.