[Andrew Wyatt]

Whenever i go shooting, I try to use that opportunity to learn something, and today, i think i did more than my share of learning.

I learned:

1. That my shotgun, with federal low recoil 00 buck will put at least three pellets of a pattern on an IDPA silouette at 75 yards if i do my part.

2. The stock of an 870 wingmaster is greatly superior (ergonomically speaking) to that of a defender or a mossberg, because the forend extends further back, and the wrist of the stock is thinner.

3. My light mount and my sling are not compatable with one another. The sling goes.

4. do not expect to find clays the day you go shooting. even checking five separate places in three cities will not guarantee you will have clays.

5. My dad's 870 has a really good trigger. my mossberg 500...not so much.

6. there is something to be said for a short barrel wingmaster with no sling, sidesaddle, flashlight, or GR sights. It's trim and doesn't hang up on things.

Any thoughts?

[Dave McCracken]

I'm surprised folks haven't jumped in considering the uh, intensity of some of our feelings on thse issues.

1, That means 6 went elsewhere.3 is hardly enough to guarantee a one shot stop.

2, Even with my oversized hands the 870 stock feels best and seems less fatiguing during long range sessions.

3,sling mounts are neither expensive nor rare. You made the right decision.

4, Be Prepared made sense long before Baden Powell, and will long after we are all forgotten.

5, Most 870s have better triggers than most other pumps. Exceptions include Model 12s and the Ithaca 37. Even then it's close.

6, Amen. A short barreled 870 is a superb weapon right out of the box.

Maybe now the ice's broken, more folks will add to this...

[dav]

First time I shot my new shotgun (Friday) I learned one important thing... I *really* enjoy shooting shotguns!
That said, I let the shop I frequent talk me into a Mossberg 500 Combo (18" and 28" barrel). Don't get me wrong, I'm not unhappy with it. I'm new to shotguns and I like it a great deal.
However, listening to the old hands (no offense, Dave Mc) here, it sounds like it won't be long before I'll wish I had purchased the 870 instead.
I think I need to find somebody with an 870 to go shooting with so I can learn if there is all that much difference for me at this stage. :D

[Andrew Wyatt]

1, That means 6 went elsewhere.3 is hardly enough to guarantee a one shot stop


It is nice to know that i can put at least some pellets on a target at 75 yards, even though it's unlikely i'll ever have to or want to later.

I'm considering acquiring a more 870 ish stock for my mossberg.

The 500 youth model forend extends further back than the standard model, and should be available from mossberg.

the 870 is a nice weapon, no doubt about it.

[Bruce626]

As one of the few other Mossberg 500 drivers on this forum, I'd like to jump in and give my $0.02 worth using Andrews list:

1. "...three pellets of a pattern on an IDPA silouette at 75 yards if i do my part." Interesting, but not tactically significant for me... switch to slugs and be sure, is my motto. Use of buck at over 30 yards could border on negligence.

2. "The stock of an 870 wingmaster is greatly superior (ergonomically speaking) to that of a defender or a mossberg..." Agree... never did like the M500 standard stock and swapped it out on day 3. Several other great aftermarket choices including the new Hogue 12" LOP stock.

3. "My light mount and my sling are not compatable with one another." Well, my light/mount live happily ever after with my sling... but my sling lives only in my "going outside" case, not on my HD-ready gun... so the two rarely meet.

4. "do not expect to find clays " (don't know about clays).

5. "My dad's 870 has a really good trigger. my mossberg 500...not so much. " I've compared several, including Vang Comped 870's and my 500 and can't really notice a diff... maybe I lucked out on my 500 trigger... or just worked it to smooth.

6. "there is something to be said for a short barrel wingmaster with no sling, sidesaddle, flashlight, or GR sights. It's trim and doesn't hang up on things.." As Andrew has said in other threads, there's a reason for each of those things... If I had 5 guns and the presence of mind to grab exactly the right one at the crucial moment, I'd agree. My truth is ONE gun, set up for multiple scenarios, tested to ensure it doesn't screw up in any of them due to other requirements. HD & CD only, no hunting, is what I'm set up for.

Nothing like a shotgun to stimulate discussion.

[Dave McCracken]

Dav, no offense taken. I'm old, and have well earned my present state of decreptitude.

870s are wonderful tools. But, the software is more crucial than the hardware. A good hand with a shotgun is good with a 500,37,1300,and 870, given familiarity with a particular shotgun.

IOW, you and that Mossie can do pretty much the same as you can with any other Big Four pump.

[Oleg Volk]

Check penetration of that 00 buckshot at 75 yards. I suspect it will be very poor. #3 buck has next to no penetration of cover even at 25.

[Sir Galahad]

To each his own, I guess, but for me, I found the Defender stock fits me better than the 870.