[global247]

I have narrowed my search of a Home Defense shotgun down to 2 Models. I found a Mossberg 500 Persuader 12 gauge used for $219 (nearly new condition) or a Remington 870 express 12 gauge for $299 new. My wife and I cannot decide. HELP!!!

[bragood]

Get the remington. Its a great shotgun and you can hunt, use it for self defense and use it for other things as well. If I was only allowed one gun it would be a remington 870 12 gauge.

[bragood]

Oh and I recently bought my long time girlfriend (4yrs) a 20 gauge and would actually get that as it would be enjoyable for the wife to shoot too.

[rioalumni05]

find a good used 870 for around 200...

[shevrock]

i haven't had much experience with Remington [only firing their 870 twice], but i love my 500a. now if Mossberg carries the quality of my 500a, into it's other series, then you'd be better off with the Mossberg. Also,from what i've seen, their are more Mossberg parts laying around on the internet then Remington. Now the Mossberg is tough. I mean tough. One of the shells my little brother fired from it had way to much powder in it or something, because it literally flew out of his hands, and into a tree. The stock was a little dinged, but other than that, it was fine. I'm not sure the 870 would do the same.


P.s The shell did have to much powder in it. after cleared the gun i checked out the shell. it had a bunch of unburnt powder in it, and the top had basically flowered.

[Snarlingiron]

Hmmm. You are comparing a superior new gun to a used lesser used one?

Doesn't seem like much of a decision to me.

While there is nothing wrong with the Mossberg, for $80.00 difference, I would choose the Remington every time.

[bragood]

I got that 870 for my girlfriend on sale for 199.99 last year which was an amazing deal. I told myslef Id go back and get me a 20 too but never did.

[Srigs]

The Mossberg has the safety where it should be IMHO. If you and your wife are not "shotgunners" then go with simple and to me is the Mossberg.

[bgeddes]

Both are fine shotguns. I love the 870, but would trust the 500 anytime.

[NotSoFast]

I think of the price and also think of the ammunition I don't have to shoot to break in the new one by buying the used Mossberg. How much does 200 shells cost? Add that to the new Remington cost.

[jakemccoy]

870 is my preference every time.

[New User]

I voted for the new Remington, but I own a 500 that serves its part in the home defense arsenal.

I only have a little under 300 rounds of 2 3/4" through my 500 and an additional 70 rounds of 3". No problems, unless you count me short stroking.

You are going to invest additional money into the Remington to buy a shorter barrel and increase capacity, but all I ever do to home defense shotguns is pull the plug to increase capacity to 5.

The Persuader model comes with some of the defense features people like.

The Remington seems to "recoil better" than my light, synthetic stock Mossberg does.

It's hard to choose one shotgun. That's why I have a 500 by my nightstand and the fiance has an older Spanish SXS on her side of the bed. We started with only one, but she didn't like the pump and I was not going to drop the coin for another auto.

[zachsm]

The Remington is nice; but there are a few detractors. The location of the action lock and the safety is a disappointment unless you are left handed. Both can be used with your right hand without moving it on the mossberg.

The remington's extractor is probably more durable than the mossberg's, but my friends express broke and honestly we have no idea how to fix it ourselves (im on the forums now to find out). The mossberg's is held in by screws.

Remington advertises the fact they use steel for their frames because steel is stronger than aluminium; this is true except for the fact that aluminium is more than acceptable for something like a receiver. To me, steel is a hindrance: more weight, more money.

I would advise doing something about the safety on the mossberg. The ridges on it are not enough for me and my thumb occasionally slips. I took it off and used a screw and it makes an awesome safety.

[NCsmitty]

zachsm, if you shoot a lot, cycling the action a few thousand times, the aluminum receiver will show a lot more wear inside than the steel receiver. That's the difference. For the guy who shoots a few boxes of shells each year the Mossberg is fine.

NCsmitty

[DKA]

Has been proven many times that the Remington 870, is the most abused shotgun in the world, and keeps on going. My buddy dropped his 870 under water, duck hunting, and shook the water out and kept shooting, mud and all. I have 2 870's, a Super Magnum and a 20Ga, and don't know of any shotgun that I would trade for, as far as reliability. Mossberg, is a good gun, but it is not in the class with a Remington 870.

[cerberus65]

Check Remington's website for rebates. The 870 Express I got last weekend has a $30 rebate going currently. $300 - $30 = $270. That's a price even my wife couldn't complain about. :-)

I was also very tempted by the Mossberg 500. I like the slide release better on the Mossberg. But I like the longer slide on the 870. Either would serve you well.

With only $50 difference between new and used... I'd go new.

[jack the toad]

New or used, go with the remy.
I'd look for a deal on a good used 870

[Dave McCracken]

The reason one sees so many 870s in police cruisers and not 500s is quite simple. Nothing holds up like the 870.

If it were simply price, the 500 would be on top.

It's not.

The 500 is a decent shotgun. The 870 is the standard by which all pumpguns are judged.

Get the 870, add some wear marks and cherish it.

[chas08]

Mossberg, is a good gun, but it is not in the class with a Remington 870.

My opinion also. :)

[JDoe]

Isn't a home defence (HD) shotgun primarily used for self defense and not meant to be shot on a regular basis?

If you are looking for a HD shotgun go for the used Mossberg because it is already broken in (saving you money more money) and you know it will work if you need it.

[lmccrock]

I voted Mossberg: I like the location of the safety (on the top of the receiver) better than the 870. That is huge for me.

My 590 has been quite good (I used it in 3-gun competitions for a while) and it is now the house gun. Reliable? Yes, although my understanding is that the 590 is an upgrade from the 500 in terms of the action design and strength of components.

Any copy of a design may not have the reliability you need - so either way take it out and shoot the dickens out of it. A class or match (like, 3-gun) would be good because you need to learn to rack it under stress, and my experience with a pump says what goes wrong is short stroking the slide.

Lee

[3 gun]

Forget cost which one fits the smaller of you two the best? Can you both handle the recoil of 12ga HD/SD rounds? Hopefully you have answered those and a few other questions before you made your list. Either of the guns you list will still be in use by your great great grandkids with normal care, even if you practice with a round of skeet and a class once in a while. I voted Mossberg only because it fits me best, sees regular use and still runs like new.

[mgkdrgn]

I own 2 870's (have for about 30 years), but given that choice I would have no qualms about picking up the Mossburg and using the left over $'s to buy some ammo to play with.

Both are fine fine weapons and if properly cared for will still be used by your grandchildren.

[Fred Fuller]

Both are serviceable guns. Price should not be much of an issue since the prices are so close for the two models.

Ask around to see if you have friends or family who own examples of both the 870 and the 500, failing that, there are gun clubs with rental/club guns available for use. My advice is to actually get some trigger time with each and see which you like better.

Then make up your mind- after you have some experience on which to base the decision.

lpl

[Arkady]

Owning and shooting both, I'll put it simply.

You are not going to break either one. The persuader offers higher capacity, and is cheaper. The Remington will often have a smoother action, which you may notice at the range, but you absolutely will not notice in a HD scenario.

Your decision at this point will come down to preferences:
Which safety location do you prefer--Trigger guard, or top of the reciever?
Are the stocks any different? Does one feel better than the other?
Is their a large weight difference? A heavier gun will absorb more recoil when you're practicing at the range.
Pick the one you like, preferably: Pick the one your wife likes.

You are buying a tool to defend your home. It can be pink, with 'Hello Kitty' stickers on it, and fake chrome everywhere--as long as it works.

[MAKster]

Dicks is selling the 870 express for $240 after rebate.

[Cowboy2]

Both are fine weapons from quality manufacturers, and unless you use it for competition trap shooting, beat it with a hammer, or spend a lot of time using it as a hammer, its really, reeeally, doubtful you will ever notice a difference between them. Pick whichever one has the safety design and price you like. I own both, I like the Mossberg safety better.

[Blue Brick]

Get a brand new Mossberg 500 combo from big five for $249

[Kentucky-roughrider]

I agree with Cowboy2 100%. I just like the feel of a Mossberg better

[Weezy]

Well you see, the Mossberg has great taste, but the Remington is less filling.

Handle both and decide which one 'fits' both of you the best. I own a Mossberg Persuader because I like the location of the safety and the action lock.

[ronto]

I prefer the Mossberg because:

(1) Location of the safety and the slide release are more user friendly on the Mossberg.
(2) The Mossberg is easier to load since the shell elevator doesn't get in the way.
(3) The Mossberg has duel shell extractors.
(4) Reliability of the Mossberg has been proven to be just as good as the 870.

From my point of view, I don't see the advantage of the 870 other than it may look better.

[Titus]

Whichever you prefer will be best. If you like a Mossberg, Blue Brick's Big 5 idea sounds like a better deal though.

[Old Grump]

If its money get the Mossberg and use what you saved for a variety of ammo from birdshot to buckshot to slugs and be ready for anything.

[buck460XVR]

I think some here may be confusing the Remington 870 Express with their Wingmaster. I own both and believe me, the Express is no Wingmaster. I also own a Mossy 500 Turkey gun. Of the three I would pick the Wingmaster. If I had to chose between the Express and the Mossy, it would be the Mossy hands down. So much for brand loyalty........:D

[robsc]

DIck`s Sporting Goods
Mossberg 500 Persuader
12gauge 20inch open cylinder barrel
8 shot capacity
matte balck, stock and foregrip are black synthetic
NEW- $150.00

[ronnieevans40]

I have 3 870's and 2 500's all are good guns. But I love the 870. It is an absolute pig and will take a great deal of abusive behavior. The bottom line is what works best for you in your budget. Used or new depends on the condition of the used gun. What ever you decide have fun and enjoy, both are good guns.

[Shell Shucker]

Bragood, How do you get your wife and your girlfriend to shoot the same gun? My wife gets pissed if my girlfriend shows up at the range with a fancier gun!

[Kryzen]

I Have A Mossberg 500 And I Loved It,But I Want A 870 Too.Both Are Good To Me With The Exception Of Some Plastic Parts In The 500.

[Virginian]

Your poll didn't have the option I would go for; used 870 Wingmaster. I like the styling of the older guns better too, and they are smoother than any newer Express or Mossberg.

[Zach S]

Since I'm wrong handed I prefer the mossberg due to the tang mounted safety.

Buy whichever fits best.

Bragood, How do you get your wife and your girlfriend to shoot the same gun? My wife gets pissed if my girlfriend shows up at the range with a fancier gun!lol, I used to call my GF my wife, since we were basicly married anyway. Now we're actually married and sometimes I still catch myself calling her my girlfriend.

[PT92]

I look at it like ford vs. chevy, toyota vs. honda or coke vs. pepsi. It's all about personal choice but you can't go wrong with either.

I have the Mossy in Pump and the Remington in 1187P auto. They are both FINE weapons and I would not say one company has better quality/control then the other. I would stake my life on either.

-Cheers

[loosecannon]

You can never go wrong with an 870 which has had a sterling record for 58 years. Also, Remingtons hold their value better than Mossbergs. I also own MBGS but would select Rem if I could only have one.

loosecannon

[bowl443]

Hmmm. You are comparing a superior new gun to a used lesser used one?

Doesn't seem like much of a decision to me.

While there is nothing wrong with the Mossberg, for $80.00 difference, I would choose the Remington every time.


+1

Why not a used 870 vs a new 500? This would be a better question.

[sillpapa]

I own both a Mossy 535 syn HD & a Remington 870 Wingmaster. The 870 is by far the better gun . Better quality an will hold up longer an yes It's a more accurate gun . Costs more . But you get what you pay for
Both are good but the 870 is just BETTER!!

[Rshooter]

I like the idea of buying a used 870 Wingmaster. I have developed a bad habit of buying used 870 police guns on the internet. You can pick them up for anywhere from $175.00 to $375.00 depending on their condition and accessories. Most are in the $250.00 range. I have several made in the late fifties and early sixties and they have the smoothest actions you can imagine. They are all 2 3/4 chambers but do you really need 3 inch shells in your home?

[egress4ever]

My first gun was an 870, I loved having it but I couldn't hit anything with. I loved the feel of the forearm, but other than that the gun just didn't feel comfortable to me. My buddy let me shoot his 500 and I loved it. I could hit almost anything that was past my bead, but unlike the remington the forearm didn't feel as good. The safety was in a more comfortable position and it seemed like the stock just fit me better out of the box. I am not knocking Remington, damn fine guns, I just prefer a Mossberg from personal experience. The only advice I can give is find someone with each gun and shoot a lot through each of them. There is a lot of bias towards brands around here, but that's life, people have their favorites and they will push them. Just find what you like and enjoy it. If its not comfortable to shoot recreationally then how can it be comfortable to use to save your life?


-My 2 bits-

[Line Rider]

Save up a few more dollars and buy a Police Model Rem 870.

http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/articles/870ExpvsPol6-30-05.pdf

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/rsa/journals/870

[heavyshooter]

I am a Mossberg lover. The tang safety is superior to the Remington crossbar. But I would probably take a new 870 over a used 500. But that's just me.

[Line Rider]

I have nothing again the Mossberg design. My main gripe with either the Express 870 or the Mossberg 500 ,and this is purily a personal gripe, I hate the cheapo plastic trigger housing.

[BeJaRa]

I hated my 870 express when I was a teenager due to fit, but now10 yrs later, it fits perfectly. Anyway, I just have a hard time believing what the guy said in this thread earlier that there are more parts available for the mossberg. Even mossberge makes barrels for the 870! I would rather have the slide lock on the right side of the trigger housing instead of the left, but other than that I have zero complaints with my 870 express.