[Yo Mama]

I want a new shotgun to get more birds than I've been able to get with my Mossberg 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder barrel.

I've been looking at intro shotguns for the field, and have narrowed my choice to 24 inches, and either another Mossberg, or a Remington 870.

What are your thoughts.

[41magsnub]

Either are fine and do the same things in the same way equally well. Which fits you better, is the safety in the right place for you? Nobody can answer this for you, go to a gun shop and handle both and see which you like better.

Seriously, it is a Ford vs Chevy type argument.

Also, you are aware you can just buy a longer barrel for your Mossberg right?

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Which trigger feels right? Some have been saying the Remington trigger cuts into their finger.

[Yo Mama]

THe new barrel is almost as much as a new gun. I figure one for home, one for the field.

[prescott]

THe new barrel is almost as much as a new gun.

What? I just ordered a new barrel for my Mossberg 500 for $73...right from Mossberg.

[jmr40]

I honestly believe the 870 is a better design. But the Mossberg works and there is something to be said for having 2 guns with the controls in the same place so you don't have to think about where the safety is located.

I would buy a Mossberg field gun with a 26" barrel for hunting and keep the short barreled gun for Home defense.

Or better yet sell the Mossberg and get 2 870's;)

[Virginian]

I am a died in the wool Remington man, but since you already have one Mossberg I would recommend sticking with them. The controls will be the same on the field gun and save any possible confusion.
But, if you never try anything new you never learn either, so there is also that side. I had a Mossberg as a first shotgun 48 years ago, and I have shot plenty of them since, and I have no complaints, I just greatly prefer the Remington's feel.
I have been shooting multiple Remingtons since 1963 and would never have even heard of any "trigger issue" if I hadn't read a few posts on this site. I am guessing it relates to how one holds the gun, etc. Since reading it here, I have asked about 30 people who also own Remingtons, either 870s or 1100/11-87s, and not one person I have run across has ever heard of it either. Maybe it's an HD gun or 3 gun competition issue? I don't know.

[Yo Mama]

What? I just ordered a new barrel for my Mossberg 500 for $73...right from Mossberg.

I looked on their site, and cheapest is 89 for the same barrel i have. Next is 150$. If you have a link to the one you got, or can let me know who you spoke with, I'd love to get that price.

[prescott]

$89? Where are you getting that?

http://www.mossberg.com/products/access.asp?type=barrels&section=access

I called them and ordered a security 18.5 inch barrel, the fourth one down in the link above. Part number 90015. It lists as $81.58 for a suggested retail price. Suggested...as in what you'd find it for at a 2nd hand "middle man" seller. My order was $73 straight from Mossberg (plus shipping). :cool:

Whoops! Had to add this... I see you already have the 18.5 inch barrel and want a longer one. Yes, those are more expensive. Mine has a long 28 inch barrel that I find to NOT be suitable for home defense. Good to have both barrels, though. One for birds and clays and one for a shorter and more handy home defense shot gun. Here's a picture of it with the long barrel. With the 18.5 inch barrel, it will be a bit shorter than the AK next to it.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/Mossy500.jpg

Just added this 5 shell elastic butt stock holder, too.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b103/AlbertD/shotgun.jpg

[prescott]

I honestly believe the 870 is a better design.

Never owned an 870 and I'd be interested as to why you believe this. The Mossy 500 has been dead nuts reliable for me. Very simple and rugged design as it was designed originally for military and police use. That's why it has pump rails on both sides as compared to only one on my Savage pump.

[prescott]

I have been shooting multiple Remingtons since 1963 and would never have even heard of any "trigger issue"

What is this "trigger issue" with Mossbergs? I bought mine used in 1987 and never had a problem with it. I have NO idea how old it really is or how many shells have been through it.

[shotgunjoel]

Benelli Nova

[amkus]

I'd get the Remington. Variety is the spice of life. :D

[prescott]

Benelli Nova

Browning Citori. :cool:

[41magsnub]

Quote:
Benelli Nova
Browning Citori.

Are we randomly naming shotguns instead of answering questions now? Can I play?

Winchester 1300!

[jmr40]

prescott,

The 870 was designed to be used by serious hunters and competition shooters. It has a proven track record of holding up for decades and tens of thousands of rounds for hunters and trap shooters.

The Mossberg 500 was designed for the casual hunter to take rabbit hunting a few times a year. It has no real track record in competition.

The Mossberg has been improved greatly since its introduction and is not a bad gun. The Mossberg will do exactly what most shooters want their guns to do but in the long run the 870 will out perform it.

I believe you are thinking about the Mossberg 590 in relation to being designed for the military. They are a better designed, heavier duty 500 that is a good defensive shotgun.

[hags]

Mossberg makes the M590A1 for military and LE.
The 20" 9 shot is the military version and the 18.5" 6 shot is sold as the LE version. Both have heavy barrels, metal trigger groups, metal safeties and aluminum receivers.
Both are very reliable and have a solid track record. Both are available with bead sights or ghost rings sights from the factory.

This is a years old argument/topic. You'll get the Mossberg detractors who bemoan the aluminum receiver. The bolt locks up with the steel barrel, the aluminum receiver is simply a housing, kind of like the ARs, M4s and M16s that the same people swear are the be all end all.

[hags]

The Mossberg has been improved greatly since its introduction and is not a bad gun. The Mossberg will do exactly what most shooters want their guns to do but in the long run the 870 will out perform it.


Could you qualify that last sentence? I've seen 870s lock up so bad during cycling, most particularly extraction, that the shotgun had to be disassembled to remove the spent shell.

[MCgunner]

I prefer the Mossberg for reasons that have been posted, ergos, the tang safety being one of 'em. I'm just guessing you're a righty, so that's not so much a big deal.

I hunted with my 500 this morning. That thing is smooth and sweet after 20 years mostly shooting ducks and geese. It shoots where I look. I had to shim the stock to get it to fit, but that's probably something I do with an 870. I'd buy another Wingmaster at a gun show or something, but honestly, I like the Mossberg better. That's why I've switched. BUT, it's a personal preference.

One thing, the Express models aren't the guns out of the box that a 500 is, IMHO. Their finish is what I most dislike, friggin' rust magnets. Net wisdom (an oxymoron?) says they have had some QC problems. Take that for what it's worth, about nothing. LOL If I got another 870, it'd be an older Wingmaster, not an Express. If I get another used pump, though, first up would be a Browning BPS and perhaps second, I'd like to find an AFFORDABLE Ithaca 37 featherweight...another oxymoron.

My buddy's got a favorite shotgun I bet you'd like. He uses it for everything from doves to geese, well, except that he got a new BPS 10 gauge this year. It's a 24" barrel 835 ultimag. The shorter barrel on the ultimag sort of offsets the added weight of the gun due to the 3.5" 12 gauge capability. It's a nice gun that can do ANY sort of wing shooting. You won't see one on a trap and skeet range, but it's an awesome hunting tool.

[Girodin]

I have both and think either will work just fine. I personally prefer the 870. That said I would be inclined to recommend as Mossberg because as others have said the controls will be the same.

[shotgunjoel]

prescott, the Citori is a completely different kind of shotgun. 41magsnub, the 1300 is a great gun, it is even similar to the other shotguns mentioned.

[zammyman]

I personally prefer the Mossberg over the Remington due to the release position. It's all personal preference, what feels right, and what you're used to. If I'd grown up on the Remington I'd probably say the opposite. And yes, the Benelli Nova is good, I think it feels poorly made compared to the Remington and Mossberg, and parts are more expensive. $.02

[axeman_g]

I own both.... I am growing to like my mossberg more then the 870 wingmaster mainly for three reasons... tang safety, balance point is more forward then trigger guard helping me shoot along a more level plane during fast shots and the trigger on my 500 is heavier yet crisper then the trigger on my old wingmaster. Now the last issue could be resolved... but the others can not.

It annoys me sometimes that I have spent thouands of dollars on different pump shotguns over the years, nova, bps, winger, 37, winger again etc etc. Only to have my favorite turn out to be the cheapest I ever purchased. It is an early wood stocked field model, 28 inch full choked barrel. I picked up a 18.5" barrel last year and have started rabbit hunting and pheasant hunting with the 18" on an old horse ranch/farm I have access to. The bunnies are so fast out of the brush, the guns swings so quickly with that short barrel, plus a load of#6 out to about 25 yrds is bad medicine on both pheasant and rabbits. I dont have shots past that distance, the bunnies hole to quickly and the pheasants have to many hedgerows to dive into and run.
All in all I am really starting to like my 500 alot.

[Captain Bligh]

I don't know if your "birds" are clay or feathered, but I'd offer an opinion that I would not be satisfied with a 24" barrel. I'd think 26 is the minimum for this purpose, and I might prefer 28.

[axeman_g]

I shoot a 24" 16g on pheasants all the time. I dont notice a loss in velocity... if this is what your implying/ The only difference is handling and sight plain. If you hunt in forest and jungle like I do, shorter barrels work. If you hunt plains and pastures... longer barrels.

[Yo Mama]

Thats my major question as well. Will the longer barrel made a difference?

[Guillermo]

Love em both. Reliable as gravity, tough as a WWII Marine as simple to operate as a hammer.

Own an 870 Marine Magnum and it is not for sale. Still if I had it to do over again I would get the Mossy.

One reason and one reason only...the postion of the safety.

BTW, the only way that you can hang them up is to short stroke it. Practice slamming the pump to the stop. Don't worry, you won't hurt it.

[hags]

BTW, the only way that you can hang them up is to short stroke it. Practice slamming the pump to the stop. Don't worry, you won't hurt it.

Not true, based on what I've seen. I've stood next to experienced shooters that have locked them up.
Never seen a Mossberg 590A1 do that.

[Guillermo]

I've stood next to experienced shooters that have locked them up.


Even experienced shooters can short stroke and the 870 is more prone to it than the Mossy.

There is a reason for this. The Mossy has more resistance than the 870 at the start of the stroke. You have to push forward hard so it is very difficult not to slam the slide all the way against the stop.

The 870's slide moves more easily so short stroking is more likely to occur.

[MCgunner]

I don't know if your "birds" are clay or feathered, but I'd offer an opinion that I would not be satisfied with a 24" barrel. I'd think 26 is the minimum for this purpose, and I might prefer 28.

Total and unequivocal BS. My 20" 20 gauge Spartan coach gun is absolutely deadly on dove and teal out to 35-40 yards properly choked. My 24" 10 gauge is absolutely deadly with T steel on geese. They kill things just as dead as my 28" 12 gauges.

In some guns I like the shorter barrel as it quickens the gun. I could have gotten that 10 gauge with a 32" barrel, but why? It handles better with the "turkey" barrel. It's a heavy gun, anyway.

I hunt with and will continue to hunt with shorter barrels.

BTW, after 20 years, my Mossberg is as slick as any pump I've ever owned or fired. They start out stiff, but they wear well.

[Taffnevy]

I vote for the Remington 870. Classic proven design, kind of like a 1911.

As far as trap shooting goes, I personally have noticed a big difference with a 26" barrel and proper choke, compared to a 20" barrel.

[MCgunner]

870s the classic, eh? The 500 has been around as long. Haven't found any dates, but found this diddy concerning "classic, proven" designs.

The Mossberg shotguns are some of the toughest, most reliable, and affordable shotguns on the market. The Mossberg shotgun has been around for almost a century; it is a shotgun that simply works, no matter what conditions it is put through. Mossberg shotguns are accredited with being the only shotgun to pass the military’s three-thousand slug test, which had proven devastating to all competitors’ submissions. The Mossberg quickly gained credit among the troops in Iraq, proving to be effective with all types of ammunitions, including less than lethal rounds.

[ds92]

friggin' rust magnets.

+1. My father's 870 has acquired some slight surface rust on the barrel. he however, is not exactly meticulous in maintaining it, but it still shows that the finish isn't top-notch, if it'll rust from just sitting in the safe.

i have no experience with mossberg 500's buy i plan on buying one soon

[jmr40]

870's came out in 1950, the Mossberg 500 in 1962 I believe.

[Mr. T]

I happen to own both. I have a Mossberg 835 and 500 and a Remington 870. Mossberg and Remington both make fine weapons for utility type purposes. Neither will win awards for ultra fine craftsmanship, but both make well functioning weapons. The Remington 870 is on a number of lists as one of the top ten weapons ever made. Further down that list, in a number of sources, you will usually find the Mossberg 500. As an owner of both types, I would have to say that the edge would go to the Remington, just from the stand point that there are more of them produced, so parts would be more readily available should something go wrong. However the Mossberg is the only one to pass the stringent Military specifications testing for shotguns. These tests are very tough, which is why Mossberg is to my knowledge the only one to pass them up to this point. I know the Mossberg tends to hold tighter slug patterns when shooting from the bench, but the Remington seems to be better balanced and handles a little bit better than the Mossberg on quick shots. As far as durability it's a toss up, in my opinion. I don't think you could go wrong with either selection.

[jmr40]

Mossberg was the only company to submit guns to be tested and won the military trials by default. The military does not necessarily give contracts to the best gun. They set a standard, any gun that meets the standard is allowed to bid. The contract goes to the low bidder.

Why Remington chose not to submit guns is debateable. The most likely reason is that they knew they would not be able to underbid Mossberg without selling guns at a loss.

[hags]

Mossberg was the only company to submit guns to be tested and won the military trials by default. The military does not necessarily give contracts to the best gun. They set a standard, any gun that meets the standard is allowed to bid. The contract goes to the low bidder.

Why Remington chose not to submit guns is debateable. The most likely reason is that they knew they would not be able to underbid Mossberg without selling guns at a loss.


and...............................

[jmr40]

and..... The military trials prove Mossberg sells a less expensive shotgun that did not fall apart during a test where the bar was not set very high.

[tenbears]

The military did report that the Mossberg did in fact rattle its self loose, primary the safety, in some cases the gun would put itself into safety while testing. Another problem was the receivers would start to crack under heavy use which would be a major problem in combat. But, the good thing is the these problems were corrected, to what extent I do not know.
I have seen many of the Mossberg's sold in the time I worked in a gun store and never had one return, so that says allot. Personally I think the Rem 870 model it best.

[tenbears]

The military did report that the Mossberg did in fact rattle its self loose, primary the safety, in some cases the gun would put itself into safety while testing. Another problem was the receivers would start to crack under heavy use which would be a major problem in combat. But, the good thing is the these problems were corrected, to what extent I do not know.
I have seen many of the Mossberg's sold in the time I worked in a gun store and never had one return, so that says allot. Personally I think the Rem 870 model it best.

[toelessJoe]

A few weeks ago, I bought a Mossberg 500 that came with a 28" barell and a 24" (or is it 26"?) rifled slug barrel that came with a scope for $300 at Wal-Mart. GunLocator and ImpactGuns had been out of stock for months.

So, I want an 18 1/2" barrel to round this shotgun out and I can't find ONE ANYWHERE!

I only registered here as I came across this thread a few times while spending the last 4 hours googling Mossberg 500 90015 - and every single online shop I came across was sold out - and have been the past few weeks I've been searching.

Mossbergs' website states they are also out of stock and this barrel can't be back ordered online and to call their 800 number. I did and the first time I waiting for an hour (on speaker phone) before I finally hung up as I was tired of hearing something like all reps are busy right now, please continue to hold or leave your number for a call back.

I did end up leaving a message and my phone number over a week ago in regards to this barrel and have not heard back.

I was/am stunned when I saw the date of this thread as only one or two days ago!

I've checked gunbroker, ect and everywhere else and can not find ONE IN STOCK to order.

I have called Mossberg a few more times last week and sometimes the phone lines where so jammed up that a recording came on after the first ring saying something like "All lines are currently busy" or something in the same tone/voice as "You've mis-dialed your call, please try again"

No idea how Prescott was able to grab one of these so easily while I am about ready to pull my hair out.

[zombienerd]

Heh, I have the 28" barrel on my Maverick 88... I'd be willing to trade :P The 28" is just a bit too long for me :)

Let me know if you're interested.

[Nathanael_Greene]

I want a new shotgun to get more birds than I've been able to get with my Mossberg 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder barrel.

I've been looking at intro shotguns for the field, and have narrowed my choice to 24 inches, and either another Mossberg, or a Remington 870.

What are your thoughts.

I don't know where you live, but here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, used Mossberg 500 shotguns are common and pretty inexpensive. I haven't looked lately, but $150 is a typical price. Used Remingtons are less common and more expensive.

Personally, I own both and I've always been partial to Remingtons. But this is really a toss-up.

[toelessJoe]

I just had to vent.

[Rshooter]

I own two 870 Wingmasters and one Police but I personally would recommend that you get a new barrel......Unless this is an excuse to get a new shotgun. Then you have to decide which you want. Actually IMHO they are both pretty much the same until you get into the Remington Wingmaster or Police grades or the Mossberg 590 grade. Try some out, have a good time and then decide. :D

[Grunt]

Ford or Chevy? Blondes or brunetts? Either one is going to work and you're not going to go wrong with either one. Owning both makes as well as working on them, here's a few things though I have noticed.
The Remington tends to be smoother out of the box than the Mossberg however, the Mossberg will smooth out over time and use...but both pale in comparison to the Ithaca M-37.
The Remington has a safety that doesn't break like the plastic Mossberg variety (although that is replaceable at a very reasonable cost) although the Mossberg is more ambidextrious in its design.
The Remington's steel receiver in theory is stronger than the alloy receiver of the Mossberg but then I've seen alunimum lower and upper receiver on M-16s on the firing line that have been around since the early 60s and are still in constant use without any problems as well as I've never seen a worn out Mossberg receiver...and alunimum doesn't rust either.
The Mossberg tends to rattle a little more than the Remington but it has a slide release that you can depress without breaking your grip or sprouting an E.T. finger.
The Remington has more accessories available for it although Mossberg isn't too far behind. Yeaahh!!! Mall-ninja guns for everybody!:neener:
The Mossberg has a shell lifter that rides against the bolt so a shell jumping the shell stop simply falls out the gun where a shell on the lifter with a closed bolt of an 870 can tie up the gun. A cure for this though is to either cut a slot in the lifter like I did with mine so when it happens, a knife blade can shove the shell back into the magazine tube. Another cure that is better but more expensive is to replace the lifter and bolt carrier with the flex-tab conversion.
The Remignton can add an extended magazine tube very easily where the Mossberg also requires a barrel change as well. On the other hand, the Mossberg tube is one seamless piece with no butting surface that increase the chance of hanging up a shell or follower.
The Remington is the favorite with law enforcement with a few Mossbergs also serving in the law enforcement field.
The Mossberg is the favorite with the military with a few Remingtons also serving in the military field.
Bottom line is go with the one that is going to fit you, fit your check book, and fills your needs. You aren't going to go wrong with either one but in the event you just can't make up your mind...get both!!!!:D

[Grunt]

I forgot to mention one other important thing, the Remington's shell latches and ejector are staked into place where the shell latches of the Mossberg fall out when you take the trigger group out and the ejector is held in by a screw. On the one hand, it's easier to loose pieces of the Mossberg. On the other hand, it takes a staking job (and the number of times you can stake a shell catch or ejector in is limited before you run out of receiver metal) to replace these parts in the 870.

[MCgunner]

Net wisdom isn't a good thing. I've seen some of the most ridiculous arguments imaginable go as "net wisdom". Saying the Express is a "rust magnet" doesn't make it true no matter how many times you say it

I'm not sure I believe the QC thing, but I've SEEN the results of just one hunt in the marsh and not cleaning for several days afterward. They are rust magnets, trust me. I've been hunting salt marshes and bays for 20 years with my camo 500 and it's still rust free. I hunted with a blue/wood Revelation 310/Mossberg 500 barrel on it, for 10 years before that without rust problems. I do clean it after a hunt, but an express, you'd better be getting the salt off it at the boat ramp before you stick it in the truck. :rolleyes: The finish on the express sux. Of course, if you're a mall ninja and the only thing you do with it is kill paper targets at 20 feet at the range and you store the gun oiled in a safe in an air conditioned room in Tucson, Aridzona, well, you will probably disagree with me on this.

You ever been to the gulf coast?

[hags]

Another problem was the receivers would start to crack under heavy use which would be a major problem in combat.

tenbears you gotta source?

[kcshooter]

The 870 was designed to be used by serious hunters and competition shooters. It has a proven track record of holding up for decades and tens of thousands of rounds for hunters and trap shooters.

The Mossberg 500 was designed for the casual hunter to take rabbit hunting a few times a year. It has no real track record in competition.Puh-lease! What a ridiculous statement! Don't make stuff up and then try to pass it off as factual info, ok buddy?




If treated right, either one will outlast you. Doesn't matter. Pick the one that feels better to you. If you like the 500, stick with it. If you have a few complaints, try the Remington.

I've got 4 mossbergs (2 500's, a 590, and a maverick 88) and a remington. I prefer the Mossbergs.

[Paradiddle]

There is one thing I do like better about the Mossberg - no frigging loading gate to get your finger stuck in while competing and trying to load fast (like in 3 gun).

Frankly the Flite King is better then both of them and would have been the military's shotgun instead of the 870 had not the Remington Propaganda machine convinced the military that you needed 2 slide arms instead of one.

The military shotgun prior to this "choice" was the Ithaca 37 - which has one slide arm as well. And so does the Winchester......

anyway they are both very well made shotguns that have a massive aftermarket support. To say one is more "serious" then the other is just silly.

[Friendly, Don't Fire!]

Uhhhm, Chevy vs. Ford?
Same difference.
I have a Mossberg 500. I USED TO OWN an 870, but sold it years ago.

[MCgunner]

There is one thing I do like better about the Mossberg - no frigging loading gate to get your finger stuck in while competing and trying to load fast (like in 3 gun).

That gate HURTS when you're out duck hunting and it's cold and your thumb is numb. Hard to load and not get a glove caught in it until I figured out that I could just hold the thing down with an off hand and load with it up. But, when you're competing or when there's ducks coming and you're in a hurry, that's a little slow.

I agree that this is one of the major ergonomic advantages to the Mossberg along with the position of the slide release and the tang safety. I'm not really worried about any minuscule differences in quality other than if I had an 870, I'd get a camo finish (the rust thing). If either one doesn't work right out of the box, Mossberg or Remington will fix it and as someone said, either will outlast you even if you hunt waterfowl avidly as I do. I know of few serious skeet and trap competitors that would use a pump, regardless of brand. My preference is based only on the Mossberg's superior ergos and that the gun has proven to me that it's a rugged tool for waterfowl hunting.

Most serious clay shooters, the guys that get on TV, use O/Us, single shot trap guns like the Kleingunthers, or perhaps an auto. I'm not sure where you guys are seeing these 870s in international competition. :rolleyes: I used an express once (rusty, too, LOL!) to win a trap shoot on the back of a cruise ship. The ship was full of yankees that didn't know which end the shot came out of, wasn't MY skill. LOL

[jhuwa]

both are very usable and proven shotguns. i actually have both of them. both of mine are good for hundreds of rounds before cleaning. get it wet drop in the dirt pick it up and shoot it again. unless you shoot a lot i cant imagine you would see much of a difference in them. on a sporting clays course i shoot similar scores with either of them.

[22lr]

I like mossberg just because of the safty, its quicker for me to bring my 500 into action than I am able to get a 870. Also the loading gate on the Remington guns drives me nuts, I don't now how many times ive jammed em up. Both are great but I will also argue that the older 1300s, and 37s are amazing guns to.

[MCgunner]

The Winchester 1300 and the Ithaca 37 are every bit the shotguns any 500 or 870 ever were, yet you always hear Mossberg vs Remington as if that's the only choices in pump shotguns. I guess it's the price and the fact that the 1300 is no longer made.

I've had that 870 jam from turning the round loose too soon several times, shoots back under the loading gate/elevator and you have to dig it forward with a pocket knife, not fun when the ducks are flying. Something about the shape of the gate on my old 870 Wingmaster, but it just HURT when it pinched a cold thumb. My Winchester 1400 doesn't hurt like that, still a pain compared to not having it in the way, though. Just be sure you hear the "click" before turning the round loose in the magazine. :D

[d2wing]

I have one of each and have owned a few of each. I did have a problem with the safety button falling off one a 500. But other than that both have been good for me. I mostly shoot a o/u now but an pump is good to have
either brand. Some like the top safety of the 500 and slightly lighter receiver.
Some are just the opposite. The 870 feels a little more solid. Good luck.

[mossberglad]

Both are great and have withstood the test of time but I'd go with the mossberg. I just really like them

[dwave]

The Winchester 1300 and the Ithaca 37 are every bit the shotguns any 500 or 870 ever were, yet you always hear Mossberg vs Remington as if that's the only choices in pump shotguns. I guess it's the price and the fact that the 1300 is no longer made.


I know, my 1300 (speed pump) is a terrific shotgun! I got it about 2 weeks ago brand new for 200. Its a very fast and smooth pump.

[Virginian]

Where people are shooting for money, go count the different types of pump guns on the firing line. That is all.

[MCgunner]

Yeah, I have often wondered where all these 870s are at big skeet matches. I mean, bubba down at the gun club is one thing, but...... LOL They make fine hunting weapons, though, and are affordable for their level of quality. That's why I've had one most of my life and may buy a few more in the future.

[Guero4179]

I prefer the Mossberg Safety, Elevator, and lower cost for parts and the initial purchase. Its been proven that pump receivers can be aluminum and last just fine. Mossy does not make anything as nice as the high polished Wingmasters or 1100s but for a defense gun the M500 does the job and well.

[KINGMAX]

I paid $239 for mine about 4 years ago, I have never regretted it for a moment. One one the best I have ever had. I lost a BROWNING Sweet 16 Belgium made complete w/ gold trigger in a boating mishap on the LUMBER RIVER. I had a REMINGTON Sportsman that was made like a BROWNING Automatic, and a REMINGTON 1100. Of all of them for the $$$$$, I will stick w/ my REMINGTON 870.

[wrs840]

I own one 870, one Winchester 1300, and three Mossberg pumps. They're all great shotguns, reliably and flawlessly functional. I peg the 1300 as #2 (and prettiest) in my book, but I prefer the Mossberg safety position, and Mossbergs just balance better and hop-up onto my shoulder faster, so they get my vote for the most comfortable utility pump shotgun.

FWIW,
Les

[shiftyer1]

Getting guns with the same controls is a good idea especially if it will be used for hd. I have both and feel I would spend an extra second or two figuring out which safety or slide release which in that case might matter. If only for hunting try both and pick the best for you.