Is SXP a worthwhile alternative to a Mossberg 500?

[grantsot]

Depends on your uses. For a home defense gun, I would have no issues with a Mossberg 500. There's nothing special about a Mossberg 500, it's just a gun that does it's job, and it does it well. Before I got my Beretta A300 Ultima, I was using my Mossberg 500 for skeet and trap. Was it the best option? No. Did it work? Yes. I have 2000+ rounds in that shotgun just off of clays alone. Another thing to keep in mind, is that the gun I've been using was produced only a couple years ago, so I wouldn't be worried about getting a "bad quality" new production Mossberg 500. Honestly, I would pick a Mossberg over an SXP, but that's just my experience.

 

[Autodidactic]

Depends on your uses. For a home defense gun, I would have no issues with a Mossberg 500. There's nothing special about a Mossberg 500, it's just a gun that does it's job, and it does it well. Before I got my Beretta A300 Ultima, I was using my Mossberg 500 for skeet and trap. Was it the best option? No. Did it work? Yes. I have 2000+ rounds in that shotgun just off of clays alone. Another thing to keep in mind, is that the gun I've been using was produced only a couple years ago, so I wouldn't be worried about getting a "bad quality" new production Mossberg 500. Honestly, I would pick a Mossberg over an SXP, but that's just my experience.

I think that like handguns, the key is identifying what the base level of quality is and what price range that looks for new/used. A Mossberg like a Glock will do the job. Like myself, many people don't want to invest $800 on a shotgun, but more a sufficient quality basic one.

 

[The Exile]

I think that like handguns, the key is identifying what the base level of quality is and what price range that looks for new/used. A Mossberg like a Glock will do the job. Like myself, many people don't want to invest $800 on a shotgun, but more a sufficient quality basic one.

I'm the only person on Earth who genuinely thinks Glocks look neat

 

[Autodidactic]

I'm the only person on Earth who genuinely thinks Glocks look neat

I don’t think they look bad, nor great. They look plain. But, they work. For some reason I think the baby glocks look better.

 

[Seedy Character]

I'm the only person on Earth who genuinely thinks Glocks look neat

Yes, yes you are

 

[Autodidactic]

Yes, yes you are

Over at Glock Talk there are lots of fanboys who think Glocks are Cindy Crawford.

 

[Seedy Character]

Over at Glock Talk there are lots of fanboys who think Glocks are Cindy Crawford.

I'll take Cindy

 

[rg1]

I have a FN P12 pump that I like. It’s supposed to be a copy of the Win SXP. Smooth cycling, good sights. Only negative of the SXP and FN P12 is it has only one trigger group pin. The other end is hinged making sidesaddle shell holders that need two pins not work. I have a glue on with Velcro shell holder but it’s terrible. I prefer safety’s on the rear of the trigger guard like on my Rem 870’s and the SXP and FN P12 it’s on the front of the trigger guard. Prefer Rem 870’s and have zero experience with Mossbergs.

 

[InTheSwamp]

For pump, hard to beat the Benelli Supernova - Tactical, or Hunting ones.

 

[Blunderbuss623]

I've been wanting to get my first shotgun for a while now but I've been sitting on my hands because I wanted to get a Mossberg 500, everyone treats it like anything else is almost a knock off. I've been waiting for a few weeks now just checking stocks and my LGS hasn't had a restock at all, and I've noticed in the past when I've gone in for other guns the Mossbergs have been pretty scarce in general. What they do have a lot of are Turkish imports, at some point Cabela must have just imported an entire cargo ship's worth or something because the whole gun library area was stuffed to the gills with cheap Cobra Tri-Stars.

I think Winchester, even if not made in America, is still a more trustworthy name brand though and I know that SXPs are in stock; on top of that a lot of the mossbergs I used to see were all long barrel hunting versions while I'm looking for a smaller home defense style. I guess I just don't know if I should wait more and try to get a Mossberg or if I should break and get the SXP.

So, I actually have a lot of experience with both the SXP Defender and Mossberg. I own both and love both. The SXP Defender is a fantastic gun. I love it. Got it new for $300 at academy. Chrome lined barrel and truly one of the fastest cycling Guns on the market. DO NOT BUY THE SXP WITH THE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. The sights are are very poor, I could write a whole article about it. Get the standard bead sight, cause that's what it is good for. Just a great standard bead sight shotgun. Now, there are limited accessories but they are out there. Message me if you want the skinny on the best accessories. Now, if you want a gun that you can sight slugs into 50-100 yards, or just have an insane amount of accessories, or do anything beyond what a basic bead sighted Shotgun can do, you'll need the Mossy 500 or even better the 590a1 with XS sights. Cheers.

 

[kenk]

So, I actually have a lot of experience with both the SXP Defender and Mossberg. I own both and love both. The SXP Defender is a fantastic gun. I love it. Got it new for $300 at academy. Chrome lined barrel and truly one of the fastest cycling Guns on the market. DO NOT BUY THE SXP WITH THE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. The sights are are very poor, I could write a whole article about it. Get the standard bead sight, cause that's what it is good for. Just a great standard bead sight shotgun. Now, there are limited accessories but they are out there. Message me if you want the skinny on the best accessories. Now, if you want a gun that you can sight slugs into 50-100 yards, or just have an insane amount of accessories, or do anything beyond what a basic bead sighted Shotgun can do, you'll need the Mossy 500 or even better the 590a1 with XS sights. Cheers.

So, I actually have a lot of experience with both the SXP Defender and Mossberg. I own both and love both. The SXP Defender is a fantastic gun. I love it. Got it new for $300 at academy. Chrome lined barrel and truly one of the fastest cycling Guns on the market. DO NOT BUY THE SXP WITH THE ADJUSTABLE SIGHTS. The sights are are very poor, I could write a whole article about it. Get the standard bead sight, cause that's what it is good for. Just a great standard bead sight shotgun. Now, there are limited accessories but they are out there. Message me if you want the skinny on the best accessories. Now, if you want a gun that you can sight slugs into 50-100 yards, or just have an insane amount of accessories, or do anything beyond what a basic bead sighted Shotgun can do, you'll need the Mossy 500 or even better the 590a1 with XS sights. Cheers.

Evening Blunderbuss623, you had mentioned that your up on accessories for the SXP Defender. I have the 18” 12, and have hunted high and low for a heat shield (not necessary) I know but I kind of like them, and am also considering some type of WML system, possibly from Streamlight, but am not finding anything for mounts. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance

 

[DustyGmt]

I shot a few winchester pumps, 1200's and handled an SXP. I didn't really like em. The 1200's just felt weird to me but that's probably just a result of confirmation bias or whatever it's called. I've basically shot nothing but 500/590 and 870's and they've always worked.

I can't help but think that if I started with an SXP or 1200 I probably still would have been wanting for the mossbergs or remingtons and think they are the top dogs in the pump world for a reason. A model 12 would probably be an exception in this case, those are fantastic guns.

I've got a mossberg that don't owe me nothing, it litterally felt like it was gonna fall apart to me after the first box of 3" magnums I put through it almost two decades ago but after many many rounds its proven itself. Nothing special, just works, kind of like a glock. Huge aftermarket support for the 500's and 870's.

I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Benelli Nova or Browning BPS though. I'd probably pass on an SXP though, just my instincts and opinion. My initial purchasing instincts and preferences have been validated, maybe yours will bring you to a different conclusion.

I just say a 500/590 or 870 because that's what I like and have and that's what you're gonna get from 99% of people on this board

 

[JO JO]

I would first look at a rem 870 or Mossberg 590 series, the sxp is imported from turkey

 

[red rick]

I would like to know what the OP got , if anything since this thread is a little older than a year old .

 

[dh1633pm]

Have an older Winchester Defender. It's ok. Also a Mossberg in 410. Again, not bad. Do enjoy my 870, but I am biased, they are made locally. I don't think you can go wrong with either. Depends more on your usage I would suspect.

 

[e rex]

I've never had a need for a home defense shotgun but for pheasant-quail hunting I've never found anything I liked better than a Ithaca 37 but few people ever mention them.

 

[crestoncowboy]

FN purchased a license to manufacture firearms under the Winchester name. As far as I’ve ever seen they do not manufacture or put their name on junk.

A company built on producing farmed-out gun designs farming-out a design based on a series of shotguns with known issues?
Reminds me of breweries buying out other breweries and devaluing those brands.
(It was hard for Stroh's to devalue Old Milwaukee, but they managed)
The similarity here is Winchester had devalued the 1200/1300 before the SXP, but FN (through their Turkish subcontractors) made it worse by turning the meh, decent, 1200 trigger into a gritty mess needing some attention to get back to the meh 1200 trigger.

They also left the ejector/bolt Bridge/ firing pin setup from the 1300/1400 etc. Thats enough reason to never trust one. I buy those ejector in 3 packs....

I've never had a need for a home defense shotgun but for pheasant-quail hunting I've never found anything I liked better than a Ithaca 37 but few people ever mention them.

Until they jam. Then your done. For that reason I'd avoid them for HD. Excellent guns but a jam is not a simple drill to fix. I also don't have any dedicated "home defense shotgun". I do have a supermatic hanging by the door for critters after the chickens. Lol.

Owning 30 or more shotguns.....I have no idea why the supermatic (complete with dial-a-duck) is the one in my rack for critters in the light. But it is. Lol

I have the sxp (and a 140 semi auto but similar bolt/action). The mossbergs (500 and 835). The Remington 870, the Ithaca (deerslayer), Nova

The 12 , 870, Nova, and 500 series are proven. Id put the 4 in the same lump. If given either of them in a trench I wouldn't feel screwed over by the gun. The Ithaca is well loved but having had to clear a few jams I wouldn't say it's a great choice for HD. The gun itself is sound but if you have a bad shell, short stroke or anything, its much more likely to be a paperweight than the rest with a side and bottom hole.

I despise the 1300/1400 (and the sxp is awfully similar. I took mine apart to see) and have said on this forum for 15 years that ive fixed more of those than every other shotgun combined. And that still holds true. Bolts/bolt bridges, firing pins and ejectors (all 3 redesigns) just fail. There is no shot gun I own that I wouldn't trust over my 140 or sxp. Right down to my smith 916A. Lol

 

[jdavis123]

I have nothing against the Turkish firearms. In fact, they are known to make some pretty solidly built guns. However, given the choice, I would look for either a Mossberg or Remington, both of which are U.S. made and plenty of accessories are available for either. The Remington is all steel construction while the Mossberg uses an aluminum receiver which obviously hasn’t proven to be a disadvantage. Select either and you will be happy.

 

[Blue Brick]

Yeah when I've checked i've seen a few on occasion but they're usually the hunting variants or 20 gauge or both, I'm trying to be firm on 12 gauge, and i have an utter hatred for mossy oak I can't explain

Gallery of guns.com

 

[SwampWolf]

Between the two, the Mossberg for me for sure. The reason for my choice is explained in a thread I started back on 12-23-2022 in this forum titled "Why I Will Never Buy Another Winchester".

 

[SwampWolf]

But I'd try one before a Mossberg 500. The Mossberg 590 might tempt me.

If it makes sense for some to "step up" to the 590 (a slightly sturdier shotgun when compared to the 500), it might make even more sense to go to the Model 590 A1, an even beefier version of the 590. But for most, it's probably money wasted unless you're in combat, fighting with the military where sand and mud is an expected challenge. That said, for a gun intended for self-defense, I'll pay extra (within "reason") for a gun built extra tough, even if it's unlikely that I'll ever benefit from the added expense.

 

[citizenconn]

Another happy Mossberg owner. I have been using my 410 Model 500 since around 1985. I that been my goto shotgun for all my shotgun hunting outside of waterfowl. I use to use it for skeet too. That thing has had a lot of rounds fired through it. I have also used Mossberg 500s, 590s, and the NFA version of the Shockwave while in the Army. Again no issues with any of them. And I have zero issues with depending on a Mossberg 500 or 590 for actual combat use or home defense.

Now that we cleared the air for those Mossberg haters.

I can't comment on the Turkish made Winchester shotguns since I do not have any personal experience with them. And without having any hands-on experience, I can't compare them to the Mossberg 500. For me, the main things would be what type of warranty does the Turkish Winchesters have and how is the customer service.

I think there was another user on here a while back who got a new SXP and was very unhappy with it. Not sure he ever shot it.
As far as Mossberg, I prefer a shotgun that has metal parts. I know some of their models cut corners and put in polymer whenever possible, so check the specs closely. Other folks' mileage may vary.

 

[gralewaj]

No, the Mossberg is a better designed product. If you're set one one of those two choices, get the Mossberg. I strongly suggest you look at a Benelli Nova/SuperNova though. I can no longer suggest Remington 870 due to their lack of spare part production and the company changing hands so many times in the past few years. If they begin to manufacture parts to support their previous Remington branded pump guns, then I would say consider a Remington 870.

 

[The old gunsmith]

I'm answering this from a gunsmith's perspective. I've had too many SXP's in the shop to trust them. Also, replacement parts for all of the turkish made guns are almost impossible to get. View the SXP as a disposable gun. The Mossberg is a pretty crude design but they are fairly reliable and parts are generally available. Instead of either of these shotguns, you might want to consider a used Remington 870. Parts are available and a decent gunsmith can keep them running forever.

 

[PapaG]

Sorry cheap gun fans but a well kept, used 870 Wingmaster or even an EARLY express is hard to beat. I'm still shooting my 1975 TB 870 and have done so weekly since I bought it for $172 (dealer price from dad). Well over 100K rounds plus a few ducks, deer and not a few pheasant.
I've had all the others, bought, traded for or won in shoots or raffles. The SXP loks, feels and acts cheap but so does the 500. I gave each of my boys a 500 combo and you couldn't trade them a Model 70 (well maybe). Boy #1 has a few dozen deer with his and two boy isn't far behind.
I've been fortunate in my almost 80 years to use most modern pumps and autos. Ranking them in reliability and pure put meat on the ground: Ithaca 37. Durability, with no regard to esthetics, 500. Solid, durable and heavy: BPS. Best long term buy: original Wingmaster 3" . Because Stan says so and has at least seven of them at any one time.