Rem 887 vs mossy 835

BigBobC · December 10, 2012, 10:59 PM

Does anyone have any input about the performance of these to shot guns, im looking to buy 1 or the other and not sure witch one is the most reliable ? Thx

RaceM · December 10, 2012, 11:42 PM

Can't speak to the Remington but I do have an 835 I bought used. It eats all loads I feed it without a hiccup. Only drawback is that the 835 has an overbored barrel so Foster slugs are supposed to be a no-no through it (though I've done it), and the magna-porting isn't as effective as it could be. I'd seriously recommend swapping out the recoil pad for something softer and rounded-edged. I use a LimbSaver.

mr.scott · December 11, 2012, 12:18 PM

I've heard the 887 isn't that good.

Uniquedot · December 11, 2012, 12:35 PM

I have never used an 887, but i bought an 835 when they were introduced and it was an absolute horrible firearm. It was incredibly loose and noisy and trying to shoot 2.75" shells in it was a complete nightmare. I have not used the newer versions of the 835 so i can't comment on them, but i did buy a newer 500 and it's a good gun which is almost as quiet as an 870...not as smooth though.

My son uses an 870 super magnum and it's a fantastic shotgun that feeds all shell lengths smoothly. Mossberg also has the 535 if you are set on a 3.5" chamber.

returningfire · December 11, 2012, 03:48 PM

Get an 870 if you want a Remington, the 835 Mossys are as good, most people I have talked to that bougt an 887 wish that they hadn't.

MCgunner · December 11, 2012, 03:58 PM

No one would care about how loose the forearm is, how much the gun rattles, unless hunting deer or maybe turkey. Me, I have used my 500 for 20 years in the salt marsh and it's held up well, still great! It's my salt marsh duck gun, camo with polymer stocks. I bought a blued and wood 535 which is 3.5" capable, and it feeds 2 3/4" stuff just fine. I have only used it one morning this season dove hunting just to check it out. It is a pretty tight gun and very smooth, but got it used for $170 at a pawn shop a few months back. The 535 is NOT back bored if that matters to you. You might consider it in lieu of the 835 for that reason.

I do not like the 870 and doubt I'd like the 887 for the same reasons, ergos. I shoot lefty and prefer the tang safety and I prefer not to have the shell elevator in the way of loading the magazine. I, too, have heard bad reports on the 887, but take that with a grain of salt as it was on the net and everyone knows how reliable the net is. My choice of the Mossberg is personally biased by ergos and that I shoot lefty.

Uniquedot · December 11, 2012, 04:43 PM

Quote:

No one would care about how loose the forearm is, how much the gun rattles, unless hunting deer or maybe turkey.

I'm thinking the newer guns (all models of the Mossbergs) are all quieter now any way. The one i bought (500) is very quiet and the roughness of the action is only noticed if it's worked slowly to compare to others. In actual use when manipulated as intended it's actually quite smooth. I suppose the 835 will reliably feed short shells now also since a lot of people use them.

jmr40 · December 11, 2012, 05:25 PM

Im not a Mossberg fan and much prefer the 870, but I'd buy the 835 in a heartbeat over the 887.

MCgunner · December 11, 2012, 07:39 PM

Quote:

I suppose the 835 will reliably feed short shells now also since a lot of people use them.

They work fine with 2 3/4". My SIL has one, my best hunting buddy has one he hunts doves with using the cheapest Walmart 2 3/4" he can find and used to hunt ducks and geese with the same gun. He prefers goose hunting to ducks and he got a Browning BPS in 10 gauge for that. He has over 100 firearms, probably closer to 200, and several of 'em are 835s. His son used one on our last goose hunt together. I used my 535 this season for one morning dove hunting, fired up over a box with it, no problems and the thing shoots great. I need to get settled and shim that stock down a bit, though. It was a little rough on my cheek.

I've been holding off shooting it until I can get moved, get my tool rollabout boxes back out of storage. No problem, I just bought the gun because my conscience wouldn't let me leave it on the rack in that good of condition for that little money.

I really don't know how much I'll actually use it, but I bought it because I WANTED it.

BigBobC · December 11, 2012, 09:54 PM

Ok, i went with the 887, im gonna put it threw it and break it in or break it in a couple of days i hope. I will let everyone know how it went soon.

ColtPythonElite · December 11, 2012, 09:57 PM

Been shooting a 835 over 20 years with zero issues.

flightsimmer · December 11, 2012, 11:05 PM

Hey, that brings up a question about my 835.
When I shoot 3-1/2" shells, the action opens by itself when fired like it has been forced open, It doesn't do it with 2-3/4' or 3" shells.
I thought one of these days I would get around to finding out why it does this but I haven't yet, but it works OK otherwise.
I bought it because it will shoot anything and I also have the rifled barrel and 5 choke tubes to go with it.
So it's a jack of all trades and a master of none so to speak but I feel like I only need the one shotgun. I'm not a connoisseur of fine shotguns.

RaceM · December 11, 2012, 11:34 PM

Flightsimmer- Pull the trigger group and check the front end of the slide release bar for mushrooming. The nose of the bar bears on the rear of the bolt keeping the action locked shut. Also, don't pull back on the slide while shooting.

flightsimmer · December 12, 2012, 08:39 AM

(Quote) Also, don't pull back on the slide while shooting. (/quote)

I thought that perhaps this is what I was doing but I left my hand off of the foregrip and it still did it.
Still, why does it not seem to do it with the shorter, lighter loads?
I don't know, but I think I'll pull the trigger group today and look at it and see if I can determine if the cause is mechanical.

roadchoad · December 12, 2012, 10:29 AM

Could be the inertia of recoil. My 835 did that when new. 3.5 shells kick a little.

flightsimmer · December 12, 2012, 10:59 AM

(Quote) Could be the inertia of recoil. My 835 did that when new. 3.5 shells kick a little. (/quote)

This is what I suspected to begin with.

rb288 · May 1, 2013, 12:59 PM

I own both, an 835 with an 18.5" barrel and an 887 tactical.
Both are awesome guns and I like both.
The 887 is a bit longer due to the "breacher" but both are very accurate and both seem to recoil about the same.
I have had the 887 for about 6 months and have fired both slugs and 00 buck without any issues.
The 835 is 15 years old and still functions flawlessly.

Many don't like the 887 for the way it looks. Personally, I like the look and enjoy the questions at the range.

frankenstein406 · May 1, 2013, 01:13 PM

835 is a great gun, and the bored out barrel is nice. Eats everything you throw at it. If the rattling fore end bothers you that much then buy a old store brand 500. There's one where the fore end was different and doesn't seem to rattle.

Hunterdad · May 1, 2013, 01:54 PM

Bringing back a 5 month old topic? Awesome!

flightsimmer · May 1, 2013, 09:11 PM

The selling point for the Mossberg for me is the top mounted ambidextrous safety since I shoot left handed because of eye problems, otherwise I might have gone with a Remington 870.

Virginian · May 2, 2013, 06:35 AM

Seems like people either love or hate the 887. They did prove that not just Benelli can build an ugly gun. I have shot an 835 and it worked. A bit brutal with 3-1/2" but not as bad as a Benelli SBE I for a lot more money.

December 10, 2012, 10:59 PM	#1
BigBobC Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 2	Rem 887 vs mossy 835 Does anyone have any input about the performance of these to shot guns, im looking to buy 1 or the other and not sure witch one is the most reliable ? Thx

December 11, 2012, 03:58 PM	#6
MCgunner Member Join Date: December 3, 2005 Location: The end of the road between Sodom and Gomorrah Texas Posts: 21,562	No one would care about how loose the forearm is, how much the gun rattles, unless hunting deer or maybe turkey. Me, I have used my 500 for 20 years in the salt marsh and it's held up well, still great! It's my salt marsh duck gun, camo with polymer stocks. I bought a blued and wood 535 which is 3.5" capable, and it feeds 2 3/4" stuff just fine. I have only used it one morning this season dove hunting just to check it out. It is a pretty tight gun and very smooth, but got it used for $170 at a pawn shop a few months back. The 535 is NOT back bored if that matters to you. You might consider it in lieu of the 835 for that reason. I do not like the 870 and doubt I'd like the 887 for the same reasons, ergos. I shoot lefty and prefer the tang safety and I prefer not to have the shell elevator in the way of loading the magazine. I, too, have heard bad reports on the 887, but take that with a grain of salt as it was on the net and everyone knows how reliable the net is. My choice of the Mossberg is personally biased by ergos and that I shoot lefty. __________________ "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" Ben Franklin

December 11, 2012, 11:05 PM	#12
flightsimmer Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: S.E. Indy Posts: 203	Hey, that brings up a question about my 835. When I shoot 3-1/2" shells, the action opens by itself when fired like it has been forced open, It doesn't do it with 2-3/4' or 3" shells. I thought one of these days I would get around to finding out why it does this but I haven't yet, but it works OK otherwise. I bought it because it will shoot anything and I also have the rifled barrel and 5 choke tubes to go with it. So it's a jack of all trades and a master of none so to speak but I feel like I only need the one shotgun. I'm not a connoisseur of fine shotguns. __________________ If possible, so much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:18

December 12, 2012, 08:39 AM	#14
flightsimmer Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: S.E. Indy Posts: 203	(Quote) Also, don't pull back on the slide while shooting. (/quote) I thought that perhaps this is what I was doing but I left my hand off of the foregrip and it still did it. Still, why does it not seem to do it with the shorter, lighter loads? I don't know, but I think I'll pull the trigger group today and look at it and see if I can determine if the cause is mechanical. __________________ If possible, so much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:18

December 12, 2012, 10:59 AM	#16
flightsimmer Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: S.E. Indy Posts: 203	(Quote) Could be the inertia of recoil. My 835 did that when new. 3.5 shells kick a little. (/quote) This is what I suspected to begin with. __________________ If possible, so much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:18

December 10, 2012, 11:42 PM	#2
RaceM Member Join Date: April 12, 2011 Posts: 514	Can't speak to the Remington but I do have an 835 I bought used. It eats all loads I feed it without a hiccup. Only drawback is that the 835 has an overbored barrel so Foster slugs are supposed to be a no-no through it (though I've done it), and the magna-porting isn't as effective as it could be. I'd seriously recommend swapping out the recoil pad for something softer and rounded-edged. I use a LimbSaver.

December 11, 2012, 12:18 PM	#3
mr.scott Member Join Date: June 4, 2008 Posts: 347	I've heard the 887 isn't that good.

December 11, 2012, 12:35 PM	#4
Uniquedot Member Join Date: June 9, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 686	I have never used an 887, but i bought an 835 when they were introduced and it was an absolute horrible firearm. It was incredibly loose and noisy and trying to shoot 2.75" shells in it was a complete nightmare. I have not used the newer versions of the 835 so i can't comment on them, but i did buy a newer 500 and it's a good gun which is almost as quiet as an 870...not as smooth though. My son uses an 870 super magnum and it's a fantastic shotgun that feeds all shell lengths smoothly. Mossberg also has the 535 if you are set on a 3.5" chamber.

December 11, 2012, 03:48 PM	#5
returningfire Member Join Date: December 2, 2012 Location: North Carolina Posts: 210	Get an 870 if you want a Remington, the 835 Mossys are as good, most people I have talked to that bougt an 887 wish that they hadn't.

December 11, 2012, 05:25 PM	#8
jmr40 Member Join Date: May 26, 2007 Posts: 5,541	Im not a Mossberg fan and much prefer the 870, but I'd buy the 835 in a heartbeat over the 887.

December 11, 2012, 09:54 PM	#10
BigBobC Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 2	Ok, i went with the 887, im gonna put it threw it and break it in or break it in a couple of days i hope. I will let everyone know how it went soon.

December 11, 2012, 09:57 PM	#11
ColtPythonElite Member Join Date: January 8, 2011 Posts: 4,064	Been shooting a 835 over 20 years with zero issues.

December 11, 2012, 11:34 PM	#13
RaceM Member Join Date: April 12, 2011 Posts: 514	Flightsimmer- Pull the trigger group and check the front end of the slide release bar for mushrooming. The nose of the bar bears on the rear of the bolt keeping the action locked shut. Also, don't pull back on the slide while shooting.

December 12, 2012, 10:29 AM	#15
roadchoad Member Join Date: November 23, 2010 Posts: 329	Could be the inertia of recoil. My 835 did that when new. 3.5 shells kick a little.

May 1, 2013, 12:59 PM	#17
rb288 Member Join Date: June 12, 2012 Posts: 8	I own both, an 835 with an 18.5" barrel and an 887 tactical. Both are awesome guns and I like both. The 887 is a bit longer due to the "breacher" but both are very accurate and both seem to recoil about the same. I have had the 887 for about 6 months and have fired both slugs and 00 buck without any issues. The 835 is 15 years old and still functions flawlessly. Many don't like the 887 for the way it looks. Personally, I like the look and enjoy the questions at the range.

May 1, 2013, 01:13 PM	#18
frankenstein406 Member Join Date: January 9, 2011 Posts: 376	835 is a great gun, and the bored out barrel is nice. Eats everything you throw at it. If the rattling fore end bothers you that much then buy a old store brand 500. There's one where the fore end was different and doesn't seem to rattle.

May 1, 2013, 01:54 PM	#19
Hunterdad Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,566	Bringing back a 5 month old topic? Awesome!

May 1, 2013, 09:11 PM	#20
flightsimmer Member Join Date: November 1, 2008 Location: S.E. Indy Posts: 203	The selling point for the Mossberg for me is the top mounted ambidextrous safety since I shoot left handed because of eye problems, otherwise I might have gone with a Remington 870. __________________ If possible, so much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Rom 12:18

May 2, 2013, 06:35 AM	#21
Virginian Member Join Date: April 7, 2003 Location: Evangeline, Louisiana Posts: 3,005	Seems like people either love or hate the 887. They did prove that not just Benelli can build an ugly gun. I have shot an 835 and it worked. A bit brutal with 3-1/2" but not as bad as a Benelli SBE I for a lot more money. __________________ What could have happened... did.