Can't decide: Remington 870 Police Magnum, Wingmaster, or Mossy 590A1

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Jason_W

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I know, first world problems . . .

I side gig I've been working has yielded me a nice stack of "fun money" and I've been desiring a good utility shotgun for a while.

I've mostly whittled my selection down to three possibles. And 870 Police Magnum if I can find one in good condition, A Wingmaster with a short barrel and possible magazine extension added on, or a Mossberg 590A1 (the one with the ghost ring and optics rail).

There are obviously advantages and disadvantages to any of the above. I grew up on an 870 so working one is now second nature to me. I even have a method for dealing with the safety being in a less than ideal location. I like the versatility of the gun and all the aftermarket parts and upgrades available. That said, I'm a little wary of Remington of late and I don't care for the fact that 870 ejectors aren't replaceable by the user.

I like the idea of a 590A1 as some models are optics ready and it's track record as a durable workhorse (it was good enough for the Marines for quite a while). That said, I'm not a fan of the infamous Mossberg forend rattle, and it's a less versatile gun than the 870.

This gun will see most use at the range, of course, but I like the idea of it being able to act as a general purpose "ground blaster" for use on all manner of non-flying targets.

My next purchase after this is going to be a dedicated wing shooting rig, so that capability isn't really a concern here.
 
I prefer the Mossberg due to the ambi safety and the fact that I don’t get pinched when reloading shells into the tube. I have a Norinco 98 ( 870 clone) that pinches me during reloads.

Since you are all ready familiar with the 870, go check out the 590 and see how it fits you compared to the 870. Both are good shotguns, go with the one that fits you best.
 
Myself, I am a dyed-in-the -wool 870 Wingmaster fan since 1969 with a IC choke skeet gun. I don't like Mossberg pumps. Just me.
 
Jason_W

Like you I grew up with a Remington 870 shotgun; in fact my first two shotguns were both 870s, a 12 and a 20 gauge. Sold them when I needed the cash but years later when I looking to get another shotgun I just wasn't all that impressed by the quality of the of the Remington guns that were available at the time. Decided to go with a Mossberg instead and have found it to be a decent, reliable, and durable shotgun. If I were looking between these two models I would probably go with the 590A1 7 shot-Ghost Ring model.
 
I had a mossberg 835 Turkey/deer a while back. I just never ended up liking it.

They seem like dependable guns, but I had a hard time getting used to the looser tolerances than even my 80s era 870 express has. The 835 was a rattle trap.

I’m mostly considering the 590a1 for its purported durability. I’m looking for whatever I get to be a bank vault that fires shotshells. Something great grandchildren might be able to fire one day.
 
Remington 870's work well and you'll never hear me say they are not servicable... However I prefer the mossberg, I was issued a 500 in the service (the 500 not the 590) and I became adept with it pretty quickly, I personally think the safety location is a non issue since when a shot gun is in use the safety is not needed and when its put up the shotgun should be loaded tube chamber empty since the safety on either of those will not prevent an accidental fire if dropped.

What really needs to be said for the mossberg platform is the location of the shell elevator, I have hunted in pretty cold and pretty hot environments, mossberg with its always actuated elevator lets me reload alot faster, especially with gloves on then the remmy does. I can also get a mossberg 500 cheaper than an 870, just bought a camo 500 from the pawn shop for 175 OTD where as a comparable 870 there was asking 289. Just my thoughts, if you have your heart set on the 870 than go with it, it will serve you well, but the 500 series for me anyways takes the cake.
 
I have two Remington 870's (an Express and a Police) as well as a Mossberg 500. IMO the 870 is preferable to the Mossberg.
 
I have both 500’s and 590’s. I went Mossberg early due to cost. I like Remington, but at the time I was buying it was more expensive.

The first 500 I bought was the gun I used duck hunting. It has had everything bad done to it, and it still runs after 35 years of use. Clays, dove, duck...it just works. I have several other 500’s laying around. If you go down the 500 path - get rid of the plastic safety, it will break. The safety location is better than the Remington.

I have two 590’s. One with reduced LOP and 18” barrel for my wife. One normal with 20” barrel for me. Both went through Vang Comp treatment (https://vangcomp.com/). They do not have the rounds through them like the 500 above, but they have worked everytime I have shot them.

Between Remington and Mossberg - your choice.

Edit - corrected spelling
 
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I once had to choose between an 870 nickel and a 500 Mariner. The Mossberg was $150 cheaper and has never failed me. No regrets even though I'm a Remington fan.
 
Jason_W said:
I don't care for the fact that 870 ejectors aren't replaceable by the user.
Click to expand...
I've replaced a few, but never had to for my own 870's. I'd still recommend the 870.

Jason_W said:
I even have a method for dealing with the safety being in a less than ideal location.
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:confused: It is in the ideal location. If you're a lefty, just pop an LH safety in. Takes 5 minutes.

870.
 
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entropy said:
:confused: It is in the ideal location. If you're a lefty, just pop an LH safety in. Takes 5 minutes.

870.
Click to expand...

I just rest the middle inside knuckle of my right index finger on the safety button, being sure to keep my finger bent outward away from the trigger.

When it’s time to take the safety off, I just apply pressure to my knuckle. It’s something I taught myself to do hunting ruffed grouse in thick cover. Those birds don’t give you a ton of time to take the safety off.
 
If you must buy new, then a 590. If not, I'd jump on a used 870. There are all manner of used 870s set up for social work that can be had cheap. I'm still kicking myself I didn't get an 870 police with a surefire light foreend for $400.
 
870 Police Magnum. I've got a couple as well as a couple Wingmaster 20" police variants. Both are nice... the Police Magnums are more working guns (parkerized finish, 3" capability) whereas I mainly use the Wingmasters for show and sport since they're more pretty (glossy blue finish, stainless bolts, etc). Also, my Wingmasters only accept 2.75" shells... not a problem for trap and skeet, but I like the option of 3" shells when I want a little extra punch such as in a defensive role or when turkey hunting. In any case, all of your prospects are solid choices and I'm sure you'll be well-served regardless of which one you choose.
 
Something to consider... these days the Police magnum is the item that folks consider since it's what it known.... I carried a shotgun on the street for any hot calls during my era, 1974- 1995 all before the Police Magnum ever was available... and it was always (if I had a choice) the Wingmaster in basic riot configuration (18-20" barrel, four shot tube, improved cylinder. simple bead sight). Quick pointing, an absolute fight ender at ranges less than 15 meters... Never a need for any 3" shells either -just basic 2 3/4", nine pellet, 00buck rounds (and you need to see the resulting wounds to believe how deadly that combination is... In tests, everyone we checked dispersed the pattern at one inch per meter from the muzzle - so at 7 meters you got a 7" pattern time after time.... I only fired one shot on the street with one and did not miss either....
 
Jason_W said:
I like the bolt release location on the 870. I won’t ever hit it by accident.
Click to expand...
True.:) It was designed for a right handed shooter to hold the gun at roughly port arms, reach across the front of the trigger guard with the index or middle finger of the right hand and push it to check status or load it.
 
Kyjames said:
870 Police Magnum. I can’t recommend it enough.
Click to expand...

LGS has new production Police Magnum in high polish blue/walnut for about $600. I didn't even know they still made them as all I have seen were parkerized finish.
 
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