What is the Benchmark defensive pump shotgun in 2021?

Very subjective imo. With that, the Mossberg 500 and Rem 870 are hard to beat. Wingmasters reign supreme in my household. But I have a 500 Field that's been completely flawless.

I'd personally check out the used market for a Rem 870. Mossberg on the other hand, I haven't heard of any new slip ups in QC. New or used, a 500 is definitely a benchmark pump action.

Or, you could be different and go with an Ithaca 37 Another excellent pump action.

I am very pleased with my Benelli Nova 18.5 “ pump with sights. But the 870 and Mossberg 500 would be the benchmark IMO.

I particularly like my Stevens 520 trench “tribute” gun, but it is no benchmark

I think the 870 and the 500/590 are both benchmarks. I've owned 870s in the past but now have a 500. Realistically they're pretty comparable. I prefer the slide release on the Remington but the tang safety of the Mossberg. You can't go wrong with either one; just by luck when I bought my 500 it was the best deal in that particular gun shop on that particular day.

I personally believe that either the Model 870 Remington or the Model 500 Mossberg with 18 to 20 inch barrels , standard length magazine tubes, and front bead sight are still the workhorses for A SD shotgun. I am not a fan of hanging any bells or whistles on these basic guns. I long ago have gone to 20 gauge guns which I load mainly with #3 Buckshot. These give me the approximate muzzle energy of a pair of .357 Magnum rounds which I feel comfortable with regarding the ability to end a threat. I like the handling of the 20 gauge over the 12 gauge. Buying good used guns can save $ and can in some cases get you a product that was a bit better built .

I have several 870's, but that's only because I like them. The "benchmark" defense for 2021 I suppose is the one you already had, or the one you were able to find/afford, given how insane things have been. From what I have seen at the last few gun shows I went to, the various import pump 12 gauge shotguns have become very prolific.

Well, with the 870s future uncertain, the Mossberg 500 can easily fill in the gap. Though I have preferred the 500 for most of my life, the 870 is a bit more elegant in design and function.

I like to compare Mossberg 500s to McDonalds coffee. It is very consistently mediocre and because of that relentless consistency, I always go back for more. (Kind of a dumb analogy)

I personally prefer the 870. But with Remington's future unclear I'd probably go with the Mossberg 590 as the leader of the future. The 500 is an OK hunting shotgun, the 590 addresses several 500 shortcomings and is a far better option for a defensive shotgun.

jmr40 said:

I personally prefer the 870. But with Remington's future unclear I'd probably go with the Mossberg 590 as the leader of the future. The 500 is an OK hunting shotgun, the 590 addresses several 500 shortcomings and is a far better option for a defensive shotgun.

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I have to ask you what you think the shortcomings are on the Model 500. Other than I generally changed out the safety button from the plastic one to a metal one. I know the difference between them but would like to hear what you think is an important feature needed for HD on the M590 that the M500 doesn't have .

Every one has their favorite. I like 870's best, then Ithaca 37's, I've own several of each over the years, and a 37 sits by my bed. Nothing wrong with 500's except;

bushmaster1313 said:

However, I do not like the stickiness of the safety on my 500. I wonder if it will smooth itself out or if a replacement metal safety will be smoother.

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Yes, that will help, and your safety won't crack in half at an inopportune moment. And for the inevitable "I've had one for x years, and mine's never broke", good for you. I replaced many broken ones, and many right out of the box for owners that wanted one less thing to worry about. It also gives you a chance during replacement to set the tension on the safety where you want it.

If you went by sales in the latter half of 2020 and into 21, Probably Stevens 320's and various Turkish 870 clones would be your best sellers.

bushmaster1313 said:

I too am curious about the shortcomings of the 500 compared to the 590. To me, the heavier barrel of the 590 makes it less attractive and the plastic trigger guard of the 500 is a non-issue. The plastic safety of the 500 is also a non-issue to me, especially since I do not intend to use it with the Mossberg. However, I do not like the stickiness of the safety on my 500. I wonder if it will smooth itself out or if a replacement metal safety will be smoother.

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Over the years I have replaced a good number of safety buttons on the 500. (mostly for breakage) Under the button there is a spring loaded ball which acts on a thin metal plate with holes in it. (the ball is staked in and under spring tension) If the one way screw that holds the button and plate in position is loose it will cause binding. (and if you overtighten the screw you can break the plastic button) If the staking that holds the ball from coming out is not correct it can cause binding because the ball sits to high. Also the plastic button can warp and cause binding. If lubrication does not help then it is best to take your gun into a Smith who has a staking tool for the ball, and knows how to address the possible issues. If you do that, the extra cost of the steel button is worth it.

Id take a Nova, 500 or 870. I prefer the 500 for a hunting or defense gun so long as a pistol grip isn't used. If a grip is used I prefer the Remington

The basics haven’t changed for a few decades. 500 and 870. Period. BUT they are far from being the only options. There are some very notable players that don’t make that list. The Maverick (by Mossberg) has a couple features that I prefer over the 500 and they start with safety type and location. Winchester superXp is a very capable option. Mossberg 590, Steven’s 320, and a whole host of other guns are available that will easily fit the role well. The biggest question is generally reliability and that is one that takes careful consideration. Pump guns biggest failure point is the user short stroking the gun when under stress. Semiauto guns biggest failure point is a fail to feed which seems to be an ammo issue. Multi-barrel shotguns have very limited capacity and are generally slow to reload although practice and proper ammo carrier can overcome a lot of that lag. So pick your poison... human error, ammo failure, or slow shooting because each has its pros and cons. My money would be on a superXp if I were choosing a gun today, but I have others to choose from and my choice was not a shotgun. I do however have a 16ga single at the foot of the bed for access when quick critter issues arise.

BENCHMARK, a pair of examples.
As a transitive verb - To measure (a rival's product) according to specified standards in order to compare it with and improve one's own product.
As a noun - Something set up as an example against which others of the same type are compared.

Accepting the two above examples as being accurate, I still go with the 870 as the gold-standard. Noting that there are compounds and metals more precious than gold as well as less dear.

Even my preferred Mossberg line is still compared to an 870 in my mind and conversations. The superior Benelli as well.

It's like the Chevy *small-block* of tactical/L.E. shotguns. Some are better, most are not and yet it remains the market comparator.

Todd.

entropy said:

Every one has their favorite. I like 870's best, then Ithaca 37's, I've own several of each over the years, and a 37 sits by my bed. Nothing wrong with 500's except;



Yes, that will help, and your safety won't crack in half at an inopportune moment. And for the inevitable "I've had one for x years, and mine's never broke", good for you. I replaced many broken ones, and many right out of the box for owners that wanted one less thing to worry about. It also gives you a chance during replacement to set the tension on the safety where you want it.

If you went by sales in the latter half of 2020 and into 21, Probably Stevens 320's and various Turkish 870 clones would be your best sellers.

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I grew up using the 870, My first shotgun of my own at age 10 was a 870 LW in 410. I still have it, along with several others for hunting, HD, etc. including one from SGT. My unit had 870's modified for breaching. Standard army issue was the 590. My fav. pump gun for hunting is my old ithaca 37. I like the light weight, bottom eject, and short cycle. Its downsides are no choke tubes, 2 3/4" shells only, and as far as HD use, surefire doesn't make a dedicated forearm light. But on a dove field, its my go-to.

The Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/590 are the go-to shotguns in 2021.... and 2011...and 2001....and 1991... and so on. Not much has changed regarding pumps in the past 50 years.

I have Mossberg 500B with an 8 round tube installed as my home defense shotgun. I’ve had an 870 but prefer the 500B. I did put a pistol grip on it but think I’ll remove it as I find I shoot low when using it.

if you want to get a little different you could go with a UTAS.

I have had 870's come and go. In the past couple of years I have picked up a 590 Shockwave, and a KT KS7.

However, the shotgun that stands duty for home defense is my old Winchester 1300. The action is smooth, it never misses a beat, it fits me well, and it just plain works. Am I arguing that it should be a "benchmark"? Of course not, but it is still my "go to" gun.

bushmaster1313 said:

I believe that for years the consensus would have been that the Remington 870 Wingmaster with an 18.5" or 20" barrel set the standard for a 12 Ga. defensive pump shotgun. But Remington has been having its troubles of late. Recently I got a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" barrel and a 5 shot magazine. Here it is with Hogue furniture, which I like for the feel of the overmolded handholds:

View attachment 976911

I am very pleased except for the stiff safety, but I do not plan on relying on the safety.
What does the Forum think of as the benchmark defensive pump shotgun in 2021?

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The Virginia State Police switched from 870's to the Benelli Super Nova tactical pistol grip fixed stock with ghost ring sight's. I have one wiyh tritium inserts added and love it. I am a huge 870 fan as well. I dont love it aesthetically but the function for hundreds or hi performance rounds, slug accuracy, patterns with Flite Control 00bk and the simplicity to take down without dropping parts or needing a punch is great. Well thought out design. The ability to use the mag cutoff switch in forend is nice too.

I prefer semi’s but if I were to use a pump I think it would be an Ithaca.

Mossberg 590A1.

They still make an excellent combat pump (Remington currently makes 0 despite my preference for old 870s) and are affordable but have rock solid military combat proven adoption benefits.

9 rounds of 00 buckshot will be enough for the majority of intruders as well.

Remington does make a combat
Shotgun it is called the 870 mcs
I carried the 14in barrel version at times,

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw0HZpI5AuPXYOl2TPpERwLa&cshid=1613371769879

JoJo, thanks for the above information. I left Vietnam in 1971 and can't say I ever saw an 870 there. In later years as a cop the 870 was always my first choice on the street (my agency always kept a mix of 870's and Mossberg 500's available - I preferred the 870). Interesting indeed.. if I ever saw an 870 with bayonet lug I'd have figured it was a one off---- who knew?