Mossberg 500 opinions

Ive heard the same thing. They are very reliable and very affordable. Not sure how customizable, if that is a factor to you.

I'd rather have a 590 or 590A1 if I were going to get a Mossberg... being able to do a through-and-through cleanout on the magazine tube without having to screw it out of the receiver is a big advantage IMHO.

lpl/nc (truthfully I'd rather have an 870, but that isn't what you asked 8^)

I prefer the Remington 870 models, but the Mossberg 500 series are fine guns. There are alot of accessories for them too.

Remington 870

My choice was a REMINGTON 870 Express. I got it 'NIB-OTD' for $239.00. I load it up w/ 2 3/4 inch #4 buckshot. You don't need 3 inch 000 buckshot for home defense. That will blow holes in brick walls, think what it will do to sheet rock.

The sound of a pump shotgun having a round cycled is a sound all it's own.

I have a 500 combo I'm pretty happy with. I found it to be the best value on a shotgun in my area. The 590 is probably a better gun, but I don't think you'll be disappointed in the performance of the 500.

I recently picked up an older 500 for $50 and almost immediately broke the plastic safety button that split in half. Replaced it with a metal one from Brownells and now it's good to go. I'd replace that right off if the newer ones still come with a plastic safety...

I like the 500 and have one at home. Light is good IMO. I have an 870 at work but don't carry it much. Heavy is bad. It's certainly a good shotgun too though. With an 18 inch barrel, I don't think that you can get an extended magazine anyway. Not sure if 590 even comes in an 18 barrel. Think they all are 20s.

I like to think of Mossbergs as the Briggs and Stratton of shotguns.They work well for the money.Remington 870's are great in their own way too.Try both and see what feels the best to you.tom.

While I'm a Remington kinda guy when it comes to shotguns, I have to admit that a big advantage of the Mossberg 500 is that at least around here, they're pretty cheap second-hand. I've seen nice ones for $130 or so. Hard to go wrong.

I was trying to decide between the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. I went with the Mossberg because:
(1) The location of the slide release.
(2) The location of the safety.
(3) The location of the shell elevator does not get in the way when loading.
(4) Duel shell ejectors.

The 870 may be better built and more eye-pleasing. Maybe not as pretty, but the Mossberg is just as functional and more user friendly IMO.
As far as the "heirloom" aspect of the 870 goes, my heirs can get their own shotgun, the Mossberg will last my lifetime.

What ronto said.

I like the positioning of the safety and slide release on the 500 better, myself. It's a fine weapon, and with a little work on your part getting to know it, will serve almost any purpose you might want to put it through.

7

Mossbergs are good solid serviceable shotguns. Not as pretty as say the Classic Wingmaster, but will go BOOM! on request, every time.

try searching this forum, you'll find lots of information.

I've owned both moss 500 and a rem 870. 500 is a better gun because both should never break on you, but the extractor on the 500 can be replaced with just a slot head screwdriver...the 870's requires a gunsmith (or someone more knowledgeable than I).

500 holds more rounds and is cheaper out of the box for a 'persuader model' comes with pistol grip if you're into that kind of thing. Holds 7 rounds + 1. Remington 870 holds about 4-5, not sure. You can get bird or slug barrels for either fairly cheap (mossberg makes barrels for 870's too, and they're good for the price).

Get the mossberg, good shotgun. Unless you want to go mall ninja and start attaching lasers and everything else to it, then you're going to want the 870 and I'd suggest a different lifestyle.

Actually, to me, a Wingmaster (and I owned one, once) is a workhorse plain ol' working gun just like the mossy. I prefer the mossy for personal reasons, but the Remington is more tacticoolable...a new word I just invented. Nothing wrong with EITHER gun.

Wingmasters works of art? My GOD man, go buy a Shooter's Bible and find some pics of some 20K side locks and tell me the Wingmaster is something special. Jeez. It's just another pump that happens to have a walnut machine checkered set of stocks rather than birch or plastic. Me, I'm a duck hunter, prefer plastic and camo finishes. For a short barrel defense gun, black plastic and non-glare metal finish is preferred by those that know such things.

I've heard Mossbergs described as "workhorses"--not the most accurate or beautiful shotguns in the world

Click to expand...

Well, pretty is as pretty does. Accuracy in a shotgun? Well, don't know how you measure that, but mine tosses a charge to POA and has floored more'n one duck or goose out to as far as 50 yards. It's a good shootin' gun. It wouldn't shoot any worse with a 20" barrel on it, don't reckon.

I was happy with my 870 and i'am happy
with my 500A,both are fine shotguns that
work well.I think it's easier to dress up the
870 as there seems to be more aftermarket
parts for the 870.

I have a 590. I haven't had any problems with it. As mentioned before, the tang safety and position of the slide release are more sensible than an 870. Again, as mentioned the 870 is a very solid shotgun as well.

Also in regards to the 590, the barrel does not have any kind of choke nor does it come off afaik. But, the mag tube does.

A helpful video of disassembly of a 500------> Youtube Link

i like my Mossy!

i bought a Mossberg 500 , 20 ga with the 26" vent ribbed barrel for bird hunting. i later sent to Mossberg for the 18" cylndr bore persuader barrel to use as a home defense gun. i keep 000 buck and #2 shotshells for use in the home if need be. its great and very econimical to have one shotgun do double duty, not to mention that the 20 ga kicks less and is cheap to feed if you buy the bulk ammo from Walmart! one thing though is to check the grip part of the stock very well to see if it is cracked. mine was cracked so i used some 2 part epoxy glue and clamped it and i havent had a problem since. i give Mossberg two thumbs up -Eric

Both good guns, I prefer the 870 just for the fit. The pump is also more comfortable to me. Both great choices, can't go wrong either way.

I have a Mossberg 500 as well. It was the second gun I ever bought. I've been very pleased with it and I've never had any problems. Mine has an 18" barrel and I use it for home defense, but I've been thinking about getting a longer barrel for hunting. I've had to borrow my uncle's 40 year old Winchester model 50 for hunting and clay shooting, and it's getting old because the Winchester only holds three shells. With my Mossberg I can have 7+1 or use the dowel rod and have 3+1 for hunting.

I own both. I love both. Everythings already been said. I can only add that the 500 is unstoppable. I broke mine once by banging the barrel against the rest of the gun (I had dropped it in the snow). All that broke was the forestock.

Mossberg is the hands-down winner if you're a lefty.

In 35 years of shooting I've never owned anything but Mossberg 500s (and variants).....Utterly reliable, even when used and abused, like my original 20 gauge (got it when I was 14) has been (used to shoot trap every weekend with it, so its been through several THOUSAND rounds, been my field gun as well). Never had one break, misfeed or anything else. Couldn't ask for much more.

I love mine. Real smooth action, pretty tough gun.