Revolver Ocelot
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2006
- Messages
- 1,470
I've handled both and liked them both alot, its oh so hard, I'll just wait and see how the poll goes.
500 vs. 870
- Thread starter Revolver Ocelot
- Start date
- Status
tantrix
Member
I own both:
1992 Remington 870 Express Magnum w/ 18" cylinder bore police barrel, wood stocks.
2007 Mossberg 500 w/ 18.5" special contract overrun Accu-choked heavy-walled police barrel, wood stocks.
Here's my opinions on the both of them.
The most versatile is of course the Mossberg. It has an 18.5" barrel which makes the entire gun very short and I can change chokes in it for whatever kind of pattern I desire, from buckshot to birdshot to slugs. I keep Improved Cylinder in it for home defense. It is the only shotgun I have that can serve every purpose, from home defense to hunting. The gun balances well, mostly due to the short barrel. Long-barreled Mossbergs tend to be muzzle-heavy because the receivers are lightweight but with short barrels this is eliminated for the most part. The action is pretty smooth, not as smooth as my 870 but not bad at all. The safety is mounted on top of the receiver which is excellent when using regular stocks, but the worst possible location if using any pistol-grip configuration.
The 870 has only an 18" cylinder bore which cannot be changed, so it is strictly for close-up work like animals in the yard and home defense. The action is much smoother than my 500, but the 870 is also 15 years old. It balances well with short or long barrels due to the all-steel receiver making the back end of the gun have some heft to it to counter the weight of 28" barrels. The safety is mounted on the trigger guard which makes it very nice if you plan on using any type of pistol-grip configuration.
I use nothing but standard stocks on my shotguns so I do think the Mossberg has the edge there slightly due to the location...however, the 870's safety isn't anything to be worried about. I can flick the safety off the same speed on both shotguns, but when switching the safety back on the Mossberg has a slight advantage since you don't have to change your grip on the gun.
If I had to pick one over the other, it would be very hard. I love them both. I say go with whichever one feels best in your hands because as far as functionality and toughness, both are equal.
1992 Remington 870 Express Magnum w/ 18" cylinder bore police barrel, wood stocks.
2007 Mossberg 500 w/ 18.5" special contract overrun Accu-choked heavy-walled police barrel, wood stocks.
Here's my opinions on the both of them.
The most versatile is of course the Mossberg. It has an 18.5" barrel which makes the entire gun very short and I can change chokes in it for whatever kind of pattern I desire, from buckshot to birdshot to slugs. I keep Improved Cylinder in it for home defense. It is the only shotgun I have that can serve every purpose, from home defense to hunting. The gun balances well, mostly due to the short barrel. Long-barreled Mossbergs tend to be muzzle-heavy because the receivers are lightweight but with short barrels this is eliminated for the most part. The action is pretty smooth, not as smooth as my 870 but not bad at all. The safety is mounted on top of the receiver which is excellent when using regular stocks, but the worst possible location if using any pistol-grip configuration.
The 870 has only an 18" cylinder bore which cannot be changed, so it is strictly for close-up work like animals in the yard and home defense. The action is much smoother than my 500, but the 870 is also 15 years old. It balances well with short or long barrels due to the all-steel receiver making the back end of the gun have some heft to it to counter the weight of 28" barrels. The safety is mounted on the trigger guard which makes it very nice if you plan on using any type of pistol-grip configuration.
I use nothing but standard stocks on my shotguns so I do think the Mossberg has the edge there slightly due to the location...however, the 870's safety isn't anything to be worried about. I can flick the safety off the same speed on both shotguns, but when switching the safety back on the Mossberg has a slight advantage since you don't have to change your grip on the gun.
If I had to pick one over the other, it would be very hard. I love them both. I say go with whichever one feels best in your hands because as far as functionality and toughness, both are equal.
gunzrfunz
member
870
Shot a 590, felt "plasticky", as they say. Some may swear by them, I like my weapons made from steel(except my XD-40 of course
)I'd go with a wingmaster furniture grade 12ga. You pick what you like.
Shot a 590, felt "plasticky", as they say. Some may swear by them, I like my weapons made from steel(except my XD-40 of course
)I'd go with a wingmaster furniture grade 12ga. You pick what you like.870 or 500
I grew up with an 870, went to the best Autoloading Shotgun ever made as a young adult.
Do me the design/model Remington dropped to go with the 870 was reserected as the Mossberg 500. Just as the model before that became the M37 Ithaca
Not to knock the Mossberg, it is better then a lot off pumps on the market right now, If to go shotgun shooting I had to carry a 500 I would not feel slighted in the least.
But I will go with the next design off the drawing board, (maybe because one of these was my first repeating shotgun,) and to me thats the 870.
And if I really tried hard to rank which one was truly best I would ride the fence leaning a little towards the 870 but probably not falling off the fence.
Al
I grew up with an 870, went to the best Autoloading Shotgun ever made as a young adult.
Do me the design/model Remington dropped to go with the 870 was reserected as the Mossberg 500. Just as the model before that became the M37 Ithaca
Not to knock the Mossberg, it is better then a lot off pumps on the market right now, If to go shotgun shooting I had to carry a 500 I would not feel slighted in the least.
But I will go with the next design off the drawing board, (maybe because one of these was my first repeating shotgun,) and to me thats the 870.
And if I really tried hard to rank which one was truly best I would ride the fence leaning a little towards the 870 but probably not falling off the fence.
Al
I've had an old model 500 for many years, was always a little confused because I heard a lot of people badmouth them. Mine always worked fine.
My cousin had an 870 and it did feel like a better made gun, to me. If I hadn't found and bought an old Ithaca 37, I probably would have bought an 870 by now. Love that Ithaca.
My cousin had an 870 and it did feel like a better made gun, to me. If I hadn't found and bought an old Ithaca 37, I probably would have bought an 870 by now. Love that Ithaca.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Get some trigger time on both before you spend your money, and make up YOUR OWN mind which one you like better. Get family or friends who own one or the other to take you shooting with them (you buy your own ammo). Or go to a gun club that rents guns and try out both there. If all else fails, find a gun shop that will let you handle both so you at least know what the differences are hands-on.
After you have some hands-on experience, THEN make up your mind. You don't have to buy a shotgun to find out if you like it.
Personally I'm biased in favor of 870s, most of the police agencies in America agree it's the best shotgun going. But that doesn't mean you will like it just because I do. Decide for yourself.
lpl/nc
After you have some hands-on experience, THEN make up your mind. You don't have to buy a shotgun to find out if you like it.
Personally I'm biased in favor of 870s, most of the police agencies in America agree it's the best shotgun going. But that doesn't mean you will like it just because I do. Decide for yourself.
lpl/nc
For a new gun, I had to vote Mossberg. I sell both and the Remington quality control at this time is the pits.
Now buying an older Remington Wingmaster or a Mossberg 500, I recommend the old Wingmaster.
I hope the new Remington owners return the quality to their firearms.
Now buying an older Remington Wingmaster or a Mossberg 500, I recommend the old Wingmaster.
I hope the new Remington owners return the quality to their firearms.
Anteater1717
Member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2006
- Messages
- 586
You realize that this question is kind of like asking witch is better creamy or crunchy peanut butter. The 590 and 870 are very similar and there are only minor differences. So just see witch one you like best. They are both near perfect. Parts are available readily for both. They have nearly the same weight and length. The only answer you will get is just pure opinion and you will be happy either way so go for the cheaper of the two.
I have used and like both
I'm a lefty so I own a 500 that has a lot of rounds through it. I shoot trap and skeet with it nearly all year and have done a lot of grouse, quail, pheasant, turkey and duck hunting with it without any type of failure. I have owned it for over 13 years now.
I use the 870 for work (USCG) and it is a solid, reliable gun but there are some things I don't like, mainly the safety and action bar release placement.
The last thing is very personal, every time I go to the range to qualify with the 870 I end up pinching my right pinky finger between the rear of the slide and the action of the gun and bleeding like a stuck pig. Every stinkin' time! I have fired the same course of fire with my personal shotgun and never had that happen. The last time it was so deep I had to get a stitch put in. Which is why every time I go to the range I make sure to bring some bandaids.
I'm a lefty so I own a 500 that has a lot of rounds through it. I shoot trap and skeet with it nearly all year and have done a lot of grouse, quail, pheasant, turkey and duck hunting with it without any type of failure. I have owned it for over 13 years now.
I use the 870 for work (USCG) and it is a solid, reliable gun but there are some things I don't like, mainly the safety and action bar release placement.
The last thing is very personal, every time I go to the range to qualify with the 870 I end up pinching my right pinky finger between the rear of the slide and the action of the gun and bleeding like a stuck pig. Every stinkin' time! I have fired the same course of fire with my personal shotgun and never had that happen. The last time it was so deep I had to get a stitch put in. Which is why every time I go to the range I make sure to bring some bandaids.
CZ52GUY
Member
Voted for Mossy...
...admire the 870's.
I find that with short arms and short fingers, the Mossberg ergonomics work better for me (albeit fitted with a short stock).
My nephew is 6ft 1in with longer fingers and runs his 870 quite well. With the ICB his 870 patterns noticeably better than any of my Smoothbores.
Both are fine weapons and a competent shotgunner could do well with either.
Dave's motto really is the key whether Mossberg, Remington, or some other reliable alternative.
Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat!!
Safe Shooting,
CZ52'
...admire the 870's.
I find that with short arms and short fingers, the Mossberg ergonomics work better for me (albeit fitted with a short stock).
My nephew is 6ft 1in with longer fingers and runs his 870 quite well. With the ICB his 870 patterns noticeably better than any of my Smoothbores.
Both are fine weapons and a competent shotgunner could do well with either.
Dave's motto really is the key whether Mossberg, Remington, or some other reliable alternative.
Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat!!
Safe Shooting,
CZ52'
I really like the look of the "Classic" 870 Wingmaster, but for my choice to use, I'll pick up the Mossy every time.
My first personally owned pump is a Maverick 88. Always torqued off my brothers that I put just as much game on the table with my $106 Maverick as they did with their 870 & 1100
My first personally owned pump is a Maverick 88. Always torqued off my brothers that I put just as much game on the table with my $106 Maverick as they did with their 870 & 1100
DawgFvr
Member
I much prefer the "ergo" of the Mossy 590.
richardschennberg
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2005
- Messages
- 199
I prefer Remington, but if you are getting changeable chokes, do you also have or want to buy a Winchester or Browning?
Within the same gauge, some are interchangeable, but you need to have all either Invector (standard bore) or Invector Plus (overbore).
Also, a few of the competition model Remingtons 20 and 12 gauge, such as the Classic Trap model, may have an overbored barrel and use proprietary chokes instead of RemChokes.
Richard
Schennberg.com
Within the same gauge, some are interchangeable, but you need to have all either Invector (standard bore) or Invector Plus (overbore).
Also, a few of the competition model Remingtons 20 and 12 gauge, such as the Classic Trap model, may have an overbored barrel and use proprietary chokes instead of RemChokes.
Richard
Schennberg.com
- Status
