590 vs. 870 for combat shotgun?

[Badger Arms]

I think lefties are lucky in some ways as the ejection port is on their "weak", right hand side, this makes reload drills, switch to slug drills easy as heck, no over or under the receiver to make the load-it goes right in the port!

Actually, that's a bit more awkward than twisting the gun 60 degrees to the left and dropping it straight down into the ejection port. It's the same logic that makes the AK easy to charge with the weak hand in spite of the fact that the charging handle is on the right. Twist the gun to the left and the charging handle is on the TOP of the gun. Same logic applies to the safety. The safety on an 870 works a certain way. It's as easy for me to work it one way as it is the other even though I'm only right handed. Similarly, even though the charging handle on the 1100 is on the WRONG side of the gun, I can still tilt the gun sideways and reach it.

There's something to be said for creativity in developing your own personal manual of arms. If it works for you, it's more advantageous than being taught a "Better" way of doing it. I think the fact that the vast majority of pumps on the market have the ejection port on the RIGHT means that a lefty would be better served by developing his or her manual of arms to compensate for the reality rather than altering their guns or buying guns that are only moderately more accomodating at the expense of non-interchangeability. I say this as a right-hander, though.

Another case-in-point is the single-action revolver. Both Sam Colt and Bill Ruger were of the wrong-handed persuasion. If you operate the single-action revolver with your left hand, it's much easier to manupulate. Try it. I found that I'd been SWITCHING IT TO MY LEFT HAND all along to reload and this thought hadn't even occured to me. All my single-actions were already Lefty guns. Did I ever complain? No. Did I ever seek out a right-handed single-action? No.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

Mossberg plastic button is also a failure-prone part and must be replaced with a steel replacement; how many users actually do that, I wonder?

I did; the swap was easy.

Another case-in-point is the single-action revolver. Both Sam Colt and Bill Ruger were of the wrong-handed persuasion. If you operate the single-action revolver with your left hand, it's much easier to manupulate. Try it. I found that I'd been SWITCHING IT TO MY LEFT HAND all along to reload and this thought hadn't even occured to me. All my single-actions were already Lefty guns. Did I ever complain? No. Did I ever seek out a right-handed single-action? No.

Try using a left handed boltgun sometime or reloading a DA revolver lefthanded. Have you ever shot a 3 gun match (or been in another situation that requires weapon manipulation under stressful conditions) with a gun that's not friendly to your handedness? If you had, you'd understand why I don't use an 870 or 1300 (and why i spent my own money to retrofit my dad's bushmaster with an ambi safety, and prefer enfields to mausers, etc.)

 

[Badger Arms]

Silly Lefties.

I've shot several pistol matches left handed. I'm just as good and SOMETIMES better with my left hand than I am with my right. Perhaps it's because I have to focus and concentrate and train more with my left hand rather than the hand I shoot naturally with. In the end, it's what works for you. I can't even put a shotgun up to my left shoulder, I cannot imagine having to do that. I HAVE shot a lefty bolt gun before and it was awkward... especially with a scope. You got me on that one. I'm sure that's the reason there are more Lefty models in Bolt guns than any other category of firearm save the Single Action Revolver which is almost EXCLUSIVELY left handed. For most other weapons, the manual of arms can be easily modified for effective use by wrong-handed people.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the manual of arms can be easily modified for effective use by wrong-handed people.

Sure, but in most cases it's a suboptimal solution. it's usually better to modify the gun so it's lefty friendly, like switching the safety around, or by buying a gun that's already lefty friendly (like the mossberg, or a left handed 870)

 

[Badger Arms]

I'd like to see a Garand style safety instead of the tang safety, then. I'll agree in principle that a gun that is either a mirror image or has the same manual of arms for Righties and the otherly abled is the optimal situation. One reason I'm so enthusiastic about the XM8 ~

 

[AVESguy]

Hi guys

I have a Mossberg 590 with a compstock, and a side saddle, which I have used extensively in classes and practice. Also, I now have a LEFT handed Wingmaster 870 with 21" RS barrel. Remington still makes a Left Handed 870 Express but they haven't made the l/h Wingmaster in about 6 years or more. I found a NIB one made in 1997 a few months ago!!!!

I am left handed and even though the WM is smoother and more finished feeling, a more elegant shotgun, the Mossberg is ergonomically much easier to operate due to the location of the safety and the slide release. But that's just me,

Also, for my middle aged eyes, the ghost ring sights on the 590 work much better for me than the rifle sights on the WM- the rifle sights are too far away for me to focus on!!!

But I love them both. The WM will be a new project, maybe with ghost rings!

BTW the 590 functioned perfectly throughout a grueling 3 day shotgun class recently in the rain and mud, 250+ rds birdshot, 125 slugs, 50 buck. Some of the other guns in the class didn't fare as well. Neither did my shoulder!

 

[355sigfan]

My first shotgun was a mossberg 500 with a 28 and 18 inch barrel combo. The 18 inch barrel would have the fired cases get stuck so bad a cleaning rod had to be dropped in the barrel to get them out. This happened whenever i fired buck or slug loads.

The next shotgun I had was a Winchester 1300. It worked ok but kicked like a mule.

The next gun was a Mossberg 590 it had the same problem my earlier 500 did so i got rid of it.

My next gun was a 870 Marine magnum and it worked great. I sold it however.

When I became and officer the cheif did not allow rifles so I purchased had Vang build me a 14 inch 870 with MMC night sights, Side saddle, Giles sling, speed feed pistol grip stock and surefire forend light. This gun works great. I had it finished in Rogard with NP3 on the internal parts. Only problem is I have a lot of money in this gun. I only use it when I am camping now for bear protection as I am now allowed to carry my Colt M4.
Pat

 

[DrDremel]

Thanks for all the great info so far. I have never fired a Mossberg, only the 870 of the two. The 870 is great but I wondered if anybody would choose the 590 over the 870. It seems the 870 is king for a reason.

 

[Quintin Likely]

I'm surprised no one hasn't said it yet...

...but I think a competent operator on a Rembergchesterica would ruin a bad guy's day.

Just lurking and reading, it does seem that too many people get hung up on a brand or a name. Choose whatever suits you best, get good with it, and put all your worries to rest. The scattergun in my corner is a 590, but I grew up with dad's 500, so the manual of arms is already well known and implanted into my skull. I don't think you could really go wrong with a choice from a reputable manufacturer nowadays.

 

[JNewell]

Choose whatever suits you best, get good with it

Absolutely right. Should be out shooting rather than reading the news here...except it hasn't been above 10 degrees for days...

 

[Youngster]

I bought my first shotgun last year, a new 870P, a good solid gun but it shows signs of very rough build quality and I'm not too crazy about the control layout. The 870's durability and excellent "feel" in the hands are big pluses for me but I might well go with a 590A1 for my next purchase.

 

[La Pistoletta]

USAS-12. Class III, hmm...

 

[Captain Bligh]

I think they all will serve you well. Mossy is probably my LEAST favorite pump, but I think it will function well and serve you reliably if that is what you want.

I liked the Winchester better than the Mossy, but what I bought is the 870 and I've been very satisfied.

I don't like Mossy's safety. The thumb safety seems like an extra, unnecessary movement to me. Y our finger is going to the trigger anyway, why not let it flick the safety on it's way there? Why have it wait for the thumb to first move first?

My 870 doubles as a field gun. The 870's fore-end is just too loose and therefore too noisy for some hunting applications, IMHO.

RJ

 

[Tamara]

La Pistoletta,

USAS-12. Class III, hmm...

Other than having all the grace and fast-handling characteristics of a pistol-gripped railroad tie, being hard to find ammo for (most 2 3/4" 12ga stuff is crimped too long to fit in the mag) and being fairly ammo sensitive when you can find stuff that fits in the magazine, it'd make a very Ultimate choice for a shotgun.

 

[La Pistoletta]

Well, if it does work, it could prove useful, firepower wise, wouldn't you say?

 

[Tamara]

I'd say it's most useful as a novelty gun. You'll note their lack of use by pretty much anyone who needs to take a shotgun into harm's way.


(My neighbor has one. His house shotgun, however, is a Winchester Defender, if that tells you anything.)

 

[AirPower]

is 590 significantly lighter than 870 due to alum. receiver? also with 870 screwed on extended magazine, which is more robust?

 

[VG]

And when did this rumor about the Remington safety not being ambidexterous start? Have any lefties ever OWNED an 870 and still feel this way. Why not just use the thumb of your left hand to press the safety or wrap the trigger finger around the back of the trigger guard? I use my strong hand to engage and disengage the safety on my 870, what's the difference? What's the problem?

I've been using a RH 870 and I don't find the safety to be a big deal. Reaching under the trigger guard with your middle finger seems about as fast as having to thumb the 500/590 safety. A Garand-style safety would seem to be a step up for all of them. I may still get a LH 870 -

The 500 and 590 owners I've met have been pretty happy with them. I wouldn't hesitate to own one. They do seem to come in good HD configurations.

 

[meathammer]

I really, really wanted a Rem. 870 Marine Magnum but I went with a Mossberg 590A1.

Here's why:

The 590A1 already had everything I wanted. 8 shot magazine, ghost ring sights, also a heavier barrel.

The newer 870s have a plastic trigger group. (Yeah, I know it doesn't matter, it won't wear out, etc. Don't care, I didn't like it.) The PC dimpled magazines are annoying too.

The 590A1 felt better to me. Prefer safety location on the Mossberg.

Steel vs. Aluminum receiver. I don't think I could wear out either in my lifetime.

Trust me, I went back and forth between the two for a couple of months. I'm happy with the decision I made. To each his own, right?

(Oh, and the 590A1 has a bayonet lug for scaring small children and little baby bunnies. )



--meathammer

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

also, the long mag tube models have the advantage of not having an extra section of magazine held on with relatively fragile threads.

 

[Marshall]

I would consider Mossberg, Remington and Winchester pumps to all be as good as the other for home defense. Pick your poison.