590 vs. 870

[P.B.Walsh]

I am looking to buy a shotgun for HD and deer. First it will be for HD, then deer.

My opinion:

590-pros: passed every military test upgraded 500, and has a bayonet lug
cons: can't find a slug barrel for it (unless a slug will work for a 20" barrel for 100 yards)
Wait, does 500 barrels fit on 590's???

870-pros: very good tactical background and can find barrels
cons: more expensive than the 590 and I'm not sure if the 870 passed every military test (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Please help me out here.

 

[1KPerDay]

first... either will do just fine. That's not a cop-out; both are excellent.

Second, try a search; this subject has been done to death and then some.

Third, if you're left-handed, the 590's safety is preferable. If you plan to use a pistol grip, and are right handed, the 870's is preferable.

Good luck!

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ok, right now I plan on buying a 590 with a heat shield and pistol grip for $250, and add a knoxx specops stock with pistol grip, probaly will add a side holdster.

Are the 500 barrels interchangable with the 590. I can't get over the bayonet either, it's just darn right cool, and could very well be a desiding factor.

I need to handle them both and see which saftey I like better.

And are slugs ok for a smoothbore 20" barrel.

Thanks.

 

[meytind]

The 870 was never entered as a candidate for those military tests as far as I know. Remington figured that the small amount of shotguns they would sell to the military would not be worth the money invested to meet their specific requirements.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

So, would that mean that the 590 is better.

 

[eldiabloe1]

Get them both! You can never have enough toys. I use the 590 for a truck gun and the 870 for HD with a Knoxx, side saddle and Wilson 2 rnd extension. When I go dove hunting I leave the Knoxx on the 870 and switch to a longer barrel. Freaked the game warden out with it but he was cool after he checked that I had a plug in the mag tube.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Still, can anyone tell me if a 20" is good for slugs for deer?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

So does a 500 and 590 barrels interchange?

I won't be bird hunting with this one, just HD and deer, (hopefully only deer and never HD).

So, I CANT use a 7-9 shot mag. for hunting, not that I'd need but two shots at max, but just to be on the safe side, do need a plug for hunting?

 

[Dimis]

PB i own a 590 and i love it
its great for what i need it for home defense (well yard defense in the house its a bit big)
as for deer season i wouldnt know because i dont hunt but i can only assume it would do fine for that purpose

the 500 barrels will not interchange with the 590 because the magazine tube is alot longer on the 590 than hunting model 500s

as for which is better my money is its a tie
dead even

here are your pros and cons

Mossberg
Pros:
safety is ambidextrious (you can use either hand)
Price is a bit cheaper (but not by much)
the slide release is in a more ideal place for using without changing your grip (i can hit mine with my middle finger leaving my grip the way it is with index finger still operating the trigger)
the bayonet IS cool despite what some will say lol (i have an M9 and an OKC3S for mine)
9 shots (8+1)
Cons:
the trigger gaurd and safety are plastic unless you get an A1 which is more expencive and you lose the bayo-lug and heat shield
Longer than the Remington Tactical so therefor more cumbersome to wield

Remington
Pros:
Shorter length means easier manuverability
All steal reciever and trigger group

Cons:
Price is higher
Safety is a crossbolt design like a BB gun
Slide release is in an odd location to use quickly
1 less in the mag tube than the mossy

as for the military testing the mossberg 590A1 is what passed not the civi model 590 (not that there is anything wrong with my gun)
the Remingtons were never tested because they are already being used by police officers the nation thru so a military contract would be a drop in the bucket for remington and they didnt see it viable to bother (but other sources have tested the remmy to better than mil-spec and it passes with flying colors)

yea you can shoot slugs from a smooth bore most "rifled" slugs refer to the grooves on the bullet not the barrel and they actualy do not act as rifleing but thats another topic all together

lastly if you plan to buy one to accessorize with tactical goodies get the remington as its supported by more in that industry and is easier to find mounts and such

if you do get the mossy you CAN add all the nifty gadgets but alot will try and tell you that you have to lose your bayo lug to mount a flashlight

i hope i helped at least a little
any more questions just post and one of us will figure it out for you

 

[Dimis]

YES ALWAYS PLUG FOR HUNTING

even being caught with an unplugged mag is grounds for them to say your poaching (sp)

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

Still, can anyone tell me if a 20" is good for slugs for deer?

I was out shooting skeet with my 590 one day at my buddy's dad's house when I noticed I'd left a few slugs in my case.
So, naturally we decided to have an impromptu marksmanship challenge.
My buddy ran way out and hung a skeet disk from a tree, and we each tried to pick it out with slugs.
I only missed the clay skeet disk at about 120 yards by about 2 inches with my mossberg 590 and remington foster slug.
This was using ghost ring sights.

I figured if it would've been a deer, he would be toast.

 

[10-Ring]

I prefer the 870 -- I like the steel receiver, the more solid feel & in my hands, better shootability (and I'm a lefty)

 

[proud2deviate]

I chose the 870.

A 20" barrel is fine for slugs. My 870 tossed slugs into a 5" spread at 100 yards. Those were 1oz Remington Sluggers; Wal-Mart value pak, and I was standing. And I'd shot my first slug about an hour before that. 100 yards is no problem for slugs and a shotgun (Note: my gun has rifle sights.)

Federal Tru Ball slugs dropped my groups down to about 3". The shooter is the weak link here; not the gun or the ammo.

This all comes down to personal preference. What qualities do you value in a shotgun? Mossberg has a tang safety, which is probably better for lefties, but it sucks if you have a pistol grip. Remington has a steel receiver, which is stronger, but heavier. Mossberg's shell lifter stays up; Remington's stays down, which can pinch your thumb if you're not careful. Mossberg generally offers greater magazine capacity for the same length barrel. Mossberg costs less. Remington will last longer (though it's entirely likely that either shotgun will outlast you.) Remington generally costs more.

What do you want?

 

[P.B.Walsh]

I belive that I would prefer all steel, I didn't know that about the 590 with the plastic. Don't mind added weight, I like more solid guns. The 870 is supported by a huge aftermarket too.

By the "pinching your thumbs" is that refering to when you rack the slide?

And yes, later I'll put tactical goodies and whatnots on it. The trigger saftey would probaly do better since I'm going to use a pistol grip.

The only thing I prefer out of the 590 is the bayonet lug anyway, but I REALLY prefer steel over plastic.

Can you buy a heat sheild for the 870?

Sorry for all the questions, but this is new to me, I'm a rifle lover!!! Just need a shotgun for short range deer and HD.

Thanks

 

[Leadhead]

You can get a bayo lug for the 870 if you want one...if you are going to get a Spec Ops stock then I'd suggest the 870 for the cross bolt safety as was mentioned above.

http://www.sjhardware.com/870Bayo.html

 

[Tamren]

My first shotgun was a 590 with a ghost ring sight, great gun. Recently I bought an 870 tactical ("Tactical" in this case means a breacher choke, police barrel, mag tube extension, and black powder coat finish) for an armorer's course and I prefer the 870.

As previously mentioned the 870 is about 2" shorter then a 590, which makes it more maneuverable in a HD situation.

My favorite part of the 870 is the all steel milled receiver which makes the 870 a little longer lasting. Also, as a student gunsmith I have more options when it comes to putting a finish on steel then aluminum.

The two things I don't like about my 870 is the small trigger safety, and the shell carrier can pinch your thumb when you're sliding shells into the mag tube.

The pro's of the Mossberg was that it holds an extra shell over the 870 and the tang safety. Of course, if you can't solve a problem with 7 shots of 2-3/4 buck, the 8th probably won't do you a whole helluva lotta good .

For me, the biggest downside of the 590 is the aluminum receiver. Something else to keep in mind is they can be a little finicky when it comes to putting them back together after field stripping.

If cost is a factor, don't have any worries about going for a 500 or 590. If not, get an 870.

 

[DBR]

If you are not a strict traditionalist take a look at the Benelli Nova. It is a lot of gun for the money and arguably a better design than either the 870 or 590.

I own an 870 and a Nova. For defensive use the Nova has some advantages. For sport use I would chose the 870.

Mossbergs have their features too. I like the all steel 870 better at least in the Wingmaster version. The Nova is IMHO the Glock of shotguns.

 

[RandKL]

all steel milled receiver which makes the 870 a little longer lasting

Define longer lasting? Considering that none have ever worn out, the Mossy, that's a bit of an open ended statement. But, and I have to admit this, Mossberg *did* remove that statement from their website this past year....so it's possible one might have.

The 870 Express guns come with synthetic triggerguards the same as the civilian Mossy. If you want metal (aluminum), you have to go 870P or Wingmaster.

All 500 barrels will fit the 590 as long as you switch the mag tube. That takes approx 60 seconds and the new tube will cost you approx $20. In fact *ALL* Mossberg 500/535/590/835 barrels are interchangeable with a mag tube switch.

Anyone here ever tried to remove a Remington 870 mag tube? Nuff said.

With the Mossy system, you literally have a barrel designed for every possible type of shotgun shooting....there's even a .50cal muzzle loading barrel available. 870 barrels....you can buy TWO Mossy barrels for the price of ONE 870.

The Rem 870 wasn't submitted to the mil testing for one reason and it had nothing to do with possible sales. Thats a good excuse, though. The mil guidelines called for a weapon that was "field serviceable" as all modern mil weapons are. The Remington 870, if you break the extractor or the ejector or pop a rivet, becomes useless and can't be serviced in the field. For the 870 to pass the required guidelines, the receiver and bolt would have to undergo a design overhaul.

The Mossy 500 system became the #1 most sold shotgun following those mil tests. The 500/590 system has outsold the Remington 870 every year since 2004/05 because of it.

richard

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Ok, for a price of (at most) of $750 which is better?

Well, for $750 it MUST be top on the line, because for that much I can buy a Del-Ton.

 

[Virginian]

That Mil test didn't have squat to do with sales. Mossberg has outsold Remington for the same reason WalMart has about put everyone else out of business - they're cheaper. If that's your #1 priority, then have at it.
Mil specs are mostly a joke. Designed to INCREASE costs. You need to understand the military-industrial bureaucracy here. I worked for a military contractor, and we used to joke than an elephant was a mouse built to Mil-Specs. This guy says his budget is $750. I don't think he needs to 'settle' for a Mossberg, unless he finds he likes the feel of it better. Both guns are fine. I have never pinched a thumb, or anything else in 50 years with Remingtons, and I have never seen a Mossberg aluminum receiver worn out. I have never had any trouble finding the safety, or the release on the Remington, or on one of my SxSs which have a tang safety. It's like arguing over color. Get whichever one you like best.

 

[Rshooter]

I have three 870's. I think I need to get a 590 next.

 

[P.B.Walsh]

Why the 590 next?

And btw this might be the onLY shotgun that I buy, in case this helps.

Thanks.

 

[Dimis]

dont let my comment of plastic make you run from the mossberg you can always buy the metal parts from the A1 model to replace them Numrich has them and i think Brownells carries them as well
the aluminum reciever isnt going to break so dont think that even the milspec models have alluminum recievers if its good enough for the battlefield anything we do with it wont mean squat
if your budget is 750 you could get the mossberg and a few accessories

if your heart is set on the remington go for it they really are both GREAT guns

i prefer mossberg just for ergonomics

oh and as for the why next comment basicly once you start owning firearms you end up wanting to own them all i may end up with a remmy next myself lol


last but not least you can get a heat shield for almost any shotgun so yes you can have a HS for your remmy
happy shooting

 

[AcceptableUserName]

I've owned all manner 500/590's and 870's. In my experience the 870's are superior, even though I loved the Mossberg's as well. One thing I favor the Mossberg's in is disassembly. It's a hassle for me to take apart a magazine extension when removing the barrel while with a Mossberg it's a one or two shot operation. You're gonna get the age old answer from me though, familiarize yourself with both and then make a decision. Like a few above posters have stated, the fact that Mossberg met the military specs means nothing, Remington didn't bother to enter a gun. Whichever gun you choose, be patient with it, learn to disassemble it and reassemble and maintain it and break it in with lead shot (500 rounds is the magic number for me). Just my .02

 

[Duelist]

I have both, I prefer the Remington, even though it is heavier. It is easier to break down an 870, it feels solid as a tank, locks up tight, interchangable barrels etc. The Mossberg has more play between parts, is lighter, has more plastic parts etc.

I use the mossberg as a truck gun and the Remington for HD