870 vs 590A1

[Sheepdog1968]

Both are great systems as evident by their longevity in the market. If they weren't good, people wouldn't be buying them for 50+ years.

To me, it really comes down to where you want you safety located. The Mossbergs have it on the tang and teh Rems have it on the right side near the trigger. We can nitpick all of the other points to death.

 

[okc-zee]

I've owned an 870...I sold it after "fondling" and shooting a 590A1...also preferred the location of the safety and the slide release on the Mossy...Not saying one is better than the other...Just what I preferred...

 

[ny32182]

I've owned one of each; 870 express and 590A1; overall I like the 590 better so far (being a lefty may be part of this), but one advantage so far I'm seeing with the 870 is that getting the magazine tube apart is no problem, but with the 590A1, it seems to be captured... is there an easy way to get the mag tube apart on the Mossberg?

(I'll admit I'm not real religious about cleaning pump shotguns. Just took my Mossberg apart for the first time this past weekend at a round count of 777... Would have done it sooner, but the trigger housing was stuck tight in the receiver when it was newer. It still took a pretty good tug to get it out.)

 

[Black Knight]

As a police officer we have Mossberg 590s at work. They do get the job done. Fit and finish are a little rough but they do perform. At home I have 2 870 Wingmasters with 20 inch barrels. The fit and finish are very high quality, just what you would expect from Remington. If money is a concern the Mossberg will serve you well. If you want a HD shotgun go to the Remington Law Enforcement page and look at their police models. They have one with the standard wood stock, 20" barrel, and extended magazine. You may be able to order it from your gunshop.

 

[Al Thompson]

Grunt, that was a great write up.

IMHO, if you are a lefty, it's Mossberg all the way. For the other half, it's a coin toss. Like brother Dave said "what FEELS better".

Both are excellent shotguns.

 

[KX592]

Count me in on the 590a1 model. I have both the 870 and 590a1 and the 590 suits me better as a SD+HD gun. Duel extractors, smoother action, all metal parts where it counts, and easy release and safety locations. Plus, its a 9 shot.

 

[AlexanderA]

I have a couple of Rem. 870's as well as a Mossberg 500 with the long magazine (similar to the 590). In terms of general build quality, I think the Remingtons are better. The Remingtons are also more flexible in that you can swap out various length barrels and magazine extensions. With the Mossberg, you're stuck with the magazine it came with. (Note that some Remingtons were made so that you can't add magazine extensions without gunsmithing. Be sure to check this.)

Worthwhile additions are a high-viz magazine follower (for both), a large-head "mushroom" safety on the Remington, and a steel, as opposed to plastic, safety button on the Mossberg.

 

[lobo9er]

Otherwise they're useless weight and will contribute a good bit to muzzle heaviness, making for a sluggish gun

lee lapin

the baynet lug doesnt weigh anything to speak of and as for the bayonet it is detachable, so weight really isnt and issue at all.