Home Defense Shotgun: Mossberg 590 or Remington 870

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tommy.duncan

tommy.duncan

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I am looking for a short barrel 12g pump for home defense. I like the Mossberg and Remington. Which one is better and more reliable? I hope I never need to use it for defense. This leads to question 2. Which one is easier to modify for hunting purposes?
______________________________________________________________
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
Albert Einstein
 
The 870 is easier to modify as it offers many more options, but as far as reliability either one is reliable. Your best bet is to handle each one to see which one fits you better and find out your preference of control locations. The safety on the 870 is much quicker to operate if you are right handed as it doesn't require altering your grip at all, but I like the location of the slide release on the Mossberg. You might also have a preference for one elevator type over the other.
 
I am coming at this from a biased view, but my 590A1 (just a dressed up 590) is very natural with it's controls and operation. The pumping action can be a bit rough and requires some pressure to pump, but has lessened with just under a hundred rounds. I am absolutely happy with my 590A1, wouldn't trade!

You can do just about anything to either shotgun, my nearest Academy sells replacement barrels for the 500/590 series.

That said, a used 870 is a proven shotgun.
 
Tommy, the 870 is a heavier gun... it soaks up a bit more recoil, but it's a bit more to carry all day on your shoulder.

For me, it'd be the 870, because I don't hunt with a shotgun. If I did, it'd be the 590. Either one, however, will probably do well enough for twice-a-year or God-forbid-ever. Both have a following, and for good reason; either's a fine gun.

Get what's available to you at a good price, and put enough birdshot through it to prove it works and make it second nature. You can't go too far wrong either way.

Be safe.
 
You might just buy an older M-870 Wingmaster and install a slug barrel or short riot barrel. I don't trust the parts and work in the current Express.

Frankly, I'm leery of all modern Remington products, inc. their ammo.
 
Secondly,

If you like the 870 style safety then get a Maverick 88. Its basically a mossberg 500 only with a cross bolt safety like the 870. Plus, the mavericks are usually around 220 tax and all. I know the academy sports here always runs them for 189.99 to 199.99.

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.
 
If possible handle both makes in short barrel configuration and work the safety on each before that first purchase. When a daily carry shotgun was part of my life I always had the option of drawing one or the other from our arsenal (small/medium police agency). Over the years I came to prefer the Remington -it felt more solid and I much preferred their safety... I was always worried that under stress I might clear the safety on the Mossberg before I should. Can't remember how many times I pointed a shotgun at someone on the street and never disengaged the safety. My trigger finger was always on the safety instead.... I had great confidence that I could operate safely yet be ready to fire in an instant with the 870... Most of our shotguns were beaten up rack grade specimens but nothing rules a close quarters situation like a shotgun.....
 
They're pretty much a tossup in terms of reliability IMHO.

Durability, long term (and I mean over a couple of generations) the Remington probably has a slight edge - ask again in another 20 years or so :D

As to ease of converting to a hunting/sporting gun, Remington is easier in that regard, with a vast number of factory spare barrels and other accessories available.
 
lemaymiami said:
If possible handle both makes in short barrel configuration and work the safety on each before that first purchase. When a daily carry shotgun was part of my life I always had the option of drawing one or the other from our arsenal (small/medium police agency). Over the years I came to prefer the Remington -it felt more solid and I much preferred their safety... I was always worried that under stress I might clear the safety on the Mossberg before I should. Can't remember how many times I pointed a shotgun at someone on the street and never disengaged the safety. My trigger finger was always on the safety instead.... I had great confidence that I could operate safely yet be ready to fire in an instant with the 870... Most of our shotguns were beaten up rack grade specimens but nothing rules a close quarters situation like a shotgun.....
Click to expand...

Sounds like the 870s we have at work.

Sent from my mind using ninja telepathy.
 
I prefer the 870. The 590 is definately a step up from a 500 and would be my choice if I wanted a Mossberg.
 
In practical terms new 590 cost as much as very, very nice second hand Wingmaster. Unless you're going to knock doors down with the thing get nicely polished Remington with short barrel. LGS had 12ga Wingmaster Upland Special with short choke tube barrel for $500. That gun was head and shoulders above Mossberg 590.
 
I prefer the Mossberg purely on the basis of its control locations being more ergonomic- the action release lever is located behind the trigger guard instead of in front of it, which means I can keep my grip on the stock without having to move my hand to open the action. And the safety is located for thumb access on the back of the stock instead of a toggle bolt safety behind the trigger guard, so the safety can be rapidly flipped off without changing shooting position.
 
evan price said:
The mossberg is my choice. Dont limit yourself to a 590, the 500 is great too, just only have two mag options, but barrels are plentiful and no tools to change.
Click to expand...
For civilian the 500 is lighter and less expensive making it a better choice. The 590 is 'Jarhead' proof weapon though (they are rather hard on equipment they use).
 
I sorta agree. The 590 Special Purpose (NOT the A1) is the best of both. Well, Remington doesn't have much to recommend it anymore except an old and squandered reputation, so I take that back.
 
Matt I understand where you are coming from but I just bought a used 870 with the extension tube from my LGS. Someone must have traded for something more elegant because it may have never been fired and it was nearly $100 off the new price. It was made in Illion, NY and was very stiff. I oiled it with gun oil to loosen up the action. After 50 rounds at the farm I took it home and washed it down with WD40. Now it loads and cycles smoothly and will soon get at least 50 more rounds through it at the farm real soon. It comes to the target just like a friend's wood version he changed from a 28" to a 18" barrel. It had some miles on it tho I don't know when it was made. I put 100 rounds thru it a few weeks ago and had a ball. My black version is as accurate and fun to shoot as his. It fits like it was made for me and at HD ranges I just can't miss. Now I have to see if I can shoot skeet at the farm with it or my brother in law's 1100. I know the short barrel isn't for skeet but I like a challenge :)
 
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