I haven't read through this whole thread, but this is a topic I've given considerable thought to over the years and I've got some very definite conclusions that I've reached about Mossbergs and Remingtons. I have numerous models from both makers and I like 500's, 590's, and 870 Police models quite a bit. That said...
There are probably more threads on this debate than any other topic. Many folks throw in by simply stating the gun model they shoot, without offering much, if any, objective reasoning. Like many, I can't resist throwing in my view (and I'll include as much objective reasoning as I can to support my viewpoint.
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The guns are very similar, however, there are some noteworthy variances that clearly differentiate them. Sorry for being so long-winded, but hopefully there will be useful kernels for some folks sprinkled throughout.
Both brands are obviously popular guns with tons of each in daily use... either is a good choice. They are the top two choices in pumps and for good reason... they've earned their good reputations with good service over many years.
I like both guns, but I lean toward recommending Mossberg and here are the exact reasons why I do so:
Long ago I compared the guns and found the controls on the Mossberg made a lot more sense to me. So I've been shooting Mossberg 500 and 590 for years and they are tried, true, solid, and totally reliable.
Recognizing the merits of the higher end of the 870 models (Police & Wingmaster), I have three 870 Police models, which I enjoy shooting. Of course, for the 870 Police, I will pay double what I paid for either my 500A Persuader Combo and close to double the price of my 590. So price-wise, they’re not really comparable. But regardless of price...
It comes down to this for me (not in any particular order):
1) I prefer the
carrier-up mode design of the Mossberg for really easy loading... no need to bother pushing the carrier out of the way to access the tube for loading/topping off while shooting. One can get used to dealing with the carrier being in the way (870), but having the carrier out of the way (500/590) is much nicer - especially when topping off under duress. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
The carrier up mode of the Mossberg also enables very easy un-loading of the mag tube, when you wish to do so without racking all those shells through the receiver and chamber. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
2) I prefer the
tang mounted safety of the 500/590... you can see it VERY quickly and easily, access it with either hand for left or right hand shooting, and you can operate the safety while your trigger finger is in ready position and able to fire, WITHOUT changing the position of your shooting hand! With the Mossberg, there is no need to use your trigger finger for anything BUT firing the gun. Seeing the safety position on the 870 is more difficult and operating it takes more hand movement. I can operate the safety and "virtually" simultaneously fire the gun with a Mossberg something I can't do with an 870. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
3) I prefer the
location of the slide release lever on the 500/590... a slight shift of the middle finger releases the slide without having to change or shift the position of the hand and WITHOUT moving your trigger finger from ready/fire position. With the 870, the shooting hand must be moved from firing position to reach under and over to the left side. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
4) I prefer having the
Mossberg's double extractors (on on each side of the bolt) with 500/590 vs. a single extractor on the 870. Two extractors is better than one. One breaks, the other still extracts the shell. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
5) I prefer the
easy ability to replace a damaged or broken ejector on the Mossberg by myself, by removing a single screw. Whereas, the ejector on the 870 is riveted in and replacing a broken ejector on the 870 typically requires the work of a gunsmith and likely the refinishing of the receiver! Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
6) Price - the
pricing on Mossberg is the winner by a wide margin. Unless you are only considering Remington Express vs. Mossberg. And even if you are only comparing 870 Express to Mossberg, the Express models are still more expensive. But know that Remington has cut every corner they possibly could with their Express models (vs. the more costly 870P and Wingmaster models that built their reputation) to compete with Mossberg on PRICE. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, for me it adds up Mossberg.
MOSSBERG MODELS
The Mossberg 18.5” 500 Persuader is a six-shot model and is an exceptional choice for an in-home use shotgun. It feels very nimble and quick handling due to being fairly lightweight, the size is fairly short, and the balance is not front-heavy as it is on the higher capacity/longer barrel models. This model is highly maneuverable and nimble.
I also like the standard 9-round capacity of the 20" Mossberg 590. For a hunkered-down, fixed-position defense shotgun or one you will depend on more outdoors than in-the-house, this may be a better model than the shorter ones due to extra capacity and somewhat less need for the shorter form factor.
It can certainly be argued that higher round capacity is a good thing, but there is a price for that in size, weight and balance.
The capacity choice really depends on the primary use, your lifestyle, and where you will use the gun. If you hang with drug runners and the like, perhaps live in a very high crime neighborhood, you may benefit from having a higher capacity model.
If you're an average, law-abiding, clean living kind-of-person, the lighter, shorter six-shooter is more nimble and quick and very likely to provide all the 12 ga. capacity you will ever need.
Having both the 18.5“ 6-shot 500 Persuader and the 20” 9-shot 590, I will say that the extra length and weight in handling the fully loaded 20“ 590 vs. the fully loaded 18.5” 500 is quite noticible! I give the nod to the 18.5"er, but you can get used to either.
Mossberg has a new 500 Persuader 20“ 8-shot model now available as well. I still vote for the 18.5" six-shot model for best maneuverability and handling.
My Mossbergs: (I've replaced the polymer stock sets that came with these guns with wood, because I prefer the looks and the feel of the wood.)
RECEIVER MATERIALS
Some argue that the steel receiver of the 870 is more durable than the aluminum receiver on the 500/590 and it most likely is. But this is not a critical difference. Take note that the vast majority of shotgun receivers from most of the big name firearm brands are made with aluminum, which has proven itself for many years as a durable and serviceable receiver material. Some of the world's most expensive shotguns have aluminum receivers! The receiver is not subjected to stresses that require steel. That's why most major gun shotgun makers use aluminum. Plus it's lighter. Have no worries about buying a shotgun with an aluminum receiver. I do like that the Mossberg's aluminum receiver makes for a lighter weight gun. Not a HUGE factor in and of itself, but with everything else, it all adds up.
Quality of manufacture... I think all Mossbergs are of similar build quality and fit and finishing. They don't make a fancy 500 and a cheap 500, all of their 500 models are of comparable quality. They are not ”fancy“ guns. But they are solid, reliable, and durable.
Remington’s Wingmaster line are the highest quality models in the Remington 870 line in the fit and finishing, but is MUCH MUCH more expensive than Mossberg - perhaps THREE times the price of a Mossberg 500!
The Remington Police line has a lesser level of finishing and smoothness than the Wingmaster, but is of higher quality fit and finishing than the Remington Express. Police models are reputedly given some extra attention to QC than the other 870 models. If you're going to buy an 870, this is the model I would recommend instead of the cheaper Express models. But expect to pay somewhere around TWICE the price for an 870 Police as for a Mossberg 500. In addition, 870 Police models are not very easy to come by.
The new Remington Express line was created specifically in an attempt to compete with the very attractively priced and hot-selling Mossberg guns. Remington cut corners on manufacturing the Express models to reduce their cost as much as possible. External fit and finish are cheapened vs. the higher line 870s.
The internals and chambers of the Remington Express line have been noted to be rougher than the higher line Remington 870 models. For the most part, this probably won't reduce reliability, though there has been a noteworthy outcry of complaints about extraction/ejection issues which are most likely associated with the rougher internals on the 870 Express line. If you get an 870 Express that runs well and doesn't suffer from rough chamber and internals, it should be good to go for years. If you do get one that has reliability problems due to the rougher internals/chamber, that can be fixed... but adds aggravation.
If you want the higher grade polish & finish, be prepared to spend a lot more money and go for a Wingmaster or Police. These lines are where Remington has earned it’s reputation for quality and reliability. Or buy an older, used Wingmaster. Personally, the only 870 models I would buy would be Police and Wingmaster. It's a little harder to recommend a new Express model.
In the lower price range of the Express models, Mossberg competes quite favorably, perhaps superiorly, to the Remington Express line. This is the price point where Mossberg built it's great reputation... they know how to build a high quality, reliable shotgun and sell it for a very modest price. Big nod to the Mossberg from me. Not that the Express is a bad gun, but perhaps it may not enjoy quite the same reputation for reliability that Mossberg has earned.
As for overall durability and lifespan... either brand is likely to be just fine. If the gun is a personally owned, home defense weapon, of an ordinary citizen, I believe it is extremely unlikely that one would encounter any noteworthy limitation in durability or longevity. We're not talking about a service issued weapon that is fired a bazillion times by hundreds of different people, day-in and day-out, under the most difficult, abusive conditions imaginable, for years and years-on-end. So, I don't really see this as being terribly important as a selection criterion for a personally owned home defense weapon.
Though my preference is for Mossberg due to the location and operation of the controls, the lifter-out-of-the-way for loading, the dual extractors, and noteworthy reliability at a very modest price... no doubt one can become accustomed to either platform and both can be considered reliable guns in general. I would feel very well protected having either a 500/590 or an 870P/Wingmaster as a personal defense shotgun.
At this point... the best way to choose is to handle both and carefully examine how you must manipulate your firing hand to operate the controls on each weapon.
It's like any product... the user interface itself, how you access and operate the controls, makes the biggest difference from one product to another.
Either gun is quite likely to work fine for a long time.
