I've been offered 2 shotguns...

[Holloman]

Remington 870 express, 24", wood furn.

OR

Mossberg 500, 26" wood furn. AND $100 cash.

Both are 12GA and take 3" shells. Based just on this info, what is the better deal? I have had an 870 before, and liked it a lot, but it was a wingmaster and didnt take 3".

This will be used for HD. Both are trade offers on another gun. The barrel on either will be chopped down, and I'll likely get a folding stock as well. Based on performance and value, which deal is better?

Thanks!

 

[ronwill]

I've always preferred Remington over Mossberg. Had a bad experience with a Mossberg Select Choke.

 

[romeo212000]

What will the gun be used for?

 

[Holloman]

Home defense.

 

[oneounceload]

Why not get a short barrel in addition to either gun and that way you have one for other purposes as well? If you go with the Mossberg, the extra 100 buys that barrel

 

[Holloman]

This is true.

 

[gp911]

I'm with oneounceload, sounds like a complete package to me.

gp911

 

[Vicious-Peanut]

Yep, Mossberg.

 

[Holloman]

I like the "breaching" barrel that mossberg makes, is it any good?

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

What are you trading?

Neither might be the answer depending on what it is.

 

[frankcostanza]

You might be getting a better deal with the Mossberg (of course I have no idea what youre trading for it). On the other hand, I am partial to the 870. I love mine. I voted for the Remington.

 

[rantingredneck]

I'd go for the 870 personally and then spring for an extra barrel. Either an 18" bead sight or 20" rifle sight version.

 

[romeo212000]

either one would be great. I say go mossberg and you can either use the $100 to buy another barrell or use it to feed your new gun.

 

[machinisttx]

IMO, you really don't need a 3" chamber on a home defense gun. If you plan on using it as a dual purpose hunting and HD gun, then it makes sense.

I had a 20 gauge mossberg 500 with a 26" select choke/poly choke barrel. The collet fingers in the choke shredded wads and left slivers of plastic radiating from the muzzle. I think I still have the barrel around here somewhere, though the gun was given to my sister in law with a shorter 18" barrel for HD.

In your shoes, I'd take the 870. I'm not fond of mossbergs, and can't say I care much for the polychoke gadget either.

 

[blutarsky]

Remington 870 express, 24"

is 24" barrel a rifled barrel or..?

 

[Holloman]

Im not sure if it is rifled or not...

And I am trading it for a NIB 10/22.

 

[rantingredneck]

AFAIK Remington's rifled barrels are all 20" so my guess would be no. Likely remchoke.

 

[ronto]

I'd take the 500 without the $100. The location of the safety, slide release, and shell elevator on the 870 are a PIA.

 

[jakemccoy]

I'm a big 870 fan. However, for this situation, I'd go with the Moss plus $100. I'd use the $100 to buy something I really wanted, like a Wingmaster or some other gun. Also, both guns are about equal on the used market (I think) if I decided to turn a profit right away.

 

[jakemccoy]

By the way, you should have kept your Wingmaster with the non-magnum chamber. The 3" shells for your situation is mostly just to say you can. That shouldn't matter for a home defense gun.

 

[scythefwd]

As a mossberg owner, I'd say go with that. Just make sure it has accuchokes and not a poly choke on it. The accuchokes don't tear up the rounds like the poly or select choke did for machinisttx. Id get a new barrel for the $100 and keep the longer for hunting or skeet (or whatever else you want to use it for). Changing out the barrels are a snap on the 500's. I don't know how the change out for the 870 is.

 

[Blue Brick]

Mossberg!!!!

 

[cerberus65]

Changing the barrel on the 870 is fast and easy. I've had my 870 only a couple of weeks and I've already pulled the barrel off. Pull the mag cap off and then pull the barrel out. Nothing to it at all.

 

[mgkdrgn]

I like the 870, and own two I've had for 30+ years.

But for HD use, and $100 in my pocket, I'd take the Mossy. 2 3/4" or 3", for HD isn't going to make a difference that anyone will notice, it's an un-issue.

 

[Holloman]

I think I'm going to go with the mossberg- simply so I can pocket the cash. Plus, I've already had an 870, and while I really liked it, I want to try something new. I can always get one again down the road and sell this one.