Mossberg or Remington?

[The Unknown User]

I'm looking at getting a shotgun, and for multiple reasons:

- I currently don't have one
- I want something bigger than my 10/22 for HD/SD purposes
- I'm going to a pumpkin shoot
- I'm going to a car shoot

I know what I want in a shotgun:
- Black color reciever
- Synthetic stock and foregrip
- Short barrel (18"?)
- Magazine tube that matches barrel length
- Ghost ring sights

If I remember correctly, the Remington is the most popular shotgun ever (like the 10/22 being the most popular .22), but Mossbergs have the military and police contracts.

So, what model should I get from either company? Is there any major difference?

 

[rantingredneck]

Might I gently suggest the search feature. This question comes up 2 to 3 times per week.

 

[NG VI]

The mossberg 930 SPX sounds like exactly the gun you are looking for.

http://www.gunsandhunting.com/gunlocker_heads/Mossberg.jpg

 

[The Unknown User]

That's a purty gun. Is it a semi? I should have said I prefer a pump simply because I could shoot ammo that wouldn't cycle.

I guess I don't care too much either way; I'll just have to make sure I choose the proper ammo.

 

[Howaido]

870.

 

[dasanii19]

That's a purty gun. Is it a semi? I should have said I prefer a pump simply because I could shoot ammo that wouldn't cycle.

I guess I don't care too much either way; I'll just have to make sure I choose the proper ammo.

Get a Remington 870 18" HD from your local Big 5 or Sportsmans Warehouse. $299 + tax, plus background. You cant go wrong.

 

[The Unknown User]

Is that 870 HD this one? http://www.remington.com/products/f...l_870/model_870_express_synthetic_7-round.asp

I like that.

Edit: I think that or the Mossberg 500 Persuader would fit the bill. I'd have to get ghost ring sights later, but meh.

 

[MAX100]

The Mossberg 590A1 18.5" shotguns with factory Ghost Ring Sights are the best deal going in tactical pump shotguns. It fits what you are looking for. They run $389 if you can find one. They are for law enforcement sales.



GC

 

[okienate]

Mossberg's are pretty nice if you are really on a tight budget.

I faced the same question and found a used (barely used) Benelli SuperNova tactical with the pistol grip and ghost ring sights for just over $300.

Nice weight, good handling shotgun, and it has black furniture just like you mentioned.

If you're looking to strap on a lot of aftermarket stuff, Mossberg and Remington both have about the same amount of bolt-ons available. The Benelli, not so much. (For an HD gun I specifically wanted the Benelli for this purpose. The temptation to bolt on stuff was too great and would have rendered a perfectly good HD gun into a dangerous, snag-magnet and pretty much useless when needed to come from storage to deployment when needed!)

 

[Dave McCracken]

The Search feature is your friend. But briefly....

Much as I love my 870s, the Mossberg is also an excellent choice.

The 870 will stand up to heavy use longer. I've yet to see a worn out Mossberg, though, but I'm only 61.

Get the one that feels best....

 

[james_bond]

I am a fan of the 870 mine has been nothing but smooth running.
My dad has the Winchester 1200 Defender? it is a nice one too, not as many options as the Mossy and Remmy.

 

[Blue Brick]

Mossberg 500A combo

 

[Blue Brick]

http://big5sportinggoods.shoplocal....pid=561435&pagenumber=3&listingid=-2091361525

 

[357wheelgunner]

Get the 870 HD if you are worried about cost....If you can spend more, do, and get an 870 Police Magnum. It's the same design with higher quality parts (more quality control, metal trigger guard, better fit and finish) and a more durable parkerized finish.

 

[publiuss]

I have both the Mossy 500 and the Rem 870. both are good guns but I much prefer the 870. It is much smoother and although I've never had any problems w/either, I have complete confidence in the 870 b/c I've had one forever and have abused it in the duck blind, no problems.

 

[bowl443]

I have both and prefer the 870...

Higher quality IMHO.

Oh ya, the 10/22 has been outsold in the US by the Marlin 60

 

[Ceemack]

If I remember correctly, the Remington is the most popular shotgun ever (like the 10/22 being the most popular .22), but Mossbergs have the military and police contracts.

You don't remember correctly. The Mossberg 590 (not the 500) has the current military contract, but I've never once seen a police cruiser with a Mossberg in it. Law enforcement uses the Remington 870 almost exclusively.

I have several gripes with the 500. Some of them, like the location of the slide release, are a matter of personal taste. The comes-apart-when-you-least-expect-it design of the safety button is a potential problem, but it can be dealt with. The PITA nature of putting one back together after it's been detail stripped--well, practice helps.

Probably the biggest problem I have is build quality. The roughest chamber I've ever seen on a shotgun was on a 500A that had serious extraction problems. Take a look at the tool marks on the bottom of this bolt:

Note that I've actually stoned that down a little bit--those tool marks were originally quite a bit worse. Then check out the cheap quality of the safety block at the far right in this picture:

And remember that it looks (and feels) a lot worse in person.

Compared to this, the internal parts from a Remington 870 Express--which a lot of Wingmaster snobs say are just too rough--look like they came out of a Purdey.

I see people complain about the aluminum receiver on the 500. Steel is better in a theoretical sense, but the aluminum is one of the few aspects of the 500 I don't mind.

I've owned three different 870s since 1975, and still have two; I've never had to fix anything on any of them. I've got one buddy with a 500A, and I've spent more hours repairing it than I like to think about. Based on my experience, if you want a gun you can rely on, get an 870; if you want a gunsmithing education, get a 500.

 

[jakemccoy]

870.

 

[Mossberg535]

Based on my experience, if you want a gun you can rely on, get an 870; if you want a gunsmithing education, get a 500.

Im not sure about the Remingtons, but Ive own a few 500s and most of the folks I have shot with at times have used MBs of one sort or another and honestly, I cant remember a single problem.
My 500's have been pretty reliable.

About the only thing I do agree with is the safety. Its a cheap piece of junk for the most part. But I dont use a safety at all since I dont ever keep a round in the chamber under any circumstances and I keep the action open until Im ready to shoot (works 100 times better than that cheap safety ).

 

[MCgunner]

Mossberg, the best. Why? Cause I said so.

 

[Regolith]

The difference between a Mossberg and a Remington 870 in terms of reliability is negligible. As Dave stated, the steel receiver on the 870 theoretically extends the life of the gun vs. the aluminum receiver of a Mossberg, but the reality is that unless you're a high volume skeet shooter, either weapon should not only outlast you, but your grandkids as well.

What you should do is go to the store that has an example of both weapons, and ask to handle them. You will find that one or the other provides superior ergonomics or handling for YOU, and that will likely be the one you want to go with. I went to the store dead set on buying a Mossberg, until I handled both the Mossy and the Remington, and found I liked the Remington better. You, on the other hand, could go to the store dead set on getting a Remington and find that you like the Mossberg better. Point is, you won't know till you've handle both guns.

 

[RP88]

I like my Mossberg 500. Very sleek compared to the remington, in my opinion (but I never owned a Remington - just played with one).

If you think the Mossberg won't last through alot of wear, then get a 590; those have metal safeties, guards, triggers, etc. so they will take more of a beating in those areas. A 590 also comes tac'd out at the same price as you'll pay for a good base-model Remington. So, if budget is key, then the mossberg will be more appealing to your wallet.

handle both and see what feels right, though. I have long arms, so handling was never a problem for me (most people will say how the Mossberg requires a more outstretched fore-gripping arm and has a longer length of pull - niether bothers me).

I honestly don't understand how someone can break a mossberg, though. It is a very solid weapon.

 

[fwm]

Both good guns. Hold them both and find the one that fits you best. Pay attention to how the controls work for you with each gun, and decide by fit and action to your body. You'll be happy with either of these guns if they fit you good.

 

[T-Ray]

remington.

 

[Phil DeGraves]

Remington 870