Mossberg vs. Remington

[Yo Mama]

I want a new shotgun to get more birds than I've been able to get with my Mossberg 500 with 18.5 inch cylinder barrel.

I've been looking at intro shotguns for the field, and have narrowed my choice to 24 inches, and either another Mossberg, or a Remington 870.

What are your thoughts.

 

[41magsnub]

Either are fine and do the same things in the same way equally well. Which fits you better, is the safety in the right place for you? Nobody can answer this for you, go to a gun shop and handle both and see which you like better.

Seriously, it is a Ford vs Chevy type argument.

Also, you are aware you can just buy a longer barrel for your Mossberg right?

 

[BADUNAME37]

Which trigger feels right? Some have been saying the Remington trigger cuts into their finger.

 

[Yo Mama]

THe new barrel is almost as much as a new gun. I figure one for home, one for the field.

 

[prescott]

THe new barrel is almost as much as a new gun.

What? I just ordered a new barrel for my Mossberg 500 for $73...right from Mossberg.

 

[jmr40]

I honestly believe the 870 is a better design. But the Mossberg works and there is something to be said for having 2 guns with the controls in the same place so you don't have to think about where the safety is located.

I would buy a Mossberg field gun with a 26" barrel for hunting and keep the short barreled gun for Home defense.

Or better yet sell the Mossberg and get 2 870's

 

[Virginian]

I am a died in the wool Remington man, but since you already have one Mossberg I would recommend sticking with them. The controls will be the same on the field gun and save any possible confusion.
But, if you never try anything new you never learn either, so there is also that side. I had a Mossberg as a first shotgun 48 years ago, and I have shot plenty of them since, and I have no complaints, I just greatly prefer the Remington's feel.
I have been shooting multiple Remingtons since 1963 and would never have even heard of any "trigger issue" if I hadn't read a few posts on this site. I am guessing it relates to how one holds the gun, etc. Since reading it here, I have asked about 30 people who also own Remingtons, either 870s or 1100/11-87s, and not one person I have run across has ever heard of it either. Maybe it's an HD gun or 3 gun competition issue? I don't know.

 

[Yo Mama]

What? I just ordered a new barrel for my Mossberg 500 for $73...right from Mossberg.

I looked on their site, and cheapest is 89 for the same barrel i have. Next is 150$. If you have a link to the one you got, or can let me know who you spoke with, I'd love to get that price.

 

[prescott]

$89? Where are you getting that?

http://www.mossberg.com/products/access.asp?type=barrels&section=access

I called them and ordered a security 18.5 inch barrel, the fourth one down in the link above. Part number 90015. It lists as $81.58 for a suggested retail price. Suggested...as in what you'd find it for at a 2nd hand "middle man" seller. My order was $73 straight from Mossberg (plus shipping).

Whoops! Had to add this... I see you already have the 18.5 inch barrel and want a longer one. Yes, those are more expensive. Mine has a long 28 inch barrel that I find to NOT be suitable for home defense. Good to have both barrels, though. One for birds and clays and one for a shorter and more handy home defense shot gun. Here's a picture of it with the long barrel. With the 18.5 inch barrel, it will be a bit shorter than the AK next to it.



Just added this 5 shell elastic butt stock holder, too.

 

[prescott]

I honestly believe the 870 is a better design.

Never owned an 870 and I'd be interested as to why you believe this. The Mossy 500 has been dead nuts reliable for me. Very simple and rugged design as it was designed originally for military and police use. That's why it has pump rails on both sides as compared to only one on my Savage pump.

 

[prescott]

I have been shooting multiple Remingtons since 1963 and would never have even heard of any "trigger issue"

What is this "trigger issue" with Mossbergs? I bought mine used in 1987 and never had a problem with it. I have NO idea how old it really is or how many shells have been through it.

 

[shotgunjoel]

Benelli Nova

 

[amkus]

I'd get the Remington. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[prescott]

Benelli Nova

Browning Citori.

 

[41magsnub]

Quote:
Benelli Nova
Browning Citori.

Are we randomly naming shotguns instead of answering questions now? Can I play?

Winchester 1300!

 

[jmr40]

prescott,

The 870 was designed to be used by serious hunters and competition shooters. It has a proven track record of holding up for decades and tens of thousands of rounds for hunters and trap shooters.

The Mossberg 500 was designed for the casual hunter to take rabbit hunting a few times a year. It has no real track record in competition.

The Mossberg has been improved greatly since its introduction and is not a bad gun. The Mossberg will do exactly what most shooters want their guns to do but in the long run the 870 will out perform it.

I believe you are thinking about the Mossberg 590 in relation to being designed for the military. They are a better designed, heavier duty 500 that is a good defensive shotgun.

 

[hags]

Mossberg makes the M590A1 for military and LE.
The 20" 9 shot is the military version and the 18.5" 6 shot is sold as the LE version. Both have heavy barrels, metal trigger groups, metal safeties and aluminum receivers.
Both are very reliable and have a solid track record. Both are available with bead sights or ghost rings sights from the factory.

This is a years old argument/topic. You'll get the Mossberg detractors who bemoan the aluminum receiver. The bolt locks up with the steel barrel, the aluminum receiver is simply a housing, kind of like the ARs, M4s and M16s that the same people swear are the be all end all.

 

[hags]

The Mossberg has been improved greatly since its introduction and is not a bad gun. The Mossberg will do exactly what most shooters want their guns to do but in the long run the 870 will out perform it.

Could you qualify that last sentence? I've seen 870s lock up so bad during cycling, most particularly extraction, that the shotgun had to be disassembled to remove the spent shell.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer the Mossberg for reasons that have been posted, ergos, the tang safety being one of 'em. I'm just guessing you're a righty, so that's not so much a big deal.

I hunted with my 500 this morning. That thing is smooth and sweet after 20 years mostly shooting ducks and geese. It shoots where I look. I had to shim the stock to get it to fit, but that's probably something I do with an 870. I'd buy another Wingmaster at a gun show or something, but honestly, I like the Mossberg better. That's why I've switched. BUT, it's a personal preference.

One thing, the Express models aren't the guns out of the box that a 500 is, IMHO. Their finish is what I most dislike, friggin' rust magnets. Net wisdom (an oxymoron?) says they have had some QC problems. Take that for what it's worth, about nothing. LOL If I got another 870, it'd be an older Wingmaster, not an Express. If I get another used pump, though, first up would be a Browning BPS and perhaps second, I'd like to find an AFFORDABLE Ithaca 37 featherweight...another oxymoron.

My buddy's got a favorite shotgun I bet you'd like. He uses it for everything from doves to geese, well, except that he got a new BPS 10 gauge this year. It's a 24" barrel 835 ultimag. The shorter barrel on the ultimag sort of offsets the added weight of the gun due to the 3.5" 12 gauge capability. It's a nice gun that can do ANY sort of wing shooting. You won't see one on a trap and skeet range, but it's an awesome hunting tool.

 

[Girodin]

I have both and think either will work just fine. I personally prefer the 870. That said I would be inclined to recommend as Mossberg because as others have said the controls will be the same.

 

[shotgunjoel]

prescott, the Citori is a completely different kind of shotgun. 41magsnub, the 1300 is a great gun, it is even similar to the other shotguns mentioned.

 

[zammyman]

I personally prefer the Mossberg over the Remington due to the release position. It's all personal preference, what feels right, and what you're used to. If I'd grown up on the Remington I'd probably say the opposite. And yes, the Benelli Nova is good, I think it feels poorly made compared to the Remington and Mossberg, and parts are more expensive. $.02

 

[axeman_g]

I own both.... I am growing to like my mossberg more then the 870 wingmaster mainly for three reasons... tang safety, balance point is more forward then trigger guard helping me shoot along a more level plane during fast shots and the trigger on my 500 is heavier yet crisper then the trigger on my old wingmaster. Now the last issue could be resolved... but the others can not.

It annoys me sometimes that I have spent thouands of dollars on different pump shotguns over the years, nova, bps, winger, 37, winger again etc etc. Only to have my favorite turn out to be the cheapest I ever purchased. It is an early wood stocked field model, 28 inch full choked barrel. I picked up a 18.5" barrel last year and have started rabbit hunting and pheasant hunting with the 18" on an old horse ranch/farm I have access to. The bunnies are so fast out of the brush, the guns swings so quickly with that short barrel, plus a load of#6 out to about 25 yrds is bad medicine on both pheasant and rabbits. I dont have shots past that distance, the bunnies hole to quickly and the pheasants have to many hedgerows to dive into and run.
All in all I am really starting to like my 500 alot.

 

[Captain Bligh]

I don't know if your "birds" are clay or feathered, but I'd offer an opinion that I would not be satisfied with a 24" barrel. I'd think 26 is the minimum for this purpose, and I might prefer 28.

 

[axeman_g]

I shoot a 24" 16g on pheasants all the time. I dont notice a loss in velocity... if this is what your implying/ The only difference is handling and sight plain. If you hunt in forest and jungle like I do, shorter barrels work. If you hunt plains and pastures... longer barrels.