Rem 870 vs Moss 590

[Traveler]

It's good to see that you disqualified the Winchester M12 from the start. As a combat shotgun it so far surpasses the others they're not worth debating.

 

[eap]

i had a 590 once, felt cheap and sloppy. my 870 rules!

 

[Dave McCracken]

Ladies and gennulmen, my $.02....

I admit to bias, 40 years of near perfect service will bias the H*ll out of anyone.

There's very little out there in Shotgunland I haven't attempted with an 870.Actually, many 870s.

And usually I hit the clay,drag home the venison, grass the bird, or negatively affect the bad guys' sphincter control.

My lifetime total has to be approaching 50K rounds. Other than deliberately induced glitches or badly abused agency weapons, zero probs.

While the Mossie's a good serviceable weapon, I doubt that equal use under same conditions would have run up that record...

 

[Gordon]

Hey what about High Standard Flite King pumps? I think they cheapened this design up and out popped the Mossberg 500 series. A 590 sure looks like a Flite King. I keep a flite king riot gun at work. My favorite "riotgun" was the Ithaca Mod 37 in the Nam. I never saw a 870 there personally. I dont currently own a Mod 37, last one I had was a LAPD gun NEW IN BOX! I sold it to a LEO who paid me alot because they werent making them anymore and he had to have one. You could pump it with trigger held back KA-BLAMKABLAMKABLAM ect.Any way I've never seen a flite king or mod 37 fail in use. That said of course I favor 870s since the 80s its all I would use in competiton ect. I know how to fix em which is more than I can say for ANY OTHER PUMP GUN!

 

[Ala Dan]

I voted for the Remington 870, and in particular the Remington 870 Marine Magnum! What a nice weapon, WOW!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[MiniZ]

For me, there are pros and cons to both. I havent shot my 590 or my 870 enough to break them yet, so until that happens I'll reserve judgement.

 

[mons meg]

As my old boss from Long Island used to say..

"Not for nothin, but..."

It is my impression the 870 represents an entire family of guns. The 590 is a purpose built shotgun for police and military use.

So what are we really debating here? Whether we like the 870 Police models better than the 590?

 

[Line Rider]

Good point Wildalaska about the key. The way my luck goes the last guy who had the shotgun unloaded it, locked the trigger and took the key home with him just before he started four days off. lol

I do own a Marine Magnum 870 and I'm now looking for an older Police Magnum.

 

[GunGeek]

Carried an M590 in the Marines. Anyone who says a 590 can't hold up to the wear and tear has never seen what Marines do to a weapon. When I got out it was the first shotgun I bought.

Until I have one fail on me I have to go with what works.

 

[Mark IV Series 80]

Rem 870, 20" Cyl.

 

[chaim]

I had a Mossberg 500 that I really liked but got rid of due to financial problems at the time. Now I really want a Rem 870 (actually I'd like both).

Maybe in a few months I'll get one of each so I can really accurately answer this poll.

 

[Skullboy]

Rem 870 all the way.Easy to get parts, and LOTS of accessories.

My Rem 870 Police Magnum has a Choate pistol grip stock, B-square scope mount, Tasco PDP3 Red Dot sight,Scattergun tech oversized safety and forward sling mount.

SKBY.

 

[cratz2]

I prefer the 870 as it was my first shotgun and have never had a failure of any kind with any that I've ever owned, new or used.

But I do also appreciate the added heft and features that come with the 590A1.

Still, if I could only have one shotgun, I probably wouldn't consider it being anything other than an 870.

 

[Kahr carrier]

870-

 

[NIGHTWATCH]

870.

 

[.45FMJoe]

590

I have my father's old 500 that he bought new in 1968. In New York, he would take it with him hunting in all sorts of foul weather. He told me that gun has been to hell and back. Guess what? This many years later, I shoot the hell out of it at the range and it has yet to malfunction. My friend recently picked up a 590 Marine and I'm in love. After I've recovered from my 3 new 1911 purchases, I'm getting my own 590 Marine.

 

[Whit]

My first SG was a Mossy combo, it had a 26" and a 20" IIRC, used it to finance the purchase of my first Rem 870. My vote is the 870. ....Whit

 

[swampgator]

Confirmed Mossy Owner, but.....

I think the action of the 870 is so much nicer.

If Mossy could figure out how to take the wiggle out the action, I'd be a happy man.

 

[Bainx]

I vote 870 since Mossy feels loose and wobbly in my hands.

 

[kokogirl]

Mossy 590

I'll take my 590 anyday over 870.

1) shell elevator stays up when loading, unlike 870.
2) 2 ejector pins. (better than 1, heh)
3) i've seen what marines do to 590's and they hold up perfect.
4) also easy to clean

my 2 cents

Persuader4ever

 

[Terrierman]

Been shooting that Wingmaster for what is now just about thirty years and it has not failed me yet. And it still looks reasonably slick. Pre dates screw in chokes so I have a 28" VR Mod bbl and a 26" VR IC. I love that gun and will never get rid of it - far far too many memories there to ever consider that option. So I guess you know which one I voted for...

 

[Blacky]

bump

Actually I have both, a Rem 870 and a Mossberg (500 Tactical Cruiser 12ga. 18.5) just so I don't have to choose and I sleep so much better without that dilemma weighing me down.

The Ghost Ring sights on the Mossberg look pretty cool but if I'm shooting slugs at anything over 100 yards Ill get a slug gun with a red-dot or something.

 

[birdbustr]

Remington wins another one of these. Not surprised. Oh well you still have your top tang safety and a few dollars saved.

Kokogirl: Obviously you've never taken down an 870, or you wouldn't even try to use "ease of cleaning" as an advantage over the 870. Also, how many ejectors does it take to eject a shell? I've never heard of a problem ejecting from an 870 or even a broken ejector.

Remington 870 since 1952!

 

[stevereno1]

"Carried an M590 in the Marines. Anyone who says a 590 can't hold up to the wear and tear has never seen what Marines do to a weapon. When I got out it was the first shotgun I bought"

Wow! I believe this soldier's opinion above the rest. Money talks, Bull... you know the rest.

 

[Sir Aardvark]

I think that the only thing that the Mossberg has going for it is its price, and, just to be nice - the safety is located on top where it has "easy access" with your thumb (or so I've heard).

The sheer volume of aftermarket parts and accessories available for the 870 alone would move it into the #1 spot.
Add to that its legendary reliability and ease of use and you now have a Classic!