I own 2 Mossberg 500's (12 gage and .410) and own 1 Remington 870. They are both good shotguns. I shoot let hand and prefer the 500 over the 870 due to the controls being more ambidextrous. I don't think that you would go wrong with either one.
Rem. 870 VS. Mossberg 500 (pump)
- Thread starter abrink
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md7
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both work very well. pick 'em up, shoot em if you can and get the one you think fits you better. i tend to favor the 870 personally.
ronto
Member
I got the 500 because of the location of the safety and slide release, the shell elevator doesn't get in the way when loading, 1 more in the standard mag, less expensive and quality just as good as the 870.
Jacka L Ope
Member
I've 2 870's - a Wingmaster and a 3" Magnum Express. While both are good for hunting, it's the Magnum I keep loaded and handy with 3" 00 buckshot.
i have owned 4 remington 870s and two have had problems that caused them to go "click" insteead of "boom"...
a lot of people vote remington because they have heard so many people recommend them, but i've found that my winchester 1300 was far more reliable than my remingtons...
the shell latch design seems to be a weak point in the 870 design and defects in the shell latch will cause a FTF(failure to feed) from the mag tube...
not a good thing if your life is on the line...
i hane since switched over to an old double barrel design...
a lot of people vote remington because they have heard so many people recommend them, but i've found that my winchester 1300 was far more reliable than my remingtons...
the shell latch design seems to be a weak point in the 870 design and defects in the shell latch will cause a FTF(failure to feed) from the mag tube...
not a good thing if your life is on the line...
i hane since switched over to an old double barrel design...
azhunter12
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I would go with an 870
XD-40 Shooter
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I bought my Mossy 500 combo kit back in 2005 for $200 out the door, from Big 5, when they had a sale. I've got both the 28" and the 18" barrels, I keep the 18.5" on it, as I don't hunt with it. For the money, I'm very pleased with it, it may not be as refined as the 870, but its a good, solid, reliable shotgun. I also like the tang safety and its location much better, than the trigger position on the 870.
Hot brass
Member
I have a post a week ago on 870 vs 500. Got the 870.
I prefer 870s, I have two. I have a 500, I just don't use it very often for one reason or another. I do like the control layout on the 500 better but the 870 just feels better built, though that may be a matter of personal perception.
Cleaning a 500 is kind of annoying after you've gotten used to stripping an 870. They're both great guns though, with that being said there's no task you can perform with an 870 that you can't with a 500...870's just do them better : )
Cleaning a 500 is kind of annoying after you've gotten used to stripping an 870. They're both great guns though, with that being said there's no task you can perform with an 870 that you can't with a 500...870's just do them better : )
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Auburn1992
Member
870 without a second thought
throdgrain
Member
I had a problem with my 500 feeding shells, but after fixing it , it must have had maybe another 2000 shells through it -at least - without a further jam or any other problem. Its a good gun.
freebird
Member
Funny that I found this thread! I was just yesterday at Gander Mountain and they had a used 870 magnum for $199.00 but the wood stocks were nicked quite a bit and a special on a New Mossberg 500 for $199.00 at Dicks Sporting Goods? I wanted to know which would be the best route to go? They had another 870 in much better condition for $299.00. Which route would you all go? I like the looks of the 870 better with real wood compaired to the Mossberg with the fake looking wood. But one is new and the other used. Any opinions please?
Sergeant Sabre
Member
It really does come down to personal preference.
I prefer the Mossberg. Here's why:
1) The aluminum receiver makes it a lot lighter. You carry it more than you shoot it, and I like light, compact, powerful shotguns.
2) I much prefer the Mossberg safety position. Starting with my finger off the trigger, I can remove the safety and move my finger to the trigger with one motion. With the Remington one must move their finger behind the trigger to disengage the safey, then back forward to contact the trigger.
3) The action bar lock / slide release location. Easy to hit with my middle finger on the Mossberg while still maintaining a firing grip.
4) I like to be a bit different.
Small points, maybe, but we gun-owners are a very particular bunch when it comes to our gear.
I prefer the Mossberg. Here's why:
1) The aluminum receiver makes it a lot lighter. You carry it more than you shoot it, and I like light, compact, powerful shotguns.
2) I much prefer the Mossberg safety position. Starting with my finger off the trigger, I can remove the safety and move my finger to the trigger with one motion. With the Remington one must move their finger behind the trigger to disengage the safey, then back forward to contact the trigger.
3) The action bar lock / slide release location. Easy to hit with my middle finger on the Mossberg while still maintaining a firing grip.
4) I like to be a bit different.
Small points, maybe, but we gun-owners are a very particular bunch when it comes to our gear.
Ash
Member
As I have mentioned in the past, I prefer the Mossberg. My first pump was an 870 Express. It took out many ducks. Later, I ended up with a Western Field 550, which is the Montgomery Ward version of the Mossberg 500 (quite a handsome shotgun). I really liked it, liked the way it handled, liked the features as mentioned above, and now no longer have the 870. This is not mine, but an example of the 550 Deluxe.
Ash
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freebird
Member
That is a very pretty gun!
sparkyguy
member
I have 2 870's and both have never given me a single problem. One is a 3" Express Magnum, the other a Wingmaster. Couldn't ask for anything more from a pump.
freebird
Member
So are both worth the $200.00?????
Sergeant Sabre
Member
I'd say so. I bought my Mossberg 500 12ga used, but in like-new condition about 8 years ago for $200 (talked them down from $220). I'd say $200 is good for a used Mossberg, and really good for a used 870 since they usually go for a bit more.
MCgunner
Member
For waterfowling or any bird hunting, I prefer my Mossberg. I had a Wingmaster 35 years ago, sold it. There are a few things I just prefer about the way the Mossberg works. Quality of manufacture would probably go to the Wingmaster, well, that's sort of up in the air. Ain't a lot of difference I could see. However, the finish on the Express just plain sux. They'll go to rust in about 10 minutes out on the bay. In camo, my Mossy is still pretty clean if scarred up a bit, after 20 years of hard use on ducks and geese much of it in salty environments. And, Remington has really gone down hill in the last 10 years IMHO. In pumps, I really prefer Browning, truth be told. But, I'm thinkin' serious about a Mossberg 935 camo for waterfowling.
You can quadruple that for lefties like me. I've said it before, crossbolt safeties just plain suck.
I like the fact that the Mossy has no shell elevator in the way on loading. I don't have to hold the elevator down with my off hand on a bitchin' cold day to keep it from pinching my thumb or hanging my glove up in it. I have hunted ducks many days when my fingers were numbed by the cold. That shell elevator hurts.
You can quadruple that for lefties like me. I've said it before, crossbolt safeties just plain suck.
I like the fact that the Mossy has no shell elevator in the way on loading. I don't have to hold the elevator down with my off hand on a bitchin' cold day to keep it from pinching my thumb or hanging my glove up in it. I have hunted ducks many days when my fingers were numbed by the cold. That shell elevator hurts.
mossberg
Member
A to the MEN
Sergeant Sabre
Member
Yep. I forgot this one:
5) Shell lifter is in the up position when in battery, as opposed to the Remington's lifter in the down position. I find it easier to load in a hurry without Remington's little pinball-flipper of a shell lifter flipping a shell out of my hand if I fumble it a bit. Also that thing comes down on the top of my thumb when I load a shell. I hate that.
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