Under $300 pump gun?

FWIW I think you may prefer the tang-mounted safety on the 500 over the crossbar safety of the 870.

 

I do lol but everyone seems to be in favor of the Remington and I hear the receiver is more durable.

 

shotgun ?

Model 12 is the really old Winchester. 1200 is a modern shotgun. The model 12's I have shot as well as the Benelli 1014 just have a entirely different use.
I guess I am trying to say is nothing wrong with a "old" weapon, just depends on what you want an can afford.
hogbody74

 

870 and 500 are both fine guns. Pick the one that feels best in your hands.
Big five sporting goods has both on sale all the time.

PS: Mossbergs rattle because they are supposed to rattle, like the original 45 autos.

You should be able to get 10,000 or more rounds through either one.

Happy shooting.

 

For around 350 you get a new Benelli Nova which is a great gun for the $$. I use mime for everything from upland to waterfowl to turkey. No way I would pick an 870 express over the Benelli

 

[email protected] 870 clone 90% of it for $170ish but made in China.
I don't trust their turbos so Idk how I feel about there guns.

 

The Mossberg/Maverick is a great choice, considering the price point and your left hand being your primary. USN/USMC use primarily the Mossberg, and receiver strength is a non-issue. Thicker/heavier does not always mean better.

If the strength is really of concern to you, yet you would still like the tang safety, look into the 590A1 which is a heavier version with a more durable finish.


Most importantly, get behind each of your prospective firearms, and run a few rounds through. No point in having a gun if you don't enjoy firing it, or cannot comfortably operate it.

 

Everybody else isn't using your shotgun. You are. If you prefer one product, don't let the preference of everybody else pressure you.

The receiver is more durable? For what? Pounding nails? What do you plan on doing with it that you are worried the reciver will break? How many Mossberg 500 recievers have you seen, or even read about on the internet, that have broken? What about the recivers of Benelli and Browning automatics? Those are aluminum, too. As is the reciever of the M-16 and other AR-type rifles.

If you prefer the Mossberg, get the Mossberg.

 

Maybe you should get a pistol instead.

 

Academy seems to carry a decent array of weapons, just not many Tactical rifle other than AR's. There are plenty of decent shotguns to be had new in your price range. If your not going to be hunting you may want a shorter shotgun with a pistol grip. Just more convenient for CQE at home!
Good luck.
JT

 

The 1200 is an old model, but plenty of parts are still available. Were I a lefty, I'd lean towards the Mossberg because the safety would be easier to engage/disengage. That being said, though, with training, you'd get used to the 870 safety.

In all honesty, the 870, Mossberg, and Winchester are all good choices. Try all three out and see which one suits you better, then go with that.

 

Again, no bad choices here. Try before you buy.

The aluminum receiver is a total non-issue in terms of durability and reliability.

Plastic trigger guards are actually more durable than aluminum and other alloy materials, by the way.

I would take a used American pump any day and twice on Sunday before I bought a Chinese copy, but YMMV.

 

so simple

I am amused and entertained reading all the posts--trying to justify buying only ONE shotgun. My goodness, that is why they make from 8 to 32 position gun safes! That is why we have this giganormous gun forum and all--to discuss our addiction.

You like the safety on the Mossberg--get a mossberg. You like the function of the Rem--get one of those, too! Like potato chips, can't have just one.....

 

Not 21...

 

Can't go wrong with the 870 or 500 or even the NEF Pardner Protector or Maverick 88. Just stay away from the Remington 870 EXPRESS... BTW, go with a 18.5" barrel...

 

At least one.
I have a Maverick 88 and a Mossberg 500. The reciever on the 500 is broke, and I use my Mav almost exclusively. The Mossberg 500 is used primarily as a place to store my spare parts.

Anyway, I'm also a left handed shooter. The Mav 88 has the same safety as the Rem 870, the cross tang in front of the trigger guard. But considering the fact that I'm used to firing right handed weapons as a lefty, it doesn't bother me or handicap my overall performance with the weapon.

FWIW, you can't go wrong with either the Moss/Mav or the Rem. But I agree with the other who say get behind the weapon, try before you buy.

 

NEF pardner pump compact wood or synthetic is a personal preference they have a 22" barrel and are a very well made and strong pump and you will have plenty of money left to get some ammo

 

I don't know anyone who has had the receiver fail on either, I would wager that it is rare. IF one can afford enough ammo to use the gun enough to wear out the receiver they will have no issue dropping the money on another sub $300 shotgun to replace it.

I have both the 870 and a 500 and either one will work just fine. People's preferences tend to come from personal preferences over certain things. Often people are swayed by safety location (either works for me), slide release location ( I prefer the Mossberg but if one trains with the 870 he or she will be fine), after market parts (the 870 has better support but both have support and one really doesn't need much to make a good HD and/or fighting shotgun), and differences in performing slug change overs, with a full tube and depending on technique it is possible to retain a shell with the 870 that would be lost on the Mossberg.

Either one is very serviceable and unless you have very strong feelings about one of the differences between the guns either will serve you fine. The cheaper foreign copies of these designs likely will as well.

I've been considering another shotgun project and towards that end I have been watching my local classifieds. I see a lot of used wingmasters for sub $300 some for $250 or so. Put an 18" barrel on one of those and it is a gun I would prefer to an express and often for less money. I've seen used mossbergs and express guns for as low as $150.

A much more important consideration than the gun you get is what you will invest in instruction and practice. I'll take the guy with his $200 hawk 982 (not a bad gun at all BTW, its a Chinese 870 clone) who has done a shotgun course or two and has a significant amount of training and practice (not the same as mere shooting and round count) in running his gun over the guy who keeps his Benelli M4 in the closet and occasionally goes out and shoots, as opposed to training/deliberate practice.

If you put in the time with the gun the Remington vs Mossberg choice likely wont matter one iota.

 

You can get either a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 for under $300, especially used--all day long. Either one will serve you well.

Some differences:

870 has

• mag extensions (easier to access mag tube to clean it than a 500 [but not a 590], can change capacity)
• steel receiver
• crossbolt safety on trigger guard
• slide release in front of trigger guard, left side
• shell lifter in down position (i.e. you have to load against it & lift it up)

500 has:

• receiver-mounted tang safety (ambidextrous)
• slide release at back of trigger guard, sticks out more than 870's does
• shell lifter in up position (i.e. you don't load against its tension or have the potential to get pinched).
• cheaper (unless you get a 590)
• closed mag tube (unless you get a 590), though u can still clean it with more complete take down (i.e. more effort).

Both will last longer than you if you take care of them, and both have huge amounts of aftermarket accessories for them.

I agree. If you don't care about safety location or country of origin and want to go cheaper yet, you could get a Maverick 88 (essentially a Mossberg 500 with a different safety location and harder to remove forend but partially made or assembled in Mexico, IIRC) or NEF Pardner Pump

 

How did it happen?

 

NEF Pardner pump, 18" barrel. Put a sidesaddle on it that holds 6 rounds, get a 100 lumen flashlight/laser on sale from Big 5 for $29.00 and you have a home defense rig that will solve all your security issues for a total under $300.00. Load it with #4 buck to reduce penetration into other rooms and you're set.
Plus, if you run out of ammo it make a wicked club as it weighs about 50 lbs (not really).

 

Remington 870

 

Large letters and in bold, I'm convinced it must be the best the choice.

 

Mossberg 500. I bought a 12 gauge Mossy 500 July 3 last year and put many rounds through it. I like the Mossberg as its controls are simple...tang safety-forward is fire, back is off; pump release can be manipulated without changing your grip (Remington 870 requires you to shift your firing hand forward to hit the pump release unless you have a looooong finger). I also like that its shell lifter stays up. No pinching and keeps me in a good habit of loading the tube with the pump forward.

My next shotgun will be another Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge.

 

lots and lots of hard use, I suppose. I bought it used, without barrel and stock, for $40.
The guide rail for the lifter plate sheared off. It'll still fire, but without the guide rail, cycling the action after each shot requires a hammer. None of the parts that actually make the gun go boom are broken, but it still effects hoe the gun operates safely, so as I said, it quickly became a spare parts gun.