Simple "tactical" shotgun question

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frichtie

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Hi all,
I'm just about to buy a shotgun. Not my first one but still I'm a little confused.

Two choices for now: A 9 years old Mossberg 590A1...or a Brand new Remington 870 tactical.

The thing is that I read a current production 870 isn't as good as an old one.

When I buy a car, I always say: "You better buy old quality then brand new crap".

Even as a used gun, the 590A1 is a little more expensive then a brand new 870....there's got to be a reason!

What do you think?

Eric
 
Find an old 870? :p

Honestly though either way my vote is for 870. They are the BigMac of shotguns for a reason and if those two options are what you are in the market for you can't go wrong. I really like Mossberg and a lot of their product lines but I personally can't knock the 870 off its pedestal as the best option in the price range.
 
Ether shot gun are great choices. The 590 the only Concern would be condition it being second hand . Another thing to consider is the placement of the safety( I personally like the mossberg type ) both are very functional. Go with your gut and don't look back .
 
I personally prefer the safety location of the 870, but the slide release location of the 590. Something worth noting (if I am not mistaken) is that the ejector on the 870 is only replaceable at the factory (or maybe a gunsmith) while the 590 is user replaceable. All that said, I went with the 870. No regrets so far.
 
Yail Bloor said:
I personally prefer the safety location of the 870, but the slide release location of the 590. Something worth noting (if I am not mistaken) is that the ejector on the 870 is only replaceable at the factory (or maybe a gunsmith) while the 590 is user replaceable. All that said, I went with the 870. No regrets so far.
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If you like the mossy slide release and the rem safety, get a maverick 88.
 
I love the manual of arms on the 590A1. But the Ergos are better for me on the 870. The angle of the buttstock on the 590, even with an SGA put my hand right where it can punch me in the face. The only 99% solution for me has been a speedfeed stock, which isn't a great stock, but it works. Not a problem on the 870.

Get one of each, and train like hell with both of them.
 
Yail Bloor said:
Where were you when I bought my 870 :p Thanks for the tip though.
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Lol I'm actually in the same boat, as I found the tang safety hard to reach without adjusting my grip. Although now I'm thinking I need to get a real 500 because I've switched to shooting shotgun left handed due to being left eye dominant so the push button safety on the trigger guard is on the wrong side now... Although that's where the safety on my semi is too so I might just get used to it...
 
You are right to consider used over new as a first gun, as most used guns are pretty much like new.

WHy not look at a used 870?

The reason why 870s might be cheaper, is there are way way more of them, and both the new and used market is pretty saturated with good pump shotguns. Also, you can't tell much about the value of an entire product line from one person's used list price.

I own several new 870s, and have no complaints.

WIth anything, you get what you pay for, and a true worth more than you paid for bargain is a rare and beautiful thing. My tactical 870 gets ridden pretty hard and put away wet all the time. Its got about 6k+ rounds through it, and gets beat around pretty hard. Never had a reliability issue.
 
590A1 is supposed to be the better gun
Pro's - Full metal design / no plastic trigger guard - heavy walled barrel - detent locking mag cap - top tang safety

Con's - heavy - Receiver is metal, but allumium and wears fast - slide pins


but not always...


870 Tactical

Pro's - cheaper - actual steel receiver - huge amount of aftermarket - leight weight

Con's - Chambers are usually garbage, require polishing - Cheaply made (it shows) - Weird plastic mag cap - indents in the mag tube that limit extensions



pick your poison, I would save and buy an 870 Police Magnum. But of the two as is, the 590A1 wins.
 
Maybe find an older Ithaca M37/M87? Steel receiver shotguns.
Deer Slayer Police Police first choice (iron sights) Military & Police, (bead sight) second runner up. Either one can be found with 4 or 7 round tubular magazine. Superb parkerizing on both of these models.
And a 'normal' M37/87 Deer Slayer third, older Featherlight fourth pick. These generally come factory blued only.
The only drawback, these are not accessory friendly. To some that is bad, but to others not so much.
I am going to say that 99.9 % of the time older M37s are 2 3/4 inch only and have ability to slam fire.
And the slightly newer M87 are three inch magnum capable, and cannot slam fire.
All the newest M37s made in Sandusky Ohio, are not slam fire capable AFAIK.
Yes, confusing.....

my 2 bits
 
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legi0n said:
I'm not sure the older Wingmasters do well with steel shot.
But then again, the question is how old?
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I once bought an 870 barrel with a leaflet in the box indicating that any fixed full choke barrels are good for #1 or smaller steel shot. Besides being able to use any size of steel shot, you will likely get better patterns by reaming out a full choke or replacing the barrel with one that takes choke tubes.

My recommendation would be to get an old 870 and modify according to your preferences. They aren't quite as inexpensive as they used to be, but they are still a good value and are generally better built than the new ones.
 
Thank you for your advices. I understand both guns are a pretty good choice.
Right now, I think I'm gonna try to find a 590A1 with a 18.5" barrel. (I saw some were on sale for $500.00....last year)
From all I read, I think the Mossberg is a more rugged gun...and I wanna tell people "hey, that's a military spec shotgun".
I need it to be short and once it's here, I'll probably add a folding stock.
In my wildest dreams, I will end-up with a mariner...
But you know, if a decent 870 crosses my path, well...who knows?
 
Theres a reason the 870 is the best seller, ever.

590a1 is not 590. Different beasts. 590 is not mil spec like the 590a1.

I beat this to death. 870 police is the king. 590a1 close second.
 
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