Don't make a decision until YOU know which shooting sport/activity you like best. Keep them both for now, try them out, use them, go hunting, etc. Put at least a couple of hundred rounds through each, and then make a decision.
New Mossberg 500 vs Older Remington 870
- Thread starter Hayley Davidson
- Start date
Hi Waterfowler, It's a one of a kind 94' Ducks Unlimited raffle gun made during the same run (1992-1994) as the Special purpose ones. The only difference is that the SP guns have "Special Purpose" engraved under the ejection port whereas mine has a duck engraved under the bottomland camo on the receiver. Otherwise the guns are identical.
The Express is not lower quality than all the other 870 variants. It has a less expensive finish and less expensive wood. I've had my 870 Express since the mid 80's and it shows no signs of deterioration and I fully expect it to last the rest of my life.
Less expensive finish and wood equate to lower quality in my mind. Not to mention the internal finishing.
The original Express's were actually a decent gun, I still have one. But if you compare an Express to a WM or even an SP and there is a definite difference.
PS....Any post mid 90's and newer 870 is way less quality than previous to that time frame.
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naktabar72
Regular
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- Posted to #### Hole QC
870 express or wingmaster ?
Midnight Rider
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- ......the Vanishing Point .
Both are 12 gauges , but they serve two very different purposes , so why not keep both as firearms generally take up very little space . The Mossberg is a defensive shotgun , whereas the 870 is a hunting/sporting shotgun , so keep both as you will regret selling later on . As the old saying goes , when in doubt , keep it .
I've thought about keeping both Midnight Rider,
Originally thinking that it would be nice to have a dedicated security shotgun around the house in the event of a bear or coyote showing up unwanted.
However, after examining my needs and area, as well as shooting both guns, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't a defensive scenario that can't be handled for me with a 28" field shotgun.
Shooting buckshot and slugs out of the heavier 870 field gun is much more pleasant than the short and lighter Mossberg and the longer barrel and double bead sights make it much easier to get my slugs on target.
The shorter 18.5" Mossberg doesn't really give me any advantages, in fact it limits my range and practical uses quite significantly. The 870 with a full choke can sling buckshot out to 40 yards easy, anything further than that will require slugs. Plus I can use the field gun for trap and bird hunting if I want.
I guess if I was raiding a drug den in LA with a SWAT team then the 18.5" 500 would be better.
I'm planning on using the funds from the 500 sale to stock up on some good quality slugs and buckshot for the Remington.
Originally thinking that it would be nice to have a dedicated security shotgun around the house in the event of a bear or coyote showing up unwanted.
However, after examining my needs and area, as well as shooting both guns, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't a defensive scenario that can't be handled for me with a 28" field shotgun.
Shooting buckshot and slugs out of the heavier 870 field gun is much more pleasant than the short and lighter Mossberg and the longer barrel and double bead sights make it much easier to get my slugs on target.
The shorter 18.5" Mossberg doesn't really give me any advantages, in fact it limits my range and practical uses quite significantly. The 870 with a full choke can sling buckshot out to 40 yards easy, anything further than that will require slugs. Plus I can use the field gun for trap and bird hunting if I want.
I guess if I was raiding a drug den in LA with a SWAT team then the 18.5" 500 would be better.
I'm planning on using the funds from the 500 sale to stock up on some good quality slugs and buckshot for the Remington.
While that maybe true regarding the newer 870s when compared to the excellent newer Mossbergs, this older 870 has the metal trigger group and forged extractor. Plus the 870 has a solid steel receiver which will outlast any aluminum Mossberg.
Total agree.....
One thing I'll give to Mossberg however is the much better lifter design.
The 500 is much easier to load with gloves on and in a hurry, getting your fingers pinched by the 870's elevator sucks in cold weather!
