Wingmaster vs Mossberg 500

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The Gun Nut

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Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy my first shotgun which I intend to use as a general purpose gun, mainly for skeet and trap, and also hunting from grouse to deer.

I have narrowed down my options to two (all prices are tax included):
- https://www.gotenda.com/product/mossberg-500-field-deer-12-ga-24-rifle-28vr-blued-wood-dual-comb/ for 630
- a basically new wingmaster with an original wingmaster cantilever rifled barrel and burris scope attached to it for 1000
For my use case, I have to also buy a 28 vented rib barrel for it which I believe will cost me around 450. So the total comes to 1450.

As I don't have a lot of experience with longterm ownership of either of these guns, I need your opinions. What would you do?

Btw if you have any other suggestions other than these two, please share them as well.
 
I am an 870 man myself. Wingmasters are the premium hunting line, while Police Magnums are the hard use law enforcement/military line (which would be more akin to the Mossberg 590A1). The fit and finish of an older Wingmaster in particular is superb, and there are documented shotguns used for skeet with astronomically high round counts.

More recently (during the Freedom Group era) the Express (budget) line of the Remingtons had seen a decline in QC, especially with rough chambers and poor finishes prone to rust issues. From what I have heard the new RemArms guns are much better, but I have not handled one myself. Mossberg has not been immune from QC issues over the years either.

The Mossberg vs. Remington debate truly comes down to user preference in my mind. The positioning of the slide release, and safety generally being the biggest deciding factor for most users.

Another point of concern for long term longevity is the Mossberg ejector can generally be replaced fairly easily at a user level, which the Remington 870 ejector will often require a gunsmith (Make sure your magazine cap stays tight!). Preventative maintenance will go a long way in preventing this issue.

If possible I would handle both, and see which one you prefer ergonomically. With both shotguns being produced in the millions there are lots of parts, and information out there to keep your gun working for you for generations.
 
FatCatsDad said:
The skeet and trap means lots of rounds of ammo used.
I'd go Wingmaster because of that but a 28" barrel should be 175 to 275.

I'd also wait, 1k seems too much
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Can I ask where would you look for a barrel? A google search led me to this: https://www.alscornerstore.ca/online_sales/viewProduct.aro?prodid=383
Everything else was out of stock.

I believe the scope and rings etc, would be at least 300 for me to buy separately. So the gun itself is around 700. Would you say it is still too expensive?
 
Gator0387 said:
I am an 870 man myself. Wingmasters are the premium hunting line, while Police Magnums are the hard use law enforcement/military line (which would be more akin to the Mossberg 590A1). The fit and finish of an older Wingmaster in particular is superb, and there are documented shotguns used for skeet with astronomically high round counts.

More recently (during the Freedom Group era) the Express (budget) line of the Remingtons had seen a decline in QC, especially with rough chambers and poor finishes prone to rust issues. From what I have heard the new RemArms guns are much better, but I have not handled one myself. Mossberg has not been immune from QC issues over the years either.

The Mossberg vs. Remington debate truly comes down to user preference in my mind. The positioning of the slide release, and safety generally being the biggest deciding factor for most users.

Another point of concern for long term longevity is the Mossberg ejector can generally be replaced fairly easily at a user level, which the Remington 870 ejector will often require a gunsmith (Make sure your magazine cap stays tight!). Preventative maintenance will go a long way in preventing this issue.

If possible I would handle both, and see which one you prefer ergonomically. With both shotguns being produced in the millions there are lots of parts, and information out there to keep your gun working for you for generations.
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The wingmaster belongs to a friend of mine. It is from the 90s and it looks and feels great. If they were priced the same, I would 100% go with the wingmaster. It is just that I don't know if paying more than double is justifiable.
 
cosmic said:
If you get into shotguns seriously, and skeet and trap seriously, you will end up wanting other shotguns (eg O/U, semi). So get the Mossberg and consider it an interim gun.
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^great advice.

I have more experience behind 870s but if I was carrying one all day (hunting) it would be a Mossberg all the way. Some great Mossberg pump prices right now @ Tenda, I've sent a few links to buddies contemplating new pump guns.

Cosmic is right-don't think pumps are the best for clays but if it's casual shooting/couple of rounds a week it would be hard to wear one out. Speaking of wear, being all steel...Wingmasters go from nice to nicer as they break-in..but you're carrying the bit of extra weight forever too. I wouldn't spend $1,000 on a Wingmaster because you don't need to, and barrels (new/used) are out there all the time...so you have options. Mossberg are good value (very good rn) and I'm a fan. Hard to go wrong with either really.
 
.22LRGUY said:
^great advice.

I have more experience behind 870s but if I was carrying one all day (hunting) it would be a Mossberg all the way. Some great Mossberg pump prices right now @ Tenda, I've sent a few links to buddies contemplating new pump guns.

Cosmic is right-don't think pumps are the best for clays but if it's casual shooting/couple of rounds a week it would be hard to wear one out. Speaking of wear, being all steel...Wingmasters go from nice to nicer as they break-in..but you're carrying the bit of extra weight forever too. I wouldn't spend $1,000 on a Wingmaster because you don't need to, and barrels (new/used) are out there all the time...so you have options. Mossberg are good value (very good rn) and I'm a fan. Hard to go wrong with either really.
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Hey Rob,

I am leaning more towards this. I can get the mossberg and if I really get into shotguns, get a Citori or a silver pigeon later. I am all for investing in a decent quality guns and keeping them forever (hence why I paid more for that cz and that beautiful scope you suggested), but sometimes the value just isn't there or maybe there is? I guess that's why I'm asking.
 
Barrels are a dime a dozen and easy to find.
I find Mossbergs chunky, clunky, loose and sloppy.
It's 1 small step up from Turkish imports.
I wouldn't spend a thousand on a used Wingmaster, there's plenty of cheaper ones available.

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The Gun Nut said:
Hey Rob,

I am leaning more towards this. I can get the mossberg and if I really get into shotguns, get a Citori or a silver pigeon later. I am all for investing in a decent quality guns and keeping them forever (hence why I paid more for that cz and that beautiful scope you suggested), but sometimes the value just isn't there or maybe there is? I guess that's why I'm asking.
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I get that 100%. I love Citoris btw, but I have broken a firing pin on one before. lol Can't say the same about an 870 or 500. Pumps are kind of the do-all/workhorse action for shotguns, they do everything decently/reliably. Once you're really dialed-in on what you want to do with the shotgun, THEN hone-in on the best gauge/action. I love pumps, but if I ever took-up migratory/ducks I'd be shopping for a semi. If I was shooting clays every weekend, I'd be after a great O/U etc.

Interesting comment about Mossbergs being "one step-up from Turkish guns"-never heard that take on them, nor do I agree. Even a little. Still, merit in handling both if you haven't before.
 
It really is Ford vs Chev, and then someone brings up Dodge. If I was buying a new pump to hunt, it would be a Benelli Super Nova, nothing else. Owned them all, but it is preference. 10 year warranty.
 
Used 870s and Mossbergs are a dime a dozen. Easy to find a decently priced one. You will be moving to an O/U or a semi soon enough so don't spend too much on the pump gun. Buy the pump gun with hunting in mind and if you want to get serious about skeet or trap you will soon want another gun anyway.
 
I'm a Mossberg guy. Nothing WRONG with Rem870s, I just prefer the controls (safety and slide release specifically) on the Mossberg.

If you go with the two-barrel set Mossberg you linked that would cover your bases for the time being, allowing you to get into the sport and figure out what you REALLY want down the line.

On the plus side resale prices on both are pretty good, so you won't lose a lot of money if you decide you made the wrong choice.
 
I don’t know how hard they are to find currently but Rem used to make 2 &3 barrel combos, I’ve got a 3 barrel 870 Express combo and it’s been solid since day one. It came with a 28” vent rib, 20” rifle sighted turkey barrel and a 23” rifled cantilevered slug barrel. The 28” and 20” are smooth bore barrels that are threaded for chokes.
 
My buddy had 3 Mossberg 500’s break in as many weeks during informal clay target shooting at a gravel pit. Thankfully Crappy Tire was good at replacing them without grief. I have no idea if his 4th shotgun is still working and I wonder what happened in the factory to produce a bunch of lemons at that time. Needless to say I won’t touch them with a 10 foot pole. Superstitious.
There is a reason that the Remington 870 was called a ‘Wingmaster’. It swings like magic as it folds up birds out of the sky. It earned and deserved that title!! Never ever heard anyone refer to any Mossberg as a Wingmaster as they swung that 2x4 of a club in the air. At our gun club the pros shoot over/unders, recoil sensitive guys that shoot a lot prefer semi autos like the Rem1100’s or some of the Berettas, next group is a handful of traditionalists/old school that shoot Rem870’s that have been around for decades. And then the last category is the group that shoot Mossbergs, and all these other recently imported shotguns from Turkey. These chaps are easily identifiable as ‘newbies’ that just joined the club and have less than 1 years firearms experience. We take these poor, helpless, uninformed newbies under our wing….show them the other options and before you know it the serious guys are upgrading within 6 months. I’m not all negative on Mossbergs, in a pinch they make good boat paddles. Not trying to insult anyone, just trying to be funny and helpful at the same time. Remember, todays newbies are are tomorrow’s CGN’ers and future customers. Cheers !!
 
Mr Bill said:
My buddy had 3 Mossberg 500’s break in as many weeks during informal clay target shooting at a gravel pit. Thankfully Crappy Tire was good at replacing them without grief. I have no idea if his 4th shotgun is still working and I wonder what happened in the factory to produce a bunch of lemons at that time. Needless to say I won’t touch them with a 10 foot pole. Superstitious.
There is a reason that the Remington 870 was called a ‘Wingmaster’. It swings like magic as it folds up birds out of the sky. It earned and deserved that title!! Never ever heard anyone refer to any Mossberg as a Wingmaster as they swung that 2x4 of a club in the air. At our gun club the pros shoot over/unders, recoil sensitive guys that shoot a lot prefer semi autos like the Rem1100’s or some of the Berettas, next group is a handful of traditionalists/old school that shoot Rem870’s that have been around for decades. And then the last category is the group that shoot Mossbergs, and all these other recently imported shotguns from Turkey. These chaps are easily identifiable as ‘newbies’ that just joined the club and have less than 1 years firearms experience. We take these poor, helpless, uninformed newbies under our wing….show them the other options and before you know it the serious guys are upgrading within 6 months. I’m not all negative on Mossbergs, in a pinch they make good boat paddles. Not trying to insult anyone, just trying to be funny and helpful at the same time. Remember, todays newbies are are tomorrow’s CGN’ers and future customers. Cheers !!
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Feel free to insult. We are in a free country after all! Haha

I am the only "outdoor" person of the family and have just above 1 year experience with firearms in general. I guess that means that I am one of those poor, helpless, uninformed, newbies and I really appreciate it when you share your experience.

I am going to hold a mossberg tomorrow and try it. If it really feels like a 2 by 4, I don't intend to buy a boat paddle!
 
The Gun Nut said:
Feel free to insult. We are in a free country after all! Haha

I am the only "outdoor" person of the family and have just above 1 year experience with firearms in general. I guess that means that I am one of those poor, helpless, uninformed, newbies and I really appreciate it when you share your experience.

I am going to hold a mossberg tomorrow and try it. If it really feels like a 2 by 4, I don't intend to buy a boat paddle!
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I would never buy a shotgun I couldn’t use as a boat paddle!!! I’ve used a Wingmaster as a paddle and it was adequate, I have no doubt the Mossberg would outperform it 😉
Seriously, both are iconic shotguns that have been sold in the millions worldwide, you absolutely will not go wrong with either.
Get hands on with both, check out the placement of the controls etc and choose whichever fits and feels best to you.
Then you can spend the rest of your life telling anyone who will listen how you made the superior choice, just like the rest of us do 😊
Good luck with your search and the choice you make
 
Before I forget (which I do frequently) please let me add one more pump shotgun to the mix. It probably won’t be your first acquisition but something to add to your collection in the future, when you want to see the class and quality of the yesteryears.
Im talking about the original Winchester model 12 and the reproductions that Browning brought out afterwards. Lay them down between our previously mentioned ‘boat paddles’ and see and feel the difference of quality precision machined steel parts with hand fitting by skilled hands. The Japanese built Browning versions are extremely well made, absolutely beautiful in the higher grades available and a joy to hold in their 20 and 28g configurations. You will be proud to show them off, they stand out from the crowd of everything else these days with plastic stocks, picatinney rails, extended mag tubes longer than their barrels, pistol grips etc. Surprised they haven’t accessorized with USB ports to run your electronics yet, so you can plug your iPhone in and Bluetooth music to your headphone ear protectors while shooting skeet. I digress…’

Moving forward we have several clubs that host ‘Turkey Shoots’ during the winter months. Usual stuff, Annie Oakleys, Missin Out, buddy shoots etc. Your see all sorts of shotguns on the line from $500.00 to $75,000.00 (not a misprint). Always a few old guys with long gray beards who look like they are straight from the Beverly Hillbillies series step up to the line with their VINTAGE REM 870’s and Model 12s and proceed to kick a little ass. Hard to compete with guys that have spent a lifetime shooting ducks. I try to hold my own but I rarely win, I’m affectionately referred to a participant and ‘contributor’lol
Yes there was one chap that shot a Mossberg and he did well, if god forbid you missed he would knock you out. Unfortunately he passed away, I would have bought his Mossberg out of respect.
 
Going off the board here. May I suggest you consider maybe looking at an Ithaca 37.
They are quite affordable, controls are similar to an 870, action release is on the right side instead of the left, and they are built like a brick s---house. Very light too.
Bought mine in 1980, (has a vented rib) points rather well.
I'll stop rambling now.
 
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