590A1 or 870??

I ran an 870 for the last 22 years

The last 8 of which for 3 gun matches.

This past spring I got an 590A1 for my son and I soon got one myself.

Love them for tactical shooting.

We got ours from Milarm.
 
I'll break the mold here, and give my vote to the 870. There's a reason that every police force uses these guns...because they are simple, reliable, dependable and you can't argue with Remington's reputation.
I've got a 6+1 870 with 18" barrel, and I've bought (and installed myself) nearly every aftermarket acessory there is out there. It shoots great, has never given me any troubles, and I really like the ergonomics on it. Its one of those guns that just "feels right" in hand.
They are plentiful out in used gun shops, not too expensive, and they will work forever and ever.
Go 870!!
 
You can't go wrong with either.

I've got 2 590s,my buddy's got a 870,the action on the 870 is buttery smooth,my 590s,not so much.

Some +s for the 590 as already said here,

1)tang/top mounted safety,good for right and left handers,forward is fire,you can see and feel it.

2)the 590 has 8+1 capacity you asked for.

3) GRS,mossberg factory,or the LPA as on the SPX, both are good.

4) after market stuff, anything you can get for the 870 you can get for the 590,if you feel you need more then the basic gun.

5)no loading gate to pinch you finger or jam a shell between, the shell lifter on the 590 stays up for loading.

6) Blondes or Brunetts, or Blondes and Brunetts. maybe just get both.
 
I'm leaning toward an 870 myself... I went and looked at a few different 870's, 590's, and 500's today, and they each seem to have their positives and negatives. To be honest, both seem pretty close in all aspects: comparable aftermarket parts and configurations, reliability, accuracy, government acceptance (police force with the 870, apparently USMC with the 590). I think both the 590 A1 and 870 tactical are roughly the same weight... in general the Mossbergs seem to be a bit lighter (the 500's at least), but I suspect the heavy barrel on the 590 might make up for that.

From what I've been told by the shops though, there is a slight difference in terms of "build style" in respect to intended use... it was suggested to me that the 870 may be geared a bit more towards reliability in the long run, providing you treat it right. The hardware is built to withstand abuse, but apparently the tolerances are a bit tighter, and it might be more prone to jamming in extreme conditions. The Mossy's are apparently "hunting camp" guns and are designed to be abused, with slightly looser fit in the action to allow for operation even when dropped, wet, and dirty. Then again, I've also been told that the Mossberg build quality is not quite as nice as the Remy's, and you might get 5-10 years before you start running into issues, as opposed to 12+ for the 870.

I'm aiming for an 870 myself because I'm looking at picking up a used basic one, cheap. I want to modify it and make it somewhat more tactical looking, although I've got certain parts in mind that aren't really available on any one particular "model" of 870. It makes more sense to me to buy the basic one and add parts as I see fit, rather than buy the more expensive "modded" one and replace parts anyway.
 
pope_face said:
I'm leaning toward an 870 myself... I went and looked at a few different 870's, 590's, and 500's today, and they each seem to have their positives and negatives. To be honest, both seem pretty close in all aspects: comparable aftermarket parts and configurations, reliability, accuracy, government acceptance (police force with the 870, apparently USMC with the 590). I think both the 590 A1 and 870 tactical are roughly the same weight... in general the Mossbergs seem to be a bit lighter (the 500's at least), but I suspect the heavy barrel on the 590 might make up for that.

From what I've been told by the shops though, there is a slight difference in terms of "build style" in respect to intended use... it was suggested to me that the 870 may be geared a bit more towards reliability in the long run, providing you treat it right. The hardware is built to withstand abuse, but apparently the tolerances are a bit tighter, and it might be more prone to jamming in extreme conditions. The Mossy's are apparently "hunting camp" guns and are designed to be abused, with slightly looser fit in the action to allow for operation even when dropped, wet, and dirty. Then again, I've also been told that the Mossberg build quality is not quite as nice as the Remy's, and you might get 5-10 years before you start running into issues, as opposed to 12+ for the 870.

I'm aiming for an 870 myself because I'm looking at picking up a used basic one, cheap. I want to modify it and make it somewhat more tactical looking, although I've got certain parts in mind that aren't really available on any one particular "model" of 870. It makes more sense to me to buy the basic one and add parts as I see fit, rather than buy the more expensive "modded" one and replace parts anyway.
Click to expand...

Now that's the kind of opinion/information that I like to hear. I consider my firearms to be investments for me and I take a lot of pride in them. I like to make them suite my particular style and function.
My only issue is that I can not seem to fin a Remington 870 Tactical so to speak. When I check out the Remington website there is no listing of such a gun. Can anyone point me towards what I'm looking for?

Thanks,
Tim

PS a blond and a brunet......hmmmmmmm :evil:
 
I was looking to sell my old regular 870 and get this one as I already have some 870 accessories.

870_exp_tac_780.jpg


http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_express_tactical.asp

I believe it meets most of the criteria you initially listed. The magazine capacity is only 7+1 however but can be fixed with an aftermarket part. It comes with the XS front blade and ghost ring rear sight and a picatinny rail if you wish to mount an optic.

The 590 and 500's are good guns. Although from my experience the Mossberg's feel lighter and therefore have increased recoil when using heavy loads. But a high end aftermarket recoil pad can remedy it. The top/tang mounted safety on Mossberg's are better for southpaws than the push button safety for the 870 generally.

I suggest speaking to badboybeeson as he specializes in shotguns and accessories. A good overall resource who uses and supplies for both types. Link below.

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/member.php?u=11995
 
I've shot both and bought the 590. Just got a Mariner to keep it company. Love the bayonet lug... you just never know when a deer will get close enough to stick it.
 
here's my 590 with M9 bayonet, side saddle , speedfeed , and heat shield (ghost ring models never came with heat shields as the shield would have to be force fit onto the barrel and leave a mark)

IMG_2659.JPG


they are both proven designs. but to me the 590 has more of LE and military feel and the 870 name is more of something your grandpa keep behind the door in his farm house .
 
I've owned 870s, 500s and a 590, and any of them can be a good choice depending on your specific needs. I prefer the Mossberg platform because of that screw that retains the ejector, I've never broken one, but should that happen, I can swap it out myself in about a minute without having to go to a gunsmith. I am happier being able to strip the the receiver completely for cleaning. Things riveted in place create recesses that are impossible to access with normal procedures where rust can accumulate. Having said that I would choose the 870 over a 500 because I want to be able to access the inside of the magazine tube. I'm cleaning up a 500 right now for one of the guys at work, and I can feel the follower hanging up on rust deposits in the mag tube. Not only can't I effectively access the inside of the mag tube, but I can't swap out the follower with a plastic one.

Now that I've owned one, I have come to the opinion that a long magazine brings more disadvantages than advantages. It limits the barrel options available to you. It results in a muzzle heavy gun that is slower to get into action. I do however like a side saddle. A gun with a full sidesaddle means that you never have to go looking for ammo in an emergency. Training to reload 4 rounds quickly grabbed from a belt stripper with your support hand while keeping your eyes on target is a technique that all but negates the need for a long magazine. With the shotgun, as with any firearm used for serious work, the key is not to run dry regardless of the number of rounds in your magazine. Once you have come to the realization that a 5 shot magazine is no disadvantage, you may even come to the conclusion that a semi-auto might be a better choice as the number of things that a pump does better is a pretty short list, but that is another issue.

To get the most versatility out of your gun, the addition of choke tubes is a worthwhile consideration, particularly if you would rather "do it all" with a single barrel. However, a ghost ring and post sight greatly limits the usefulness of the piece for flying birds. I have found this to be no disadvantage as my 590 is used mostly as a powerful rifle, and I have used it for birds with some success. But I am no shot-gunner in the classic sense.

Earlier in this thread it was suggested that the Ithica was a better choice than either the 590 or the 870. I think the Ithica has advantages for the south-paw shooter, and I even got one for my son, but they have a real disadvantage compared to either the Remington or the Mossberg. With the magazine full of slugs, opening the action to single load a round of birdshot is a slow process, and if your fingers are cold, good luck.
The only solution here would be to carry the magazine partially loaded so that a shotshell could be added to the magazine and the action cycled normally to chamber it. With a 4 or 5 shot magazine, this leaves something to be desired. For me this effectively eliminated the Ithica or the Browning BPS as choices for a general purpose shotgun.
 
Boomer said:
Now that I've owned one, I have come to the opinion that a long magazine brings more disadvantages than advantages. It limits the barrel options available to you. It results in a muzzle heavy gun that is slower to get into action. I do however like a side saddle. A gun with a full sidesaddle means that you never have to go looking for ammo in an emergency. Training to reload 4 rounds quickly grabbed from a belt stripper with your support hand while keeping your eyes on target is a technique that all but negates the need for a long magazine. With the shotgun, as with any firearm used for serious work, the key is not to run dry regardless of the number of rounds in your magazine. Once you have come to the realization that a 5 shot magazine is no disadvantage, you may even come to the conclusion that a semi-auto might be a better choice as the number of things that a pump does better is a pretty short list, but that is another issue.
Click to expand...

I agree with all the above totally, my next shotgun is almost certain to be an autoloader.

Earlier in this thread it was suggested that the Ithica was a better choice than either the 590 or the 870. I think the Ithica has advantages for the south-paw shooter, and I even got one for my son, but they have a real disadvantage compared to either the Remington or the Mossberg. With the magazine full of slugs, opening the action to single load a round of birdshot is a slow process, and if your fingers are cold, good luck.
The only solution here would be to carry the magazine partially loaded so that a shotshell could be added to the magazine and the action cycled normally to chamber it. With a 4 or 5 shot magazine, this leaves something to be desired. For me this effectively eliminated the Ithica or the Browning BPS as choices for a general purpose shotgun.
Click to expand...

IMO the inability to port load the Ithaca is more of a theoretical disadvantage, but the extra smoothness, better handling and lighter weight the Ithaca brings to the table are immediately appearant.
 
JPainter said:
+1 590A1

Pump action = more reliable and easier to clear malfunctions.
Click to expand...

I've seen more short stroking and chambering issues by far with pumps than malfunctions with modern autos using suitable ammo. Reliability wise I would rather have a pump than a cheaper or older design autoloader however.
 
RUSTSPOT said:
here's my 590 with M9 bayonet, side saddle , speedfeed , and heat shield (ghost ring models never came with heat shields as the shield would have to be force fit onto the barrel and leave a mark)

IMG_2659.JPG


they are both proven designs. but to me the 590 has more of LE and military feel and the 870 name is more of something your grandpa keep behind the door in his farm house .
Click to expand...

If you rap the barrel with a busness card you woudn't mark it putting the heat shield on.

IMG_4210-1.jpg


Just get one of each.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom