Remington 870 or mossberg 590 ?

If you like going insane with choices on accessories go with the 870 platform. If you like to keep it simple without having much say in it go with the 590. For the 870 platform I would look for the police model but if you are on a budget an older wingmaster is a good start. If you go the Mossberg route then I would say 590a1; heavier barrel and metal trigger group. I suggest these assuming it is for HD/SHTF etc....Important to note is that the safety positions on the 870 and 590 are very different. Shooting stocks with pistol grips (ie; Speedfeed IV-S) is going to be different on a Mossberg 590 as the safety is almost on top of the receiver, as opposed to behind the trigger on the Remington 870. Oh and what gofaster775 said; search in the black and green shotgun sub-forum, lots on info on this topic.
 
Both will serve you well.

I myself prefer the 870, but I do prefer the position of the safety on a 590.

I had an 870 Express Super Magnum that came with a 28" shot barrel (3.5" chamber) and a 20" rifled barrel (3" chamber.) I added an 18.5" smoothbore for buckshot (3"chamber.) It served me well enough, but it serves a friend now because I prefer the position of the safety on Mossbergs. I now have Mossberg 535 Waterfowl (3.5") chamber and like it that much more for the safety. I will get something else for buckshot/slugs for canoe trips (probably a Maverick 88) and something else for deer hunting (probably an H&R slug gun.)

I had a Fabarm SDASS Martial with fixed stock and 14" barrel. As well made as any gun I have ever owned or been issued, gave me a good feeling just to think I owned something so right for what it was. If I ever feel the need for a short shotgun like that, I am going to be not quite satisfied with anything less. If you think you want/need a short "fighting" shotgun like that, I advise you to look very carefully at what it will cost you to build it out of a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 platform, and then try to see and handle a Fabarm in person. The Remington or Mossberg can do the job and be versatile with multiple barrels, but having complete shotguns dedicated to each role makes sense, too.
 
Last edited:
If you don't mind spending a bit of coin, look at the Marine Magnum model 870.

It's shorter, but it's pretty awesome.

870MarineMagnum.jpg
 
I have a marine magnum, it sits in the safe year round. Decent built shotgun but very unbalanced and ugly as Walter Matthau in the nude.... well, maybe not quite tacticool ugly, but close.
 
Back
Top Bottom