870 Tact Express Magpul edition vs a Mossberg 590A1

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GunnieArtz

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I've read on quite a few forums comparing Mossbergs to Remingtons.

I learned that the extractors on 870 are not user servicable, and the mossberg can. It also has dual extractor claws compared to a single on the 870.

I've also been reading about rust problems with regards to the standard 870 express.

Therefore I'm asking specifically about the Magpul edition with the cerakote finish. I love the Magpul stock when I held it, it points great and it feels compact.

The only experience I have with mossbergs is holding it in a store and all I can feel is that the fore end has quite a bit of rattle and play compared to the magpul.

I'm a total noob regarding shotguns, can anyone on here point me as to which one I should get?

Thanks for the advice in advance :)

Arthur
 
I like the new Remy's with the Magpul stock I have the same stock on my Fabarm and think it's wonderful to shoulder.I'm not to happy with the coating on Express and hope the ceracoat is better.
 
smiley1 said:
I like the new Remy's with the Magpul stock I have the same stock on my Fabarm and think it's wonderful to shoulder.I'm not to happy with the coating on Express and hope the ceracoat is better.
Click to expand...

My local gunshop sales rep showed me the regular 870 express and the magpul, the finishes are night and day, the express finish seems like a super thin coat with bare metal showing while the cerakote was a super slick loooking dark matte grey finish.
 
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in most respects they are equally good guns. You can't go wrong with either. I would base the choice on your personal preference - how does each one feel and handle for you. If you still can't decide, pick the one you think looks better. They really are both as good as the other, just a little different in a few details.

The extractor thing is a non issue. 870 extractors do not often break, it really is not a weak point. And although the Moss has two, the ones it has are much less beefy than the single 870 extractor. Moss is aluminum receiver, 870 is steel. Who cares, they both lock up into the barrels. Safeties and slide releases are in very different locations; this is your ergonomic choice as to which one you prefer. Mossbergs have that fore end rattle, but it's an annoyance not a problem. The usual 870 Express finish sucks, but cerakote is fantastic.
 
oh, and those Magpul stocks cost an arm and a leg when bought separately. So depending on how it is priced, it might be a good deal to get the factory gun with that stock.
 
Between the two that magpul 870 would be my gun. People pay over $200 to have their gun cerakote'd, and that furnature isn't cheap. To notch shottie. The extractor is replaceable, fyi.
 
I believe it is the ejector that is not serviceable in the 870. The general complaint that I had about my 870 Express was the finish was quite inexpensive, rough-feeling and prone to rust.
I purchased an 870 Police and I am much happier - feels like a much better put together gun.
How much is the Magpul edition?
Of course the Police doesn't come as tacticool'd out (unless you go high up the ladder)
 
mr00jimbo said:
I believe it is the ejector that is not serviceable in the 870. The general complaint that I had about my 870 Express was the finish was quite inexpensive, rough-feeling and prone to rust.
I purchased an 870 Police and I am much happier - feels like a much better put together gun.
How much is the Magpul edition?
Of course the Police doesn't come as tacticool'd out (unless you go high up the ladder)
Click to expand...

I saw the 870 magpul selling for $819.
 
mr00jimbo said:
I believe it is the ejector that is not serviceable in the 870. The general complaint that I had about my 870 Express was the finish was quite inexpensive, rough-feeling and prone to rust.
I purchased an 870 Police and I am much happier - feels like a much better put together gun.
How much is the Magpul edition?
Of course the Police doesn't come as tacticool'd out (unless you go high up the ladder)
Click to expand...

The ejector assembly is just riveted in. A mechanically inclined person could change one at home, although it is generally a gunsmith job. The thing is though, that ejector has a blade behind the spring so if the spring breaks it will still eject when cycled sharply. It has built in redundancy.

I find it funny that we nitpick pump shotguns looking for reliability shortfalls. They are perhaps the most reliable firearm a person can buy. Think about an AR - a gun that is considered reliable - yet there are libraries of information written on all the ways an AR can fail and how to diagnose and fix all the various problems.
 
Chiming in a little late but I recently added a magpul tactical to my collection. I will change the extractor to the police model and a few other minor improvements but I think all around one of the nicest stock pumps I've shot. The big advantage that I like with the 870 vs the 590 is the remchoke barrel with IC an changeable chokes Vs a fixed cylinder bore this may not be huge for some but some restriction usually improves rifled slug accuracy in my experience plus I like option of changing my choke. Other then that it's mostly ergo and personal preference both are considered the best pumps ever made and both function 99.9%
 
A little off topic but I bought a weatherby pa459 tactical with the reaper camo and pistol grip and love it. I went to the local gun shop and was in the same delima as you, couldn't decide between the 870 and the 590. Then I shouldered the pa459 and it felt better then the 870 and 590. The pump action felt better then the other two. But that's just my opinion.
 
The combat ready Mossberg M590A1 will blow the $&@$ outta a Remington 870 "tactical" express...

Mossberg M590A1 are built like TANKS and my 14" compact with ghost ring sights and SpeedFeed stock is series piece of hardware. I've had a Rem870 Marine Magnum jam and fail to extract....the Mossberg M590A1 had duel extractors and a serious ejector, reliability is unmatched.

NIB they're like $599.00 for a combat shotgun the US Marines use....Mossberg M590A1's are second to the Benelli M4 Super 90 ;)
 
If you want a no-bs gun then get the Mossberg 590A1, or any 590 for that matter. They are the baddest of the badass when it comes to pump shotguns. It may not have a fancy finish or tacticool magpul stocks, but it's a real deal combat shotgun. I just like them better than the 870's.
The ergo's for me are also much more intelligently done, you can operate the safety and slide release with your hand in the standard firing position. And there's no stupid shell lifter hanging down in front of the mag tube. Super easy to load, just drop the shell in and push. 8+1 rounds for the full size, very nice. Again, these are my personal preferences, and it's why the 590 is my shotgun. Think I need another one.
 
Just so you know, the 870 is also a combat, tried and true, combat shotgun. Used by our own SF.

So if we're going that route, they are both solid guns. Get the upgraded extractor, benefit from a substantially better coating and furnature. If the safely is what's stopping someone from buying a 870, they should go read up on who uses them every day. Breachers worldwide rock 870s and trust them with their lives.

Both good shotguns. Calling either "bs" or saying one is "combat proven" is silly, and anyone who uses either as a work gun can attest to this.
 
GunnieArtz said:
I've read on quite a few forums comparing Mossbergs to Remingtons.

I learned that the extractors on 870 are not user servicable, and the mossberg can. It also has dual extractor claws compared to a single on the 870.

I've also been reading about rust problems with regards to the standard 870 express.

Therefore I'm asking specifically about the Magpul edition with the cerakote finish. I love the Magpul stock when I held it, it points great and it feels compact.

The only experience I have with mossbergs is holding it in a store and all I can feel is that the fore end has quite a bit of rattle and play compared to the magpul.

I'm a total noob regarding shotguns, can anyone on here point me as to which one I should get?

Thanks for the advice in advance :)

Arthur
Click to expand...

The 870 Extractor pops out with ease using a small screwdriver, the mossberg needs a punch to remover their extractors. The 870 ejector and ejector spring are revited in and you need special tools to do the job right. Now will you ever wear out your ejectors..... No, can you bend the 870 spring if your foolish..... yes. But the 870 will still eject perfect with out the spring, the spring is only there to allow slow ejection.

The express is the cheap model of the 870 and I would take a 590A1 over a express any day. Have a look at the 870P too btw
 
AFisher said:
Just so you know, the 870 is also a combat, tried and true, combat shotgun. Used by our own SF.

So if we're going that route, they are both solid guns. Get the upgraded extractor, benefit from a substantially better coating and furnature. If the safely is what's stopping someone from buying a 870, they should go read up on who uses them every day. Breachers worldwide rock 870s and trust them with their lives.

Both good shotguns. Calling either "bs" or saying one is "combat proven" is silly, and anyone who uses either as a work gun can attest to this.
Click to expand...

My comment was more or less selling the 590 as being every bit a combat shotgun as the 870, I'm very well aware that the 870 is a proven shotgun. I've carried an 870 for work and played with them when I was in the military, and I own an 870 clone (Grizzly) on top of that. With that said, I find the 590's controls to make much more sense in their placement, and I love the fact that there is nothing impeding access to the mag tube. Not saying the 870 is bad, but that I like the 590 better. My personal preferences only, as I stated in my previous comment. The OP wanted an opinion on the two, that's my opinion, silly or not.

And for the record, I never called either one "bs". I said the 590 is a no-bs shotgun, as in "no frills", in comparison to the Magpul edition 870 the OP was asking about, though perhaps I wasn't perfectly clear on that.
 
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