I'm looking for a shotgun, one capable of taking deer prefer at least 3 in capability. Right now debating between Mossberg 500 and 870 . In either brand is one model in that series any better than the others? Are all 870 models as smooth as the wingmaster.
870's
- Thread starter Gymbo
- Start date
The expresses aren't as smooth as the wingmaster out of the barrel. They have a rough matte finish that is more prone to rust if you don't oil it. It also comes with only 1 Modified choke where the 500 or Wingmaster comes with a full set. The wingmaster also has a light contoured barrel so it swings better.
The m500 has better ergos i.e. safety and action release. It's built to looser tolerances so it should be reliable in whatever conditions you need. It also can hold one more shell in the magazine tube than the 870. Lastly, it has the anti-jam elevator so you don't have to lift the flap out of the way to insert shells in the mag tube.
Both are good guns, it depends on your uses. 500's are cheaper and barrels are easy to swap and are cheap. 870's have a lot of accessories and have been the benchmark of pumps for the last 50 years.
The m500 has better ergos i.e. safety and action release. It's built to looser tolerances so it should be reliable in whatever conditions you need. It also can hold one more shell in the magazine tube than the 870. Lastly, it has the anti-jam elevator so you don't have to lift the flap out of the way to insert shells in the mag tube.
Both are good guns, it depends on your uses. 500's are cheaper and barrels are easy to swap and are cheap. 870's have a lot of accessories and have been the benchmark of pumps for the last 50 years.
manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
if you are looking for a gun specifically for deer, why not get something more ideal?
if you are not in a shotgun-only area, use a rifle.
if you are in a shotgun-only area, then you are better off setting up something like an H&R Slug Hunter or Savage 210/220 into an accurate slug-hunting rig that will give almost rifle-like performance.
between the Mossy 500 and 870, i would choose the 870. a bit more money, but there are far more take-off barrels, stocks, etc on the EE than there are for the Mossbergs. the Wingmasters are smoother out of the box because there is better machining and finish on the internals and the bolt is (or at least was) chrome plated. an Express will also smooth up eventually with lots of use but is rougher out of the box.
if you are not in a shotgun-only area, use a rifle.
if you are in a shotgun-only area, then you are better off setting up something like an H&R Slug Hunter or Savage 210/220 into an accurate slug-hunting rig that will give almost rifle-like performance.
between the Mossy 500 and 870, i would choose the 870. a bit more money, but there are far more take-off barrels, stocks, etc on the EE than there are for the Mossbergs. the Wingmasters are smoother out of the box because there is better machining and finish on the internals and the bolt is (or at least was) chrome plated. an Express will also smooth up eventually with lots of use but is rougher out of the box.
870 all the way. Even with the express (which does need some breaking in out of the box usually). About 100 bucks worth of wally world ammo of different kinds, one afternoon, and the thing will be smooth as silk. Break-in seems to happen within about 300 rds.
- Location
- In the Land of Lies Being Exposed!
I agree get the combo and you can do it all. Most of the time the max shot I have to make is out to 100yards. Rifled barrel open sites is all you need. The afternoon change barrels and shoot some birds. If I had the choice of only one gun it would be the 870 3.5 super mag express combo
Ahh. the endless 870 vs 500 debate. Not nearly as hot as the 'can i shoot 5.56 in a .223chamber?' debate, but still a good one.
Gymbo- No matter what guys here say, a gun is like a car or a wife. We all like different types, for different reasons, but in the end it's you that has to live with the gun you choose.
Go to your local shop, get a feel for various guns, find the one you like, and then decide. And if you're lucky enough, get a few test-fires in too.
Gymbo- No matter what guys here say, a gun is like a car or a wife. We all like different types, for different reasons, but in the end it's you that has to live with the gun you choose.
Go to your local shop, get a feel for various guns, find the one you like, and then decide. And if you're lucky enough, get a few test-fires in too.
870's are heavy compared to 500's
i believe 870's have a better rep though.
in saying that the 500 range from mossberg is pretty sweet. theres a turkey combo which ive got my eye on..
part number 54266 ( check it out on the mossberg website )
i believe 870's have a better rep though.
in saying that the 500 range from mossberg is pretty sweet. theres a turkey combo which ive got my eye on..
part number 54266 ( check it out on the mossberg website )
870
My reason for comparing was I was trying to find a user friendly shotgun and found the 870 user friendly in 12 ga , are the ones you mention as user friendly ( don't kick like a mule with 3 in )
My reason for comparing was I was trying to find a user friendly shotgun and found the 870 user friendly in 12 ga , are the ones you mention as user friendly ( don't kick like a mule with 3 in )
The benelli supernova/nova series have recoil reducing features that you can look into. The BPS is heavy and therefore will reduce felt recoil.
The ithaca is light and good for upland.
Winchester is similar to the Mossberg in terms of alloy receiver. The action is fast due to the rotating bolt.
The ithaca is light and good for upland.
Winchester is similar to the Mossberg in terms of alloy receiver. The action is fast due to the rotating bolt.
- Location
- Squamish, BC
Ford vs. Dodge.
What colour do you prefer, what seat is more comfortable? Next...
What colour do you prefer, what seat is more comfortable? Next...
All but the BPS are lighter than the 870, the Ithaca and Winchester considerably so, and they definately kick harder. OTOH they carry and handle much easier as well.
I find the 870 seems to weigh a lot more than it should and that extra heft is more a minus than a plus unless don't need to lug it around much and/or are shooting really heavy loads on a constant basis.
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manbearpig
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Somewhere in the Third World
the reason id be 'biased' towards an 870 is that if there is ever anything you need for it, the EE is full of hundreds of posts of 870 items. barrels, stocks, replacement parts, etc. if you buy an 870 and decide you want, say, a turkey barrel, a home defense barrel, a rifled cantilever barrel, a synthetic stock, etc then youll easily find one in the EE.
not so with most other models. some have practically no used aftermarket. oh, and good luck buying a second barrel for that Benelli Nova - you may as well just buy a second Nova (in comparison you can pick up most 870 barrels for under $150 on the EE).
i am not saying that the other recommendations arent good guns - just that if you are a total newbie to shotguns and arent quite sure what you want (as evidenced by this thread), then you could do worse than buying an 870. if you screw something up and get the wrong configuration, or later on decide you want to use the shotgun for something else (turkey, waterfowl, whatever) its really no big deal as you can very quickly and easily swap parts on the EE.
not so with most other models. some have practically no used aftermarket. oh, and good luck buying a second barrel for that Benelli Nova - you may as well just buy a second Nova (in comparison you can pick up most 870 barrels for under $150 on the EE).
i am not saying that the other recommendations arent good guns - just that if you are a total newbie to shotguns and arent quite sure what you want (as evidenced by this thread), then you could do worse than buying an 870. if you screw something up and get the wrong configuration, or later on decide you want to use the shotgun for something else (turkey, waterfowl, whatever) its really no big deal as you can very quickly and easily swap parts on the EE.
