First shotgun: SXP vs 870 SuperMag vs Mossy535/835

dirty_mustache

dirty_mustache

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I'm sure this conversation has been beat to death (I've read countless forum topics across the web) including reviews all over the place.

My experience - close to zero. Have shot a 535 in the field and aside from the pump rattle (which is apparently just a mossy thing), the thing handled like a champ. No problems loading, ejecting, or cycling rounds at fast or slow speeds. On the other hand, one of the 870 express's out there had an issue where a burr on the wood pump was catching the bottom of the barrel causing the whole thing to stick. I'm sure this was just a lemon issue, and realistically, nothing a bit of sandpaper couldn't fix, but it did raise my eye-brows. The other 870 and the BPS (out of my current price range) in the blind functioned without fail. I've shouldered all the guns mentioned, including the SXP, and didn't have an issue with fit for any of them.

So here I am (stuck in the middle with you).

I have no brand loyalty, and am simply looking for a workhouse waterfowl shotgun that I can toss a turkey and possible deer barrel on eventually (this is less important to me, as by not doing so, gives me an excuse to pick up a nice rifle or muzzle-loader). My only other criteria is I want the gun to be able to handle 3.5's (yes, yes - our grandfathers did without - but I like the option).

Any recommendations or comments that I should be made aware of about any of these models? The SXP, per reviews, has a ridiculous pump action. The 870 seems like its loved by everyone and their grand-mother with a disturbingly religious zeal, and the Mossy's seem like they have the reputation of simply being durable (and are what I'm leaning too ever so slightly).

What am I missing?
What should I pick up?
What is the meaning of life?

Thanks for your times gents (and women if you're hiding in here).
 
You're missing the Benelli Nova, shoulder one, if it fits you, buy it. 3.5" capability, Italian quality control, 3 chokes, as reliable as the day is long, ugly as sin, born to be in a blind somewhere, at a hair more than a Remington Express will cost you.
 
I run a 535 for 10 years without one problem .hunted every thing from bunnys to deer and turkeys .it run every kind of shell I put in it like a champ .for the price thy simply canot be beat Dutch
 
I had never thought of the Nova or Super Nova. What differentiates them from the pieces I've mentioned? Just quality of build? How's the availability of alternative barrels?
 
Mossberg 535 ats. Built like a tank. I use it on everything. Never an issue. Most parts from the 500 series fit them as well. Not the barrels but stocks and such do
 
brybenn said:
Mossberg 535 ats. Built like a tank. I use it on everything. Never an issue. Most parts from the 500 series fit them as well. Not the barrels but stocks and such do
Click to expand...

I was unaware 500 parts were interchangable... This may be a game changer. I really like the idea of a do everything shotgun.
 
The barrels don't but stocks and fore ends do. I have the ats wood blue version. The forearm comes off by spinning out the retaining nut at the end. I have close to 17000 rounds thru mine. 1/2 oz #9 loads to 600 gr slugs to 3.5" 00 buck its shot it all
I rarely use 3.5" shells anymore but I can if need be
The tang mounted safety is nice to
Remington is not the company it used to be
I also have the camo 3 barrel set of the 535. No issues with it. I prefer wood and blue so I use the ats more. It's slightly heavier in stock form
I like the dual extractors of the mossberg and the ejector blade is easy to replace. Never broke one on a mossberg but they just screw in. 2 870 I've owned. Express and wing master have both needed a gunsmith to repair their ejector blades
 
dirty_mustache said:
I had never thought of the Nova or Super Nova. What differentiates them from the pieces I've mentioned? Just quality of build? How's the availability of alternative barrels?
Click to expand...

Quality/durability for one, rotary bolt set-up that will digest and spit out anything you feed it, can be complete stripped to pieces in under minute without tools. The difference between the Nova and Supernova is the stock, the Nova the stock and receiver are molded as one piece, the Supernova is 2 pieces and adjustable. Replacement barrels are available but cost nearly as much as the gun itself.
 
The price might be what keeps me away from the Nova series. And consequently the price and availability of aftermarket parts is highly attracting be to the Mossberg line at this moment.

Brybenn: have you had any issue with rusting on your blued piece? I've heard the newer 870s are prone to it and didn't know if the 535's shared this problem.

Anyone with any Winchester SXP experience?
 
I bought a SXP Trap Compact because of the reviews over in shotgun world but haven't got to use it. It looks and feels great, I bought it for upland with 30" barrel but with some health issue's not sure if I will get to use it but would recommend it. JMHO
 
My first shotgun was a Mossy...My second one was the 870...Love 'em both and have never had an issue - will hang onto them forever...My next one though, will be a Benelli...You can't go wrong with either of those choices IMO.
 
I've been doing some serious research and handling in the last few weeks.

I've also started to consider saving up for Browning BPS - but as for the budget pieces I'm still leaning heavily towards the 535. Batou - if you had the critique one thing on the SXP, what would it be?
 
While my SXP won't take 3.5" it has been flawless in operation. Mine has the wood furniture 28" barrel. I only have one issue and it is the location of the safety in the front of the trigger guard. As a lefty the safety is hard to reach. When in the goose blind no issue but for upland hunting it is too slow for me. It is up for sale as we speak.
 
Have a 870 Super Mag from 2008 or so and I have regretted that decision since the day I bought it. Got it as a combo gun with the rifled slug barrel for 670$ or so new and the gun doesn't work too well. The action is slow, but the big issue is that after shooting some rounds it likes to have hard extractions (your really forcing back the pump). It has smoothed out a bit and what used to be a hard extraction every 3rds or so now only happens when the rifle gets hot from shooting clays but the amount of ammo I have put down the bore to make it that way is a little ridiculous (have fired 600rds of bird shot down it now, took about 200rds before it started to get better). This is just my experience with the 870 though mine could have just been a lemon from the get go, but considering the amount I paid for the new gun I expected it to at least function properly.
 
Browning BPS is worth saving up for, after all BPS stands for Best Pump Shotgun, lol. I bought my brother the SXP for Christmas last year, nice gun and he likes it a lot, taken lots of ducks and geese with it, no problems with it whatsoever. I own a BPS, and I love it, the build quality is miles beyond the shottys you are looking at, and honestly, I got mine brand new for $579 on sale, I would save up the extra dough if I were you and buy a BPS IF IT FITS YOU, you can give it to your kids in twenty years ��
 
This was my logic. The more I look into firearms, the more I understand peoples affinity to them as more then pure tools, but as little pieces of culture and personality - but maybe that's reading into the whole thing too much.

Along a much more scientific vein of thinking - is there any value to 3.5" shells (and guns that shoot them) with the advent of tungsten and other heavier then steel shot available? Worrying about having shot available from other hunters is not a concern of mine.
 
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