I can't make up my mind!

J Ace

J Ace

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Probably the same question as others, sorry...... But I can't make up my mind on Rem870 or the a Mossberg 500.

I want a shot gun to shoot trap and have fun on targets, no hunting.. I need a barrel longer than 20", but I want to deck it out to look tactical. Means I will change the stock, fore grip and other.... I want to stay away from already tactical made up models from these manufactures because they are only 18 1/2" barrels, not suitable for trap, so it means I have to convert a longer barrel to have the look.

I've watched many video's, but I keep swinging back and forth.
Any suggestions?
 
I own both models myself, though not done up for the tactical look. I think I would lean more towards the Remington. I would expect it has a little bit greater aftermarket support and it already has the nice matte black finish. There is no questioning its reliability and most come with a 26" barrel. Good for both worlds. Chokes are easy to find and seem a little higher quality than the ones that came with my 500. A nice door breaching tip would look great and then switch to a skeet choke for the range.

Definitely post pics when you get it done.
 
Thanks for the input, I saw online about the 2 ejectors on the Mossberg, 1 on the Remington. It's easy to change the ones on the Mossberg with the skew, but if the Remington has an issue, it has to be sent to Remington because of the rivets. Is this true?

Hearing about the difference in the safeties, size if the trigger guard, metal vs aluminum etc. I'm hearing that both are great guns.
 
I bought a new 870 Express in 1994, and it has the aluminum trigger guard....the new ones have plastic trigger guards. Regarding the 870 ejector, you can buy the part, and either you or your gunsmith can replace it, per the video at link below. I'm sure both the Mossberg or 870 Express will serve you well, but it looks like there are more, easily available parts out there for the 870. Have fun.

http://www.rem870.com/2011/10/25/remington-870-ejector-spring-replacement/
 
I have a Mossberg 500 combo from cablea's
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/3964/mossberg-500-combo-3-12-gauge-pump-shotgun

I put a ATI striker stock on it, changed the fore grip, and put a heat shield on it. I have used it with both barrels no problem... and quite like it... It seems to be to be the best of both worlds in one gun...

jtnebt.jpg
 
J Ace said:
Thanks for the input, I saw online about the 2 ejectors on the Mossberg, 1 on the Remington. It's easy to change the ones on the Mossberg with the skew, but if the Remington has an issue, it has to be sent to Remington because of the rivets. Is this true?

Hearing about the difference in the safeties, size if the trigger guard, metal vs aluminum etc. I'm hearing that both are great guns.
Click to expand...

The Mossberg has two extractors and the Remington has one. I have seen Mossberg's dual extractors slip over the rim of a shotshell stuck in the chamber on many occasions whereas on the Remington the single extractor actually rips thru the rim of the shotshell! IMHO, the 870 has the better extractor of the 2 systems. The part on the Remington that is riveted is the ejector and ejector spring...and I haven't seen a spring break in under 8 000rds in any 870...not saying it doesn't happen but I've never seen it. If the ejector spring does break it does not need to be sent back to Remington although, for most gun owners, it should be sent to a gunsmith to be replaced. Unless you are throwing your gun into a boat, off a cliff or purposely trying to break it you don't need to worry about the plastic trigger guard on the 870 Express either.
 
I watched a bunch of videos too and couldn't decide.
Pricing is close on those and quality has gone down from what I read.

I got a different make pump shotgun off the EE for way less.
After shooting it for maybe a year I will know better what I really want.

It's been lots of fun and I've learned a lot.

I say buy neither(new), get a used shotty from a time when they were made by people who took pride in their work.
 
Thanks for the input guys. For both the 500 and the 870, can you swap out barrels on all sub models? Or is there certain ones you can't change out barrels?
 
J Ace said:
Thanks for the input guys. For both the 500 and the 870, can you swap out barrels on all sub models? Or is there certain ones you can't change out barrels?
Click to expand...

With the 870 there's only the Special Field model that has its unique barrel and isn't interchangeable with any other. Everything else is a go. That being said, if you have an older 2 3/4" chambered barrel ONLY USE 2 3/4" ammo in that barrel!
 
Honestly, forget all the "one has two extractors and one has one" crap. Shoulder them both at the store, and pick the one that fits you better. It's hard these days to find one gun that's better or more reliable than another, especially in pump guns in the same price range. That's why there's enough Remington vs. Mossberg and Ford vs. Dodge arguments to sink a ship these days.

If you're going to use it for trap, why the tactical look? I mean maybe a black stock and forend, but forget the pistol grip stocks and heat shields... they're not the most practical of things for clay games.

-Nick
 
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