Mossberg 500 field vs Winchester SXP Field vs Remington 870 Express

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LarryCa

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Hello,

Beginner question here. I am in the market for my first hunting shotgun and would like to have help from more experienced gun owners. I am having trouble deciding between the shotguns mentioned in the title of this post.

I've heard somewhat mixed reviews of the Mossberg and its composite trigger group.

The Remington 870 proves to be very hard to obtain on the secondary market and I do not know enough about the Winchester SXP.

Thanks a lot.

Larry
 
I personally prefer the mossberg field with wood stock and foreend. Those guns have the tube and castle nut folding the foreend on. Much better than the current staked action bars. Great aftermarket support and they fit me the best
I sold my wing masters and kept a few of my mossbergs.
Ithaca 37 on the used market is the best buy of all pumps
The browning bps is another to look at although more expensive
 
brybenn said:
I personally prefer the mossberg field with wood stock and foreend. Those guns have the tube and castle nut folding the foreend on. Much better than the current staked action bars. Great aftermarket support and they fit me the best
I sold my wing masters and kept a few of my mossbergs.
Ithaca 37 on the used market is the best buy of all pumps
The browning bps is another to look at although more expensive
Click to expand...

I owned a Browning BPS years ago (was a Micro - 20ga) - absolutely loved it - bottom eject is nice. Very nice action. Only sold it as raising the kiddos got pretty expensive at one point (and still is).

I currently have the Mossberg 500 series (590) in 12g and a Remington 870 Express Youth (in 20ga). Between the two, I like the Remington better. I have heard Remington's QC has gone down since it shifted its manufacturing to another country (maybe Mexico) years ago - 2010 onward? - I got mine in the early to mid 2000s and it has been solid. I personally do not like the 500's series tang safety. The 870 seems overall more comfortable to handle for me (I know comparing a 12g with a 20g is not quite apples to apples). I don't think I have ever experienced a failure to feed or eject on the 870, though several times, I managed to pinch my fingers on the feed ramp and such. I like the 870 trigger over the 590 trigger. I don't have any experience with the SXP so can't comment. With my 590 I can install an OpSol adapter and run Aguila Minishells or Federal Shorty shells on it. Can't do that with the 870 20g and I believe the same thing applies to the 12g.
 
Thanks a lot for the input and info!

Initially, I didn't consider parts availability and aftermarket support in order to make a choice...

The Ithaca 37 really has my attention, thanks for bringing that up. But in the event of it needing repair, I'm worried parts are going to be hard to acquire in Canada. Do you know if that's the case ? New made parts seem to be available in the USA though.
 
I prefer the Mossberg because of the tang safety. I'm a lefty (NOT in politics) so the tang safety is easier to operate than the cross bolt. I currently have a Mossberg 500A that I bought from an estate. 4 barrels and one of them is a Black Powder barrel ...... that one is my favorite. The Mossberg, in my opinion gives a person plenty of options.
I also have a 20 ga 870. It too is a decent gun but truly the reason I bought it was because I couldn't find a Mossberg 20 ga when I was shopping.
 
Mixed reviews of Mossberg? I’ve never seen or heard of anyone breaking their trigger guard. They’re plastic on 870 Express as well. They are good reliable shotguns and will serve you well should you decide to buy one. I prefer the tang safety and shell lifter on the 500 but I have 870s as well.
 
I have owned Remington 870, Mossberg 500, Winchester Sxp and browning bps.
If you don’t mind a heavier gun and bottom eject the bps is the nicest. Between the Sxp and the 500, the Sxp has a higher vent rib so that is a personal preference. Either are highly capable for hunting any birds you are going after.
Personally I like the Mossberg 500 just for personal fit and made in the USA.
I should mention the build quality is equal on the Sxp regardless of its Turkish manufacture.
 
I like Mossberg but really do not like the tang safety. I've heard of them failing on users and one of mine actually broke. I much prefer the Mossberg Maverick 88 instead with the crossbolt trigger safety.
 
I love the smoothness of the Winchester rotary bolt - beautiful design. And how it unlocks so easily for the next round. It just doesn't fit me great.

But you really can't go wrong with any of those guns as your first. Each will feel different in your hands, one will feel better than the others. It's up to you.
 
Mossberg 500 safeties are easily replaced with all metal ones. As for broken trigger guards I have seen two. Both were broken by someone prying off a trigger lock. I have hunted and shot all mentioned shotguns. If I was buying new, a Mossberg 500 with wood stock would be my choice. Upgrade the safety and shoot it a lifetime. ( or until something else catches your eye!) A used Mossberg 400 gives you all of the 500 goodness at lower cost. All 500 accessories fit the 400.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
Mossberg 500 safeties are easily replaced with all metal ones. As for broken trigger guards I have seen two. Both were broken by someone prying off a trigger lock. I have hunted and shot all mentioned shotguns. If I was buying new, a Mossberg 500 with wood stock would be my choice. Upgrade the safety and shoot it a lifetime. ( or until something else catches your eye!) A used Mossberg 400 gives you all of the 500 goodness at lower cost. All 500 accessories fit the 400.

Darryl
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Unfortunately it wasn't the material that failed on the safeties it was the design and mechanism itself.
Also, they have been known to slide back to the safe position under heavy recoil.
 
Most I seen were broken plastic and slide plate and detent spring and ball ejected. All of my experience with Mossberg 500 safeties has been good except the odd broken plastic one. I did hear that the recoil from the 3 1/2" chambered versions was a culprit in safety malfunction.

Darryl
 
If ever you end up wanting to convert the regular stock to a pistol grip you're going to want a crossbolt safety. A tang safety doesn't serve a pistol grip very well at all.

Not something I'd do on a "do it all" shotgun but my coyote rig has a full stock with a pistol grip as it's easier on the wrist to hold at the ready for long periods of time. It's got a saddle and a red dot that's perfectly lined up so the old maverick 88 is a dedicated coyote blaster now.

Not what you asked but something to consider none the less I suppose.
 
My advice is go to a store where you can handle the Mossberg and Winchester and possibly a used 870 . Base your purchase on the gun that fits best. By that I mean the gun that shoulders the most naturally and your eye lines up down the rib without head readjustment . All are great serviceable guns if the fit is right .
 
I like the tang safety myself on the mossberg
All pumps will shoulder slightly differently and they will have slightly controls and options. I've kept 2x Mossberg 535 one ATS and one 3 barrel synthetic model. Beretta 151. Model 12. Ithaca 37. Canuck regulator. Browning pump in 10ga and Smith and Wesson 1500. These are what I enjoy shooting and each fits differently. The smith and Wesson is the nicest fit and finish while the Ithaca is the smoothest. It's best to shoulder and handle each if possible. If you're local to my area you're welcome to meet me on the skeet range to try mine
 
Browning BPS/Ithaca 37 are good, solid build, but damn heavy. Newer Rem 870s are ok, but some reviews suggests hit and miss quality, though most of them runs perfect. 870s are like Honda Civic, tons of aftermarket parts. Win SXP is also good, lighter as it has an alloy receiver. I have one, the only downside is lack of aftermarket parts upgrades. Barrel options also available from Winchester as a separate purchase. I don't have a Mossberg, but reviews seems to be decent to good.
 
rembolt said:
My advice is go to a store where you can handle the Mossberg and Winchester and possibly a used 870 . Base your purchase on the gun that fits best. By that I mean the gun that shoulders the most naturally and your eye lines up down the rib without head readjustment . All are great serviceable guns if the fit is right .
Click to expand...
This! Try before you buy!
 
I really like my 870 express, but I got an earlier older one on the used market so I don't know about current quality.

I cannot speak on the others.
 
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