Mossberg 500 or Rem 870 Express?

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I'll get this outta the way first--I'm a complete rookie when it comes to owning shotguns

I have fired lots including tactical, pistol grip, traditional, skeet, target, fowl, but I've never owned one.

A couple friends and I are planning on doing some mountain backpacking this summer. Multiday trips with only what we're carrying allowed. We have a lot of outdoors experience but want to be prepared should we meet someone of the large furry variety that sees us as food.

Anyways, I was browsing the Outdoor World site tonight and saw these:

Mossberg 500 Tactical (cruiser)
http://www.wholesalesports.com/stor...-500-special-purpose-tactical/prod230685.html

Remington 870 Express
http://www.wholesalesports.com/stor...-2-shot-w-knoxx-specops-stock/prod260017.html

I think I'm leaning towards the 870 Express but they're both pretty slick. For customization I'd think the 870 would provide the best basis for a build should I so desire (I know I will lol). Which would be the best bet for backwoods protection? The 870 is a 20ga, 500 is 12ga.

Lastly--in the Moss 500, what's the difference between Mariner and Cruiser? I can't seem to find anything online.
 
Rem 870 come in 12ga FYI, Both guns are nice. I would pick what feels best in our hands. For hiking the shorter the better. Make sure you load the right ammo for what you are using or want to use it gun for.

You will not stop large hungry animals with Number 9 bird shot LOL
 
12GG 870 with knoxx. You'll love it. Both my Dlasks and my 2 larger 870's run Knoxx variants...exceptional shooters! BUT I have a smallaffinity for my recently aquired Winchester Ranger as well...simple simple simple right? lol

(says the rock geek to the fancyschmancy euro-mechanic ;) )
 
get a mossberg 590A1 its has all milspec parts metal trigger guard not plastic and a bayonet lug
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You want light if you packing, right? Mossberg lighter but you can get shorter barrels for the 870.Ergonomically I like the mossberg but the 870 is awesome as well. Got your PAL yet?.Buy (or borrow) one of each and see which you prefer.They are both very good firearms.
 
They are both great guns. I went with the 870 super mag, and I love it. It is one of the most popular pump shotguns in North America there for there are many accessories. I have shot mine a lot and it has not malfunctioned once. I find it easy to handle, and comfortable to shoot. You won’t be disappointed with it.
 
Wrong.

jaybird said:
Mariner is stainless and Cruiser has the blue finish.
Click to expand...

Mariner pertains to it's metal finish, which is electroless nickel.

Cruiser pertains to it's stock furniture, which has a pistol grip.

You could combine the two features, if you wanted.
 
Both have their pros and cons and the basic versions of both are comparatively priced.

Mossy 500: Nearly flawless feeding reliability. Ambidextrous tang safety. Limited ammo capacity (No extensions unless you go the 590 route).

Remmy 870: Far more accessories and add on kits across the board. Including ammo tube extensions sighting systems.

Both have similar aftermarket stock selections with Remmy having some added ones.
 
If it's strickly for hiking I'd be looking at the 14" norinco frontier is selling.

The 870 and 500 are both just as good. I'd go with whatever feels better in your hands. Both have a huge following and just as many after market parts.

I skip on the 20g in the 870... get a 12g for furries.
 
870 express vs 500

Doesn't really matter.
I have a 535, friend has the 870 express.

They're both good low cost pump shotguns with long histories of good performance. You're not likely to find many stories of either gun being a real problem considering the vast numbers sold.
 
Just handle them both at the shop and see which one you like, and which feels best on the shoulder.
The two have safeties and slide release that are in different locations, so buy the one that feels the best and you will be familiar with and able to operate.
Nothing worse than a bear coming at you, and you are still fumbling to find the safety. If your buddies are also getting shotties, make sure that all of you are familiar with eachothers shotguns for the same reason.
 
blueblast said:
Just handle them both at the shop and see which one you like, and which feels best on the shoulder.
The two have safeties and slide release that are in different locations, so buy the one that feels the best and you will be familiar with and able to operate.
Nothing worse than a bear coming at you, and you are still fumbling to find the safety. If your buddies are also getting shotties, make sure that all of you are familiar with eachothers shotguns for the same reason.
Click to expand...

That's what I'll do, head down to WSS to handle them, see what fits, still liking the 870 though.

Now it's time to spend countless hours on the internet researching the 20a vs. 12ga debate..I'm not even going to make a post on here, I know I'll get a lot of eye rolling and requests to use the search button lol
 
in terms of functionality, quality, and reliability both guns are nearly identical.

pros in favor of the mossberg 500:
-shell lifter tucks out of the way when slide is back, allowing completely unrestricted access to the loading port instead of having to push shells past a spring-loaded carrier like on the 870
-tang safety
-unscrewable mag tube
-2 extractors
-easy to replace ejector (simple screws hold it)
-lighter receiver (see cons)

cons of the mossberg:
-aluminum receiver a bit less solid for tapping sights/mounts
-aluminum receiver cant be parkerized to match other components
-no mag extensions due to the way the barrel screws into the end of the mag. however, you can buy a longer mag tube on fleabay and pick up a barrel designed for the extended mag tube to match. (if you want to make a dual-purpose hunting/tactical shotty out of a mossberg 500, i recommend you START with a 7-shot 'persuader' type model, and then search fleabay for a standard length mag tube - i bought one for around $10. that way you can use either length barrel - and replacement short mag tube length barrels are inexpensive. going the other way is more expensive)



pros of the 870:
-steel receiver super solid for tapping, can be parked or blued
-most aftermarket parts are usually designed for the 870, and then adapted to the 500 - stuff usually fits/looks better on an 870 and parts are also more common.
-very easy to add mag extensions.
-better trigger (IMO)

cons of the 870:
-soldered in mag tube, a retarded solution that they refuse to upgrade
-heavier receiver
-more awkward crossbolt safety
-ridiculous to replace ejector: riveted in to the gun, to replace it you need to re-rivet and reblue/refinish the entire receiver. why they havent modernized this yet blows my mind.
 
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