Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870?

I had a little backwoods gun shop through the '80s and sold both. Back then the 870 was a quality piece, while the Mossberg was a budget-oriented alternative. The situation seems to have reversed in the 40 years or so since. Remington went through a lot of turmoil over the years with inconsistency being the main theme. Mossberg seemed to just keep plodding along, turning out simple, well designed, durable arms.
While 870s can be very good, reliable arms and I might bite at one made in the '60s, if the choice was between recent production pieces I'd buy the Mossberg and be well served.
KH
 
My vote goes to Mossberg 500 or Maverick 88.

I bought an 870 when I first got my licence about 10 years back. I had no problems with it functioning or its reliability. The only thing that made me sell it was when it was raining and got even a little wet, it would develop an orange haze of rust by the time I drove home from the duck pond. A couple of years back I traded it in and bought Maverick 88 and no issue anymore.

I'm not sure if the blueing process of the specific 870 wasn't done correctly or if they all were like that at that time.

Good luck with your decision!
 
OkayShooter said:
What is your purpose? Hunting ? Shooting target stands with bird shot?

Maverick 88, can get a dual barrel package.

I had a 590 and currently have a 870. If I remember what stood out the most on the Mossberg was the pivoting action bars. The forearm could bind if you twisted.
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It'll be used for hunting and probably vaporizing some empty cans on our property out in the sticks lol
 
meetreez said:
It'll be used for hunting and probably vaporizing some empty cans on our property out in the sticks lol
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Ok, what are you intending to hunt with that shotgun?
  • Upland game (grouse and hares)
  • Migratory birds (geese and ducks)
  • Big game (moose, bear and deer)
  • Turkey
  • Coyotes
  • Other?
I would say ... it is not so much a question of 870 or 500 ..... just pick one and it will do just fine.
  • It is more a question about what barrel length do you need ...?
  • Do you need removable chokes?
  • What caliber? 410, 20ga, 12ga?
  • Do you want to shoot steel shot vs lead shot?
  • Chamber length?
  • Optics mount?
  • Stock length of pull?
  • Etc. ....
 
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meetreez said:
Planning on buying my first firearm and have decided that I will be getting a shotgun. Not sure whether the 500 or the 870 would be the better choice. I'm sure it's been discussed many times, but I am fairly new (done some benchrest .22 plinking). Some insight would be appreciated.
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Whichever way you go, I'd suggest you save up a little more $ and upgrade to the Mossberg 590A1 or the 870 Wingmaster.

Guns are a buy once, cry once, affair.
 
I actually prefer the safety and mag release on the 500 over the 870but find the stock of the 870 a little higher so I can see over the reciever better. It fits me so I shoot the 870 instead. Choose whichever fits best. I also like a mag extension.
 
They both suck for different reasons. Try them both first.

I hate the release on the 870, But I much prefer the 870 safety placement.

That being said life to short not to get both. Maverick 88 is a massive POS stay far away.

My old 1960s 500 ATP is by far the smoothest one of the bunch. 70's Wingmaster close 2nd


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Same as most on here

New - Mossberg
Used - Mossberg (rare that someone doesn't want the same or more than new) or older Wingmaster

Own both, enjoy both, suggest both....
 
Snider shooter said:
Doesn’t seem to be too much love for Remingtons in this thread. I have a Mossberg 535 with rifled and smooth bore barrels. A few deer have fallen to it. Never had any problems with it.
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Wait a min ..... I do love my 870s ..... 😁


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The Remington 870 would be my choice. Not a single one out of the ten that I own has failed on me.

However, one of my two Mossberg 590A1s failed to eject right out of the box. It's an easy fix, but it shouldn't happen on a brand new shotgun.

The top one that failed on me.
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Will you be looking for a more tactical style set up or longer barrel for clays and what not?

Have them all and my go too is always my 590a1 personally.

I have 2 Maverick 88s and they're an amazing value I've beat on mine and its never skipped a beat.

Depending on what you plan to do the Maverick 88 is a solid choice and spent the rest on ammo :)

Any 500 or 590 especially the a1s will also never let you down.

The Maverick 88 with tactical and hunting barrel combo might be a great option and you can save tons shopping on the EE here
 
Will you be looking for a more tactical style set up or longer barrel for clays and what not?

Have them all and my go too is always my 590a1 personally.

I have 2 Maverick 88s and they're an amazing value I've beat on mine and its never skipped a beat.

Depending on what you plan to do the Maverick 88 is a solid choice and spent the rest on ammo :)

Any 500 or 590 especially the a1s will also never let you down.

The Maverick 88 with tactical and hunting barrel combo might be a great option and you can save tons shopping
AlbertaBandit said:
If a Mossberg 500 dosent have a square window , its usually a massive POS filled with MIM parts. :cool: My persuaders was one of those examples.
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Also valid point seems to be most new guns have garbage MIM (metal injection molded) parts that are night and day compared to real machined steel so this may be a wise idea to hunt for an older mfg gun if you can
 
Literally just pick one. The 870 vs 500 battle has been going on for decades, if you have not used either, neither will be better than the other. If you have used one extensively over the other, you will likely have a preference based on familiarity. I prefer the 870 because ive used it way more than the 500/590. I am fully aware the 500 can do Literally everything the 870 can and vise versa. I just like the 870 layout because its what im used to. Every argument for or against these guns can be summed up as someone's personal preference thinly masked as some objective metric. They are both as close to equal as 2 firearms can be. Go handle both and just pick the one your gut tells you.
 
Well They have built 11 million 500 moss bergs and 11 million 870 remingtons so AA is right pick one ( I'm an 870 guy) :)
 
I went from 870's to Mossberg 500 pattern shotguns, mostly because I found the controls to be far more user friendly for a lefty. Having said that there was nothing really wrong with the 870 platform at all, solid guns and tough as hell, just had a hell of a time justifying keeping them after getting a hold of my Mossbergs that I have now..
 
ObviousNovice said:
I went from 870's to Mossberg 500 pattern shotguns, mostly because I found the controls to be far more user friendly for a lefty. Having said that there was nothing really wrong with the 870 platform at all, solid guns and tough as hell, just had a hell of a time justifying keeping them after getting a hold of my Mossbergs that I have now..
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The open load gate that's impossible to not load under pressure is a Major bonus for me and most people that shoot mine. End the day but whatever you like both are amazing shotguns.

Better yet shop around the EE and buy both lol
 
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