Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870?

frogger said:
Take a Mosberg apart and then take an 870 apart. Fixed twin action bars on the 870 pump are just a better mouse trap
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Remingtons patent on dual action bars ran out in the 1960s.
Mossbergs produced before this date only had a single action bar, but once the patent was up, every Mossberg pump has had dual action bars since.
Dual action bars were a clear benefit of the 870 in the early days, but since 1961, it’s a moot point.
The tang safety on the Mossbergs is much quicker to disengage than the cross bolt safety on the 870.
Either way, they’re both good choices..
 
morp said:
....
The tang safety on the Mossbergs is much quicker to disengage than the cross bolt safety on the 870.
....
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I would not agree with that.

I installed an oversized dome safety on all my 870 and I did cut down the safety spring by one coil.

It is now the easiest and quickest safety to engage on any of my firearms!

My index finger resides on the trigger and the safety at the same time .... my index finger pushes slightly inwards and the safety comes off ... and the same finger squeezes and the shot goes off. No need to change hand position, finger position or shooting stance or sighting picture or whatsoever ......

"Either way, they’re both good choices.."

Totally agree with that.!
 
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0faustus0 said:
I would not agree with that.

I installed an oversized dome safety on all my 870 and I did cut down the safety spring by one coil.

It is now the easiest and quickest safety to engage on any of my firearms!

My index finger resides on the trigger and the safety at the same time .... my index finger pushes slightly inwards and the safety comes off ... and the same finger squeezes and the shot goes off. No need to change hand position, finger position or shooting stance or sighting picture or whatsoever ......

"Either way, they’re both good choices.."

Totally agree with that.!
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The majority of that post was objective - yet I think informative - information about action bars which I’m surprised nobody has mentioned. But of course the safety is the issue!

I find using a thumb for the tang safety, I can have my finger ready on the trigger, safety comes off in one moment and I can fire in the same moment - not relying on one finger to disengage safety and operate the trigger.
I have fast pickin’ fingers but always quicker to use two digits to do two tasks rather than one digit to do two tasks.
Also doesn’t require an aftermarket safety/modification.

The tang safety was my main selling point for the Mossbergs.
Of course, doesn’t have the tactical look, and doesn’t work particularly well with pistol grip stocks where a cross bolt safety feels more natural.

Each to their own.
 
One of my 590s the tang safety is very stiff to use but I generally don’t use safety’s so it doesn’t much matter to me
The new style mossburgs with the AR type safety’s are prob pretty good but I haven’t tried one of those yet
 
0faustus0 said:
I installed an oversized dome safety on all my 870 and I did cut down the safety spring by one coil.

It is now the easiest and quickest safety to engage on any of my firearms!

My index finger resides on the trigger and the safety at the same time .... my index finger pushes slightly inwards and the safety comes off ... and the same finger squeezes and the shot goes off. No need to change hand position, finger position or shooting stance or sighting picture or whatsoever ......
Click to expand...

I agree. I put a Wilson 870 Jumbo Head safety on my 870 but did not alter the safety spring. Nothing is faster.
 
The 20ga 870 Express that has been getting it done in our family for a dozen years or so is awfully confused about all the slagging in this thread. lol It's even more confused because the metal still looks almost new, only finish wear on the laminate stock. (Remington's laminate stocks only passed by the top-coating room, never went in lol) Even has a shiny, non-problematic/non-modified chamber.

Would be easy to read this thread and believe that 870s of all kinds aren't out chugging away reliably every single day, even guns made since the legendary Wingmasters. And you'd be wrong, cuz they just are.

I would take a new/used 870 express over a new Mossberg 500 today, but mostly because they shoulder better for me. I think they're both really good guns and yes, Wingmasters are/were better made, better finished guns than the Express were but I also don't put guns away wet or dirty. I've worked on enough Expresses to know where people are coming from, but I also think it's a huge exaggeration to suggest that any 870 that isn't a Wingmaster isn't as good as a 500/590.

My favourite gun to use hunting grouse is an old Lakefield Mossberg 500 in 410, some people slag the aluminum receivers (vs steel on the 870s) but that debate has been settled 100 X over. I like the reduced weight on an already light shotgun.

I only have one shotgun on the wish list and it's a 20ga 870 Wingmaster LW.
 
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