Don't make a decision until YOU know which shooting sport/activity you like best. Keep them both for now, try them out, use them, go hunting, etc. Put at least a couple of hundred rounds through each, and then make a decision.
It sounds like your gun is a SPS model, not an Express.
Yes, it is a "Special Purpose Synthetic". SPS
Better quality than an Express.
Nice gun and will last a life time.
The Express is not lower quality than all the other 870 variants. It has a less expensive finish and less expensive wood. I've had my 870 Express since the mid 80's and it shows no signs of deterioration and I fully expect it to last the rest of my life.
I've thought about keeping both Midnight Rider,
Originally thinking that it would be nice to have a dedicated security shotgun around the house in the event of a bear or coyote showing up unwanted.
However, after examining my needs and area, as well as shooting both guns, I have come to the conclusion that there isn't a defensive scenario that can't be handled for me with a 28" field shotgun.
Shooting buckshot and slugs out of the heavier 870 field gun is much more pleasant than the short and lighter Mossberg and the longer barrel and double bead sights make it much easier to get my slugs on target.
The shorter 18.5" Mossberg doesn't really give me any advantages, in fact it limits my range and practical uses quite significantly. The 870 with a full choke can sling buckshot out to 40 yards easy, anything further than that will require slugs. Plus I can use the field gun for trap and bird hunting if I want.
I guess if I was raiding a drug den in LA with a SWAT team then the 18.5" 500 would be better.
I'm planning on using the funds from the 500 sale to stock up on some good quality slugs and buckshot for the Remington.
IMO Mossberg is more robust and reliable than Remington. I would never own a Remington 870 when Mossberg exists.
While that maybe true regarding the newer 870s when compared to the excellent newer Mossbergs, this older 870 has the metal trigger group and forged extractor. Plus the 870 has a solid steel receiver which will outlast any aluminum Mossberg.
Total agree.....