Poll: Mossberg 500 Synthetic vs Remington 870 Express Synthetic vs used Wingmaster

Which to buy for a <$350, first, and only SG, used for mainly clays?

  • 870 Express Synthetic 26" 12ga

    Votes: 16 25.0%

  • Mossberg 500 Synthetic 28" 12ga

    Votes: 19 29.7%

  • used Wingmaster 12ga with whatever barrel length and furniture I can get

    Votes: 29 45.3%
  • Total voters
    64
CanuckShooter

CanuckShooter

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Ok, in the past 36 hours I have probably spent about a solid 10 researching SG's and trying to come up with what I am looking for. My brains and eyes are fried.... :eek:

I have arrived at the following options:

- wait around for a nice used wingmaster (who knows how long, and im always a bit uneasy buying used unless i can hold it first)

- Remington 870 Express Synthetic (many seem unsatisfied with the blued/painted (whichever it is) finish, and condition/function of the internals ie cycling, jams etc..)... i like that you can get it w/a 26" barrel as opposed to the 28" mossbergs

- Mossberg 500 Synthetic (only gripe I am hearing is the receiver being aluminum, but havent actually heard of it BECOMING an actual issue, and the plastic safety (can be upgraded, oh yah, and the real helpful people that just say they are cheap crap with no explanation and "buy an 870").... arent AR's made of a good deal of aluminum??

I want to keep the SG under $350 (and the mossy is like $270... i definitely like the price lol), as it's just going to be a fun gun, as I said before, to just take the hand thrower and some clays out to the range and blast away, but would still like something I can feel good about owning.

Anyone that has compared the 500 synth or wood stocked field model to a remington 870 express... please share any observations.... as well as anyone who has used/owned either for a decent amout of time....

Thanks!!!
 
It is a better isea to buy a used Wingmaster with a 28" vent rid barrel, it may take you a while to come across somthing good deal. Anyhow the synthetic stock 870 work really well as one of the club member use one for trap shoot and I don't found the finish is bad. But you may know it only come with a modifly rem choke and the Mossberg 500 field come with three choke. on the other hand Remington has a better and quicker resale value than the Mossberg.

Trigun
 
I have 2 mossys and would definately buy another tommorrow
cheaper in price comes with more (screw in chokes) and is rock solid reliablity
I don't have a problem with 870s at all but more for less and and being a reliable gun I'll take a Mossberg
 
I would get the Mossberg 535 3.5" never know when you might need a 3.5" shell but it's nice to know you can shot 2 3/4" 3" and 3 1/2".
 
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How much are you going to shoot it? The Mossberg is cheaper, but the aluminum receiver will wear quicker. I just junked a Winchester semi-auto .22 with an aluminum receiver where the hold open bolt had worn out the hole and the gun wouldn't stay open any more. Not to say this applies to the pump gun. The 870's stand up to thosands of rounds on the clay shooting ranges. The trapshooters moved to the 870 when the Winchester model 12 was discontinued. My personal philosophy, keep it simple, buy only the best.
 
The main advantages of the Mossbergs is the tang safety and a multitude of inexpensive barrel types & length available.

I like to hunt with my 870s pumps, but for tactical shotgun games I prefer my old Mossberg.
 
Note that many older Wingermasters are 2-3/4" only, and have a fixed choke. A lot of guys are getting rid of these older guns because they can't handle steel shot, plus that fixed choke. So, you could keep your eyes open for a gently used Wingmaster and then just have the choke opened up to about IC. Easily within your budget.

The 20 gauges are out there, you just may have to be patient.
 
CanuckShooter said:
Can't I just swith out the barrel on the older wingmaster?
Click to expand...

Yes you can switch to a newer barrel, but if the reciever is 2-3/4" that is all it will cycle even with a 3" chambered barrel. This isn't really a problem if all you want it for is clays or even small game. The cost of a used Wingmaster plus a new barrel is probably more than you have in your budget though. Between the 870 Express and the 500 Mossberg, I would take the Mossberg. I have a 500 Field and my dad has an 870 Express. Both have wood stocks, so I can't comment on the synthetic stocks, but the metal on my dads Express is very prone to rusting. I have had no issues at all with mine (rust jamming etc) and it sees a lot more action than my dad's does.
 
the J-Lock is like another safety, it locks the trigger so it can't move, you can still cycle the gun and everything but you can't fire it. and if your travelling it doesnt count as a safety like a real trigger lock.
 
Mossberg for me. I have a 500 feild in 20ga. I got it use about 10 years ago ($50). Never had a problem. 2 ot my friends have 870 (1 12ga, 1 410) they have both had problems with shells coming out or the tube after chambering a shell so they can't cycle the next round. I think it was the cheap ammo.
 
happiness is a warm gun said:
The main advantages of the Mossbergs is the tang safety and a multitude of inexpensive barrel types & length available.

I like to hunt with my 870s pumps, but for tactical shotgun games I prefer my old Mossberg.
Click to expand...


+2, one can even get a 50 cal Black powder muzzleloader barrel for one,
and Slug barrels with integral scope bases. :D

w ww.mossberg.com/products/access.asp?type=barrels&section=access
 
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