Reliability/upkeep between 870 and a 590a1

Suther said:
Honestly I'm not sure i care either way, but the vast majority of shotgun experience is with a maverick 88 (two of em actually) and i would easily recommend a mossberg to anyone looking for a 12ga pump gun. In my experience they just work. Period.
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Maverick 88 is only $279 on Cabelas. I am thinking about getting one as my first shotgun.
From everything I have read, that's one just works and cheap. Don't want to spend too much money before I know enough about guns.
 
If I were to buy a new cheap don't care what happens to it SG it would be a Mav. 88. Seems like a tool that just works.
 
Wester said:
I have the 870 Express Tactical with full Magpul furniture. The only internal upgrade was a Volquartzen extractor for $35. I had to file down the outer edge of the Volquartzen extractor to match the angle of the factory MIM one. I have added a Mesa Tactical polymer 6 shell side saddle and a Magpul off-set flashlight mount and a Magpul MS1 sling. The only issue I had was one episode of extraction of short brass in hot weather, now fixed with the new extractor and some chamber polishing with 000 & 0000 steel wool.

Overall, I tried both in the shop, liked the smoother action of the 870.

No rust on mine, Cerecote finish and keep it oiled inside.
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So you're saying you had to gunsmith the premium Volquartsen extractor to make it work?

And others re rust on 870s: use oil, common sense, and good storage practices for heaven's sake.
 
bonmotwang said:
Thanks. I will get a Maverick 88 on order.
What ammo should I order for trap shooting?
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I'm not a trap guy so can't give good advice on that. For MY applications I'd be looking at the Mav. 88 Security model (18.5" I believe) and 00bk. Totally opposite of the trap crowd. I'm sure others will have good advice for you.
 
I had a mav 88. Over the years it developed an intermittent light primer strike issue, which failed me at the worst possible time. I gave the gun away as quick as i could, got an 870 express and haven't looked back.

The 88's and mossys develop light primer strikes, google it. The 870's have occasional extraction problems which are an easy fix.
 
CZ85Combat said:
870 Tactical is based on the Express, low quality parts. If 870, it has to be Wingmaster or Police.
As other said, the Express is basically an expensive comparison to the Maverick 88
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oh... I dunno about that .

I agree for an 870 the Wingmaster & the Police are the way to go.

However, the only "lower quality parts" are the extractor and the trigger guard (and some debate if the polymer is actually an upgrade).

The rest comes down to sub standard finish & finishing. Not so sure I'd directly compare an 870 Express to a Mav. 88 with a forend that's barely attached.

And I'm not promoting the Express... don't own one and don't imagine I will.
 
Best thing is to try and handle both and decide for yourself.
Two excellent choices, list out the pros and cons.
One might work better for you than the other.
 
At the end of every hunting season, a lot of people trade in their shotguns. A lot of the Wingmasters are from the 50's and still going strong. All the parts from new ones are still interchangeable with the ones from the 50's. Remington got it right the first time. There is not a lot to go wrong, and virtually every part can be replaced by someone who is just a little bit handy. A lot of the perceived flaws didn't exist till the internet. Just sayin. It's funny how people gush over their polymer framed Glock's, but the polymer trigger guard on the Remington's are the devil incarnate
 
dogzilla said:
At the end of every hunting season, a lot of people trade in their shotguns. A lot of the Wingmasters are from the 50's and still going strong. All the parts from new ones are still interchangeable with the ones from the 50's. Remington got it right the first time. There is not a lot to go wrong, and virtually every part can be replaced by someone who is just a little bit handy. A lot of the perceived flaws didn't exist till the internet. Just sayin. It's funny how people gush over their polymer framed Glock's, but the polymer trigger guard on the Remington's are the devil incarnate
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Agree with every point.

I'll be hanging onto my 870P's & Wingmasters forever.

I think this trading in SG's at the end of hunting season is a first world problem. Grass is always greener non-sense.
 
I say look at both try and fire both and pick the one you like most.
I am a remington guy but my buddy runs a 590 and 930 they are great guns too
I have an 870 tactical that i have put a machine extractor in (only cause i got it free) polished the chamber and the action rods and their slots in the receiver - the gun runs flawless now and is very smooth
that said my 62 wingmaster slides like butter without any work.
 
Seems like the thread took off a while after posting it.

I ended up buying a Mossberg 590A1 in the 18.5" configuration. It has the ghost ring sights and a 6+1 tube.

I wanted an SPX originally, but couldn't find one new. I felt it wasn't worth spending an extra $100 or more for an extra 2 shots if it didn't also come with the bayonet.

Then I stuck an ATI T3 pistol grip stock on it anyway because screw ergonomics!
 
I've owned the 870 Express and currently own an 870 Police and a 590A1.

The build quality seems better on the 870P. On my 590A1, brand new, the barrel detent ball came loose and had to be peened over properly. Easy fix but still...
Nothing went wrong with the 870P or the 870 Express (rust aside...).
however, 870's are now notorious for rough chambers. 590's are notorious for canted front sights.

The 590A1 is much more user serviceable. You can replace the ejector, mag tube, interrupter by yourself. Those parts require factory service on the 870. This will likely never be an issue, just sayin'.

Ergonomically, my 590A1 with Magpul kicks the 870's ass. The action release, the safety, no contest. But the 870 looks so cool with the walnut and feels more solid and not so rattly.
 
Brutus said:
Maverick! Bah! I trump your 88 and raise it to an Ithaca M37. ;)
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Come on... I meant new.

I'd take a $275 used M37 over a Mav. 88 ANYDAY.

And as for new, I'd probably toss another $100 at it and search out the best Turkish offering over the Mav. 88. Mav. is just the best of the cheapest.

How could you possible beat a used M37 for $250-275 ??? I'm with ya on that !
 
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