Which shotgun? Remington 870 vs Mossburg 500?

Take the time to go to a real gunstore and handle both of them and you won't need anyone to tell you which one to get. Half the opinions you get on here will be less than genuine anyway.

I've owned and used both. They were both satisfactory but if i were doing it again i would spend a bit more up front and stay away from the economy models, which is what both of these are. The lower cost is definitely related to the overall quality, and i do not mean just in the finish. Not sure i'd ever buy either one again. Of the 2, the 870 express fit me better.
 
I have owned and shot both the remington 870 and the mossberg 500, and to be honest, there's not that much difference between the two. I have the mossberg now, and it's still going strong. Up until a month or so ago, it looked like someone ran over it with their truck a few times. Put a new stock on it, beefier forearm and slightly longer butt, and it fits perfect and points pretty nice now. I seem to remember reading somewhere that the mossberg 500 was the only shotgun to pass the us military shotgun torture tests, but i could be wrong :)
 
I have been a lifetime 870 user and owner. Good gun. Recently I took a hard look at an older mossy 500 AB (in fact I bought it) Yes it rattles, yes it has a plastic trigger guard BUT the top tang safety (metal on the older ones) is very nice. The action is smoother than the 870. Extra barrels are cheap. Take down is easy for cleaning. I now own three mossy 500s and 1 870. Both are excellent but I am now favouring the 500. I am looking for a 20 bore Mossy 500 (older one) as we speak.

regards, Darryl
 
I own 3 remington 870's, 2 of which are super mags, they have all been very reliable and i have only had 1 issue with one of the super mags jambing it was the cheap winchester ammo from walmart, i rectified this by purchasing the federal premium ammo from canadian tire, the ammo is $5 more per 100 round box, but never had the gun gun jamb since. I fire about 4000 rounds a year (skeets, birds, deer) and would not think twice about buying another 870.
 
I own an 870 express and a mossy 835. Both are great guns as others have mentioned. My 870 has taken quite a bit of abuse and kept on ticking. I just got the Mossy this past Christmas and love it. The fore stock does rattle a little but, no issues with reliability and a real nice shooter. Now for hunting, I prefer the Mossy. The safety position, it's lighter and, the overbored barrel just work well for me.

All that being said, I have total confidence in both. As others have mentioned, try to stay away from the lower end models as Remingtons QC (according to other hunting forums) has been hit or miss over the last 5 years or so.
 
I have had a mossberg500 since the mid 1970s. bought it second hand. never had any problems of any kind. you can even buy a factory .50 cal. black powder rifle barrel for it. i had a new rem.870,. traded it after several weeks for a used winchester model50 semi auto. i got ,ibelieve,the best part of the deal. the 50 was bored modified. killed a lot of grouse back east. nothing against the remington,i just liked the win.model 50 better and really like the old 500. i also have a ithaca model 37. not as comfortable as the 500. i would try out the different models from members and go with what suits you best. i have shot a friends win.model 21 in 12 gauge and like my 100 year old ithaca double better!!!!!!!!!! i guess my firearms fit me . cost is not a big concern for production firearms. GOOD LUCK POPS glenn
 
fralic76 said:
I'm in the market to buy a new 12ga shotgun. I want to use it for a little bit of everything. Which gun is better out of these 2 guns and why?

a) Mossburg 500
https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&&section=1187&section2=1727&section3=1954&ID=3967

b) Remington 870
https://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=71&&section=1187&section2=1727&section3=1954&ID=4667

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Either will do and, for the money, both represent good value. While I would suggest that a person is best suggested to stick with one design (rather than jump back and forth), and while I have come to prefer the 870 platform, I would not buy another 870 Express. The finish is that poor.

In a choice between an 870 Wingmaster vs. a Mossberg 500 or an 870 Police vs. a Mossberg 590A1, I would choose the 870 every time. But...

In a choice limited to one of the two shotguns you have identified, I would take that Mossberg every time.

(Unless you would also plan to refinish the Express in a low-maintenance, rust-resistant finish.)
 
I own a 870 w/18" barrel and have put about 10 000 rounds through it over the past couple yrs. Like other people have already stated on this thread the only problems ive ever encountered is with cheap trap loads from wally mart- you really have to rank back the action to cycle those badboys out...I do not own a mossy or winchester but have fired both and think they are just as good.I really think it comes down to personal opinion and would try both at the store to see how they feel for yourself...I would say 870 but just because mine has been so good for me.I would like to post a picture of mine but dont know how because im a newb......:shotgun:
 
Shotgun choice

I'm all for the Remington 870

Probably one of the most popular and most sold pump sotgun ever

I've had 8 different variations of it and they have all been flawless

From the Wingmaster, Express, Marine magnum,
in 3'', 2 3/4'', and 3 1/2
of 12 ga, 20 ga, and 410

In my opinion you get great value for what you pay for
They are tough, easy to carry,clean and handle ( balance very nice )
parts and accessories are easily available



Denis
 
get 870. better shotgun simpler action, better safety. i know you will like it.
express may not be the best one though .finish quality isn't there. older are better. nicest one is the wingmaster. if you can get one used in nice condition or get one and have it refinished you will love it,
i work for a gunsmith and based my opinion on working with these guns. as well as shooting. i have HP 9 14" for competition and just acquired rough 870 wingmaster (as a project gun) for hunting.
 
how can anyone say that the saftey is better on a 870 compared to the tang safety of the mossy .i bet thy never shot there 870 with gloves on .the saftey on the mossys is perfect on top wewre yopu can see it i put an over size one on my moosy for the kids thy love it
safty535004.jpg
now hjere is a safteyeven a lefty can enjoy or people with sm,all hands DUTCH
 
I can not use a firearm with a tang safety. It feels really awkward. I have to have my safety on the front side of the trigger guard. When I am hunting the first shot for me has to be a 2 step process with my trigger finger. It's just what I know :)
 
The tang safety looks like it would be akward to use with a pistol grip. The location of the 870 safety on the rear of the triggar guard is a little weird. I would prefer it in front of the guard.
 
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