Wingmaster vs Mossberg 500

If you are buying new, Mossberg warranty and customer service is absolutely non-existent.

Remington is handled by Gravel Agency in Quebec.

When I ran my gun shop, I sold a number of Mossberg's and Remington's. Had zero Remington warranty issues versus two Mossberg warranty concerns that were never dealt with. Like I said, Mossberg warranty doesn't exist. I ordered parts that never showed up for over three years, finally cancelled that order.

Mossberg shotguns are okay, their marine magnum model is sweet. I prefer Remington, but it should be a personal choice I would think.

A Remington 870 pump (new), is a very nice shotgun. A Wingmaster is very fancy, although gorgeous and pricey!
 
Mr Bill said:
Before I forget (which I do frequently) please let me add one more pump shotgun to the mix. It probably won’t be your first acquisition but something to add to your collection in the future, when you want to see the class and quality of the yesteryears.
Im talking about the original Winchester model 12 and the reproductions that Browning brought out afterwards. Lay them down between our previously mentioned ‘boat paddles’ and see and feel the difference of quality precision machined steel parts with hand fitting by skilled hands. The Japanese built Browning versions are extremely well made, absolutely beautiful in the higher grades available and a joy to hold in their 20 and 28g configurations. You will be proud to show them off, they stand out from the crowd of everything else these days with plastic stocks, picatinney rails, extended mag tubes longer than their barrels, pistol grips etc. Surprised they haven’t accessorized with USB ports to run your electronics yet, so you can plug your iPhone in and Bluetooth music to your headphone ear protectors while shooting skeet. I digress…’

Moving forward we have several clubs that host ‘Turkey Shoots’ during the winter months. Usual stuff, Annie Oakleys, Missin Out, buddy shoots etc. Your see all sorts of shotguns on the line from $500.00 to $75,000.00 (not a misprint). Always a few old guys with long gray beards who look like they are straight from the Beverly Hillbillies series step up to the line with their VINTAGE REM 870’s and Model 12s and proceed to kick a little ass. Hard to compete with guys that have spent a lifetime shooting ducks. I try to hold my own but I rarely win, I’m affectionately referred to a participant and ‘contributor’lol
Yes there was one chap that shot a Mossberg and he did well, if god forbid you missed he would knock you out. Unfortunately he passed away, I would have bought his Mossberg out of respect.
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I am not a big fan of plastic stocks either. One reason I like to buy guns is their artistic value. I enjoy the look and feel of wood. Haven't seen any bluetooth yet, but I saw one that would unlock the trigger using a fingerprint ID system like those apple touch id products lol

The same friend who wanted to sell me the wingmaster showed me a model 12 on the same night (as well as a few dozen other guns). It was beautiful and pretty smooth for a 90 year old action! I may buy one, one day! Among the shotguns he showed me, I loved the Citoris he had the most. He didn't carry any mossbergs unfortunately. He wouldn't stoop that low haha

I love to take a look at those super expensive guns you mentioned too! A Holland & Holland o/u maybe?

"...Usual stuff, Annie Oakleys, Missin Out, buddy shoots etc..."
I had no idea what those were before you mentioned it! They seem very fun! Can I ask where are you and what kind of places host these events? I'm in GTA, Ontario.

And again, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
 
I try out all 3 (rem, moss, benelli) tomorrow and pick one. Although I must say, I have tried the supernova in the past and it felt a bit too big to me. Will give it another shot tho.

Thank you everyone!
 
The Gun Nut said:
I am not a big fan of plastic stocks either. One reason I like to buy guns is their artistic value. I enjoy the look and feel of wood. Haven't seen any bluetooth yet, but I saw one that would unlock the trigger using a fingerprint ID system like those apple touch id products lol

The same friend who wanted to sell me the wingmaster showed me a model 12 on the same night (as well as a few dozen other guns). It was beautiful and pretty smooth for a 90 year old action! I may buy one, one day! Among the shotguns he showed me, I loved the Citoris he had the most. He didn't carry any mossbergs unfortunately. He wouldn't stoop that low haha

I love to take a look at those super expensive guns you mentioned too! A Holland & Holland o/u maybe?

"...Usual stuff, Annie Oakleys, Missin Out, buddy shoots etc..."
I had no idea what those were before you mentioned it! They seem very fun! Can I ask where are you and what kind of places host these events? I'm in GTA, Ontario.

And again, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
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We get shooters from the GTA all the time. The Hamilton Gun Club (HGC) is up on Stoney Creek mountain of which I am a member. Then we have the Hamilton Angling and Hunting club in Alberton. Then The Dunnville club and the Port Colbourne are another hour down the road. We do the rounds and visit them all during the Turkey shoots. PM me if you’d like to come down. I would be happy to take you out as my guest.
 
wrangler4867 said:
Going off the board here. May I suggest you consider maybe looking at an Ithaca 37.
They are quite affordable, controls are similar to an 870, action release is on the right side instead of the left, and they are built like a brick s---house. Very light too.
Bought mine in 1980, (has a vented rib) points rather well.
I'll stop rambling now.
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The only issue with Ithaca I have is the availability of parts. That's why I also excluded browning bps (parts are unavailable or very overpriced). I need to have a 28 vr and a cantilever rifled barrel. I could not find any for Ithaca. But I heard it's a great gun (never actually seen one myself).
 
The Gun Nut said:
The only issue with Ithaca I have is the availability of parts. That's why I also excluded browning bps (parts are unavailable or very overpriced). I need to have a 28 vr and a cantilever rifled barrel. I could not find any for Ithaca. But I heard it's a great gun (never actually seen one myself).
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True, but you could pick up a 28" vented rib 37 for the price of that 870 barrel, buy your wingmaster, and still stay on budget.
My feeling is you're laser honed on the 2 choices above. I would lean towards the Remington.
 
I will keep my reply short and sweet:
I had both and I prefer the Mossberg 500 (Maverick 88) over the Remington 870 any day of the week. I had tonnes of quality issues with my 870 owned 4 of them over the years.
 
I’m trying to think of points not mentioned yet… Mossbergs are easier to use with gloves on because of the shell lifter. They come pre drilled and tapped for an optic. The 590 series can run a bayonet which is awesome.
Though the safety position means you can’t efficiently use pistol grip style stocks with them.
 
Wingmaster is a superior gun in almost every way ...especially if you plan to shoot it a lot

Superior fit/finish and build quality.
Steel receiver is heavier which contributes to a smoother better swinging gun....and swing is everything in a shotgun.
Wingmaster is smooth as a bar of soap on every exterior surface and lines...a joy to carry and shoot ...especially where shooting a lot like skket/trap/sporting clays/five stand etc
Wingmaster action is also exuisitely smooth cycling...and just gets better with hundreds of thousands rounds...which it will easily do
Wingmaster is aesthetically gorgeous...in the eye of the beholder of course
Wingmasters point naturally...so well designed.....it is rare to find a person who doesnt immediately feel comfortable/natural handling one


Mossbergs are well built
Mossbergs are lighter...if that matters to you and or you plan to carry/pack it around a lot
Mossberg tang safety is a superior design in both use and being ambi
Mossberg ejectors are easily dissasembled/replaced as they arent pinned/riveted in place....this being the one glaring flaw in the 870 design
Mossbergs are less expensive on initial buy.....altho buy once/cry once rings true here
Mossberg fit/finish is crude regardless of trim level....many sharp edges and rough areas
Mossbergs don't point/swing or handle as naturally/smoothly as an 870
Mossbergs lightweight aluminum receiver makes it ....lighter Only a benefit if weight is a factor ...it is a detriment to a shotguns handling and recoil management otherwise
Mossberg makes a great fighting/defence/pack/camp gun...its lightweight here is a benefit....


I am an 870 fan...have been since a child....shot countless rds thru a variety of them all ny life in skeet/sporting clay/5 stand and informal shotgunning as well as hunted with them.
They are so well designed and friendly to the shooter .... and will hold up to a lifetime of shooting
 
I shot Remingtons (870s and an 11-48) for decades before I ever picked-up a Mossberg anything. I love Remingtons.

I'll also add, there are probably more negative comments about Mossbergs in this thread than all others combined. lol I would agree, you don't find many shooters half-serious about clays running pump guns, but unless you're competing it would be hard to run a Mossberg 500 into the ground. Not to say lemons aren't out there, they are mass-produced guns and their price point reflects that.

When I was wanting a lighter pump for grouse a year or two back, I opted for an older Lakefield/Mossberg 500 in .410. Absolute pleasure to carry/shoot, I'm of the opinion that like 870s...these older Mossberg pumps just get sweeter with time. I've also said to a few people "I'd rather carry that .410 and shoot nothing than carry an 870 in 12/20. I'll take my chances." Simply because I did exactly that for years, and the added weight of an 870 by about km #2-3 isn't a ton of fun. I was putting 6-8kms a day on the boots back then.

But...we form our opinions from experience and in mine, I think they're both great pump guns.
 
Wingmaster is a better made gun in my opinion.

Mossbergs have forends that rattle and racking the action sounds like shaking a can of gravel. The wood stocked ones have a awful square profile to the grip. Also, the safety is placed too high up on the grip. Look at a side by side shotgun, that is how a tang safety should be.

Mossbergs work well. They just aren't nice at all.
 
Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences. I learned a lot and I truly appreciate all of you. I actually went to a store yesterday along with the 22LR Guy in this forum and got a chance to handle a few options, and I found I slightly preferred the fit and ergonomics of a Mossberg, even though the Wingmaster is a much better-looking gun by far no question about it. For now, since I’ll probably be using it in the field too, I need something I won’t feel bad about getting a bit banged up. I got the Mossberg, a bunch of ammo and a bushnell banner 2 scope for it.

That said, I’ll likely upgrade down the road once I figure out what I’ll be doing most—maybe an over/under for trap and skeet or a semi-auto for duck hunting or a wingmaster for ... do I really need a reason to buy that beauty? Haha
 
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