Yet Another: Battle of the Combos - 870 vs 500

grayrc

grayrc

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I apologize in advance for the weekly newbie question about 'which shotgun is best'... I blame it on the sub-par search function! ;-)

I'm looking for my first shotgun (ok, actually my 2nd: my first was a Norinco Ithica M-37 'tactical' clone I'd rather not talk about...). I've decided I'll pass on the 1300's and am looking at the either a Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 Express. My current budget is limited to something <$500 so I can't afford a Wingmaster (and any reference to them will just be rubbing salt in the wound ;-)

I'm new to shotguns and considering a 'combo' package and/or adding the cost of an extra barrel for access to both slugs & birdshot. I will be using this as a 'camp' gun around the cottage and when backpacking (lots of blackies in our area), I may try to shoot at some grouse with it, and I would also like to give some version of 'clays' a try (I got started one day with a cheap thrower and was having lots of fun until the above mentioned Norinco gave up on me).

The price of the 870 combo is about $100 more than the 'equivalent' Mossberg but still within my budget - my question is: I'm already leaning towards the 870 (shorter slug barrel with rifle sights included in the combo) - would there be any 'objective' reason to consider the Mossberg *other* than the cheaper price?

Thanks for answering this question based on your own experience... OR pointing me at the last 6 similar threads ;-)

Cheers,
Gray.
 
I honestly like the 500 because of the position of the slide release (don't have to move my hand) and the tang safety. Why not go with the Mossberg 535 ATS Combo? Takes 3.5 inch shells and is listed for $359 in the Wholsale catelog
 
I recently purchased two model 500 Mossys. One 12 ga and one .410. I like them. I think the service you described would be suited by the Mossberg just fine. I had a Remington 870 EXPRESS (not Wingmaster) and it worked but it was a rust bucket. The factory finish (if that's what they call it) was awful. The alloy receiver of the Mossy eliminates that problem.

cheers Darryl
 
I'm currently running a 500 with a 18.5" slugster (?) barrel. I really like the way the sights line up, when I bring the gun up. Between the two, if you want to modify or play around with it, go for the 870, there are more toys/gadgets/cool stuff for it.

You best bet is to go to the store and shoulder both and see what fits and feels better.
 
trubluscrew said:
You best bet is to go to the store and shoulder both and see what fits and feels better.
Click to expand...

Precisely.

When you handle both of them back to back, a subtle inner sense will guide you towards the correct choice ;)

Good luck.
 
Interesting so far - wasn't expecting as much pro-Mossberg sentiment. I assumed that there must be some reason they're significantly cheaper than what appears to be the equivalent 870. I will take the advice to heart and head down to LeBarons in hopes of finding one of each I can try on for fit. Frankly that's exactly whey I've ruled out the 1300 (tried one and didn't like it), so I suppose it makes sense to give these a closer look in the store. They all look good in the catalogues! ;-)

/gc
 
I have the 500 and want to move to the 590, the 500 does not like 3" magun slugs that I fire. The 870 is also more comparable to the 590. I like the controls on the mossberg, although I was looking at a Fabarm recently which is a nice looking gun.
 
I think you should give consideration to buying just the shot gun and not the combo. Get an extended rifled choke tube and a saddle scope mount if you are serious about slugs. The foster type will shoot fine out of your smooth bore. Check the combo package the extra slug barrel is it fully rifled or just a shorter smooth bore with sights.
 
slicknick said:
I honestly like the 500 because of the position of the slide release (don't have to move my hand) and the tang safety. Why not go with the Mossberg 535 ATS Combo? Takes 3.5 inch shells and is listed for $359 in the Wholsale catelog
Click to expand...

I passed by the 535 combo - At first glance I thought it was only available in the synthetic stock options - and I was looking for wood. I had a preference for the 870 combo's 20" non-rifled barrel over the Moss 24" fully-rifled barrels (I wanted to be able to fire foster slugs + shot with the 'slug' barrel).

Anyhow, you got me looking more closely at the 535... It looks like I could get the Field/Deer combo in wood, and still add a short cylinder bore slug barrel for ~$100. That's within my budget and gives me 3 barrels plus 3.5" shot capacity. Hmmmm.....

/gc
 
FWIW, I had a mossberg 500 for many years and it was a good gun. I've since switched to a Remington 870 Express with combo gun (10" slug bbl and 26" RC bbl) and have not looked back. It's FAR more durable and perfect for me once I dropped in a LH safety conversion kit.

Recommended mods for the Express models: Armacoat the gun. Get a Choate mag extension with UM bracket for Looks Cool Factor when using the slug bbl ;) I upgraded to 870 Police birch wood furniture to escape the ugly pressed checkering on the regular express beechwood.
 
Another vote for the 870! I have a wingmaster with a 28" rem choke bbl and an express 20" smooth bore rifle sighted barrel which has given me 19 years of excellent service in some pretty harsh conditions. I will admit that the finish that they use on the express models is rather prone to rust though, just keep it well oiled.
 
Just picked up a new 870 Express 3" magnum 'combo' yesterday (20" smooth bore slug barrel + 28" ribbed). Cheap wood and mystery finish on the metal... but it gets me into the shotgun game for $500. Watch for this one on the EE once I can find a decent price on a used wingmaster. Appreciated the helpful input above.

/gc
 
I've fired both the 500 and the 870. they are both solid guns with proven track life. I own the 500 because I like where the controls are placed. but having said the, I would feel just at home with a 870 in my hands.

Cheers,
BCtrigger
 
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