Mossberg 500 or Remington 870???
- Thread starter nhtenring
- Start date
I have both, and they both have positive and negative attributes. Overall, the 870, for me, is a better gun overall.
Mossberg
__________________________
Pros
-------
Easily detail stripped without tools
Magazine tube threaded, not brazed/soldered
Skelotonized shell lifter
Holds on more in the tube on normal models
Cons
--------
Aluminum reciver
Much, much rougher action
Tang mounted safety
Plastic triggerguard (500)
Plastic safety button (500)
inability to add capacity with existing barrel
Remington
__________________
Cons
---------
solid shell lifter
Tools required to take out and reinstall parts such as the shell stops
Holds one less than the 500 in standard capacity version
Plastic parts (Express)
Pros
----------
Steel receiver
Ability to add extensions with any barrel
Much, Much smoother action
Trigger guard mounted safety
Metal triggerguard (Police/Wingmaster)
All in all, the 500 is a serviceable gun, but it is inferior to the 870 in overall quality and function, in my personal experience. This very well may not hold true for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with the Mossberg.
Mossberg
__________________________
Pros
-------
Easily detail stripped without tools
Magazine tube threaded, not brazed/soldered
Skelotonized shell lifter
Holds on more in the tube on normal models
Cons
--------
Aluminum reciver
Much, much rougher action
Tang mounted safety
Plastic triggerguard (500)
Plastic safety button (500)
inability to add capacity with existing barrel
Remington
__________________
Cons
---------
solid shell lifter
Tools required to take out and reinstall parts such as the shell stops
Holds one less than the 500 in standard capacity version
Plastic parts (Express)
Pros
----------
Steel receiver
Ability to add extensions with any barrel
Much, Much smoother action
Trigger guard mounted safety
Metal triggerguard (Police/Wingmaster)
All in all, the 500 is a serviceable gun, but it is inferior to the 870 in overall quality and function, in my personal experience. This very well may not hold true for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with the Mossberg.
Oh god, here we go again. The search function is your friend!
Anyway, on topic now,
Mossberg 500:
1. cheaper
2. lighter (just a bit)
3. more capacity
4. suits lefties a bit better due to ambidextrous safety
5. has a much more convinient slide unlock button (for righties)
6. aluminum reciever and about an ounce of plastic parts (OH NOOOO!!1111 Glocks must be disposable guns then!)
Remington 870:
1. more expensive
2. don't seem to have many HD versions that aren't meant for police only
3. hold one less shell
4. Action is smoother than 500 (this is not the say that the mossberg's action is terrible)
5. safety isn't ambidextrous, but the slide unlock is
6. steel reciever
The biggest difference will be how the gun fits you!
I prefer the mossbergs, but I certainly wouldn't mind an 870. I used a mossberg 500a (18.5" barrel) for youth skeet competition a couple years ago. I was up against some guns that cost in excess of 10x what mine did. My squad ended up placing 1st in the state.
Anyway, on topic now,
Mossberg 500:
1. cheaper
2. lighter (just a bit)
3. more capacity
4. suits lefties a bit better due to ambidextrous safety
5. has a much more convinient slide unlock button (for righties)
6. aluminum reciever and about an ounce of plastic parts (OH NOOOO!!1111 Glocks must be disposable guns then!)
Remington 870:
1. more expensive
2. don't seem to have many HD versions that aren't meant for police only
3. hold one less shell
4. Action is smoother than 500 (this is not the say that the mossberg's action is terrible)
5. safety isn't ambidextrous, but the slide unlock is
6. steel reciever
The biggest difference will be how the gun fits you!
I prefer the mossbergs, but I certainly wouldn't mind an 870. I used a mossberg 500a (18.5" barrel) for youth skeet competition a couple years ago. I was up against some guns that cost in excess of 10x what mine did. My squad ended up placing 1st in the state.
Mossberg 590, instead of 500 and instead of Remington 870.
You forgot to list one of the big con's with the Remington 870, the stupid sprung downward feed cover... that thing is a f'ing pain in the ass when you're loading shells.
Remington 870 get an "inferior product" rating from me.
You forgot to list one of the big con's with the Remington 870, the stupid sprung downward feed cover... that thing is a f'ing pain in the ass when you're loading shells.
Remington 870 get an "inferior product" rating from me.
mcubed4130
New member
Personally - I think I've seen this "heated" debate so many times, it's almost not posting again. 
Buy BOTH - they are BOTH top notch guns. We are probably talking about the different between 9.3 vs 9.4 (in pump action) - meaning they are both A rate guns, and personal preference will tell the tale of which one you like better, as the differences are not very pronounced.
Out of all my research, this document helped me make my final decision:
http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
For me primary concern was "ease of customizing" (without a dremel). Secondary was price. I went with the Mossberg 500 and have since added many many accessories with no problems what-so-ever.
And at $205 for gun + 2 barrels 18.5" CB, 28" IMP - I couldn't say no... (Big5 Sporting Goods).
6 months later... after camping trips, indoor and outdoor ranges - ~3 cases (700+ rounds of various #00 buck, #6 bird, 1oz slugs, 600grain magnum slugs), I'm still very happy with my purchase.
Also of note, the buddy I shoot with regularly has both (Mossberg 500 and Remington 870)... Personally I have not seen either of his pump action guns have any problems...
-M3
Buy BOTH - they are BOTH top notch guns. We are probably talking about the different between 9.3 vs 9.4 (in pump action) - meaning they are both A rate guns, and personal preference will tell the tale of which one you like better, as the differences are not very pronounced.
Out of all my research, this document helped me make my final decision:
http://members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html
For me primary concern was "ease of customizing" (without a dremel). Secondary was price. I went with the Mossberg 500 and have since added many many accessories with no problems what-so-ever.
And at $205 for gun + 2 barrels 18.5" CB, 28" IMP - I couldn't say no... (Big5 Sporting Goods).
6 months later... after camping trips, indoor and outdoor ranges - ~3 cases (700+ rounds of various #00 buck, #6 bird, 1oz slugs, 600grain magnum slugs), I'm still very happy with my purchase.
Also of note, the buddy I shoot with regularly has both (Mossberg 500 and Remington 870)... Personally I have not seen either of his pump action guns have any problems...
-M3
Quickdraw Limpsalot
New member
Like they said ^...
Both are quality shotguns. Personally, I think the 870 would probably last a little bit longer, but the Mossberg fits me better... so that's what I have.
Both are quality shotguns. Personally, I think the 870 would probably last a little bit longer, but the Mossberg fits me better... so that's what I have.
835?
Take a look at the 835 Mossberg. It is sort of the best of both worlds with the Remington and the Mossberg. All the 500's features in a 3 1/2 inch shotgun, and you can get Choate extended mag tubes! They are also selling the 930 in a home defense model to.
Anyone have one?
Take a look at the 835 Mossberg. It is sort of the best of both worlds with the Remington and the Mossberg. All the 500's features in a 3 1/2 inch shotgun, and you can get Choate extended mag tubes! They are also selling the 930 in a home defense model to.
Anyone have one?
Quickdraw Limpsalot
New member
I also have an 835 and like it alot, but when someone's looking at 500 vs. 870, I assume they're looking for an all 'round shotgun, and you can't shoot slugs from an 835 without buying a cylinder bore barrel since it's backbored.
I prefer the 870, because it's got a more solid feel to it than Mossberg's 500 series and more durable innards in my opinion. My 1992 870 Express Magnum is pretty much mint condition, the only accessory it has is an Uncle Mike's 5-shot slip-on sidesaddle on the buttstock. I also switched out the 28" VR hunting barrel with a Remington 18" cylinder bore police barrel. The gun has the dimples inside the magazine tube but I am unaffected by them. I absolutely hate the added weight of magazine extensions on the front of defense shotguns so I'll never have one on my guns anyway. To me, it's not worth the 2 or 3 extra rounds. With the gun stock it stays loaded at 4 + 1 of 2.75" 00 buckshot with 5 more on the buttstock which is plenty enough and if it isn't I have a bag beside the gun with 50 more rounds.
Total cost turning my stock 870 into the perfect home defense gun:
From a gunshow - A used mint 1992 Express Magnum w/ 28" VR barrel = $175
From Cabela's - A Remington 18" cylinder bore police barrel = $109
From a local gun store - An Uncle Mike's 5-shot slip-on sidesaddle = $8
Total cost = $292
870 Police = $386.02 (http://www.budsgunshop.com)
If you want function, then you can't go wrong with the 870 or 500. A good shotty can be had by simply swapping out the barrel to a shorter 18-20" for better maneuverability inside, then shooting the hell out of it. If you want a movie-star tacti-cool shotty, then plan on buying an 870 or 500 then putting another few hundred into it to make it look cool and weighing it down so much it's almost useless. Don't go overboard...look at Glocks and 1911-A1's. Simple weapons are usually the most effective.
Total cost turning my stock 870 into the perfect home defense gun:
From a gunshow - A used mint 1992 Express Magnum w/ 28" VR barrel = $175
From Cabela's - A Remington 18" cylinder bore police barrel = $109
From a local gun store - An Uncle Mike's 5-shot slip-on sidesaddle = $8
Total cost = $292
870 Police = $386.02 (http://www.budsgunshop.com)
If you want function, then you can't go wrong with the 870 or 500. A good shotty can be had by simply swapping out the barrel to a shorter 18-20" for better maneuverability inside, then shooting the hell out of it. If you want a movie-star tacti-cool shotty, then plan on buying an 870 or 500 then putting another few hundred into it to make it look cool and weighing it down so much it's almost useless. Don't go overboard...look at Glocks and 1911-A1's. Simple weapons are usually the most effective.
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RevolverLover
New member
They are both great shotguns....I prefer the Mossberg 590A1 model though 
Smitty in CT
New member
I own the following pump shotguns:
early '60's vintage 12 GA Ithaca Model 37 w/ 30" BBL
early '70's vintage 20 GA Remington 870 Wingmaster 28" BBL
and a newer Mossberg 535 (3-1/2" version of the Model 500)
They are all great guns, the smoothest (by far) is the Ithaca, the prettyest is the Remington, and the pump that gets used the most is the Mossberg.
For what it's worth, the New York City police department (NYPD) recently had the same dilema Remington or Mossberg (they were replacing their old Ithacas). They tested the Remingtons and Mossbergs for almost a year and Mossberg (14" version of the 590A1) won the competition.
Smitty
early '60's vintage 12 GA Ithaca Model 37 w/ 30" BBL
early '70's vintage 20 GA Remington 870 Wingmaster 28" BBL
and a newer Mossberg 535 (3-1/2" version of the Model 500)
They are all great guns, the smoothest (by far) is the Ithaca, the prettyest is the Remington, and the pump that gets used the most is the Mossberg.
For what it's worth, the New York City police department (NYPD) recently had the same dilema Remington or Mossberg (they were replacing their old Ithacas). They tested the Remingtons and Mossbergs for almost a year and Mossberg (14" version of the 590A1) won the competition.
Smitty
Hotdog1911
New member
Mossbergs have aluminum receivers-870 are steel
Mossberg: PRO: I will buy a 590A1, but not a 590. Moss holds an extra round in the same length magazine tube. Ex. If Rem. holds 3, a Moss will hold 4 in the same magazine space. Moss as a shorter forearm stroke, moss makes their own barrels on 590A1s, doesn't have the loading gate flip-up preventing loading the magazine as often as Rems. Sure it's operator error but Moss is a little more forgiving in this area. Moss are faster in a slug select drill. RH Shooter doesn't need to release his firing grip to hit the action release button.
Mossberg Con: Aluminum Receivers. You will never get a decent rifle sight on top of the receiver because the sights are only made in steel & steel doesn't bond to aluminum like steel to steel does. Moss receivers tend to work the action roll pins in the receiver loose after heavy use. Many times you will see a Moss shooter laying his Moss down only on 1 particular side so he doesn't lose the pin.
Remington Pro: OAL 870 18 inch is shorter than OAL of 18 inch Moss. Rem action is smoother, Steel receiver makes gun more durable, important when attaching extra ammo carrier to the receiver-less chance to bind-up the action bar. Available on Steel receiver - a steel ghost ring sight. Many 'traditional' shotgun shooters prefer the slimmer pistol grip on the stock, comes in wood. Heavy Duty receiver (aftermarket) pins & extractors & extended length magazine tube and tube spring and magazine end cap -on both ends- are more robust than for anything on a Moss. Rem has a more crisp trigger pull.
Remington Con: They cycle slower than a Moss between shooters of eual skill level. A stock Rem 870 vs a 590A1 doesn't really match-up. Rem had the duck hunters in mind too where as 590A1s were built with business foremost in mind. For us Keyboard Commandos and for those going in harms way for real, Rem relied on aftermarket gizmoes while Moss built the A1.
Subjective: I don't think a 20 inch Moss with extended magazine handles worth beans. An 18 inch Moss without extended magazine handles good. A 20 inch 870 extended mag handles good. An 18 inch 870 3 or 4 round mag handles great. Start sticking extra ammo carriers & fore end lights and handling suffers on both models. I've never seen the ghost ring sights on a Moss hold-up to extended use. When properly installed on a 870 ghost ring sights enable you to use your shotgun like a short range rifle problem free.
Summary: If you are going to buy a Mossberg, it's a 590A1 only; preferably 18 inch barrel. If you are going to buy a Remington, it's the plane jane 18 inch Police version. If it is not a Mossberg 590A1, than it's Remington anything.
Mossberg: PRO: I will buy a 590A1, but not a 590. Moss holds an extra round in the same length magazine tube. Ex. If Rem. holds 3, a Moss will hold 4 in the same magazine space. Moss as a shorter forearm stroke, moss makes their own barrels on 590A1s, doesn't have the loading gate flip-up preventing loading the magazine as often as Rems. Sure it's operator error but Moss is a little more forgiving in this area. Moss are faster in a slug select drill. RH Shooter doesn't need to release his firing grip to hit the action release button.
Mossberg Con: Aluminum Receivers. You will never get a decent rifle sight on top of the receiver because the sights are only made in steel & steel doesn't bond to aluminum like steel to steel does. Moss receivers tend to work the action roll pins in the receiver loose after heavy use. Many times you will see a Moss shooter laying his Moss down only on 1 particular side so he doesn't lose the pin.
Remington Pro: OAL 870 18 inch is shorter than OAL of 18 inch Moss. Rem action is smoother, Steel receiver makes gun more durable, important when attaching extra ammo carrier to the receiver-less chance to bind-up the action bar. Available on Steel receiver - a steel ghost ring sight. Many 'traditional' shotgun shooters prefer the slimmer pistol grip on the stock, comes in wood. Heavy Duty receiver (aftermarket) pins & extractors & extended length magazine tube and tube spring and magazine end cap -on both ends- are more robust than for anything on a Moss. Rem has a more crisp trigger pull.
Remington Con: They cycle slower than a Moss between shooters of eual skill level. A stock Rem 870 vs a 590A1 doesn't really match-up. Rem had the duck hunters in mind too where as 590A1s were built with business foremost in mind. For us Keyboard Commandos and for those going in harms way for real, Rem relied on aftermarket gizmoes while Moss built the A1.
Subjective: I don't think a 20 inch Moss with extended magazine handles worth beans. An 18 inch Moss without extended magazine handles good. A 20 inch 870 extended mag handles good. An 18 inch 870 3 or 4 round mag handles great. Start sticking extra ammo carriers & fore end lights and handling suffers on both models. I've never seen the ghost ring sights on a Moss hold-up to extended use. When properly installed on a 870 ghost ring sights enable you to use your shotgun like a short range rifle problem free.
Summary: If you are going to buy a Mossberg, it's a 590A1 only; preferably 18 inch barrel. If you are going to buy a Remington, it's the plane jane 18 inch Police version. If it is not a Mossberg 590A1, than it's Remington anything.
