Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500 for a combat shotgun?

G

Gator_Weiss

New member
Having used both rather extensively, I found the following traits:

Remington:

1. Excellent machining and excellent steel. Tolerances appear close compared to the Mossberg.

2. Solid feel and minimal muzzle climb on discharge. Has some balance to it.

3. If the slide is not fully in the forward position, you cant load any cartridges into the magazine.

4. Safety is in an awkward position. It is not ambidexterous, and you cant see it at the same time you are looking down range toward your attacker.

5. Slide release requires you to "reach" and to leave the area of the trigger. In an emergency, you have to leave the slide release and navigate back to the trigger. However; The Remington slide release is ambidexterous.

6. Remington has been chosen by military and police units in USA and all over the world, and so has the Mossberg. USA has both in it's military inventory.

MOSSBERG:

1. Safety is large. It is on top, where it can be operated by either hand, and it can be seen while being attentive to your target downrange. There is no fumbling around to find it. You move it forward to release it - the same direction that your charge is going to fly - toward your target!

2. Slide release is in the pistolgrip area, and probably most people can activate it with either hand, while leaving the trigger finger on the trigger or at least in the trigger guard.

3. The slide does not have to be locked all the way forward to load rounds in the magazine. You can load easily and rapidly, and it is easy to safely unload it without running the slide over and over.

4. Machining is to a loose tolerance on everything except where the bolt locks to the yoke on the back of the chamber. It actually locks to the barrel and it is very effective. It locks quickly into a large squared out port, and it will lock solidly when the weapon is dirty and filthy.

5. Muzzle climb is at an acceptable rate on discharge.

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Range work on both of these weapons tends to indicate that the Mossberg is more the easier shotgun to operate under stressful circumstances and for that reason it might be the better combat piece.

The 870 is an adequate combat piece that retains it's value well in the used market. It has a much more solid feel than the Mossberg.

In the used market, Mossberg doesnt seem to retain it's value. The used market renders the Mossberg very affordable for that reason, but you wont get rich trading them. Remington retains good value on the new and used markets for many reasons that are well known to all of us here.

Both shotguns are more than acceptable for combat duty. Teaching and training may be easier on the Mossberg for the novice or inexperienced troop. Combat conditions definitely find the features of the Mossberg to be more than adequate in any lighting condition.

In my humble opinion, I would grab the Mossberg first in a **** storm. Remington would be high on my list of desired weapons, but I personally will choose to take a Mossberg 500 over the 870.

Does anyone else have any information on which of these two shotguns might be the better combat piece?
 
It's pretty much a wash as far as which is "Better".

In trained, cool hands, either has the capacity to keep threat levels acceptably low.

I've got a half century of 870 use behind me. They've never let me down.

Still if a 500 was all at hand, I'd feel well armed and would be.

Try both, then get the one that FEELS best....
 
I just filled the magazine of an 870 with the bolt halfway back so point #3 in your Remington column is wrong.Why do you feel you have to look at a safety while looking at your "attacker"?
 
going to agree w/ most of the points. This is how I came to the side of Mossberg.


BUT, I sure do like those all steel receivers. Remington's a great gun. Just not for me...although if the opportunity presented itself one would be (and has been) more than welcome in the stable.
 
I rather like the safety on the 870, my finger is never in the trigger guard until I'm ready to fire, and the safety is right there as I slide my finger in the guard.
 
This is my take on the Mossberg vs. Remington Debate
(In my case I'll use a 590 vs. 870, as I have more experience with 590s)


Remington 870

- Steel Receiver (though honestly, I've never heard of anyone wearing out or breaking a Mossberg 500 receiver, never mind the thicker 590 receiver so while steel is nice/nicer to have it's not really an issue)

-"Smoother" action

- More Refined in its machining

- Can do slug/shell switch drills much easier (extractor lets go of the shell before bolt is all the way back, unlike the Mossberg which doesn't let go of the shell until you slam the bolt all the way back and chamber another round)

- More Aesthetically pleasing, (Personal)



Mossberg 590

- Better "Out of box" ready configurations (Bayonet lug, 8+1 capacity, ghost ring sights, heat shield, etc)

- Dual extractors

- Magazine tube is not permanently fixed to receiver (have to trash 870 if the mag tube gets busted

- Shell lifter is a superior design, and stays up and out of the way for ease of loading

- Safety / bolt release in more accessible locations

- Looser tolerances, will function in more adverse conditions

- More affordable pricing



From many first hand personal accounts I've gathered from hard use / abuse of both guns, Mossbergs are said to be much tougher, and run for a lot longer without having problems than the 870.

Maybe the older Wingmasters were better quality, but I've heard a lot of bad things about the 870 Expresses, and major problems after only a couple thousand rounds fired. Most of these seem to center around the guns having problems loading / cycling properly after a period of time.

A pet peave of mine in regards to Remington is their very anti-gun "PC" neuter policy, having implemented such gems as the integral safety locks, and mag tube dimples.

They also don't offer combat guns "ready to go" like Mossberg did and does. They've gotten better lately with offering more extended mag tube shotguns stock, however, they still hardly set up many guns stock with ghost ring sights. Forget about the bayonet leg as it's not even an option.

If you just want a gun for hunting, home defense and occasional target shooting, any major shotgun brand will suffice and more than meet most shooters needs. However, we are talking about hard use, hardcore durability, reliability, and longevity in this post. If you want a SHTF / end of the world gun, go with the mossberg!
 
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Im a fan of Mossbergs. I have a 500 and a Mav 88 and I love both to death.

Remingtons are nice, dont get me wrong, but I stick to Moss.
 
XM21, I see what you are saying, but the comparison gun I used just would not do it.

XM21, I see what you are saying, but the comparison gun I used just would not do it. I had to have the slide locked all the way forward, or I could not load the tuibe. Perhaps this is something peculiar to this particular shotgun....I have access to another and will check it out again.
 
One more point of note for me...

Them dern swaged into place do-ma-hickeys inside the 870 receiver can only be repaired so many times before gun is dead.

When I clean my 500, I am able to clean behind everything unlike the 870.

Brent
 
I'll take mossberg 500, easier to take down and clean for me atleast, but then again im used to it. Also as mention before magazine tube isnt fixed, and barrel swaps are easier, and plus my mossberg with the cyl. bore is a hell of a lot more accurate with slugs than my grandpas Rem. 870 with the same bore. and plus my mossberg are beat to $*it been banged around hunting, dad left it in the moist basement and ive dropped it a couple of times on rocks and such. always cycled and went bang, and for 85 dollars when my dad bought it back in the early 80s. you cant beat it for price and durability
 
I love my crusty old pawnshop Mossberg 500, but every one i've held has the same stupid rattle between the forestock & the ammo tube. I've often wondered if they come with some bushing that just disappears or something.
Overall, best $100 i remember spending (+ a bit for accessories, 14 years later).
 
I am pretty surprised that most of you are going toward the Mossbergs. I don't have any experience with Mossberg, only with Remington. I will have to give them a look.
 
I have models of both designs (3 Remingtons and 2 Mossbergs) and you aren't going to go wrong with either one. The 870 is smoother, at least from the box, than the Mossberg and has an excellent reputation in law enforcement with scads of aftermarket parts available to go from stock to super-duper-tacti-kewl-mall-ninja-zombie-killing-blaster if that's what floats your boat. The Mossberg has the better control locations and internal parts that are easily replaceable at the operator level. As far as smoothness, he Mossberg will over time loosen up to rival the Remington with no problem. My first Mossberg is testament to that. Either way you are going to do good.
 
I gotta say the dual extractors make a big difference to me, the hulls fly out faster and straighter, and the fact that it will keep working if one were to break (which I doubt) is a nice touch. I say this in comparsion to my old winchesters which can be a bit weak sometimes.
 
For combat or SD the 870 over the 500 anyday. The Mossberg 590 is much improved for this, but I still slightly prefer the 870.

The Mossberg safety is its worst feature. It is equally difficult to operate for both right and left handed users. It is not on the tang as advertised, but on the top of the receiver forcing the shooter to place their thumb in an awkward position. It is in a position where it can easily be hit and accidently disengaged or broken.

Behind the triggerguard is much faster and more positive, even for lefty's who learn how to use it.
 
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