what gun would you choose?

I have no experience with the Saiga, but of the other two, I would prefer the mossberg. This is largely because the safety is more ambidextrous (I shoot lefty) and it's easier to tell at a glance if it's on FIRE or SAFE.

Also, the 870 has a lever where you load the shells in the magazine, the 500 does not. Obviously, many many people have used 870s effectively with that lever, and it is likely a non-issue provided a person practices enough, but it does add a minor obstacle to reloading that is not an issue on the 500. Not that people wear gloves inside their homes much, but there have been times when I've been hunting when the thumb of my glove snagged on that lever after loading a shell.

If you're talking about 500 vs 870 field models (and not tactical models) the 500 has 6-shot capacity vs the 870's 5-shot capacity.

As semi-autos have gotten more and more reliable, I really think something like a mossberg 930 may be the way to go. It's gotten to the point that human error (such as short-shucking) with a pump is probably more likely than failure in a semi-auto.
 
870's, even abused and neglected, are just dead reliable. I use a magnum 20ga. 870 youth model for HD. The shorter stock (honestly, it's probably closer to the correct length for most shooters under 6') makes it handle quickly, the lighter recoil allows for faster follow ups and the barrel is only 21". It seems like a winner to me. Although, an old SxS 8 bore waterfowl piece with its barrels shortened to 20" would be mighty effective too...
 
I like 870's. Carried them for years and could tear down and re-build blindfolded. They work each and every time and I like the noise it makes when I rack it. Ability to handle anything, even up to mag loads. That would be my choice. Besides, a slug fired from them at 50 yards and able to hit the head every time!;)
 
The lever you are refering to on the 870 is the shell lifter. It raises the shells from the magazine up to the chamber. Almost every repeating shotgun except Mossberg 500's and the bottom eject Ithica's and Brownings use the same system. There may be others. All auto's use the same system as the 870. At best it is a non-issue. The Mossberg uses 2 levers on each side of the receiver to do the same, but are known to miss the shell, dumping it on the ground instead of feeding it into the chamber on rare occasions.
 
Yes, the "shell lifter." I had forgotten the name. And we agree it's not big deal, but since I learned with a mossberg first, the lifter on the Remington seems like a hindrance to me. I suppose the exact same thing could be true the other way around, and some people likely prefer the lifter to Mossberg's levers.
 
remington 870 expess or mossberg 500. both insanely easy to customize. i went with the 870 express with the ATI mods. the top folding stock, heat shield, and ghost ring sights go nice together. see in the middle of the attach pic.

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I've owned both the 870 and 500. I prefer the 500 over the 870. I just liked the ergonomics like the safety and release lever.
 
Oh and one more quick thing: don't get caught up in accessories. Making a gun look pretty before you learn to make it shoot pretty is a big mistake I have seen alot of people make. I actually use NO accessories on my 870 for home defense. I actually can duck hunt with the gun without the bead, so I know how the gun shoots on instinct. I am not using it as a precision weapon.
 
Oh and one more quick thing: don't get caught up in accessories. Making a gun look pretty before you learn to make it shoot pretty is a big mistake I have seen alot of people make. I actually use NO accessories on my 870 for home defense.
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True, and I've seen posts from people who've bought fancy tactical stocks and found that the cheek piece/comb is too high to look down the barrel correctly, or they bought a pistol grip forend and the extra torque from using that kind of grip made the slide action not work as smooth.

I actually can duck hunt with the gun without the bead, so I know how the gun shoots on instinct. I am not using it as a precision weapon.
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Not to be critical of your wording Stonewall, but I'll point out that a shotgun doesn't have to be a precision weapon at 20-40 yards or so when shooting ducks, but in HD situations, shots are more likely to be taken around 4 yards. At that distance, a shotgun pattern is only a few inches wide, and some precision is, in fact, necessary. I don't doubt that you know this, but I thought I'd clarify in case any taught-by-movies people read this and think they can just shoot from the hip and never miss with a shotgun.
 
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Wow! This is the first time i've seen a thread like this so one-sided! It's always been like 50/50 with the Mossbergs and Remmys.

I've never owned an 870, but a friend of mine has one and I have no complaints with it, but...

Cut the crap and go with a 590A1 ;) If it's good enough for combat engineers, it's good enough for a normal one. :)
 
I have a Mossberg 500, but if funds were not an issue I probably would have done with the Mossberg 930 for autoloading and for increased rounds capacity
 
I haven't seen anyone say anything about the win 1300 12ga!
That's what I use with a mag ext and loaded with #4 buck shot
Wifes gun is a 870 youth with 18 1/2 smoth bore slug barrel!!
 
If I were going with a pump gun it would either be the 870 or the 590-1A
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Those were my final two choices and I ended up going with the 590A1 ... it's a wonderful gun.

There are soo many options; it's very difficult. Once you figure which brand you are going to buy you then have to figure which model you're going to buy. Tough choices for sure.
 
have you priced a Saiga lately?

If i were in a buying mood I would go for a Moss 930. I currently have a moss 500 and a maverick and am happy with both, I just think semi auto is better in some circumstances, such as multiple targets,

Moss is mechanically superior to 870 because of the method of loading--it is much less likely to jam or bite fingers. Needless to say, there is a training go around on this and if somebody is used to the 870 and doesn`t have a problem with it, they should stick with what works for them.

Moss is also better for those who shoot left handed.
 
I wouldn't buy a Mossberg or a Saiga on a bet, especially a Saiga.:barf: Remington 870 Express all the way...
 
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