Which gun is right me me 870 or 500

I have a Mossberg 500 and like it, 500 will not last as long as an 870 because the receiver is aluminum, but for your intended uses, your not going to wear either one out.

I have two Mossys that were given to me, a 20 and a 12. Neither were cleaned until about two years ago. The 20 (26" mod choke), I got a 13 and have put countless rounds thru it. Nice litte gun. It may wind up getting cut back to 24" and have tubes put in it.

The 12 has seen less rounds but is just as old. Neither have had any problems that were resolved by a thorough cleaning.

About the aluminum receiver, I worked on one that a resturant owner had. It was an older 18" pistol gripped cruiser that he had kept on a shelf above the fry vats. When the action was cycled it would lock up in the open position. I swapped all parts with new ones out of a current production gun. Jammed up with new parts too. Finally he sent it back to Mossy where they figured he had warped the receiver probably due to subjecting it to constant and excessive heat. And BTW cooking grease is a horrible lube! LOL!

Given that someone else is picking up the tab I'd say go for the 870. There are more options for it, depending on your intended use. Also the design of the Mossy mag tube precludes the use of extended mag tubes, if that is of importance to you.
 
I have noticed that alot of people seem to look down on the Mossy because of the aluminum reciever. But I know that the Browning Gold series has aluminium recievers as does (I think) the Benelli M-1 series and no one seems to worried about their durability.

I would rather have a steel reciever but an aluminum reciever should not be a reason to reject a weapon.

I want a BPS. Safety similar to Mossy but steel reciever.

I did want an 870 but I don't want Remigton trying to limit my capacity or add a safety feature that I don't want. (That key locking safety button is really annoying)
 
Is the 870 avail in 20 Gauge??

If not whats the equivalent to the 870 in terms of being the old yeller no brainer?????
 
Yes, I have a new 870 Express in 20 gauge, and the comparison with the 500 was a no-brainer for me. In 20 ga. there are no options like extended magazines and few choices of barrels, though. I'm still waiting for that $25 rebate, 10 weeks later (that offer expired in November, BTW).
 
There's Ithaca, and then the rest. The rest being the 870...the reason is that good ole fashioned child of the industrial revolution, steel. Go with the steel receivered Ithaca 37 or if you really must a Rem 870...forget the potmetal ones...

Just my .02, btw I own a nice 20 ga. mossy, it's the potmetal that puts me off...nice design otherwise...
 
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