590 or 870 for HD shotgun?

Erik · February 18, 2000, 06:48 PM

I know they're both good shotguns. What I want to know are the pros and cons of both, and why you prefer one or the other.

Thanks,
Erik

P-35 · February 18, 2000, 08:29 PM

I like the 870 because it is smooth and reliable. They also last forever. The few times I've shot Mossbergs they've felt loose and the pump action seemed a bit rough. They are also more difficult to take apart and reassmble than a Remington. Otherwise they're pretty close.

Ned Roundtree · February 18, 2000, 10:21 PM

Another one of these topics. I never tire of them. Love my Rem 870 Marine Magnum. Just got scattergun tech ghost ring sights put on. Smooth action and durable gun.

jcoyoung · February 18, 2000, 10:30 PM

I have a 590 w/ ghost rings and I love it.

But.. the 870 has a lot more aftermarket goodies for it.

But... the Mossberg has a bayonet lug.

Hey. This is a tough question!

aztec777 · February 19, 2000, 01:32 AM

Erik-I prefer the Mossberg mainly because I trained with it in the Army with an MP unit I was attached to. I really like where the safety and slide release are mounted. Very easy to manipulate. I have one with the Speedfeed stock and the felt recoil is mild. I have shot the 870 as well, but I'm not as familiar with it. I don't like the safety location or the size of the slide release. Aftermarket products are abundant for both. The 590 looks more intimidating, though. I don't think you can go wrong with either shotgun.

Steve

Dave McC · February 19, 2000, 06:08 AM

Most agencies use the 870 for a simple reason, just like that little pink drum beating bunny, they keep going and going and going...

The much tweaked/shot Wingmaster here that is my HD insurance policy started out as one of the first. Pop bought it used around 1956, and I've personally put at least 3000 rounds throught it. There's three other 870s here, one started out at the Md Pen as a tower gun,
another in an Arlington Va, cruiser.

The prison I retired from had an 870 used for training from 1981 to 1998, firing hundreds if not thousands of rounds each year.Total repairs consisted of new wood.

While there's not much wrong with the
Mossberg, get the 870 Remington. Your great grandchildren will thank you for it...

AHM1776 · February 20, 2000, 04:24 PM

What about the "military specs" built into the 500 series that Mossberg brags about? Is this a substantial factor in terms of quality and durability?

Thank you,

AHM1776

Dave McC · February 20, 2000, 05:29 PM

Mil spec here means an ambidextrous safety, AHM. I note from the footage of the Gulf War and the Somalia mess that 870s may or may not be authorized, but they're evidently used.

Mossberg gets a lot of mileage out of that milspec stuff, but I see few serious WIHTF types with them. I don't think it's because of the aftermarkets stuff either.

The 500 series are OK, IMO, but the 870's in a class by itself,unless you go back to another set of Browning patents, the ones for the Model 97 and the Model 12 Winchesters.

jthuang · February 21, 2000, 06:00 PM

I'd go with the Mossberg.

Comparison at http://www.members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html

HTH,

Justin

February 18, 2000, 06:48 PM	#1
Erik Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 1999 Location: America Posts: 3,479	I know they're both good shotguns. What I want to know are the pros and cons of both, and why you prefer one or the other. Thanks, Erik

February 18, 2000, 08:29 PM	#2
P-35 Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 1999 Posts: 119	I like the 870 because it is smooth and reliable. They also last forever. The few times I've shot Mossbergs they've felt loose and the pump action seemed a bit rough. They are also more difficult to take apart and reassmble than a Remington. Otherwise they're pretty close.

February 18, 2000, 10:21 PM	#3
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	Another one of these topics. I never tire of them. Love my Rem 870 Marine Magnum. Just got scattergun tech ghost ring sights put on. Smooth action and durable gun.

February 18, 2000, 10:30 PM	#4
jcoyoung Senior Member Join Date: January 20, 2000 Location: Oak Forest, IL Posts: 661	I have a 590 w/ ghost rings and I love it. But.. the 870 has a lot more aftermarket goodies for it. But... the Mossberg has a bayonet lug. Hey. This is a tough question!

February 19, 2000, 01:32 AM	#5
aztec777 Senior Member Join Date: November 9, 1999 Location: Nevada Posts: 188	Erik-I prefer the Mossberg mainly because I trained with it in the Army with an MP unit I was attached to. I really like where the safety and slide release are mounted. Very easy to manipulate. I have one with the Speedfeed stock and the felt recoil is mild. I have shot the 870 as well, but I'm not as familiar with it. I don't like the safety location or the size of the slide release. Aftermarket products are abundant for both. The 590 looks more intimidating, though. I don't think you can go wrong with either shotgun. Steve

February 19, 2000, 06:08 AM	#6
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Most agencies use the 870 for a simple reason, just like that little pink drum beating bunny, they keep going and going and going... The much tweaked/shot Wingmaster here that is my HD insurance policy started out as one of the first. Pop bought it used around 1956, and I've personally put at least 3000 rounds throught it. There's three other 870s here, one started out at the Md Pen as a tower gun, another in an Arlington Va, cruiser. The prison I retired from had an 870 used for training from 1981 to 1998, firing hundreds if not thousands of rounds each year.Total repairs consisted of new wood. While there's not much wrong with the Mossberg, get the 870 Remington. Your great grandchildren will thank you for it...

February 20, 2000, 04:24 PM	#7
AHM1776 Member Join Date: February 20, 2000 Posts: 45	What about the "military specs" built into the 500 series that Mossberg brags about? Is this a substantial factor in terms of quality and durability? Thank you, AHM1776

February 20, 2000, 05:29 PM	#8
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Mil spec here means an ambidextrous safety, AHM. I note from the footage of the Gulf War and the Somalia mess that 870s may or may not be authorized, but they're evidently used. Mossberg gets a lot of mileage out of that milspec stuff, but I see few serious WIHTF types with them. I don't think it's because of the aftermarkets stuff either. The 500 series are OK, IMO, but the 870's in a class by itself,unless you go back to another set of Browning patents, the ones for the Model 97 and the Model 12 Winchesters.

February 21, 2000, 06:00 PM	#9
jthuang Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Posts: 823	I'd go with the Mossberg. Comparison at http://www.members.tripod.com/~jth8260/870.html HTH, Justin