Rem 870 v Mossberg 835 ?

chuter · October 27, 2008, 04:14 PM

A buddy asked me which shotgun to pick up for field and home. A Remington 870 Wingmaster or a Mossberg 835 Utra-Mag. I've had both and still have a 835 for field use. Long before the 835 was made I sent many a clay bird to their demise in front of my 870's. There's subtle differences (safety locations, vented barrel, etc.) but overall, similar guns. I suggested that features (wood versus plastic stock, etc.) and price may be the deciding factors. Anything else that would dramatically impact his decision? I know the Nova's a nice gun too but he's looking at the Rem and Moss.

rantingredneck · October 27, 2008, 04:17 PM

One other big difference is the overbored barrel of the 835. It is near 10 ga. dimensions. This makes shooting slugs from the standard choked barrel impossible but there are dedicated slug barrels available.

I have both guns, but if it were just one I'd have to say 870.

publius · October 27, 2008, 04:23 PM

I love 870's, I think they are a tighter,overall better made gun. That said the Mossberg is just as reliable and I love the overbore barrel. You don't want 3.5 in either for HD.

hogdogs · October 27, 2008, 06:39 PM

The location of the slide release is IMHO better located for home defense and hunting needs. Why would the overbore make it impossible to fire slugs? The overbore is only for part of the barrel and after that it is standard diameter and the accu-choke feature allows any choke including the rifled slug choke for sabots.
But both being firm solid reliable shotguns is fact! I think if you outfit (order) a wood stocked 835 it would be a pretty nice lookin shootin iron!
Brent

rantingredneck · October 27, 2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

The overbore is only for part of the barrel and after that it is standard diameter and the accu-choke feature allows any choke including the rifled slug choke for sabots.

Nope, the 835 is overbored the entire length of the barrel. The accumag chokes are much larger diameter than corresponding accuchokes. I have both a 500 and 835 and can personally attest to this. The standard 835 barrels are rollmarked "Not for use with slugs". Mossberg's website also carries this advisory.

Slugs fired in the standard overbored 835 barrels can wobble and wedge sideways in the barrel creating an obstruction. Not a good thing if you don't realize it and fire another slug behind it.

There are standard 12ga diameter smooth and rifled slug barrels avialable for the 835 though.

hogdogs · October 27, 2008, 06:57 PM

Gotcha... Thanks for clearing that up. In the words of some body... "I did not know that"
Brent

rantingredneck · October 27, 2008, 07:06 PM

No prob. I've been looking around for a good used slug barrel for mine. I've got 24" and 28" accumag barrels for it. Not sure why I want a slug barrel for that one since I've got 3 other slug guns. I guess I just feel like I oughta have one.

Not sure I'm gonna be shooting any of those 3 1/2" slugs out of it though....

October 27, 2008, 04:14 PM	#1
chuter Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2007 Location: Fond du Lac, WI Posts: 115	Rem 870 v Mossberg 835 ? A buddy asked me which shotgun to pick up for field and home. A Remington 870 Wingmaster or a Mossberg 835 Utra-Mag. I've had both and still have a 835 for field use. Long before the 835 was made I sent many a clay bird to their demise in front of my 870's. There's subtle differences (safety locations, vented barrel, etc.) but overall, similar guns. I suggested that features (wood versus plastic stock, etc.) and price may be the deciding factors. Anything else that would dramatically impact his decision? I know the Nova's a nice gun too but he's looking at the Rem and Moss.

October 27, 2008, 04:23 PM	#3
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	I love 870's, I think they are a tighter,overall better made gun. That said the Mossberg is just as reliable and I love the overbore barrel. You don't want 3.5 in either for HD. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain Last edited by publius; October 27, 2008 at 09:38 PM.

October 27, 2008, 04:17 PM	#2
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	One other big difference is the overbored barrel of the 835. It is near 10 ga. dimensions. This makes shooting slugs from the standard choked barrel impossible but there are dedicated slug barrels available. I have both guns, but if it were just one I'd have to say 870.

October 27, 2008, 06:39 PM	#4
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	The location of the slide release is IMHO better located for home defense and hunting needs. Why would the overbore make it impossible to fire slugs? The overbore is only for part of the barrel and after that it is standard diameter and the accu-choke feature allows any choke including the rifled slug choke for sabots. But both being firm solid reliable shotguns is fact! I think if you outfit (order) a wood stocked 835 it would be a pretty nice lookin shootin iron! Brent

October 27, 2008, 06:57 PM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Gotcha... Thanks for clearing that up. In the words of some body... "I did not know that" Brent

October 27, 2008, 07:06 PM	#7
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	No prob. I've been looking around for a good used slug barrel for mine. I've got 24" and 28" accumag barrels for it. Not sure why I want a slug barrel for that one since I've got 3 other slug guns. I guess I just feel like I oughta have one. Not sure I'm gonna be shooting any of those 3 1/2" slugs out of it though....