Remington 870 or mossbe 500/590?

pistol named Bertha · January 1, 2012, 02:02 AM

Ok guys I need some input or opinions kn which one of these I should go with. It will be strictly for home defense and for when me and my boys have our little make shift 3 gun comps in the back yard. I don't want a pistol grip and I'd like to have at least 7 round capacity. I've been looking hard at the mossberg 590 but don't see the real difference between it and the 500. The 870 is about the same pricewise maybe a lil more but with magpul stuff coming out next year I could make it match my ar. What's your personal experience with either shotgun? Also what about their cheaper counter parts like maverick and I believe its h&r?

trg42wraglefragle · January 1, 2012, 02:21 AM

Try the search function or google it, this question comes up every five seconds.

You want get a definitive answer anyway, they're pretty much equal.

Hank15 · January 1, 2012, 02:42 AM

There are specific models of the 870 and 500/590 you should be looking at.

For the 870, look at the Wingmaster and Police Magnum, preferably used. For the 590, I believe it's the 590A1. Simply put, they come out of the box more well polished than your typical 870 Express or Big 5 Mossberg 500.

If you have left handed shooters in you family, go with the Mossberg. If not, either will do.

But yeah, if you do a search, you'll find many other answers like mine.

gyvel · January 1, 2012, 05:34 AM

When I was working back in Miami in the 80s, our shop had a contract with Carnivale and Festivale cruise liners to maintain their shotguns, which were Remington 870s and Winchester 1200s, and used for skeet shooting off the fantail by the passengers. These guns were shot thousands of times.

The Remingtons rarely had any issues other than needing a good cleaning. Rarely, a shell stop would break, but other than that, nothing to speak of.

(Winchesters were more troublesome, but that's not the question here.)

Many Mossberg 500s were also brought in by customers, mostly for cleanings, but the only really repetitive problem with them was the plastic safety button breaking. (They were pretty good sellers at the K-Mart, Woolco and other discount stores.) This has been a long standing problem with the 500, and Mossberg knows it, but has never done anything about it. Other than that, they seemed to be very trouble free and durable. (There are aftermarket metal safety buttons available.)

PunkInnovation · January 1, 2012, 07:59 AM

Personally I prefer the location of the Mossberg safety (back of the receiver) versus the Remington (trigger guard). To me it's just a more natural motion to use my thumb on the Mossberg.

hogdogs · January 1, 2012, 08:10 AM

I wouldn't say a 590-A1 is more well rounded... It is simply the "mil. Spec." version... It has the metal safety tab and compressed metal filings trigger group neither of which, in the plastic material, has ever failed me...

It has a thicker barrel making it heavier and more forward weight balance.

It may have the heavier mag spring and should have a metal shell follower too.

You will have fewer barrel options for the 7+ round versions... You are limited on barrel length too... I do not think a 18 inch barrel is long enuff to support the 7 round mag tube but I might be wrong.

Personally I prefer the ease of maint. with polished bluing so the 590 is not for me...

And the funny part... Folks are paying a premium to let the factory skip manufacturing steps leaving rough barrels dipped in bluing which will rust with a quickness compared to polished metal under smooth bluing.

Brent

ThorInc · January 1, 2012, 08:34 AM

Can't go wrong with the Mossberg 590A1, ten year warranty if you're interested.

Rugerismisticness · January 1, 2012, 08:38 AM

I agree with the 590, either will do. If you get an 870, you may need to get in there and polish some things out.

jmr40 · January 1, 2012, 09:14 AM

I much prefer the 870 to either Mossberg, especially on a gun that will be used for hunting, or serve double duty. If I were buying a gun to be used only for personal protection the 590 would be a much better choice than the 500.

INMY01TA · January 1, 2012, 05:02 PM

I like the 8 shot 20" Mossberg Maverick.

pistol named Bertha · January 1, 2012, 09:06 PM

I really like the 590a1. Are the only difference between the 590 and 590a1 the mil spec parts?

the rifleer · January 1, 2012, 09:33 PM

You pretty much have to be an idiot to break either of them… Get whichever you like best.

Hank15 · January 1, 2012, 10:44 PM

@ Brent

Oops, I meant to say well polished, not well rounded lol. But yeah, to further elaborate on my point, go to a local gun store and test the action of an 870 Express and 870 Wingmaster, that should explain what I am talking about.

k511 · January 2, 2012, 07:07 PM

potato....pototo..... try both and see what works best for you. They both work just fine, personally i think the remington is easier to take apart, but i like the rear safety of the mossberg.... eventually you will probably end up owning both, I did

Sgt.Fathead · January 2, 2012, 08:35 PM

Just my personal experience but I was a huge Remington 870 fan many years ago and owned several. Then I had a very bad experience with their customer service regarding a NIB 870 Express Synthetic Magnum and was so angry I sold all I had and switched to Mossbergs, of which we now own three; my wife's 590A1 9-shot with the ghost ring sights and six position stock, a very battered 500 Mariner and an even older and beaten Maverick 88 with SpeedFeed stock and side saddle. All are 12 gauge, all have hundreds of rounds through them (the Maverick might have thousands, it was a police trade in that saw a lot of time at a training range), and not a one has a problem.

So, you choose and see what you like. I prefer the tang safety, the feel of a Mossy and the way they shoot so well. But I used to feel the same way about my 870s, too. It's a Ford vs. Chevy, Coke vs. Pepsi debate.

hydroholic · January 2, 2012, 09:10 PM

870 Wingmaster !

ddjj · January 5, 2012, 04:28 AM

i love my mossy 500 best gun i bought, mine came with a short home defence barrell and a longer barrell, i use mossy for everything from grouse to bear to blacktail. I can shoot at a steel plate at 300 yards and hit it 3 out of 5 time(36x36) tango. i also like the saftey its fast and easy.

Flopsweat · January 6, 2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

hogdogs said:
...
You are limited on barrel length too... I do not think a 18 inch barrel is long enuff to support the 7 round mag tube but I might be wrong.
...

Correct. The 6 round mag extends to the end of the barrel on an 18" 870. Matches up very nicely actually.

Tactical Jackalope · January 6, 2012, 06:51 PM

JUST got myself one right now. Walked through the door with it

by one I mean the Mossberg 590 with the door breach and all.

I have 00 BUCK and #6 and #8...anyone know what to load it with for home defense?

NYCShooter · January 6, 2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

I have 00 BUCK and #6 and #8...anyone know what to load it with for home defense?

LE132 00 or LE132 1B (just announced, available soon).

Tactical Jackalope · January 6, 2012, 07:21 PM

"/ I only have what I mentioned. Lol but I'll look into it. What should I load up with in the mean time?

SA 1911 - XD45 - G21sf - RIA 1911 - G22 - G27 - Hk USP 40 - SIG P226 E2 - PX4 Storm - Browning High-Power - S&W M19-3 - CZ-82 - S&W 642 - Remington 870

NYCShooter · January 6, 2012, 08:04 PM

Definitely not #6 or #8, so that leaves 00 buck. I don't know the specifics of your home or surroundings, of course, but be aware of over-penetration and stray pellets. Standard 00 buck can cause a great deal of collateral damage and you are responsible for every pellet that you fire.

StuntManMike · January 6, 2012, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Personally I prefer the location of the Mossberg safety (back of the receiver) versus the Remington (trigger guard). To me it's just a more natural motion to use my thumb on the Mossberg.

This is probably the most important design feature to consider when choosing between the Remington and the Mossberg. I like stocks that have a pistol grip and the location of the 870's safety works better for these. However, if I prefered conventional stocks I would absolutely go with the Mossberg over the 870

Tactical Jackalope · January 6, 2012, 09:03 PM

Yes sir! Noted! 00 buck it is for now.

SA 1911 - XD45 - G21sf - RIA 1911 - G22 - G27 - Hk USP 40 - SIG P226 E2 - PX4 Storm - Browning High-Power - S&W M19-3 - CZ-82 - S&W 642 - Remington 870

EdInk · January 6, 2012, 09:52 PM

The 870 has a much smoother action and has been well proven for over 80 years by law enforcement and militaries around the world. The 500 is a good shotgun and is currently being issued for door breaching by the army. It will serve you well too. I will take the smoother action and better trigger of the 870 everytime though.

January 1, 2012, 02:02 AM	#1
pistol named Bertha Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 39	Remington 870 or mossbe 500/590? Ok guys I need some input or opinions kn which one of these I should go with. It will be strictly for home defense and for when me and my boys have our little make shift 3 gun comps in the back yard. I don't want a pistol grip and I'd like to have at least 7 round capacity. I've been looking hard at the mossberg 590 but don't see the real difference between it and the 500. The 870 is about the same pricewise maybe a lil more but with magpul stuff coming out next year I could make it match my ar. What's your personal experience with either shotgun? Also what about their cheaper counter parts like maverick and I believe its h&r?

January 1, 2012, 02:42 AM	#3
Hank15 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: California Posts: 437	There are specific models of the 870 and 500/590 you should be looking at. For the 870, look at the Wingmaster and Police Magnum, preferably used. For the 590, I believe it's the 590A1. Simply put, they come out of the box more well polished than your typical 870 Express or Big 5 Mossberg 500. If you have left handed shooters in you family, go with the Mossberg. If not, either will do. But yeah, if you do a search, you'll find many other answers like mine. Last edited by Hank15; January 1, 2012 at 10:44 PM.

January 1, 2012, 09:33 PM	#12
the rifleer Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2008 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,281	You pretty much have to be an idiot to break either of them… Get whichever you like best. __________________ There is no such thing as a stupid question, only stupid people.

January 6, 2012, 09:52 PM	#25
EdInk Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2009 Posts: 3,968	The 870 has a much smoother action and has been well proven for over 80 years by law enforcement and militaries around the world. The 500 is a good shotgun and is currently being issued for door breaching by the army. It will serve you well too. I will take the smoother action and better trigger of the 870 everytime though. __________________ Sic Semper Tyrannis

January 1, 2012, 02:21 AM	#2
trg42wraglefragle Senior Member Join Date: April 21, 2008 Location: new zealand Posts: 856	Try the search function or google it, this question comes up every five seconds. You want get a definitive answer anyway, they're pretty much equal.

January 1, 2012, 05:34 AM	#4
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	When I was working back in Miami in the 80s, our shop had a contract with Carnivale and Festivale cruise liners to maintain their shotguns, which were Remington 870s and Winchester 1200s, and used for skeet shooting off the fantail by the passengers. These guns were shot thousands of times. The Remingtons rarely had any issues other than needing a good cleaning. Rarely, a shell stop would break, but other than that, nothing to speak of. (Winchesters were more troublesome, but that's not the question here.) Many Mossberg 500s were also brought in by customers, mostly for cleanings, but the only really repetitive problem with them was the plastic safety button breaking. (They were pretty good sellers at the K-Mart, Woolco and other discount stores.) This has been a long standing problem with the 500, and Mossberg knows it, but has never done anything about it. Other than that, they seemed to be very trouble free and durable. (There are aftermarket metal safety buttons available.)

January 1, 2012, 07:59 AM	#5
PunkInnovation Junior Member Join Date: December 20, 2011 Posts: 11	Personally I prefer the location of the Mossberg safety (back of the receiver) versus the Remington (trigger guard). To me it's just a more natural motion to use my thumb on the Mossberg.

January 1, 2012, 08:10 AM	#6
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	I wouldn't say a 590-A1 is more well rounded... It is simply the "mil. Spec." version... It has the metal safety tab and compressed metal filings trigger group neither of which, in the plastic material, has ever failed me... It has a thicker barrel making it heavier and more forward weight balance. It may have the heavier mag spring and should have a metal shell follower too. You will have fewer barrel options for the 7+ round versions... You are limited on barrel length too... I do not think a 18 inch barrel is long enuff to support the 7 round mag tube but I might be wrong. Personally I prefer the ease of maint. with polished bluing so the 590 is not for me... And the funny part... Folks are paying a premium to let the factory skip manufacturing steps leaving rough barrels dipped in bluing which will rust with a quickness compared to polished metal under smooth bluing. Brent

January 1, 2012, 08:34 AM	#7
ThorInc Member Join Date: November 26, 2011 Posts: 32	Can't go wrong with the Mossberg 590A1, ten year warranty if you're interested.

January 1, 2012, 08:38 AM	#8
Rugerismisticness Senior Member Join Date: December 22, 2010 Posts: 909	I agree with the 590, either will do. If you get an 870, you may need to get in there and polish some things out.

January 1, 2012, 09:14 AM	#9
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	I much prefer the 870 to either Mossberg, especially on a gun that will be used for hunting, or serve double duty. If I were buying a gun to be used only for personal protection the 590 would be a much better choice than the 500.

January 1, 2012, 05:02 PM	#10
INMY01TA Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2008 Location: Marylandistan Posts: 262	I like the 8 shot 20" Mossberg Maverick.

January 1, 2012, 09:06 PM	#11
pistol named Bertha Member Join Date: August 10, 2011 Posts: 39	I really like the 590a1. Are the only difference between the 590 and 590a1 the mil spec parts?

January 1, 2012, 10:44 PM	#13
Hank15 Senior Member Join Date: April 18, 2009 Location: California Posts: 437	@ Brent Oops, I meant to say well polished, not well rounded lol. But yeah, to further elaborate on my point, go to a local gun store and test the action of an 870 Express and 870 Wingmaster, that should explain what I am talking about.

January 2, 2012, 07:07 PM	#14
k511 Senior Member Join Date: December 1, 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 461	potato....pototo..... try both and see what works best for you. They both work just fine, personally i think the remington is easier to take apart, but i like the rear safety of the mossberg.... eventually you will probably end up owning both, I did

January 2, 2012, 08:35 PM	#15
Sgt.Fathead Junior member Join Date: March 3, 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,637	Just my personal experience but I was a huge Remington 870 fan many years ago and owned several. Then I had a very bad experience with their customer service regarding a NIB 870 Express Synthetic Magnum and was so angry I sold all I had and switched to Mossbergs, of which we now own three; my wife's 590A1 9-shot with the ghost ring sights and six position stock, a very battered 500 Mariner and an even older and beaten Maverick 88 with SpeedFeed stock and side saddle. All are 12 gauge, all have hundreds of rounds through them (the Maverick might have thousands, it was a police trade in that saw a lot of time at a training range), and not a one has a problem. So, you choose and see what you like. I prefer the tang safety, the feel of a Mossy and the way they shoot so well. But I used to feel the same way about my 870s, too. It's a Ford vs. Chevy, Coke vs. Pepsi debate.

January 2, 2012, 09:10 PM	#16
hydroholic Senior Member Join Date: November 21, 2010 Posts: 135	870 Wingmaster !

January 5, 2012, 04:28 AM	#17
ddjj Junior Member Join Date: January 5, 2012 Location: hoquiam wa Posts: 1	i love my mossy 500 best gun i bought, mine came with a short home defence barrell and a longer barrell, i use mossy for everything from grouse to bear to blacktail. I can shoot at a steel plate at 300 yards and hit it 3 out of 5 time(36x36) tango. i also like the saftey its fast and easy.

January 6, 2012, 06:51 PM	#19
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	JUST got myself one right now. Walked through the door with it by one I mean the Mossberg 590 with the door breach and all. I have 00 BUCK and #6 and #8...anyone know what to load it with for home defense?

January 6, 2012, 07:21 PM	#21
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	"/ I only have what I mentioned. Lol but I'll look into it. What should I load up with in the mean time? SA 1911 - XD45 - G21sf - RIA 1911 - G22 - G27 - Hk USP 40 - SIG P226 E2 - PX4 Storm - Browning High-Power - S&W M19-3 - CZ-82 - S&W 642 - Remington 870

January 6, 2012, 08:04 PM	#22
NYCShooter Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 103	Definitely not #6 or #8, so that leaves 00 buck. I don't know the specifics of your home or surroundings, of course, but be aware of over-penetration and stray pellets. Standard 00 buck can cause a great deal of collateral damage and you are responsible for every pellet that you fire.

January 6, 2012, 09:03 PM	#24
Tactical Jackalope Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 6,429	Yes sir! Noted! 00 buck it is for now. SA 1911 - XD45 - G21sf - RIA 1911 - G22 - G27 - Hk USP 40 - SIG P226 E2 - PX4 Storm - Browning High-Power - S&W M19-3 - CZ-82 - S&W 642 - Remington 870