Mossberg 500 VS Remington 870

[Old Jeff H]

Of the two, which do you prefer?

I favor the Mossberg for two reasons:

- Slide release and safety are in better spots (to me, anyway)
- No shell lifter in the way when loading

 

[iammaxwell]

Agreed. Mossberg

 

[mtptwo]

I own an 870, and I feel I should of bought a Mossberg instead.

 

[YNOTAZ]

870 because I hunted and shot skeet and trap with a Wingmaster for years. It's like a natural extension for me.

 

[KoaTico]

For me it is the 870. Have had both and it just feels better when shouldered. Can’t point to specific reasons why.

 

[brandyspaw]

While I like the tang safety of the Mossberg as well, I still prefer the Remington 870. The reasons I like the Remington is because I prefer the steel receiver and the actions are smoother especially as the gun is used more over time.

However, it's best to have an older Remington, preferably a police magnum, as the newer ones after Freedom Group owned them were pretty spotty on quality.

 

[rockbronco]

I prefer the mossbergs, they eat anything. I had two different 870s that where picky eaters to the point of frustration.

 

[Old Jeff H]

For me it is the 870. Have had both and it just feels better when shouldered. Can’t point to specific reasons why.

I will say that although I've handled and fired both of them at different times, I've never compared them to each other at the same time. It's possible that if I tried them both I'd prefer the feel of the 870.

 

[QuangTri]

Had an 870 first, one of the early Wingmaster Magnums.

Bought a 500 years later for the added capacity and the tang safety, and just because.

Never really warmed to the 500, it felt clunky and crude when handled next to the 870. The action was far more rough. Only have the 870 now with added mag extender and rifle sighted short barrel.

 

[AZ_Five56]

Had an 870 first, one of the early Wingmaster Magnums.

Bought a 500 years later for the added capacity and the tang safety, and just because.

Never really warmed to the 500, it felt clunky and crude when handled next to the 870. The action was far more rough. Only have the 870 now with added mag extender and rifle sighted short barrel.

That pretty much mirrors my experience. I bought a 500 years ago, but it felt so cheap to me, and I could hardly hit anything with it (but I'm sure that was user error). As others have said, I like the safety on the 500.

I do love the Remingtons, but I'd take a BPS over either the 870 or 500 any day.

 

[tripletap]

870. better safety more durable
500.. always had one in my truck

 

[knockonit]

i couldn't in all conscious vote as i have a couple of each in different configs, each serving a function, now if asked if i have a favorite shotgun, the answer would be an over and under, either a citori or a 101, as for pumps, as long at it holds at least 4, and is an easy reloader,
carried one for a couple years as a stand by, its the best for the bush
Rj

 

[Tenring]

I prefer the Rem 870, better action and just a solid build.

My Son likes the Mossberg 500, he is left handed and so is his shotgun.

 

[kenpoprofessor]

I know what I don't like, and that is Euro style semi autos, stupidest gun I owned was a Beretta with that useless action. Pumps, don't care, I can load, pump, fire, and most are very similar in that way. So, no preferences here, I own a few different brands. I haven't tried a mag fed pump yet, but I have semi autos with that configuration.

Have a great, gun carryin', Kenpo day

Clyde

 

[fredcdobbs]

870 over the Mossberg, I don't like the tang safety, I grew up bird shooting with a Ithaca 37 and a Model 12 so the trigger guard safety is what I shot. I had a 870 bird bud that used to bust my balls about my 37, but now I have several 870's Model 12's and 37's,and I have a Maverick (Mossy) that has a trigger guard safety. I guess if my dad had a Mossberg instead of a Model 12 I would be on the other side.

 

[792mauser]

In my hands. The mossberg is clunky and swings like a 8'x4"x6".
My 870 is so much better in my hands.

Still bought a 500 with a 20" bbl for the house. Doesn't feel as substantial as my 870 but if 8 shells of 00 buck won't stop em. I can at least beat em with the 500 once at least.

Now my Miroku OU is sweet.

 

[YNOTAZ]

if 8 shells of 00 buck won't stop em. I can at least beat em with the 500 once at least.

if 8 shells of 00 buck won't stop em you shouldn't have screwed with them in the first place.

 

[792mauser]

Yeah. Probably right.

That's what the Brown Bess is for! A .75" lead ball and an instant smoke screen!

 

[marlin39a]

I’ve owned a few 870 shotguns in my life, still have 2. Dependable, easy takedown, and superb quality. However, I recently went to a Mossberg 590, and a Shockwave. I found the same reasons to like as with the Remingtons. I shoot off the left shoulder, and find the Mossbergs to be easier to operate.

 

[lordtunaboat]

870, now if you were comparing the 870 to the 590, then it gets to be a bit tougher.