Am undecided between the Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, which one is better?

Question

Going to be using it on the firing range for target practice.

Answer 1

You wouldn't be making a mistake in choosing either one, their both very good guns. That being said, I would pick the Remington.

Answer 2

I own both and shoot the 500. I like the position of the safety better and the feel of the action. Pump actions will normally feel different than others, but it is a solid action, hasn't failed me ever and I have bought new ones and even my dad's old one hasn't failed him yet.

The remington 870 express, I don't like, the finish isn't good and is wearing with just mild field use. Also, I don't like the position of the safety as compared to the Mossberg, and the 500 does have lots and lots of accessories. My family has 3 generations now pleased with Mossberg 500, my Grandpa owned both and preferred the 500, my dad owns both and prefers the 500, I own both and prefer the 500. I like the fit and feel, but that might just be the size of me verses the gun. I liked the 870 when I was younger but the newer ones are different than the old 870 and once I got my first Mossberg, I was hooked, I did buy it myself. I even used a winchester pump in between the two. I prefer the Mossberg 500 and I guess that is what matters. Try out both figure out which one you like. Both are great designs and are reliable. Haven't had a problem with Mossberg's quality even lately, but I suppose it could happen. The bluing on the express 870 isn't that good so I would recommend the wingmaster.

My dad even has switched off between the 870 and used that for a few years, but now is back to the 500, also I chose the 500 on my own, I didn't even know what my grandpa used for years, until I saw his collection at my uncle's. Try out both if you can, eventually you will probably end up with both, I keep the 870 as my backup. It is important especially with the cheap shells they make for dove season, some jam in certain guns, or if your shotgun takes a spill in the mud and dirt.

Hopefully that helps! Enjoy your purchase, shoot often.

Answer 3

Bound's hubby here:

My opinion, go with the Remington 870. If you can afford it, get the Model 870 Wingmaster. If money is a question, get the 870 Express. The 870 Wingmaster is all steel and walnut. The 870 Express has an aluminum alloy receiver, hard wood stocks and a parkerized finish, but it does have a time proven design. The 870s have been around since the early 1950's.

The Mossberg is an economy shotgun who's soul recommendations rest with affordability and adoption by the US military. Personally, I have had issues with Mossberg quality for about 40 years and for that reason I would not spend my hard earned money on a Mossberg.

Good luck and good hunting.

Answer 4

I'll have to side with the crowd on this one. I have both the Mossberg and the Remington, love the Remington. I bought the Mossberg because that was what I had used in the military. I read up a little on it and found out that the reason it was "mil-spec" was because Remington never put their bid in on the trials, why? because they didn't have to, they already had the police market.

So I went down the the sporting goods store and asked to see the remington. I cycled the action and fell in love. The Mossberg is a little choppy while pumping, not so with the Remington. Other than that, the only two differences are the locations of the safety (mossberg wins on that one) and the slide lock (Remington wins, but only because I put a pistol grip shoulder stock on that isn't very accessible on the mossberg.)

Price was neglible to me, both guns cost me about $225 apiece. Although, currently, there is a $30 rebate from Remington when you purchase any 870 until december 31.

Answer 5

They're both good guns. Try them both out and chances are you'll buy the Mossberg.

The Mossy has far better controls (safety and slide release) and has FAR more available addons to make your gun your own.

Now to cut through some of the the **** that's been posted on this one....

The Remington, ten-fifteen years ago, was a better shotgun for one reason and one reason alone. It was finished better. In the past ten-fifteen years, however, the fit and finish has declined to the point that you have to buy a Wingmaster (top of the line 870) to have anywhere near the shotgun the basic 870 used to be. The Mossy has increased in quality of finish in the same period.

I've had brand new 870's brought to my shop that were literally grinding ragged metal straight from the box. When Remington's customer service dept was notified, they gave some lame excuse about how the gun needs to be "shot a few hundred/thousand times to be broken in". The ONLY Mossy that I ever had like that was one a fellow tried to do his own spray-on camo GunKote job on.

One fellow who claimed to be a gunsmith said the Remington was the better gun. He failed to tell you that gunsmiths LOVE Remingtons because a $2 part is a $50 repair job on the Remington. They're decent guns until they break....and they all break eventually. When they break, the Remingtons can only be repaired by me, the gunsmith.The Mossy's, there's not one part on the weapon that can't be replaced inside of five minutes by ANY user.

They're both good guns. Try them both out and see what you think fits you better. Don't base your purchase on something someone else tells you about *his* guns.

Answer 6

The Remington 870 Express is the finest pump style shotgun anyone could own. Dont get me wrong the Mossberg is a fine arm aswell, but it is no where near the gun that the 870 has come to be.

Answer 7

Remington has always been highly regarded, more so than Mossberg. I have a Browning myself but I would have the Remington 870 since it's a gun that they have been producing for a long time.

Answer 8

Of the two i like the 870. The mossberg 500 feels a little "cheaper".

Answer 9

Remington 870 is the most reliable and best built shotgun you could buy. Mossberg shotguns feel loose in your hands and feel like they are going to fall apart after a few boxes of shells. Mossberg does not put the quality into their guns that Remington does. There is a reason that just about every police department uses Remington 870 shotguns. They are durable, and reliable. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON MOSSBURG. You will be disappointed with their performance after 2 or 3 boxes of shells.

Answer 10

Remington by a landslide. Mossberg's have come quite a way in the last year but Remington's 870 has way more options as far as accessories, scope mounting set-ups, and barrel or stock options. And it's THE the most purchased shotgun in the history of guns...ever. I rest my case....and shells.

Answer 11

Being the proud owner of 17 shotguns the only one I will ever deer hunt with is the Remmington 870 Wingmaster. I have guns that will shoot a 3 inch shell, but I still use this old wingmaster and the 2 3/4 inch one ounce slugs. Dropped a deer dead in his tracks at 82 yards. This is from a gun with a non-rifled barrel and just a front BB sight.