Remington 870 Wingmaster or Mossberg 500?

Question

I am looking to pick up a 12 gauge and have been moving towards the Remington Wingmaster. I checked out the Mossberg 500 today though and really liked the way it felt, and its sighting. Any info helping me decide would be greatly appreciated. I am going to be strictly clay shooting, I realize the 500 is only $200 and the 870 will be significantly more (I do not want an Express-felt cheap) I think about $400?

Anyone know what the average cost of the Wingmaster is?

Answer 1

Bound's hubby here:

Personally, I prefer Remingtons. I have an 870 Wingmaster that replaced my Winchester 97 and a S&W Model 1200 Riot Gun. A long time ago I had a problem with Mossberg rifles, which soured me on Mossberg products.

A new Model 870 Wingmaster lists for $755, see this link: http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_wingmaster_specs.asp .

Good luck!

Answer 2

The 870 is also the #1 selling shotgun of all time if that means anything to you.

Both are good guns, but my pick is the 870 every time.

I know some rangemasters who say they rarely see 870s malfunction, while Mossberg 500s do on occasion. I think the only positive to the Mossberg is the tang safety as opposed to the Remington's cross bolt safety. The Remington safety doesn't bother me though. And I'd rather go for the reliability of the 870.

Winmasters are around $550 to $600 I bleieve and the 870 Express is around $350 or less. Cosemetics aside, they're the same exact gun. Both reliable and practically indestructable. The Wingmaster just has a little better quality control.

The military uses some Mossbergs, but they also used to use Remingtons, along with most police agencies.

Answer 3

If money isn't a big factor, go with the Wingmaster. The workmanship is of much higher quality and a Wingmaster is next to impossible to ever wear out. The downside is it'll cost you closer to $500. A better option might be the Remington "Police" model, but you'll have to get a different barrel for clay shooting.

Otherwise, if you're on a budget, the Mossie will be fine. Check out the link below for a side by side comparison between the two shotguns, with the relative strengths and weakness of each.

Answer 4

The 870's are good but i think they're both good guns. I have a Mossberg 500 camo for turkey hunting. I do however agree that it does make more noise than I want it to make while I'm turkey hunting. Depends on exactly what you want it for or if money is important. If you don't mind the slight rattle to the forearm stock then the Mossberg is ok and cheaper but if you need the silence of any noise from the stock and money is no object then I'd go with the 870.

Answer 5

Both are good guns. I have owned a Mossberg 500 for years -- it's my only shotgun -- and am very satisfied. I've shot it quite a lot on informal clay targets and like it very much. The Remington will cost more and may have nicer wood in the stock, but it won't do anything the Mossberg won't do. Accessories are widely available for both guns, which are among the most popular pump shotguns of the last 50 years. If you like the Mossberg, buy it. You can apply the difference in price to shells for practice or maybe an inexpensive shotshell loader and supplies.

Good luck!

Answer 6

The Remington 870 Wingmaster is one of the best guns ive ever shot and is a top grade gun, and the Mossberg is a decent gun, but its a cheaper and lower grade gun. If you get a wood grain Express, they are great guns, i have one myslef, and they are definitly not cheap. They are pretty much in the same category as the Mossberg 500, but a little better i think, but the Wingmaster blows them out of the water as far as im concerned.

Answer 7

I own a Mossberg 500 and would like to replace it with a Remington. If you plan on shooting the gun alot, get a Remington. The wood is extremely cheap on the Mossberg. My stock got to two hair line cracks in it from shooting target loads at skeet. I had to replace the stock which was quite pricey. The action on the 500 in also rather noisy. Out in the woods, I don't like noise. I would spend a little bit more money and get something nice. Don't cheap out when buying a gun. You'll just be frustrated and eventually get rid of it to buy what you want later on down the road anyway.

Answer 8

I've been a Remington 870 fan for some time. I bought my 870 in 1975 and still use it extensively.

That being said, the Mossberg 500 and 590 shotguns are now being used my the military. So they must be doing something right.

Answer 9

I have the Mossberg 500 my shooting buddy has the Rem 870 I've shot both can't tell much of a difference between the two only thing I've found is the mossy is a little bit less money and the accessories are less money. I have three different barrels for it Bird, Slug, and cylinder bore short (for home defense) never had a single problem.

Answer 10

Everyone here is going to tell you what they have experience with? It is really what your preference is and what your budget will allow. How much are you willing to spend? what type of shotgun are you looking for?...i.e. semiautomatic, pump, over/under, or bolt action??? It's not really the popular brand name, but the reliabiliy, effectivness of the shotgun, and the skills of the shooter. I've seen some of the so-called "lower grade" or "cheap" shotguns out perform the top dollar stuff.

Most trap/clay/skeet shooters use over/under shotguns, The only one that I have used were a Franchi, but the Mossberg Revelation is said to make a nice over/under. There are a few Semiautos for you to choose from, I reccomend a Browning, Berreta, or a Benelli. The only bolt action shotguns that i know of, are either a Marlin or a Savage. However I rarely see a bolt action shotgun used for trap. There are lots of pump brands to choose from. Remmy, Mossberg, Winchester, Savage, Browning, Berreta, Benelli, and others that would take me forever to list.

Now if you really want to know what I have, I own a mossberg 500A Persuader that I use for skeet clays. It's an 18.5"(yes, this is a legal length) open choke barrel, pump action. It was originally a riot/trenchgun that I converted for skeet. The good thing I like about it is it's low recoil, and I can get a variety of accessories to "tweek" it for better performance. For trap clays, I own a Savage 30H. It too is a pump, with a massive 28" full choke barrel with vent rib. It's not as flashy as a Benelli or a Browning, but I love it and I rarely miss. I have a brother that recently bought a new Verona semiauto and he has learned how to wield it effectively. However, I still out shoot him with either of my two shotguns.

As I said, it is your preference. just find one that is comfortable for you. Talk to a firearm dealer or a sporting goods store clerk and ask for assistance in picking out what is suitable to you. You are the one that is going to be shooting it, so be open minded to the possibilities and find what you like.

Best of luck, I hope that you find what you are looking for.