835 or 870? Looking For Opinions

[RIStrutStopper]

I've been shooting my 870 Express for over 20 years and love the gun. I've only been turkey hunting for a few seasons tho, and that 28" barrel I have is just a bit long for the job, and I'm not completely thrilled with my patterns. I was thinking about getting a 24" barrel for the gun and also, getting a new camo stock for it. Also thought about putting a Sims recoil pad on the new stock (don't think they make them for the old wooden 870 stocks except for slip on or grind to fit...) After adding up the costs, I'm not too far from the cost of a new gun. I have heard a lot of good things about the Mossberg 835 and like the tang mounted safety (never did care much for the location of the 870 safety). I'm convincing myself (and my wife) that a dedicated turkey gun is going to be my next new toy. I'd like some opinions from you fine turkey hunters on whether to go with an 870 or an 835 and why. It seems that the 835 is a nice gun and a bit cheaper than a special purpose 870, although I do like those 870's . Thanks in advance for your feedback, and my appologies for the long post.

[TURKEY FAN]

Hey RI, well from my experience with hunting with both guns, i choose the 870 myself. As for the 28" barrel i read that it is suppose to be better than a shorter barrel for more knock down power(ill read it again and let u know the exact details). Try to change your shot, i use hi velocity hevi shot with a beveli hevi shot choke, at 45 yds it holds a great pattern for me. So good luck,

"ALWAYS LEAVE THE WOODS WITH SOMETHING"

[hunter60]

strutstopper buy the mossberg the 1 that takes the 3.5" shells. You'll get a great pattern out to 60 yards with it. Good luck!

[7mmsaum]

I also shoot an 870 and I love mine as well. I put tru glo sights and sling on the gun, but like you I would like a shorter barrel too. It patterns great and I would not hesitate to take a turkey at 50yds. My buddy has two 835's one is camo and he likes tem both. He just recently bought Remington express super mag just to have one and he really likes it. I am thinking about buying either one as well and in my thinking it is all in what you want to spend and feel comfortable shooting. Some are die hard to one or the other, but look a round you never know what kind of deals can be made on both guns.

[C/P/S SHOOTER]

870 express mag mine shoots awesome with hevishot using a full choke

[stretch]

I grew up on the 870 and love them. However, the 870 special purpose with the extra full choke that I owned didn't pattern worth a darn. I have a couple of buddies that own the 835 Mossberg with 3.5 capability and theirs would pattern great. After doing the comparison I purchased a 835/3.5 and love it. I still like my Remingtons but I will have to say that Mossberg got something right with those 835's.

[keyshunter]

I have both an 835 with factory turkey xfull and an 870 Express with 21" barrel. My wife uses the 835 because I think it feels like a boat paddle in my hands.
That said, the 835 will outpattern the 870 by a wide margin. I love the way the short barreled 870 feels and have spend many dollars on different loads trying for a better pattern. Of the 3 chokes I have tried, the regular Undertaker patterns best.
The 835 (since I burnished the bore) shoots like a house afire with every 3" load I have put through it. It has always functioned fine, but I still take the 870 because the 835 feels so clumsy.
Incidentally, she smacked a gobbler stone dead at an actual 47 yards last week (she guessed the range at less than 40 yds). She used a garden variety Federal 3" #5 shell.
They are both good reliable guns. Take your choice.

[Turkeyhunter1]

Strutstopper, I have owned one of the first 835's made, and every time I have pulled the trigger on a tom, I've been eating turkey for dinner ...End Of Story!!

[rochelle]

Its a personal choice, I like them both. I now have a 870 supermag and shoot well with it.

[835Eric]

835 for me got 2 of them