500 vs. 870
#1
Typical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Delaware OH USA
Posts: 534
500 vs. 870
Well, I'm thinking shotguns again. I like the 870, but I don't like it's higher price, slide release location or safety location. That turns me to the 500. I like the 500, except I don't like the 24" barrel for a rifled barrel. So, how much/ how hard would this be to shorten to 18.5 inches? Can I do it and still get decent accuracy? or shoud I go to a gunsmith? Also, same for mounting a scope base to the top of it?
#2
RE: 500 vs. 870
I'm not sure about the rifled barrel. But as for the difference between shotguns, there is no comparison. Both models have there fans but for me it has to be the 870. The 500 to me feels like a club. But that's how a shotgun should be selected - on 'feel' to the one who is going to use it. If the 500 better to you then by all means get it.
#5
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Upper Peninsula of Michigan
Posts: 52
RE: 500 vs. 870
I personally like the 870 even with its draw backs. Yet if you like the 500 by all means use it, although changing a rifled barrels length is not advised. It will often end with low accuracy and decreased velocity on exit. Your best bet on getting a shorter barrel is to buy one. That way the barrel is rifled properly and will not result in a huge loss of velocity.
#6
RE: 500 vs. 870
as far as shotguns go, i'm a Mossberg man. i have beat my Mossberg 835 to death and it still shoots and functions as good as the day i bought it. when i use to dog hunt, my Mossberg was run over by a truck, i've used it as a club (to kill snakes), it's been dropped in the sand and mud more times than i can count and still operated flawlessly with a little WD-40. Mossberg has made a life customer out of me.
#7
Fork Horn
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Bar Harbor ME USA
Posts: 443
RE: 500 vs. 870
Very true Mossbergs aren't as pretty as the Remmington, but they do take a lickin and keep on tickin. I personally have a Moss 500, I like the location of the safety too. If I had to it probably wouldn't take to long to get used to the Rem cross bolt saftey though. Either will serve you well so get the one that feels the best to you
#8
RE: 500 vs. 870
when i was into slug huntin i always used my dads 500 withthe slug barrel and i shot multiple deer at 100-125yds withopen sightsand regular slugs. great slug gun in my opinion. my dad has shot his for years and loves it for deer too. jus not much else. he uses his 870 for birds
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location:
Posts: 7
RE: 500 vs. 870
Both are very fine shotguns . Ihave a535 Mossy and a 870 Wingmaster . I perfer the 535 for Deer hunting . The 870 for upland & waterfoul . Concider perhaps finding a good used model of each an have 2 of the best shotguns
you'll ever enjoy hunting with.
you'll ever enjoy hunting with.
#10
RE: 500 vs. 870
The 870 is a far better shotgun. I've seen too many things break on Mossberg 500s in the past, I'll never own one. I have put 100,000+ rounds through an 870 wingmaster without a single breakage.