I need a cheap pump and am looking at the 500 field combo and are there any problems with the new ones being produced this year. I know some 870's have unfinished parts and cause some problem but what about 500's.

I purchased the 500 combo 20ga. back in December as a back up only, no problems and I must say she is accurate ........ good deal and price

In my opinion, and I have had both, the 870 is a better shotgun than the 500.

I like more the Mossberg, cause the location is behind the trigger guard and easy to get with my hand and the price for it is around 390-420$

I have owned both and prefer the 870 over the 500. Not sure if the new model is different ( i owned mine about 10 years ago) but the safety was a plastic slide on the 500. After a year or so the slide became sloppy with a lot of play in it and eventually broke. Now I do own a mossberg 835 and really like it, I don't remember what I paid or it but It wasn't much.

I've not heard of any of the issues the 870 is having, happening to the Mossberg. That said, having shot an 870 quite a bit and then shooting a Mossberg 500 some, I prefer the 500. If I ever buy another pump shotgun in the future I'm going to take a serious look at the 500. I just had way too many issues with the 870 I had for me to ever recommend it.