Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.

Recently my shotgun died, it was an old Stevens pump gun that I will get fixed eventually, but I am going to buy a new shotgun because there on sale, and I would like a gun that can use steal shot, and that I can put a slug barrel on (No rifles in MA for dear). So hear is what I can do for $279 I can get a Mossberg 500 with a bird barrel, and slug barrel. The Remington 870 is $339, and has the same deals. My question is what make the Remington so much better? They feel like there quality is about the same, and the Remington doesn’t have a steel receiver, nor is it drilled and tapped. Yet the store clerk claims this is the gun to get because “The Remington” is better. So what makes it better? Or is it just in every ones head? So if you like your Mossberg better or the same as a Remington tell us why. If you like the Remington better than the Mossberg also tell us why.

Dave M.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I' ve seen a far higher amount of problems with the 500. Based on the ones I' ve sold through the years. I still believe it' s a decent fgun for the money, but I don' t think the quality is quite up to the 870'

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I own each one of these guns and they each have their advantages but I would also have to say the Remington 870 is a better gun.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I have an Remington 870 Express magnum. I have never had a problem with it. I' ve just kept up with the cleaning and maintenance and it' s given me 10yrs of trouble free use.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

" The 870 is like the chevy small block of shotguns." That is a quote that I read in the " American Rifleman" . That would be a very good analogy of the 870. This gun has been around and through just about anything you can throw at it.

Not saying the Mossberg is a POS because it isn' t. They make a great shotgun. But for the money, I would go with a gun that has proven it self time and time again.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I' ve got a Mossberg 500 and have had no problems at all. I don' t use a shotgun much so I opted to save the $30 and buy the Mossberg. I think you would be happy with either gunbut if you plan to use it a good bit go with the Remington.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

You need to shop around!!!!! I got my brand new Remington 870 Magnum at Wal-Mart for $225, and it wasn' t on sale, that was just the normal price. I think the Super Magnums were only $50 or so more. The clerk told me that it was about $100 cheaper than the regular list price because of some kind of deal Remington and Wally World has or something. I just bought mine about a month ago, so prices shouldn' t have changed. Check it out!

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Don' t believe them biased rem fans for a second.Although the 870 is a fair scattergun it isn' t worth the extra bucks. Mossberg 500' s are one of the most reliable shotguns ever made. Rem. fans just like to promo their guns just they got suckered into paying more for a shotgun that ain' t no better. Are both of these guns new or used? Although VERY underrated the moss 500 is a VERY reliable gun to true adverse conditions.Trust me, the NEW mossy are better built than the NEW Rem. If you don' t believe me, check out why the military and law enforcement both left Rem. and went to Mossberg.Mossy was the ONLY one to pass the tests these dept. required to meet their standards.I was just through this whole Rem. vs. Mossy thing a little while ago, the OLD 870' s were good, the NEW ones leave something to be desired, at least Mossy stays consistant, a true workhorse that gets the job done.For pure quality for your buck,why pay more? Just remember...Moss is boss for true down and dirty hunting[8D][8D]
Why do they say Rem. is better? Because your paying more for the Remington name and the dealers make more money if the guns they sell are a higher price. Get the picture???

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

probably no other pump shot gun has such a long and marvelous career as the Remington 870.....If I wanted a new pump it' d be an 870

And I' m not a Remington fan

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

plainsman, the military use the Mossberg 590, not the 500.

" Mossy was the ONLY one to pass the tests these dept. required to meet their standards" What departments are you refering to?

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Refering specifically to the military 10,000 round test,true it wasn' t the 500 they tested, but Mossberg is still the only co. to have passed the most recent tests. In the waterfowling circles in southern Alberta, almost nobody wants anything to do with Rem.! Browning,Mossberg andWinchester are the mainstays, with a few Berreta added in for flavor. Just telling it like it is ,sorry to offend anyone.

As for " standing the test of time" the Mossy 500 has been around for quite some time and held it' s own with the best of them, if it didn' t ,it would no longer be in production. Just my 2 cents, for all it matters.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

One of the most critcal factors in government contracts is cost.The low bidder usually wins whether they have the best product or not.A friend of mine is an outfitter for saskatchewan goose hunts and according to him the 870 is still by far the most common pump gun used by his clients.Many of his clients use semi autos and there is a greater variety of brands used with the semi autos however.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

IMO, For the money the 870 is one of the best. I have had mossburgs before and yet to find one that I liked, from the floppy noisy forearm to the plastic saftey slide, they leave alot to be desired, also have had some that would shoot a foot high or to the left or right. Hands down , Buy the Rem, it is far better than the mossburgs.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Gatsby, one word, RESEARCH.Do lots of it on all the hunting sites you can find.There are lots to look into and it' s time well spent.

Check out the candidates in person.Which gun comes to your shoulder the nicest?Which one feels the most comfortable? If it' s not comfy it will show in your shooting.

Warrenties,who has the best? It can save you a world of hassle down the road.
Don' t let anyone push you into a certain gun just because thats what they shoot. As you can see Rem. has lots of fans, but so does every other Co. out there. Personally I like my Browning A5 [bet you thought I shot a Mossy, didn' t you].

Despite gov. rep for going with lowest bidder, all MUST pass the tests to even be considered for use in military or police work. Poorly functioning firearms leave to much room for lawsuits do to malfunction or accident.

Remember, it' s the gun YOU WILL BE SHOOTING,make sure it' s the one YOU want, no matter the name on the side, it' s there for your purpose alone and the hell with what anyone else thinks[8D][8D]

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

First, I own both Remington 870' s and Mossberg 500' s, (to include a New Haven 600 in the past). Second, they are both a decent gun for the money. Third, as was already pointed out above the Mossberg the military purchased was NOT the 500 but a beefed up version!

The shotguns purchased by the military did have to meet minimum standards to be considered for purchase. And of the models that meet those standards price does then become the determining factor for contract consideration. The Mossberg is not a better gun than the Remington. But the version purchased by the military met the minimum standards and did it at a better price!

The plain " vanilla version" Mossberg 500 is NOT a more durable gun than the 870, but it is servicable. The " vanilla version" Remington 870 is more durable sold as is.

By the way....I spent six years stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds assigned to Combat Systems Test Activity, (Mid 80' s through early 90' s). We " RAM" (Reliability - Accessibility - Maintainability) tested these and other weapons systems.

They are both guns that will get the job done. But lets not let brand preference mislead our statements! I suggest for the original post....Handle each the Mossberg and the Remington. Cycle the action for yourself...note the difference in the safety mechanism. See if one seems to fit you better than the other. And as a matter of " subjectivity" do you have a preference " appearance and handling" wise.....one over the other?!? Then purchase the one that appeals to you most! (Letting $50.00 difference sway you one way or the other on a new gun purchase is not in my opinion, enough of a difference to consider!) After you have made your decision and made the deal.....proceed to use your new shotgun happily knowing that either will probably do all that you ask!

Best of luck!

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Both are great guns. I have owned a Mossburg 500 about 8 years ago. The only problem I had was that the safety froze up on me when I was deer hunting. I am sure it is probably much better now than it was then.

Also ARE THE SLUG BARRELS RIFLED OR SMOOTH BORE? Maybe it does not matter to you but you will have a little better accuracy with a riffled barrel. If they are smooth and have screw in chokes you can get a riffled choke, I have one on my Winchester 1300 and it works good.

Lastly which one feels better when you throw it up to your shoulder. Does everything line up, or do you have to reposition your head and the gun. I really like the way the 835 comes up.


Good luck!

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I have both of these guns and my 500 is a 12 870 is a 20 the 870 can' t hthought slug to save it' s stock the 500 was all right but havn' t used it for deer in 3 yrs so i don' t know any more i replaced it because some times it would not put another slug in the camber it would stick in the mag the 870 i have had no problems with and would buy another

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Well Remington must be doing something right with the 870, they haven' t changed since the 1950' s.

Having said that, the Mossberg is still a good gun for the money. There is actually one thing I like better on the Mossy than the 870 and that is the tang safety. LOL, NBH[8D].

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I have a Mossberg 500 camo stock and barrell. Also I have the slug barrell only and it shoots deer wonderfuly. I have had this gun now for about 13 years and have never had a problem with it.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

*groan* here we go again.

Either will work, get what you want.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

you got a lot of answers so here" s mine i have been hunting with a mossberg 500 for about 30 years .my buddys kid me about it all the time. they say there are other guns out there but i still use it. this gun has been fired more time than any gun i know .i have shot 100s of ducks and just as many deer .but like all guns you must make them clean .mossberg is a great gun.i say. " The Buffalo Hunter"

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

I own a moss 500 and a rem 870, and use both of them often. Of the two, only the moss has went in for repairs. One broken pump op rod, and one broken tang safty button. I still like the tang safty better. Go with the one YOU like best, both of them will serve you well.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Two years ago I bought the 500 my friend bought the 870.
The 870 looks like better quality. We shoot skeet every friday
I have put at least 1500 rounds through my 500. I clean the barrel every week and thats it. I have had NO other problems. I also liked the 500
because they offer a black powder barrel for it.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Having spent one year at a sporting goods shop in gun sales, I only saw returns (5) with the Mossberg. Main problem? Broken pump rod. The mossberg used to use only one pump rod while the 870 has always used two. But people kept buying them because they were $50 cheaper. New mossbergs have two pump rods, so I can' t say anything bad about them. My dad owns an 1963 870 tc (trap grade) He' s shot over 50 thousand of rounds on the trap and skeet field along with hundreds of ducks and geese. Never has needed it repaired in 40 years of use!. Keep it clean and it keeps on chuckn'
Your second option would be to pick up a used pump gun for less money than new. I bought my 2nd 870 for $125 used because the guy thought he needed a Beneli black eagle. I think I got the better deal.

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

Well just my two cents, why don' t you try to find a used 500. I bought one awhile ago as a camp shotgun, and it has a much nicer feel then the newer ones you pick up at Walmart and you will save some money. In many instances used is the way to go just make sure to inspect it well. But either way I don' t think you can go wrong, just the older 500' s seem to me to be made better and have nicer wood.

Kyle

RE: Mossberg Model 500 Vs Remington 870 Express.
 

The Mossberg 500 is my choice. I have nothing against the remington except 2 things. The price and their safety. I hate a safety that' s on the trigger guard. I love the top tang safety that Mossberg has. I have two Mossberg 500' s. One is a 12 , the other is a .410. I have never had a problem with either one. The 12, I put over 2 thousand rounds a year through it. Works great, from bustin' clays to shooting Partridge.
I have the rifled slug barrel for the 12 gauge. Cantilevered scope mount that is welded to the barrel. I have a 2.5 power scope on it. At 75 yards it groups into one ragged hole. Although the hole is about 2" in diameter! :)

I can' t say enough about the Mossberg, LOVE IT!