guns i am pricing/considering....

mossberg 500 , 590 tactical or 590A , remington 870 express or police additions

am leaning toward the mossy in 590 models . like the top safety and features on the gun , speed feed , metal trigger guard and metal safety etc .

have located one 590 blackwater edition with light for $475 brand new.

if you own any of these guns or have shot them the feed back would be helpful.
i have shot and owned the remington model before and i think they are great guns . but then again the mossberg ones seem equally as good and i know the military uses this gun

Never used anything other than a Remington 870 myself..... never found any reason to change.

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A closed mouth gathers no foot

Both are excellent for the purpose. Depends on the best price. Go from there.

I shoot southpaw, so the 500 series Mossbergs don't work for me. The positioning of the slide release turns it into an auto-eject upon recoil! The 870 has always been dependable, and they fit me right.

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Even older, even crankier....

I prefer the 870. Have one in 12ga and 20ga.

If someone other than you is going to use it, you should consider whether it's right for both of you.

Had a Mossberg, have a Remington 870. Even Steven, IMHO. A smooth action and true familiarity with the firearm are more important IMHO.

I have 4 870's. Two ex police ones (wingmasters) one 870 with slug bbl and the el cheapo 870 with the sand blasted finish. Stay away from that one. Gritty trigger, and just plain looks cheap. Now the two police 870's,one cost $225 with the mag extension and the other $212 without. Great triggers, smooth working bolts and cheap. The slug bbld one I have had for over 25 years and the two police ones have the same smooth bolt and great trigger. I actually think there are more aftermarket "goodies" out there for the 879 than the mossberg. I had a mossberg pump in 12 guage and while it worked and I used it for some time, I always went back to the 870. Frank

I have a Remington 887 Tactical for at least a year and it sets in my safe unfired. Don't know why I bought it. I guess I will sell it one of these days. I might not be the best person to give advice on shotguns. Don

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"Don't worry be happy"

I had a benelli but if I did it over again I'd go 870!

The 870 Police Model hands down. You might also look for a LE trade-in 870 at a lower price. Very few have been shot much but some will be less than perfect finish-wise. Most older LE guns were just Wingmasters with plain stocks and short barrels. Second place for me would be the Express.

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Run Fast, Bite Hard!

With Mossberg you cannot be that wrong. Just choose a 18 1/2" barrel or even a shorter one.

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Jorge

I constantly see plain-jane Mossberg 500s for around the $100-150 in the used shotgun rack. Cut the barrel to 18 1/8" , add a shell holder on the stock and that's all ya need for home defense.

All them TACTI-COOL accessories are for mall-ninjas and fantasy-fighters.

if you cant decide between mossberg or remington y not get both....thats what i did

I looked at your list rock n roll kid and honestly i don't have experience with the home defense versions of the shotguns on your list.

So i am going to suggest the only home defense shotgun that i do have some experience with.

The stoeger double defense shotgun it is tactical black double barrel shotgun chambered in either 12 or 20 gauge it has accessory rails on it

I've had both Mossbergs and Remingtons and prefer the 870. My home defense gun now under the bed is an 870 Marine Magnum. The finish on them holds up and never a concern about rust staying under the bed.

have a dressed up 500 and a wingmaster..
like each one for different reasons

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is it just me?

Six of one, half a dozen of the other between the 500 and the 870; plenty of smart people are devoted to both platforms. Shoot both if you can, and let instinct choose for you.

Alternately, if you're only looking to use the shotgun for home defense, consider the .410 bore option. With the advent of the Judge and Governor, quality .410 defense load in 000 buckshot is plentiful and cheap, hits with serious stopping power, and delivers the payload from a lighter, more maneuverable and more controllable platform.

I like the Mossberg for the safety on top also.

Better double check about the metal trigger guard. I believe only the 590A has it. My regular 590 had a plastic trigger guard and group. But it was older so who knows what's there now?

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Still Running Against the Wind

I've had both. I have a 590 set up for bear defense while camping/fishing.

One point that has been brought up regarding the Remington vs Mossberg discussion. The Mossberg has twin action bars, the Remington only has one. Supposedly, this can result in torquing of the action and jamming. I never experienced this with my 870 but I have seen it be a constant problem with Browning pumps if the action is not worked with a VERY vigorous movement.

I currently have several Winchesters, several doubles,a Mossberg, and a slew of hunting shotguns. My first Hunter Safety instructors were Long Beach PD. Something they told us: Doubles have an intimidation factor if people can see them; pumps have one in the dark (sound of racking of the slide)= otherwise, your looking at 2 shots versus 4-6 (or more). Can you load a double, fire, break it (short barrelled shotguns don't break open as easily as longer barrelled ones), extract two shells, pull two off/out of wherever, reload, aim & fire as quick as you can rack a slide? Professional hunters don't use ejectors for a reason==sound of shells being ejected and hitting the ground can disclose your position.

My defense shotgun (other than the 590 above) is an older Winchester Model 12. Bought it for $250, cut the barrel to 20". No disconnect, so it will "spray" shells, if need be. Plug removed, of course. Lousy wood and metal finish-cold blued to cover obvious deficiencies. Bayonet lug and sling swivels for fun (I collect WWI weapons).

I personally prefer an 870, I have four barrels for mine to cover about any situation...my Dad gave it to me for my 14th birthday, 48 years ago, it has never malfunctioned
The wife has an Ithaca 37 that she really loves...20 inch bbl. w/ 8 hot magazine and is "slam fire" capable....the Department recently issued me a spanky new Mossberg 500, seems to be ok but I have only fired about 100 rounds thru it to date.

Every 870 I own and have ever seen has had TWIN action bars....and I can assure you that if one discharges a 20 inch or less shotgun in a dark area, muzzle flash WILL denote your location...the sound of shells being ejected and hitting the ground will be a non-factor...

If you decide to go with the Mossburg, hold the pistol grip in your hand and make sure that it not too thick for you, to feel comfortable with. It was too thick for me. I have an old Ithaca 37 LE gun in the corner of my bedroom. Nice gun, have 2 bbls for it. Cost $35.00 back in the early 1970's. One thing that you have to remember is when the Grandkids visit, is to lock it up or take the ctges out of it!!

The 870 is my favorite but the house scattergun is a 500. It was a police trade in with a seven shot magazine that I got for $120.00.

I think you may have this backwards. The Remingtons I've seen, including the one that I own, all have twin action bars, and the Mossbergs I've seen only have one.

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Illegitimus Non Carborundum

Mine is a pistol grip (with full stock) Stevens 320 5 shell pump.

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G21C,Shield.40,LCP

"I think you may have this backwards. The Remingtons I've seen, including the one that I own, all have twin action bars, and the Mossbergs I've seen only have one."

Mossberg left side and right side pics:
http://gunnuts.net/wp-content/upload...mports-007.jpg

http://www.customdigitaldesignsonlin...1506252490.jpg

Remington left and right sides:

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remin..._Tac_05_tn.JPG

http://www.gunsumerreports.com/Remin..._Tac_00_tn.JPG

Apparently, both have 2 action bars, at least current ones.

My shotgun for things that go bump in the night is Mossberg 590 12 gauge 9 shot. It has a full butt stock but is still short enough to go in tight places. It’s a heck of a lot easier to control/use than a pistol grip only (at least in 12 gauge)

IMNSHO the only 2 reasons for a defense pistol grip only shot gun is IT LOOKS MENACING, It’s easier to conceal. Yes I have fired many of them and they do not impress me one iota...

I have also owned a few 870s and while a good gun keep the Mossie close! I’m also not a proponent of the shuck shuck noise is going to make a criminal wet his pants when he hears it. Gun is totally ready to go bang.

My 590 is loaded to fire 5 00 buck followed by 4 slugs with more of both available. The reason for my load out is I live in the woods, over penetration or kids is not a concern and could easily have a bear or other animal problem along with predatory humans. I also have no cell service available and cops are hardly out here. If I have to make a call (assuming my LL phone works) it could easily be 20 minutes or more.

Now if a prison break or similar event was going on I would have a AR clone or 2 with Hicap mag/s handy also

Elmer Keith mentioned the advantage of the 870's TWIN action bars in, "Shotguns", printed in 1950. It was one of the new gun's design innovations. He correctly predicted that the new gun would kill off the M-12 and other classic designs, being a fine gun at a remarkable price.

However, the Express grade is cheapened, and all recent 870's may have QC issues, as with other Remington merchandise. Try one thoroughly to be sure it works well before entrusting your life to it. I had both 12 and 20 ga. examples that had shell holder problems.

My current Wingmaster was bought in 2004 and has some nice engraving on the receiver that actually looks to be hand-cut, although it's surely computer done. I had to search hard for a Wingmaster, local dealers mostly stocking only Express guns. One said that people with enough money usually buy autos. Or over-unders.

My 870 was bought as a hunting gun. I get tired of seeing "tactical" shotgun photos. I use handguns for home defense. I guess if there was a riot that reached my area, I 'd dig out the 12 ga. amd load it,or the rifles.

I have two 870s...a regular 12 ga Wingmaster and a 20 ga Express. I set the 20 ga up for HD with synthetic furniture, 18" bbl, & extended mag loaded with 3" #2 buckshot. I figure it will do the job in close quarters inside the house and my wife can handle it better than the 12 ga. I owned and hunted with a Mossberg 500 and it was a good, reliable shotgun, but I traded it off for the Wingmaster years ago...prefer the looks and heft of the Remington.

I currently have four 870's, all express models. I have had a wingmaster in the past. I have been shooting 870's for 30 years. It is now also our department gun, replacing Ithaca mod. 37's. I have never seen a problem with the Remingtons. I chose them as my personal shotguns because of the double charge bars on the slide. My rational being that they are less likely to torque to one side resulting in a jam or to cause premature wear. Both the Ithaca and Mossbergs that I have seen have only one charge bar on one side of the pump.

Either should be fine.

I have a Maverick 88 for my situation at home.

My agency uses the 870.

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

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I'm confused. I had a 590 before it was stolen, and my department had 500s. I never had an issue with the slide release as a lefty. I'm sort of looking at a double for a house gun, but it needs to easily mount a light and maybe an Aimpoint. I have been confused by seeing the 20" barrels on the (Stoegers, I think) - can't figure out why so long since they should still be well over 26" OAL with an 18" barrel.

I'll probably end up going with another Vang modified 590, with a sling mount compatible with my M4gery, a good light, and H1.

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NHI, 10-8.

Either will work just fine. Myself I like a SXS, but thats just me

Almost no reason to spend a lot of money on a brand new Mossy when it's so easy to find great deals on used ones. I have several around the house.

This one started as a regular 500, then I got the twenty inch barrel and longer mag tube as a kit from Brownells, added an orange aluminum mag follower and turned it into an almost 590.

Plastic trigger guard is a non issue for me. Have banged these things around for years and never had a problem with one. Brownells does carry a steel trigger group if you're really wanting to upgrade.

My old 8-shot Mossberg 500A has kept the bad guys away for 22 years now, so I guess it's doing a good job. I've fired many, many thousands of rounds through it over the years, and other than a new mag tube spring back in the late 90s it's never needed a thing.

You can only go about 1/2" shorter, without Federal paperwork.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the Gander Mountain in Roanoke, Virginia. They had a couple of "tactical" SxS Stoeger shotguns. They were black and had a rail mounted under the lower rib.

I have shot the Remington 870s, 2 3/4" and 3". I have also shot Mossbergs, Ithaca 37s, and Stevens.

My defense shotgun is an original Winchester 1897 with a 18 1/4" barrel. I carried it in my patrol car for a number of years.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Dont let price stop you. Both are fine but im an 870 man. Get you a factory folder or a chicken head grip.

The 870 gets the edge as far as I am concerned mainly because far more accessories, barrels, etc available for them.

I have an older 500 and it does have only one action bar (just checked), but it has never given a hint of a problem.

I really prefer the 870 safety over the top mounted Mossy only because just about every other long gun I have has a safety in the trigger guard, not on top of the receiver. If the Mossy was the only thing I had or ever shot, I am sure I would learn to prefer that top safety.

I've had two 870 Wingmasters and loved them but really a Winchester Model 12 is the Rolls Royce of home defense shotguns. Just hold the trigger back and pump. This one was built in 1946.

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LIVE FROM THE DAWGHOUSE

The slide release is on the left side, directly behind the trigger guard. For me, the knuckle on my middle finger strikes the release and allows the slide to open under recoil. Maybe it's just the way I grip the gun, but under stress I'm probably not going to be focused on repositioning my hand to keep it clear of the release. On the 870, with the release forward of the trigger guard on the left side, it's not an issue. I can reach it with my trigger finger to actuate it.

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Even older, even crankier....

get the 870 but a mod 12 winchester is right up there at the top!

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

I just made a 20 gage HD gun for my wife out of a New Haven 600 (Mossberg 500) that had a 28 inch Polychoke barrel. Paid $115 for the gun. Cut the barrel to 19 inches. Put an ATI AR 15 style butt-stock on it and a ghost ring sight heat shield and now she has a nice, slick intimidating looking HD gun for $200.

She shoots it very well too.

My HD shotgun is a Mossberg 500 12 gage with the 18.5 inch cylinder bore barrel and a 6 round Tac-Star receiver mounted ammo carrier. If I can't stop it with 11 rounds of 12 gage, there is a major problem.

I have both the 870 Express & a Mossy 500. I like both, but have more use for the 870. The pistol grip 'chopped' Mossy is a little hard to control.

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Dave

That is the longest a shotgun thread has gone in a while with no one mentioning that you really want an M4 clone... AK... whatnot. Strange. Someone do that so that we can achieve closure.

I have tried many different shotguns over the years. I have one make now, it is the Rem. 870.

This is my main home defense shotgun. I bought a older Rem Express 870 and bought a blackhawk stock, a magazine tube extension and a used slug barrel with sights. I have $310 into this gun.

It is loaded with slugs. The chamber is empty and the trigger is in the "fired" condition and saftey off. It sits by the sliding glass door, just out of sight.

The reason for the collapsable stock is so it can fit my wife too. My purpose is to defend myself against grizzly bears. We had 10 different bears under the apple tree last fall IN ONE WEEK! My reason to have one is different than nost people but I have one doe the same reason.

John

Attached Images

	10-3sow& cubs #3.JPG (64.6 KB, 20 views)
	griz bashes door.JPG (99.4 KB, 22 views)
	Rem Exp. 12ga BEAR.JPG (135.2 KB, 32 views)

Here's my Model 12 I use.


My Model 97 for CAS (marked Adams Express)


And the 590 (going into the classifieds soon):

I have a mod 12 cut down to 24 inch had choke tubes instaled put rifel sights on it, its a good all around shot gun , my 21 inch 1187 is my bed side shotgun

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WILL WORK FOR AMMO!

My old 870 Wingmaster with a cut 18.5" barrel and four shot mag does the job just fine. Got less than three hundred bucks in it too, counting the barrel work.

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MARK