POLL: Pump shotgun choice: Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 series?

[MERV5-5505]

Hello All:

It seems that like so many other things in life, firearm preference & tastes can run strong, almost to the point of letting emotion trump logic. That being said. I just picked up a no-frills Remington 870 police 12 gauge for a song at my LGS. While handling the gun, a discussion started in the shop that polarized quickly into two basic camps: Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 series, (500, 590, etc.) It remained good-natured & friendly, but I could sense feelings ran deep.
So being that this forum is already populated with informed gun-fans with good taste, I thought I would ask via a poll.
I myself think that both Mossberg & Remington make a fine social shotgun, but truth be known...I lean towards the 870.

Thanks in advance for your participation & comments.

 

[Vulcan Bob]

The US military run a test on pump shotguns awhile back, the Mossburg was the only one to pass testing, nuff said. I bought a 590 with that info.

 

[Andy Griffith]

I kinda like one with a hammer on it, and really miss it when it isn't there.

Winchester '97 or reproduction, or a well maintained Marlin 1898.

Can't go wrong with those new fangled ones though.

 

[jlrhiner]

Well, I own both. The 870 is the standard by which pump guns are judged, but the 500 is no slouch either. The safeties are in different positions, so some one who is used to the safety being in the trigger guard will naturaly go with the 870. As far as performance, I don't believe there's a dimes worth of difference in them. Just my opinion.

 

[J. W.]

Personally, I always liked my Winchester 1200 better than either. I never really cared for my issued 870. Never felt right to me. It had a synthetic stock and forend. LOP was too long for my liking and the stock too narrow.

Of the two you mentioned though, I like the feel of the Mossberg better, but the 870 seems like it has a smoother action. All are fine shotguns though.

 

[GatorFarmer]

The US military run a test on pump shotguns awhile back, the Mossburg was the only one to pass testing, nuff said. I bought a 590 with that info.

And the Marines since replaced these by adopting a Benelli auto... But actually 500s, 590s and 870s all saw military use. The 590 was just the most common for a time.

 

[pawncop]

I have the Maverick 88 (Mossberg clone) and love it.

 

[chief38]

I had both and I wound up selling the Mossberg as I think the Remington is the better gun. I had a Winchester M 1200 as well, that I gave to my Son as a B/D present. The best pump House Gun (IMHO) is probably the OLD Ithaca M37 police riot gun. I had one of those as well, but sold it when I bought my Browning Superposed and A-5. I like the fact that it ejected from the bottom and would fire as fast as I could work the slide, but I was offered too much to turn down the deal. So now my official House Gun is a Rem 870 7 shot (6 + 1) and I have been pleased with it's quality & performance.

chief38

 

[Viss]

I voted for the Mossberg, I have several,and 870's as well. I grew up with shotguns with a tang safety and still prefer it.

 

[Snowbandit]

I don't know that one is actually better than the other but I prefer my Remington. I don't care for the position of the Mossberg safety. My 870, 572, 7600 and 760 all work exactly the same and that's a real benefit as far as I'm concerned. Oh..... did I mention I like the Remington pumps?

 

[OKFC05]

Well, I shoot a Remington 11-87 autoloader that requires more care and cleaning, and EVRYBODY KNOWS autoloaders are not as reliable....

I've only drug it through the dust and mud for over 20 years shooting turkeys and ducks without problems, so what do I know?

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'm spending a lifetime with the Model 12 Winchester myself. Slick, all-steel design that's been trouble free for me.

 

[NKJ nut]

Either one will do the job equally well. So will the ithaca. Just pick the one that feels right to you.

 

[Black_Sheep]

For wingshooting I prefer the 870 but for anything else a 500 series Mossberg is just fine...

 

[2152hq]

Winchester 97
Remington Model 10
Stevens 520
Meriden

 

[srgvaz]

IMHO- Any 870, Winchester, or Browning would be hard to beat I've owned several in 410, 12 and 20 gage that never failed me no matter what. I have had one- Mossberg 500 and two- Maverick 88's fail me , the action locked up when the carrier jumped out of position. I'm a shotgun guy so if it fails me I'll never trust it again. Franchi, Ithaca, and Beretta make some nice models that handle very well, but I like using my shotguns in the field and can't justify putting some honest wear on a $$$$$ gun.
I would compare Mossberg to a 870 --as-- Taurus to a S&W...

 

[Ron H.]

Sir, while I'd take a Remington 870 over a Mossberg 500, I'd really rather have an Ithaca 37 or Winchester Model 12. IMHO, the only real advantages of the Remington and Mossberg are low price and easy parts availability.

Hope this helps, and Semper Fi.

Ron H.

 

[walnutred]

I MUCH prefer doubles, but if using a pump it will be a Ithaca or BPS.

 

[LoadedRound]

Either one will do the job equally well. So will the ithaca. Just pick the one that feels right to you.

This is absolutely right. I prefer the 870, simply because I grew up hunting with one. I would still be happy with a Mossberg or Ithica or Winchester.

 

[TxShooter]

My preference is the 870, but I wouldn't turn down a 500 or 590. IIRC, Remington didn't submit anything to the pumpgun test that Mossberg used to advertise as being the only model to pass.