Pump Shotguns

[CCantu357]

I have been looking to buy a new 20 or 12 gauge pump for home defense use. While I consider the Ithaca to be the best in that regard they are hard to find new. So I have narrowed it down to a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. In light of all of the QC problems at Remington I have decided to go with a Mossberg, yet many new reviews claim it is a fragile piece due to the plastic trigger group. Is this something new, or have Model 500s always been on the fragile side of pumps?

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I think the Marines use Mossys (sorry could not help myself).
Me-I use my remmy, Regarding quality control-they've been making 870's since the 50's and I would suspect that even new management could not screw up a great design like that. Try it out in the store first-make sure that nothing wiggles when it is in battery.Then cycle it very fast. It ought to go "shu-shank" (the new ones don't go "rack rack" anymore) and not have any (too much) gritty feeling. If it fails this test get them to pull another one out the back. Make sure you examine it carefully-I didn't when I bought mine and it had a rust spot on the receiver on the other side that looked like a drop of something had got to it. Nothing catastrophic but it pissed me off on a new gun-even though one that would see hard use. I cleaned it up and squirted a dab of bar b que flat black paint on the spot and have not had any problems since.Stock was plastic but it had a plastic corn cob forearm which I liked. Took the skill saw and cut about an inch of the stock cause it was too long and put the pad back on and I'm good to go.
We ain't talking Parkers no.

You are right about the Ithica's though-the cool factor is off the charts. But the 870, and I suspect the 500 also, are so ubiquitous that they'll always be easy to fix and spare parts abound. I would think that if you are into after market takital stuphph though Remington would have the edge.

 

[Enzo]

Don't leave out the Benelli supernova tactical. Not any more money than some of the Mossbergs or Remington's.

 

[olcop]

The Mossberg 12ga with a pistol grip stock and the door breacher barrel is a fierce looking combo---lots of intimidation factor there!! And as Caj said, the 870 is a fine piece too--look in most police cruisers, they'll most likely have an 870 or a 500 in the rack.
olcop

 

[islamoradamark]

i got a mosberg 590 eight shot older one with heat shield on top functions great home gun or car gun simple and accurate 2and 3/4, 00 buck

 

[ColbyBruce]

Go old school...Winchester 1897 Riot. Cool factor out the wazoo.

 

[sheepdawg]

Let's talk cool factor. An intruder would be honored to meet this sweet little 1946 Model 12. Why get shot with just a Pardner Pump?

 

[doublesharp]

Smith & Wesson nickel marine

Mossberg, Winchester & Remington BBQ guns

 

[RobertJ.]

In my opinion, the finish and the wood used on the 870 Express leave a lot to be desired. I have an older Wingmaster with a 20" barrel and magazine extension. They're nicely blued and have walnut stocks. You can still find these for a decent price. There has to be a reason it's the most popular shotgun ever produced.

I like the Mossberg, it's a great gun, I just like the Remington better.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

My choice: Remington 870 Marine Magnum

 

[Rangerpat]

I would check to see what the local and state LEO's in your area carry in their cruisers.
As others have said, you can't go wrong with the Remington 870, get a short barrel for home defense and a long barrel for duck hunting.

 

[Stevens]

Mine is a Remington 870 Express Magnum, black, 18" barrel,5 shot, 12 Ga. plain except for a slip on 5 shell holder on the stock.
Steve W

 

[ServiceGun]

If the Ithaca is your first choice I'd go with that.

Their are a lot of new ones listed on Gunbroker if you can't find one local.

Personally I prefer the older ones.

 

[NYlakesider]

i got a mosberg 590 eight shot older one with heat shield on top functions great home gun or car gun simple and accurate 2and 3/4, 00 buck

That's my house gun also. As I have large 4 legged animals also, the quick to grab gun is loaded 5 rounds 00 buck followed by 4 slugs. (more available)

As menacing as they look the pistol grip only types are rather hard kicking and thusly hard to control, stay with a full stock. Do not fall for that old bull excrement thing about racking the action will scare people away, be ready to go and you will also have one more round in the gun.

 

[kozmic]

I have a 12 ga. Mossberg Persuader. I mounted a light and a Limbsaver along with some other stuff. 9 round tube sold me.

I take it out back and shoot it occasionally to practice and make sure it is working well. I trust it as a line of defense to protect my family.

 

[cmort666]

If the Ithaca is your first choice I'd go with that.

Their are a lot of new ones listed on Gunbroker if you can't find one local.

Personally I prefer the older ones.

I've got one similar to the first, albeit now only partially blued. It was my first modern firearm.

Ithaca has moved to Ohio from New York. Now that I've got a real job again, I might send it to them to get worked over (shell stop problems).

Until the widow of a deceased friend gave me his shotgun (which he FOUND in the wall of his home!), it was the only shotgun I'd ever owned or intended to own.

A shotgun is nearly useless for self-defense in my rat hole apartment, but I have no intention of ever getting rid of it.

 

[sipowicz]

I have the 590...took off the silly heat shield and feed speed stock and put on a Hogue with a shorter LOP...much handier for the house...sorry for the lousy pic...



I love the old Ithacas also, but for me, they are expensive for a house gun. If you do grab an Ithaca, the 8 shots are nice but it you don't think you need 8 rounds, go for the 18 1/2" 4 shot model...they are less wieldy than the 20" and have a nicer balance to them...we had them in the LASD and most of us miss them since they were replaced with the heavier retractable stocked 870s...

 

[Joe Kent]

I have and used most of the older ones, ie. Win. 97's 12's, Savage 520's , Ithaca 37's , Hi-Standard's , Mossberg's , Remington 17's 29's 31's and of course 870's. Of all of them, in my opinion, the Remington Wingmaster Police Riotgun is the best. The Remington 870 Express which is the gun most found{because of price} is different than the 870 Wingmaster and not as well made or internally finished as well . It will work but still is not as good. My second choice of new made shotguns is the Military grade steel rec, Mossberg which is the one the Military uses. Many of the older Model 12's and Ithaca's are equally good only much harder and more expensive to support. Therefore I say go to Remington's better 870 and you will not be sorry. The Remington's coming out Bill Wilson's shop I believe contain up graded parts as well, tho I am not 100% sure of that. All my best, Joe.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I have been looking to buy a new 20 or 12 gauge pump for home defense use. While I consider the Ithaca to be the best in that regard they are hard to find new. So I have narrowed it down to a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870. In light of all of the QC problems at Remington I have decided to go with a Mossberg, yet many new reviews claim it is a fragile piece due to the plastic trigger group. Is this something new, or have Model 500s always been on the fragile side of pumps?

I'm a Mossberg man, strictly because I'm left handed, and the Mossberg safety is perfect for me. I've got three, in .410, 20 gauge, and 12 gauge. Never had any trouble.

 

[reddogge]

I'd keep my eye out for a used 12 ga, 3" Remington Wingmaster from the 70s. Forget the parkerized finish because in the house it won't glare anyway. Put a short riot barrel on it or saw yours off, a magazine extension, stock ammo holder, and sling and you'll have a bullet proof tough gun. You don't need fancy schmanzy sights at house ranges either