They are booth good guns. I have have friends with the 500's and 590's. I myself choose the 870. It the most popular shotgun ever made for a reason. It runs 100% of the time. I have never had it jam, misfire, or fail to function - ever. It's been through frozen mud and slush duck hunting in Colorado and Texas heat bore hunting. I've fired 1000's of rounds and never cleaned it. New, used, abused it just keeps going. It's cheap and has had more accessories made for it than all others combined.
Was thinking Mossberg 500 for HD, handled 870 Express, now I'm not sure...
- Thread starter Dollar An Hour
- Start date
- Status
Firepower!
member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 723
590A1 no comparison.
Rob96
Member
As stated in other places, the Benelli is only in the Marine Corps, and even that is limited to MP units as I have heard. For front line it is still the 500/590.
HisDivineShadow
Member
If you like the 870 more, then get it. Oh and skip the pistolgrip. Here's a really lovely photo of an 870:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/eclipse3346/remmy.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/eclipse3346/remmy.jpg
jad0110
Member
The poll says it all. I would pick the one that feels better overall. You say you prefer the control layout of the mossie, but like the "feel" of the 870. Tough decision, I guess you have to prioritize what features you like better.
Either that, if you are a leftie I'd take a close look at the Browning BPS. It ejects shells straight down instead of in front of you face, and it has a tang safety like the Mossberg. I can't remember where the slide release is - maybe someone else can tell us.
I prefer the 590A myself, just picked one up last week. I agree that the 870 is a fine shotgun, and feels a bit tighter than my Mossie, but I really do prefer the control layout on my 590. I do like the tang safety a bit better, but the real deal breaker for my on the 870 was the location of the slide release. It is so much easier for me to use the release on the 590. But that's just me.
BTW, I don't like pistol grip shotguns either. They just don't feel right to me, even though I like my Yugo AK with it's pistol grip. If I were getting a shottie with a pistol grip, I would certainly prefer the cross bolt safety of the 870.
Either that, if you are a leftie I'd take a close look at the Browning BPS. It ejects shells straight down instead of in front of you face, and it has a tang safety like the Mossberg. I can't remember where the slide release is - maybe someone else can tell us.
I prefer the 590A myself, just picked one up last week. I agree that the 870 is a fine shotgun, and feels a bit tighter than my Mossie, but I really do prefer the control layout on my 590. I do like the tang safety a bit better, but the real deal breaker for my on the 870 was the location of the slide release. It is so much easier for me to use the release on the 590. But that's just me.
BTW, I don't like pistol grip shotguns either. They just don't feel right to me, even though I like my Yugo AK with it's pistol grip. If I were getting a shottie with a pistol grip, I would certainly prefer the cross bolt safety of the 870.
PRCalDude
Member
My instructor has had a lot of problems getting service from Mossberg. He loves the 870. I own one and wouldn't trade it for any other pump-action.
BTW, don't spend a lot of money on bells and whistles for whatever gun you get. Just get a youth stock, a sidesaddle, and a sling, and a powerful handheld flashlight and you're set. That's all you need.
BTW, don't spend a lot of money on bells and whistles for whatever gun you get. Just get a youth stock, a sidesaddle, and a sling, and a powerful handheld flashlight and you're set. That's all you need.
Dollar An Hour
Member
I can get an 870 really cheap thanks to some holiday gift cards I received - so I plan to pick up the 870 pictured on page 1. I like the heft of the 870 and it feels right. Also the reach to the fore end is shorter on the 870 which feels more comfortable.
For what it's worth, my neighbor was in the Air Force flew helicopters in the 80's and 90's and said he was issued an short 870.
Also - "Beginning it's life as a versatile hunting shotgun, available in many different configurations and gauges, in early 1970s Remington 870 was adopted by US Military - in 1966 US Marine Corps purchased some thousands of the Remington 870 Mk.1 shoguns (along with Mossberg 590 and Winchester 1200)."
Someone in this thread stated that the 870 had never been issued - I'm too lazy to find the actual quote but...
Also - "Beginning it's life as a versatile hunting shotgun, available in many different configurations and gauges, in early 1970s Remington 870 was adopted by US Military - in 1966 US Marine Corps purchased some thousands of the Remington 870 Mk.1 shoguns (along with Mossberg 590 and Winchester 1200)."
Someone in this thread stated that the 870 had never been issued - I'm too lazy to find the actual quote but...
For what it's worth, my neighbor was in the Air Force flew helicopters in the 80's and 90's and said he was issued an short 870.
Also - from http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh17-e.htm "Beginning it's life as a versatile hunting shotgun, available in many different configurations and gauges, in early 1970s Remington 870 was adopted by US Military - in 1966 US Marine Corps purchased some thousands of the Remington 870 Mk.1 shoguns (along with Mossberg 590 and Winchester 1200)."
Someone in this thread stated that the 870 had never been issued - I'm too lazy to find the actual quote but...
I have the 870 (just sold my 20" wingmaster to my dad, picked up the 18" 6 shot express) but I like the Mossy too. A buddy of mine has the 590A1 and it is pretty sweet.
Also - from http://world.guns.ru/shotgun/sh17-e.htm "Beginning it's life as a versatile hunting shotgun, available in many different configurations and gauges, in early 1970s Remington 870 was adopted by US Military - in 1966 US Marine Corps purchased some thousands of the Remington 870 Mk.1 shoguns (along with Mossberg 590 and Winchester 1200)."
Someone in this thread stated that the 870 had never been issued - I'm too lazy to find the actual quote but...
I have the 870 (just sold my 20" wingmaster to my dad, picked up the 18" 6 shot express) but I like the Mossy too. A buddy of mine has the 590A1 and it is pretty sweet.
Eightball
Member
Post pictures, man!
Firepower!
member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2008
- Messages
- 723
590A1 Compact Cruiser.
On my destroyer in the late 80s, our weapons lockers were filled with walnut stocked Remington M870s.
I have used Mossbergs or Ithacas ever since.
The Remmies are nice fowling pieces, but that silly little crossbolt safety and less convenient release make it a poor tactical shotgun, that is as popular as it is through tradition and inertia as much as anything.
I have never had, nor seen, an issue with a Mossie's aluminum receiver and I like how the lighter bodied Mossy (and M37 too for that matter), swings because it feels a little heavier out front than does a Remmie of the same capacity, which seems to have more heft felt by the dominant hand. Mossies do seem to recoil harder, but I only notice when firing more than 25 slugs in a session.
A Mossy travels where I point it rather instinctively. I always feel like I am "push-pulling" a Remmie onto target. So I will deal with the lighter "feeling" weapon.
To me, Remmies have always felt better in administrative handling and inferior in actual use. Obviously, I care more about the latter.
YMMV, but a 500 or 590A1 would be my choice.
Oh yeah, for everything but dynamic entry, pistol gripped pump action shotguns suck, no matter who makes them. They make for worse handling and lower speed as well as put undue recoil stresses on the dominant wrist that is now out of line with the axis of the recoil force.
Again, others might disagree.
I have used Mossbergs or Ithacas ever since.
The Remmies are nice fowling pieces, but that silly little crossbolt safety and less convenient release make it a poor tactical shotgun, that is as popular as it is through tradition and inertia as much as anything.
I have never had, nor seen, an issue with a Mossie's aluminum receiver and I like how the lighter bodied Mossy (and M37 too for that matter), swings because it feels a little heavier out front than does a Remmie of the same capacity, which seems to have more heft felt by the dominant hand. Mossies do seem to recoil harder, but I only notice when firing more than 25 slugs in a session.
A Mossy travels where I point it rather instinctively. I always feel like I am "push-pulling" a Remmie onto target. So I will deal with the lighter "feeling" weapon.
To me, Remmies have always felt better in administrative handling and inferior in actual use. Obviously, I care more about the latter.
YMMV, but a 500 or 590A1 would be my choice.
Oh yeah, for everything but dynamic entry, pistol gripped pump action shotguns suck, no matter who makes them. They make for worse handling and lower speed as well as put undue recoil stresses on the dominant wrist that is now out of line with the axis of the recoil force.
Again, others might disagree.
beardxxxd
Member
a 590"a1" has a metal trigger gaurd/ safety button and heavy walled barrel
model number will be 51663 not 50xxx
and will be $450ish +
http://beard.freaksho.net/data/590A1/590A1.htm
model number will be 51663 not 50xxx
and will be $450ish +
http://beard.freaksho.net/data/590A1/590A1.htm
I posted this in another thread about some serious deficiencies of the 870
for defense. Take what you want from it, no b.s, here....
In my opinion, the shell latch design on the 870 is it's biggest weakness,
not only the method of securing, but the design(specifically the right side
latch). Sometimes they will work when the stakes are loose, sometimes they won't. The average Joe cannot restake them without going to the gunsmith(or buying the tool).
As far as it being "a five minute job", most of the gunsmiths in my
area will take a long time and charge you a high hourly rate to do this job.
I prefer to have weapons I can replace parts on without the "services"
of a "gunsmith".
The design of the shell latches(specifically the right side). It is made
to prevent a double feed during the feed cycle. The problem is, if you
are using your 870 to do rapid fire of fairly heavy loads, the shell does
occasionally pop ahead of the right shell latch resulting in a click instead
of a bang. This is called "shell surge" and is supposedly cured by a heavy
magazine spring. Every 870 I have had(and my Norinco 982) has done this.
The heavy spring does not always work to prevent this from happening, however(it makes the shells harder to push in the magazine while pushing on the carrier, that's another issue with the 870). So in a rapid fire defensive situation, you might have to pump the gun again to get a round in the chamber, resulting in the loss of a split second which can get you killed in a gunfight.
The Mossberg shell latch that prevents double feeding actually rotates
into place so that a shell cannot be thrown forward during recoil. So this
"shell surge" cannot happen with the Mossberg unless the latch is
malfunctioning. Look at your 870 and see how quick the right shell latch
moves into place(the bolt is only back from battery by about 1in.) to block the next shell from feeding. The shotgun is still in recoil with heavy loads and combined with the slide coming back quickly, you can see how easy this can happen.
I know the proponents of the 870 are going to tell me that I'm not
pumping the gun correctly or I'm firing it to fast. Well, I'm a former
officer who has had extensive training with the 870, and the Mossberg
and 1300(personally owned). I have never had these issues with the other two. EVERY 870 I have fired has done this occasionally with slugs and
buckshot. Don't get me wrong, I like the 870 for it's feel, steel receiver
and longevity, but if someone is gunning for me and my family I'd
rather have the Mossberg. I'll keep the 870 for a hunting gun(which
it was designed for).
for defense. Take what you want from it, no b.s, here....
In my opinion, the shell latch design on the 870 is it's biggest weakness,
not only the method of securing, but the design(specifically the right side
latch). Sometimes they will work when the stakes are loose, sometimes they won't. The average Joe cannot restake them without going to the gunsmith(or buying the tool).
As far as it being "a five minute job", most of the gunsmiths in my
area will take a long time and charge you a high hourly rate to do this job.
I prefer to have weapons I can replace parts on without the "services"
of a "gunsmith".
The design of the shell latches(specifically the right side). It is made
to prevent a double feed during the feed cycle. The problem is, if you
are using your 870 to do rapid fire of fairly heavy loads, the shell does
occasionally pop ahead of the right shell latch resulting in a click instead
of a bang. This is called "shell surge" and is supposedly cured by a heavy
magazine spring. Every 870 I have had(and my Norinco 982) has done this.
The heavy spring does not always work to prevent this from happening, however(it makes the shells harder to push in the magazine while pushing on the carrier, that's another issue with the 870). So in a rapid fire defensive situation, you might have to pump the gun again to get a round in the chamber, resulting in the loss of a split second which can get you killed in a gunfight.
The Mossberg shell latch that prevents double feeding actually rotates
into place so that a shell cannot be thrown forward during recoil. So this
"shell surge" cannot happen with the Mossberg unless the latch is
malfunctioning. Look at your 870 and see how quick the right shell latch
moves into place(the bolt is only back from battery by about 1in.) to block the next shell from feeding. The shotgun is still in recoil with heavy loads and combined with the slide coming back quickly, you can see how easy this can happen.
I know the proponents of the 870 are going to tell me that I'm not
pumping the gun correctly or I'm firing it to fast. Well, I'm a former
officer who has had extensive training with the 870, and the Mossberg
and 1300(personally owned). I have never had these issues with the other two. EVERY 870 I have fired has done this occasionally with slugs and
buckshot. Don't get me wrong, I like the 870 for it's feel, steel receiver
and longevity, but if someone is gunning for me and my family I'd
rather have the Mossberg. I'll keep the 870 for a hunting gun(which
it was designed for).
- Status