Mossberg or Remington?

[ParabellumJ]

I am hoping to add the first shotgun (12ga) to my collection soon and have narrowed it down to the two most popular: Remington 870 or Mossberg 500 (or 590). The indented use is home defense. A rifled barrel not a requirement as I plan on loading bird or buck shot. I want an 18 inch barrel and plan on adding the ATI tactical 6 pos stock, pistol grip and forend. Any advice on which one or positives/negatives of each are appreciated. Thanks.

[rhd04]

I'd go with the 870. The police and military use it

[ltxi]

I'm partial to 870's, but either will work. I've had two Mossberg 500s over the years...sold them both. Partially a manual of arms thing as my 870's ain't goin' nowhere.

[melissa5]

I've got a Mossberg 500 and Rem 870 20 gauge. I like them both, but if I had to sell one, it would be the Rem. Not because of it being a 20 gauge but because something in it bites my finger when I load it.

[RRP]

Ford or Chevy? One could make an argument for either. The 870 and 500 are both good choices with well established track records. You can't make a bad choice, if these are your options.

I own both. I like both. I prefer the location of the safety on the Mossy, but that's not a big deal.

In my opinion, the older guns were better quality than the new. If I were you, I would buy an old Mossberg. It doesn't matter what condition the stock is in if you're going to replace it with a tactical outfit. New, 500s are selling around $300. Used models are abundant in the $150 range. Even if the used gun doesn't come with the short barrel you want, you could buy a new 18.5" barrel and still have less invested than a new gun. (Note that it is legal to cut a barrel, as long as the finish length is no shorter than 18" from breech face to muzzle.)

If you decide to buy new, pay attention to the choke. The last time I looked, the Mossberg came with multiple choke tubes, but the 870 only came with a single choke.

[Bawanna]

I like the controls on the Mossberg better. It's what I'm used to.

I also question anything law enforcement and the military do, probably because LE seems to feel obligated to follow suit of the military, weather it's right or wrong.

I'd also look at the Blackhawk stock, can't remember the name of it, I don't have one but Melissa and a couple others do and it gets pretty good reviews.

[melissa5]

Knoxx Spec Ops...you can get them with recoil reduction or without.

[mr surveyor]

ditto on what Bawanna said about the controls. I'm very partial to the tang safety on the 500. I absolutely hate cross bolt safeties.

[Bawanna]

Only down side of the thumb safety is they don't work great with a pistol grip which I keep forgetting. On those the cross bolt is better but I too don't like cross bolt safeties at all.

When I get my Knox stock I'll deal with it I reckon.

[Barth]

The only 12 gauge I've ever owned is a Mossy 500 pump gun.
Never wanted or needed anything else...

[TheTman]

Either one would suit you well. The 870 might have more accessories available, the either has everything you need accessory wise. I don't mind the safety on the 870. never seemed to matter much if it was on the tang or crossbolt.
I got a good deal on an 870 20 guage youth model at a gun show, and it stays close to my bedside. It's small enough to manuever around the house with, without buying a folding stock or anything anything else for it. My son used it quite a bit when he was younger. I have and open cylinder choke in it right now, and is loaded with 3" shells with #2 steei shot in it.

[jeepster09]

Well for home defense, you may want to think about a 20 guage....
I have a Mossberg "510 mini" 20 guage which I think is pretty slick. Very lightand handles well with light kick.
I also have an 870 12 guage, but the 510 is better for the job.

[ltxi]

Only down side of the thumb safety is they don't work great with a pistol grip which I keep forgetting. On those the cross bolt is better but I too don't like cross bolt safeties at all.

When I get my Knox stock I'll deal with it I reckon.

I actually prefer the thumb safety as well... 'cept that I feel better about cross bolt if using the safety at all. Plus I've been doing 870s forever and that's the platform my two custom defense shotguns are built on. Again, it's also a common manual of arms thing for me.

[ParabellumJ]

Mossberg or Remington?

Lots of great input. Locally the 500 seems to be $100 or more cheaper than the 870. Seems that is the case online as well. The price difference should pay for the upgrades. I think I have made my choice. Now I have to check out that Knox tactical setup and compare to ati. Thanks all for the input.

[AJBert]

As has been stated, either is a great choice.

My advice, though, is buy on older model of whichever you choose. Both have cut corners in recent years and are not the same as their namesakes deserve.