Remington 870 or Mossberg 590?
I am wanting to buy a home defense shotgun. I have narrowed my search to these 2 shotguns. I have owned a Wingmaster 870 since I was a kid and know the 870 is a very good shotgun. I have never owned or shot a Mossberg 590. Considering all things, in your opinion which is the better home defense shotgun? Thanks.
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It's six of one, half a dozen of the other. I own both, and neither is better then the other in my opinion. The Mossberg is a little less expencive. Handle both and get the one that you like. 0 -
Depends if you want to put a bayonet on it or not. 590 is already set up for being a defense shotgun 870 might take modification and it might not. 0 -
For me, it comes down to where do you prefer your safety? Mossberg is on the tang, Remington is behind the trigger. I'd say if you are already well-acquainted with the controls of the 870, go with it -- no need to worry about remembering what's where in the event of a high-stress situation. 0 -
Thank you for your opinions. You have been very helpful. 0 -
Why not save some $ and go with the Mossberg 500 in Persuader configeration? 0 -
IMHO Go with the 870. I've seen some from the late 50's still going strong. 0 -
The Remington 870 is like the small block Chevy of shotguns.
The design is simple and their reliability is legendary, everybody and their brother makes parts/accessories for them and they're very easy for the user to break down and work on.
Consider also that this design has been on the market essentially unchanged for right at 60 years and continues to be a market leader. Remington recently announced they've manufactured in excess of 10,000,000 870's over this time, which works out to more than 3,000 per week choosing this shotgun despite such a crowded market. It's developed a strong reputation as THE pump action shotgun all others are judged against.
You often hear people say the Mossberg design must be better than the 870 because it recently relaced the Remington as our standard issue military shotgun. What's not stated is that it never competed against the 870 because Remington opted not to enter the trials this go-round.
The 870 had already served with distinction as our USGI shotgun for many years. By this time it's worldwide sales were so high that engaging in a protracted head-to-head competition for such a low per-unit profit contract simply wasn't worth the trouble. Looking at the big picture Remington really had little to gain by competing.
Nothing succeeds like success.0 -
I'd say all else being equal get the 870 because you're already familiar with it. Your personal proficiency with the gun is FAR more important than which exact model. If you've used one since being a child, that's a pretty strong reason to stick with it.
In terms of which is "better", that's largely subjective and it depends a little bit on exactly what you want to do with them. Both are strong and reliable, and its pretty unlikely that you'll be able to wear out either one.
Obviously the 590 is built from the ground up to be a military/combat type shotgun, though that doesn't necessarily make it any better for YOUR purpose of home defense. In fact, you may be as well served with one of the less expensive Mossberg 500 guns. As mentioned, plenty of police STILL use Remington 870s, the US military did do so for quite a long time, and several foreign militaries still use them.
Bayonet? (rolls eyes) I suppose it can't "hurt" to have a bayonet lug on your gun, but I wouldn't consider this a meaningful factor.
Bayonet can be useful in close quarters if you need to be silent, or if you don't want to create a crossfire that can hurt allies (ie you're in a trench). *Probably* neither one of these things are likely to apply to the inside of your home. If the bad guy is close enough to be bayonetted then a. he's too close, and b. you can still shoot him.
Only other significant factor is location of the safety. . .which is again, largely a question of personal preference.
Bottom line: Either gun will work fine. The "better" one is the one you LIKE better.0 -
GO FOR THE 870; THEY HAVE MADE A LOT OF THEM AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF AFTERMARKET AND FACTORY PARTS. THEY JUST MADE 10,000,001st Remington Model 870, TO SEE IT GO TO:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=1513608950 -
I like them both. If you can try them both, you will be a better judge of what you want then any of us.. I would recommend you dont buy into all the "tactical frills."
an 18" barrel with a bead front sight and a weapon mounted light is all you need.0
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