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Mossberg 590 Special Purpose vs. Remington 870 Exp

Raupleminze
Hey guys,
I am new to the site and I joined because I figured this would be a good resource to ask for advice. I am in the market for my first gun and I have decided to go with a shotgun for home defense. The problem is I am torn between the Mossberg 590 Special Purpose and The Remington 870 express. I have been leaning more towards the mossberg because that is the company that the military is using (590 A-1) but I have been told that the quality of a Remington is better. Not to mention that Remington has the law enforcement market pretty much on lockdown, I dont believe they even entered a gun into the military's gun trails. I have to admit that the mossberg looks better but I want the gun to perform trouble free when needed. Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brian
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Comments

18 comments

Date Votes
  • spanielsells
    I just got done about an hour ago talking on this exact subject, and I'm happy to post again.

    I love my Mossy 835. When I wanted a 20-gauge, I looked at getting a Mossy 500. After comparing it to a Remington 870 Express, I picked the Remington.

    Hold the two side-by-side. You can feel the difference in quality. Look at the safeties. The Mossy has a plastic safety that has a history (do a Google search) of breaking and flying off when the gun is fired. Remingtons have no such issues.

    They're both good guns for similar amounts of money. I'd buy the 870 Express though.

    Look, you can always dress up either with a variety of parts. You can check here or you can check eBay and find a way to customize either to your satisfaction and desires.

    Oh yeah, with regard to military versus LEO, military is often done by the lowest bidder. I don't know if LEO is done the same.
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  • tsavo303
    I think the remington is best. I also like the winchester better than the moss.
    I have seen a greater % of mossy break in my cicle
    I know, they all have their strengths, weekness, that's my .02
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  • moose56
    I think both shotguns are an excellant choice, it is the matter of perference. The Rem's have the safety on the back of the trigger guard and the bolt release is forward of the trigger guard. The Moss has the safety on the back/top of the receiver which makes it nice if someone is left handed. The bolt release is at the rear of the trigger guard.

    I have shot both over the years as a LEO. The Moss we used was a Model 590 with the ghost ring sights. The Rem's had the slug sights or open sights. My choice if I was taking a shotgun was the Moss. Held more rounds with the extended magazine and I thought the action was smoother.
    We replaced all of our shotguns about one year ago and went with the Remington 870MaxP - which has a sythetic stock with the flashlight in the forearm and ghost ring sights.

    The choice is yours, just some food for thought!
    Moose
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  • iwannausername
    I've put my mossberg 500 (same as 590, shorter mag tube) thru so much and it just keeps on going and going and going...
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  • Grunt2
    Remington....no question. Mossberg is a great weapon...But the Remington is the better buy for the $$$$$..
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  • Berettafan
    They are both great guns, but I prefer my 870 over my buddys 590. I would suggest attempting to shoot both of them and see what you like better. They are both reliable, and you can trust either. My 870 seems to eat recoil better as well.
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  • Raupleminze
    So far it is 4 votes for Remington and 1 for Mossberg. Keep the feedback comming I go to the store tommorow morning.
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  • Raupleminze
    to the top
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  • Kodiakk
    I'm definately a fan of Mossberg for home defense. I have beat the crap out of mine for about 8 years and never had one malfunction. I prefer mossberg also because of where the safety is located. It's just more natural to me.

    I had a Remington also, it was a fine gun.
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  • WinM70
    I would chose the Remington, I have a 870 exp super mag.
    For home defense I have a Winchester 1300, as well as a 1300 28" for trap, I've never had a problem from anyone of them. The mossy's just seem to be of lesser quality to me when I compaired side by side when purchasing.
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  • theboogeyman
    +1 on the Mossy 590...It's my "go-to" gun for in the middle of the night, should I hear glass breaking.....
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  • SW 357Mag
    I have both. Both are fine guns, but for home defense I keep my Mossberg by my bed.
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  • stanman
    Well, for starters, I'm pretty sure the Mossy 590 and the Remington Express Mag are not designed for the same purpose, but I could be wrong.
    Secondly, I know that pricing is often times regionally sensitive, but around here you can purchase a new Mossy 500 with 28" and 18 1/2" barrels in one package for less than the cost of an 870 with one barrel.
    With the Mossy, barrel changes take about 30 seconds and you essentially have 2 shotguns for less money.
    I like the Remingtons, but bang for the buck award goes to the Mossberg.
    JMHO
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  • Nighthawk
    I choose the Mossberg and have a Model 500 Riot Model and a 590 DA. The 590 DA is also our Duty issue gun as well. I also have a Winchester 1300 Speed Pump I like really well. Good Luck!!
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  • William81
    I have a Remington 870 Express Home Defense shotgun. Excellent firearm, I have put everything from #9 shot to 000 3" buck without a problem.

    I own a couple of Mossburgs also, but prefer the Remington.
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  • iluvguns
    I have an 870 that has never given me a lick of trouble. Never tried the Mossberg. I also have a Winchester 1300 12 guage that has never failed me. Took it to Mitchell, South Dakota a few years back on a pheasant hunt. Yeah, I was "out-gunned" by all the guys with Citori's and other higher priced guns, but I killed just as many as they did. [:p]
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  • ElMuertoMonkey
    Here's my take:

    I own both and love 'em both (thank goodness they ain't wimmen![:D]).

    The Remington has more a conveniently-located safety.

    The Mossberg is slightly easier on the shoulder when you shoot it.

    Both are great guns and you'll be happy with either one.
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  • Raupleminze
    Thanks for everything guys. I went to the store today and as luck would have it they sold the Mossberg 590 so I went with the Remington 870 which when comparing it to the Mossy 590 A1 that they had I was actually happier with the Remington. Just wanted to let you guys know how it turned out and say thanks.
    -Brian
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