Remington 870 or Mossberg 500?

**RexHavoc** · 03-05-2009, 07:42 PM

This is for home defense, also gauge- 12,20, or .410?

**urr-lord** · 03-05-2009, 07:53 PM

both are good choices,in my experience the remington is a bit smoother.as for gauge?is your home brick ,wood or what?is this for use by all members of the family?12 gauge is what most would pick,a short 20 would also be good.the 410 takes better aim than the other two.myself ,i like a 16.ammo selection is a bit limited though.

**whodat** · 03-05-2009, 08:01 PM

Remington 870 in 12 gauge. Reliable, easy to disassemble/reassemble, lots of accessories -- most importantly the ability to expand the magazine capacity.

That said, I own a Mossberg 500 "Persuader" model... Most Remington designed accessories fit the 500. I got it for my wife because it's a bit lighter and easier to move around and the safety is on the backstrap -- real easy to see if it's on or not. If I had to do it over again, I'd probably get the Mossberg 590 instead because of hte parkerized finish.

Good luck!

**pal** · 03-05-2009, 08:04 PM

I like Remington, but when given the choice to buy a Benelli Nova 20ga for about $10 less than the 870, it was a "no brainer". The Benelli is one sweet gun. You might want to check it out too.

**Wishoot** · 03-05-2009, 08:08 PM

I've had both (not for self defense mind you) and I prefer the 870. The Mossberg just never felt like it was put together very well. It rattled like a Yugo. If you really want something indestructible, check out a Benelli Nova. They come in 20 and 12 ga and they are built like a tank. Ugly as sin, but built for the end of the world. You can get a tube extension that allows you to load seven shells too.

Either way, you really need to evaluate your shooting environment. A 12 or 20 ga can put a lot of shot through the air and you may hit something or someone you didn't intend to.

**Wishoot** · 03-05-2009, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by pal

I like Remington, but when given the choice to buy a Benelli Nova 20ga for about $10 less than the 870, it was a "no brainer". The Benelli is one sweet gun. You might want to check it out too.

You beat me to it Rich!!!

I'm thinking of picking up a 20 ga Nova for my next bird gun.

**stobes21** · 03-05-2009, 08:55 PM

12 ga. 870. You're better off going to a pawn shop and picking up a used Wingmaster model rather than a new express. The action will be slicker and the workmanship/fit and finish better.

**senorsignor** · 03-05-2009, 09:03 PM

I think one big advantage of the 870 is the dual action bar design. if you compare the Mossberg to the 870, there are two bars connecting the pump mechanism to the action, with only one for the mossberg, which makes for a much less smooth action. I think this makes the Remington design superior.

**smalltownlegend** · 03-05-2009, 09:11 PM

I have the 870 with the 8 round capacity. 18.5 barrel, tactical stock, and a tactical light up front in 12 gauge. I highly recommend this firearm as well as the modifications I have made to mine. You can purchase the 870 "Defender" at BIG 5 for around $350, with the 8 round mag and 18.5 barrel.

I had a 500, but I found it kind it of cheap feeling.

**Wishoot** · 03-06-2009, 06:16 PM

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=7

This site will tell you everything you need to know about home defense and tactical shotguns.

**mulepackin** · 03-06-2009, 06:31 PM

I have both, and agree with what has been said about the fit and finish on the Mossberg. A bit rough, but a durable, reliable firearm. One issue I had with the 870 is the trigger guard safety. I grew up using a Winchester Mod. 1897 with a hammer. It became almost instinct to thumb the hammer upon target acquisition, then fire. The trigger guard safety really threw a wrench into this for me. The Mossberg 500 has a tang safety, which allows a pretty natural transition from this habit.

**OldSchoolYoungin** · 03-06-2009, 06:33 PM

I love my Mossberg 500 12 gauge.

**Larry T** · 03-06-2009, 07:25 PM

I have both, either will do the job, I personally would go with the 12 guage. I bought my Wingmaster(870) in June of 1976, and after nearly 33 years and exactly ZERO problems, it's still the shotgun I grab when I need that type of gun. My Mossberg suffered a broken action bar the first time I carried it. Mossberg fixed it under warranty, and I haven't had any more issues. The trigger on the 870 is MUCH smoother and lighter than the unit on the 500.

Larry

**MotoMike** · 03-06-2009, 08:33 PM

had both in police duty. both very reliable. I concur that the Remington has superior fit and finish. but for me that backstrap safety on the Mossburg is superior. one instructor mentioned that if you think of which directions you want the shot to go, it makes it easy to remember which way is safe and which is safe off. forward to let em go, back to keep them back. you don't have to look at the safety. could never remember for sure with the 870 and found myself feeling for the groove or looking. sometimes you don't want to look away from down range.

**tarbush** · 03-07-2009, 05:13 AM

Whichever you are more comfortable shooting. 12 or 20 GA.

I'd go 00 buck

I hear they make bean bag rounds but I haven't seen them. This might be a better thing to keep you out of court. Can of bear spray may also be a better home defense weapon.

**MotoMike** · 03-07-2009, 07:24 AM

Originally Posted by tarbush

Whichever you are more comfortable shooting. 12 or 20 GA.

I'd go 00 buck

I hear they make bean bag rounds but I haven't seen them. This might be a better thing to keep you out of court. Can of bear spray may also be a better home defense weapon.

The bean bag rounds are generally effective, but a big dedicated criminal or someone out of their mind can muscle his way past the pain. Also, there are instances of the bean bag piercing the skin and being fatal. So you shouldn't use them in any case short of deadly force.

strong OC is a pretty good self defense weapon, but in close quarters you tend to get collateral damage. once used it on a big out of control kid who wanted to get to the kitchen knives instead of being arrested. The OC put him down, but I had to evacuate the house of family, including the small children, grandma. better than getting stabbed with a knife or having to shoot the kid. but it is a consideration.

**DS/B MCS** · 03-07-2009, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by smalltownlegend

I have the 870 with the 8 round capacity. 18.5 barrel, tactical stock, and a tactical light up front in 12 gauge. I highly recommend this firearm as well as the modifications I have made to mine. You can purchase the 870 "Defender" at BIG 5 for around $350, with the 8 round mag and 18.5 barrel.

Simple as that

**SilkySmooth** · 03-07-2009, 10:24 AM

I'd go for the Mossbery 835 model 12 ga....It's just a tad more, but you can load 3 1/2 inch mags into it.

**40_Caliber** · 03-07-2009, 11:52 AM

We keep a 12 ga Mossburg loaded up with 00 buck.

The sound of the slide on a pump shotgun alone is enough to give a bad-guy the willies.

Not likely to penetrate the exterior walls and a neighbor across the street. All in all a pretty good choice for home defence.

Just my .02

.40

**_JP_** · 03-07-2009, 01:42 PM

I have handled both the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. Both very reliable weapons. I would go for the Mossberg for a home defense situation.

I own the 835. I think that a 500 is better suited for home defense. It is more customizable than the 835.