Battle of the Pump: Moss 500/590 vs Rem 870

[Bisleyfan44]

After owning both, I like both. I *prefer* the Mossy only because the safety is where God intended it.

This. Especially for lefties.

But not with a pistol grip.

 

[tinydata]

But not with a pistol grip.

That's true.

A point on the 500/590 vs 870 debate: I've found most of the arguments regarding ergonomics on both guns to be overblown. Full disclosure - I'm left handed and own two Mossberg pump guns. When handling Remington 870s, I am not too bothered by rotating my hand slightly to hit the safety with my thumb or index finger. On a Mossberg with a pistol grip stock, I simply bring my thumb behind and over to hit the safety.

This also isn't a huge issue for me as it is not difficult and it takes about as much time to move the safety on a conventional Mossberg stock. I keep the shotgun stored "cruiser ready" with a tube loaded to one below capacity, chamber empty, and safety off. If I expect to have to use it once I chamber a round, I'm probably keeping the safety off anyways.

 

[mancheechee]

btw, if anyone reading this thread interested in a 590a1, the new 18.5 7shot versions are out. They also have a shorter lop. I sold my other longer 590a1 so that I may buy this one, eventually.

 

[WarVet762]

I'm an 870 man myself (I know, who the F am I right? Lol!). Reason being, I've used the 870 all my life, and have had a few problems with extraction on a few, but other than that, no issues. The 500 on the other hand, is a dangerous piece of absolute trash. I've been firing/maintaining the 500's for years now (.gov small arms repairer), and they are notorious for the safety engaging after firing, which puts the firer in harms way and takes him out of the fight every other round.

The safety mechanism on that sucker wears out super quick. Never had that issue with a Remy. All the points made about slide release location, safety location, etc. are aspects that can be trained on, thus becoming second nature/muscle memory. I've won trap/skeet competitions with my 870. Really pissed off those folks who buy expensive a** Rottweil's, Beretta's, Daly's, Benelli's, etc.

 

[Magnumite]

Gotta love the commentaries...

 

[kenpo333]

As I've stated before. I have both and like both but INHO the 870 has a slightly higher quality feel.

 

[Hit and Run]

Can't go wrong with either. Like the steal receiver of 870 and the dual extractors of the 500.

 

[Vile Shadow]

Mossies seem to always have a bit of foreend slop. I swapped the foreend on my 500 out fer one from ATI. Solved that problem.

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

Well, I already own an 870, which I have had absolutely 0 problems with.

Thanks to this thread, I've decided to check out the other side of the coin. Ordered a 590A1 (51663).

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

Aaaaaaaaaand.....gun:

 

[clandestine]

Is that an Iraq War Rug?

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

Good eye.

 

[govwontletmebuycoolguns]

Actually Afghan. Most likely a knockoff though.

 

[clandestine]

Nice Rug and Shotgun.

 

[ducrider45]

My first firearm was a Model 500. My new (1st) home was broken in to while I was moving in. It happened between trips and I walked in on the thieves. The three on one fight was ugly! I got them all out, but I had no way to prevent them from returning (other than the broken bones and pain already inflicted). Cops and paramedics said I should go buy a shotgun. I looked at both the 870 and the 500. I picked the 500 because it was user serviceable and Because I liked the location of all of the controls.
A few years later I would need to use it. It did its job! It is still my go to today.

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[Tihsho]

Glad it was there to serve its purpose.

What about the 870 is not user serviceable? I have yet to find one thing on there that I couldn't upgrade or fix on my own without simple tools aside from a punch set (which every firearm owner should own anyways.)

 

[Alphabrew]

Aaaaaaaaaand.....gun:

View attachment 178075
View attachment 178074

Nice, I'm a sucker for a 590a1. Get a bayonet for that bad betty!

 

[clandestine]

Glad it was there to serve its purpose.

What about the 870 is not user serviceable? I have yet to find one thing on there that I couldn't upgrade or fix on my own without simple tools aside from a punch set (which every firearm owner should own anyways.)

You have replaced these below on an 870 with punches?

Dented Magazine Tube on an 870?
Bad Ejector on an 870?
Worn Feed Latches on an 870?

 

[Tihsho]

You have replaced these below on an 870 with punches?

Dented Magazine Tube on an 870?
Bad Ejector on an 870?
Worn Feed Latches on an 870?

Good call! 2/3 I have done, but that does require extra tools that most don't have. I had to replace an ejector on an 870 I built from a receiver that had one that was bent. Also had to stake in a new set of feed latches as the original ones were not in tight and I figured I'd go with the marine finished latches while I was throwing new guts in it as it was. Mag tube though, that's something I have yet to get into as I don't feel like removing the braze and redoing it.

 

[Tracker]

You have replaced these below on an 870 with punches?

Dented Magazine Tube on an 870?
Bad Ejector on an 870?
Worn Feed Latches on an 870?

Had my 870 30yrs and never had to replace any of those. I had a m500 for a few years but the slide rattle drove me crazy. The gun worked fine and I killed plenty of game with it but just couldn't get past that rattle. I sold it and bought the 870 and never looked back. The truth is you should buy the one YOU like and don't worry about what other people think.