Needless to say, it’s an important function. Both the Remington & Mossberg are super popular and reliable pump action shotguns. I agree they feel somewhat "cheaper" in the hand due to the action. The are both not expensive and I picked up my 870, with pistol grip and 7 round capacity with 18" barrel for only $379.00 at Dick's Sporting Goods. Both use twin steel action bars for increased durability. The receiver must be modified to receive and cycle the longer shell. So, on the fact that the Mossberg was the only one to complete military testing. Myself, I don’t have a habit of slamming steel ship doors on the barrel or dragging through miles of mud and water. It is a development of the Remington 721 and 722 series of rifles, which were introduced in 1948. It’s likely the tactical models don’t have this dimpled magazine tube, but a lot of the non-tactical models will. The right one for you is a personal choice, but now you have the tools to make that choice. Here are a few small things you may want to consider when purchasing either gun. All that said, a 590A1 with MOE furniture is a sweet weapon, but it comes at a price. Few people shoot mini shells. It’s also fitted with a steel receiver and a thicker barrel. Remington & Benelli will have to play for the second place spot in the Iron Bowl! One difference you can’t see, but you can feel is each gun’s actions. The 590 series are more expensive than the 870 Express models, as well. I couldn’t find info about Remington 870 recoil pad screw size and type, so I had to contact Remington. Both guns can fire them, but the Mossberg 500 series can be fitted with an adapter from Opsol. This sight is designed to be epoxied onto the factory #6 sight bead on a pedestal. I own both guns, the 500 and the 870 and for years the Remington has favorored well for me. The Remington 870 tends to be tighter and smoother. Surefire currently has two forend light upgrades available; one for the Remington 870 and the other for the Mossberg 500/590. The Remington 870 uses a robust, one-piece design that combines the action bars and pump. Mossberg uses sliding safety located on the tang of the receiver. Notes: While Remington has the smoother action, steel receiver, and better pistol grip setup. The barrel attaches directly to the magazine tube and not around it. There are crazy amounts of parts out there for both weapons. Terms of Service apply. Now on a lot of models, they are dimpling the magazine tube. Not difficult to change, but you need to know how to do that before you go ahead. Take pics with it through time with every family member that shoots it. The easiest way to covert an ISS Bolt to an non-ISS bolt is to replace the firing pin assembly with a standard Remington part. Adding more capacity is difficult because of the magazine and barrel design. Buy the extension tube if you want more shells for either 2 3/4 or 3-inch shells. Once you look any closer than the location of the safety these are quite different guns in several of the areas you describe. As you noted, the shell lifter stays "down". A lot of their new guns are looking, feeling, and shooting much better these days. You save over $450.00 off the MSRP! Well, that was the old days. If not: how do you reach it in order to put it in FIRE position? The Remington 870 forend light is a LED light which contains a maximum output of 600 lumens and a minimum output of 200 lumens. The price is reasonable and I'm excited to shoot this thing soon. Model 870 extra barrels with 2-3/4" chambers will fit Super Magnum, Magnum and 2-3/4" receivers. The dual extractors are great because if one breaks, the other will still work, and you can run the gun until you can repair it. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google The Remington 870 is not universally tapped, which means a trip to the gun smith, or a Burris Speedbead system needs to be installed. I like it. You can buy the upgraded Mossberg to get the thicker, stronger barrel. Just my take on that subject. Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets worth $47 FREE - Limited Period Offer, Palmetto State Armory: Heritage Rough Rider .22 LR 6.5" Revolver - $150 (Normally $180), Palmetto State Armory: PSA AR-15 Complete MOE EPT Lower - $280 (Normally $350), Brownells: Vortex Optics Spitfire HD Gen II Prism Scope - $450, Brownells: H&K AR-15 HK-Style Micro Sight Set - $150 (Normally $196), The Best Shotgun Ammo: Home Defense & Target Shooting, A Nerd Gun for Gun Nerds PSA AK-103! The Modular Sniper Rifle, or MSR, is a bolt-action sniper rifle developed and produced by Remington Arms for the United States Army.It was introduced in 2009, and was designed to meet specific United States Army and USSOCOM Precision Sniper Rifle requirements. Of course, steel on steel is what you get with the Mossberg as well. For Mossberg 500 Remington 870 Shotgun 12GA 1" Tube Picatinny Laser Mount 2 Pack. Mossberg continues its tradition of being user accessible with an ejector that screws in. We’ve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. $29.95. At some point, I look forward to passing it along to one of my sons. My point is... they’re cheap enough, get some. They were the only place that had what I wanted in stock and able to take home before noon. Being able to extract and eject any and all shells are essential. or the shell follows the lifter down, and you jam the shell into the receiver wall. Of mossbergs and. Hard to beat this puppy: Benelli SuperNova Tactical Pump-Action Shotgun. My chosen home defense shotgun is the Mossberg 590, but my favorite shotgun ever is my antique Ohio National Guard Remington 870. Deer models available with fully rifled or smooth bore barrels and rifle sights. The Tritium vial improves low light shooting and the large white outline makes daytime sight acquisition fast. Check out our beginners guns video course. Remington uses a single extractor that grips the rim of the shells and rips them outwards. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Custom Hunting Rifles Part 1 – Magpul Hunter 700 Remington SPS AAC Precision Rifle The 500 series does make it easier to replace and repair the action. To load a shell, you press the shell lifter up and slide it into the tube. Did you shoot it left-handed or right-handed? Mini shells are tons of fun! of corrections got rid. Some modifications are a must. purchase helps support my work in bringing you more awesome gun and gear articles. Here’s us with our 590A1 and some Winchester 00 buckshot…. This sight is designed to be epoxied onto the factory #6 sight bead on a pedestal. Lightweight is nicer. Mossberg USA is located in North haven CT. the next town over from me. This system is currently available for the Ruger 10/22, all Marlin centerfire lever action rifles, and Mossburg 500 and Remington 870 shotguns. I agree the action release on an 870 is fine for a southpaw. The shell lifters aren’t exactly something you think about when you first handle a shotgun. But some clarity. The sights will work with a .125 - .140 diameter bead. With 870s, the lifter, after "lifting", drops to the down position as a 2.75" shell just enters the barrel. Also, the article states "The requirement calls for a metal trigger group, so only the 590A1 and 500 MILS qualify to fit the criteria." Remington 870 Vs. Mossberg 500: [Battle of the Pumps]. With the rioting going on and a so called "peaceful protest" nearby I went out to get a pump action 12 gauge for home defense. Yeah, the Mossberg is loose fee ling, but nevertheless, a very durable firearm. The Mossberg 500 series uses two pinned action bars that are anchored to a separate slide assembly. With a mini, mid body becomes the top of the hull, and hulls tend to rotate out and the brass hangs on the ejector port. AR-15s are made from aluminum, and we trust it’ll work. To do so, you need a new barrel and matching tube to do so. The Mossberg 500 series can be activated without breaking the firing grip. The reason the action is lose is so if sand gets trapped in the action it won't interfere with the working ot the forearm. The 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum™ is a rugged workhorse, specifically made to resist corrosion from both fresh and saltwater. It’s a solid slab of metal that sits below the bolt and action. $431.28 previous price $431.28. The 870 cannot be fitted with this adapter. My bottom line would be, buy what you like. You can swap stocks, pumps, add sights, side saddles, and more to each gun. The only solution is too remove the dimples yourself via power tools or pay a gunsmith to do it. The Mossberg 500 safety is completely ambidextrous but challenging to use on shotguns with pistol grips. Shotguns are typically restricted to a relatively low ammunition capacity. I wouldn’t know where to start with an 870. The Remington uses a standard shell lifter that stays down and acts as a gate to the gun. Skeet shooting? The Mossberg 500 tends to be cheaper, but the Remington 870 is only a hair more expensive. These soldered tubes can be a major hassle if you damage the tube and need to replace it. You can feel the slop in your hands as you pump the weapon. Many people have commented upon it when we've had it out on a local skeet range...all wondered if it might be for sale. And, the Ithaca guy and the Benelli guy... you guys have an 870 somewhere I’m sure. Good way to change up your shotgun and feel like you bought something brand … Good for military use, Idaho. These are Remington factory replacement barrels. Don’t forget to get some feed for your new shotty, take a look at The Best Shotgun Ammo: Home Defense & Target Shooting! It has the fancy hand-checkered black walnut stock and a modified choke. So, as many have noted, you have to rack the gun, "just right". Good luck! The Mossberg skeletonized and always up shell lifter is out of the way, and you can smoothly load one or two shells with little effort. Both guns have dozens of variants. With Mossberg, we have the 500, the 535, the 590, the 590A1, the Shockwave, and so on. It didnt beat out any others in a head to head test. No hang ups with the mini shells. And for those that are going to say, you can't modify the receiver, you're wrong. The skeletonized lifter also allows you to fix malfunctions easier. While they are very similar, they are also very different. Brownells #767-220-400 Remington Firing Pin Assembly is a factory drop in for a long action blued shroud bolt. Haven’t even shot it yet. The American pump shotgun market is ruled by two guns, the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870. We are keeping this generalized to the specifics of these family of shotguns. And the sand will fall out easily. Try it>. If you are having trouble deciding, let’s examine a few considerations. Customer Q&A are not compatible with your browser. Keep it in the family. Travis Pike is a Marine infantry veteran, firearms enthusiast, and NRA certified instructor. Remington 870 Special Purpose Marine Magnum Pump Shotgun -If the Model 870™, were introduced today, it would be hailed as a major advance in pump-action shotgun design - the ultimate in strength, durability, silky-smooth bind-free action, and sleek classical lines. If your shotgun is not equipped with this size bead one will have to be installed. I will say that while quite a few proponents of the Mossberg guns say they like that the ejector is removable vs Remington, its not generally an issue for Remington. All of Remingtons Police guns have metal trigger housings/parts. My LH index finger reaches the release lever without any difficulty. For me, since my 12ga is primarily used for hunting, the choice was easy - Remington all the way. Nice post. Carlsons 87030 Remington 870 w/Adjustable Sights 12 Gauge 24" 3" Wingmaster. I did have a good friend lose his on a Mossberg 500 when shooting skeet. Your article bounces back and forth sometimes comparing the 870 with a 500, other times comparing the 870 with a 590, occasionally describing all three. The extractors are not designed for that shorter length of the shell. Still faster, but still a hassle, unless you had an extra on hand. The Remington Model 700 is a series of bolt-action centerfire rifles manufactured by Remington Arms since 1962. Well, I don’t know if it’s American, but it is steel. Shotguns deal with an odd round when you think about it. The end result is the Mossberg pumps tend to feel sloppy, and they move around quite a bit. This mini clip allows the mini shells to feed 100% of the time. I use the 500 with the longer barrel and choke tubes for trap. Built by Remington® to provide quality performance on any game. trinity Tactical Shell Holder For Mossberg Maverick 88 12 Gauge hunting tactical. Remingtons, on average, tend to be heavier guns by anywhere from a pound to half a pound when like vs. like is compared. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. The Remington 870 tends to be tighter and smoother. When necessary I’ll mention exceptions within these families if rules are broken. They make LF safety's, for all 870 Remingtons. The 870, and for that matter, the Winny 1300, really can't run minishells reliably, regardless of whether the Opsol adapter would work. I personally think the Mossberg 590A1 is a bit overrated. This gives the 870s a more substantial receiver overall. Remington 870 Rails and Pump. Notes: Features. Mossberg uses two extractors to help guarantee reliability. DON'T KNOW IF THE 590 aI IS TIGHTER OR NOT ? Remington places there forward of the trigger, and Mossberg positions theirs behind the trigger. The Remington 870 suffers from the fact that you have to break your firing grip to reach forward and release the slide. CCDL CARRY ON!! If a Remington 870 bar gets bent, it can be challenging to pull out the entire system and replace it. It’s a bulky hybrid of plastic and brass that’s often cumbersome, comes in various lengths, and can be all sorts of different weight and projectile types. He is interested in helping folks protect themselves with firearms and shoot better at the range. I always tell anyone looking for a home defense shotgun to go with either the Mossberg 500 series or Remington 870. Trust me it's not going to fall of. The Remington 870 is traditionally a simpler weapon to utilize when it comes to adding an extension. The ability to add a few extra shots can be highly desirable. You notice how handy those twin action bars are when you handle something like an old 1897 and feel how fragile a single action bar is. With Remington, we have the Express, Wingmaster, Tactical, the TAC 14, the DM models, and more. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. The Remington 870s use good ole ‘fashion American steel. Each gun’s ejector is a different story. Learn how you can enable Javascript. I went with the mossberg 590 shockwave SPX . The most significant practical difference is the weight of the guns. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. The most significant difference any shooter can easily pick up on is the difference between the safety locations on a Remington 870 and a Mossberg 500. You can’t just screw on an extension and go for it. The MSR initially won the PSR competition, and was called the Remington Mk 21 Precision Sniper Rifle in U.S. military service. The Remington 870’s safety is positioned behind the trigger and easy to reach. And stay in touch with newsletters of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear. Remington 870 Express Barrels, Remington 870 Barrel 18, Remington Barrel Rifle Parts, Remington Remington Barrel Rifle Parts, Remington 870 Express Shotgun Barrel Parts, Remington 870 Slug Hunting Shotgun Barrels, Remington Shotgun Barrel Parts for Gun Model 870, Remington 870 Wingmaster, Remington 870 Shotgun Sights, Remington 870 Walnut Stock XS Big Dot front sight features a green Tritium insert surrounded by a thick white line. Changing the extractor for a longer 3" shell and lengthing the port to the rear a touch is no big deal. It gives an overall higher quality experience. We’ve built dozens of AR’s and we’ll cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. Mossberg has the ambidextrous safety, double-extractor, nicer shell lifter, tons of upgrades, and is used by the military. You can learn more about the cookies we use and why we use them by viewing our Privacy Policy. I want this to be a look at both the inside and outside of the guns and what’s important to shooters. Remove the magazine cap and then screw on the extension. I love my Mossberg 590A1, it shoots great and I am really happy with it! The finger is on the LH side, same as the release. Both are pump-action shotguns, both are American made, and both can be used for home defense, hunting, and police and military use. Should a bar get bent, it’s easy to unpin the bar and remove and replace it. All with 3" barrel chamber unless otherwise noted. Both guns are similar, and they come in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and 410. Once Freedom Group took over, quality went downhill noticeably. I inherited my grandfather's Remington 870, serial numbers from 1954. You can do a ton with either, and it’s hard to say which is better overall. My old 870 Express has nearly 10,000 rounds through it, and the ejector has never been a problem. Remington fixed it for free. Wanted to respond to your comment on the Remington 870 "suffers from the fact that you have to break your firing grip to reach forward and release the slide". The good news is both can be replaced at home with both guns. The Mossberg 500 series uses aluminum receivers. [Video+Review] PSA AK-103: Best U.S. AKM Clone? Between finding the part online and ordering it, it took about a week less to get fixed than the Remingtons broken ejector. The Remington® Model 870™ Pump-Action Shotgun is one of the most proven firearm's designs in history.