1st shotgun 500 or a 870?

[AKC]

Originally Posted by joshua79109

I have had the same 870 for over 15 years now and I'm very happy with it. I have a short barrel (18.5") that lives on it and I have a long barrel I can switch out for hunting.

Recently a friend of mine bought the 500 and he's very happy with it. I used his a little and it was very similar to the 870.

I would say one of the main differences to consider is the safety. It is very different and you might prefer one over the other. My friend really liked the safety on the Mossberg and that's why he went with it.

Both shotguns seem to have plenty of aftermarket support.

Good point on the safety. This will come into play when choosing an aftermarket stock. If you are going to go with a pistol grip type stock like the KNOXX then the 870 IMOP works better because it's on the rear of the trigger guard behind the trigger. So you can have grip when engaging or disengaging the safety. A more traditional stock the tang safety on the 500 works great because it positioned on top of the gun just above where the stock is attached. So that you can maintain grip.

[Blargh23]

Mossberg works fine for me.

It's comparable to the 870 IMHO. I only went with the Mossberg cause it was on sale at WallyMart for $200 (and I refer to it as my Walmart Special)

I don't like pistol grips, though. It still has the original wood on.

[svc40bt]

I have used both the 870 and the 500. I own a Maverick 88 with the Knoxx stock.

As others have said it really comes down to the safety location. If you want a pistol grip stock, then get an 870 or a Maverick 88. They both have a cross-bolt safety.

With a regular stock, I prefer the Mossberg safety location, but try them out before you buy.

If price is important, the Maverick and an extra 18.5 barrel will be about the same or less than either of the others with one barrel. It is not pretty but it works just fine.

[Frontier Owner]

what features do you want in the shotgun?
Both are good guns and will serve you well for a long time.
The mossberg had the advantage of an ambidextrous tang safety.
this is a disadvantage if you go with a PG stock.
The Remy has the advantage of an easier magazine extention.
With the 18" barrel, you only get maybe 2 more shots (migratory birds are limited to 3 anyway)

[Alaskapopo]

Originally Posted by smokiesguy

Shot guns of all types (other than a shotgun) for more than 30 years and its time to add a scatter gun to my collection.

Looking for HD and the occasional wild boar, may have to hike hard and long to find one so weight may be an issue.

Hear nothing but good things about about both the 500 and the 870.

What did you choose and why? Was it a good decision and would you do it differently?

I prefer the 870. I have had some bad luck with the few Mossberg shotguns I owned. The 870 has never let me down.
Pat

[taylor6400]

870 man here too...i have never owned a Mossberg, but i know in the past the pumps were loose and rattled. That just seemed cheap to me, so i went Remy. I dont know if thats still how they are built, but every Mossberg pump i see is like that. As for barrel length i bought mine originally for turkey hunting with a 24" barrel. Thats a good compromise barrel if you are going to do any hunting and it is still short enough to double for HD. Mine stays in my bedroom with 00 buck and a box of slugs in my nightstand. If strictly for HD you cant go wrong with the 18.5.

[bdraughon]

I own both but prefer the cross bolt safety on the 870.

They both have the same amount of accessories and doohickeys out there.

But to me it comes down to the safety.

[taylor6400]

Originally Posted by bdraughon

I own both but prefer the cross bolt safety on the 870.

They both have the same amount of accessories and doohickeys out there.

But to me it comes down to the safety.

Are those tactical doohickeys?

[bdraughon]

Originally Posted by taylor6400

Are those tactical doohickeys?

haha, as a matter of fact they are

[smokiesguy]

With hunting a low priority, I was leaning toward the 500.

Doing more research I see more trade offs between choosing 1 and the majority of the responses lean toward the 870.

Safety and quality are big issues along with capacity (thus the XDs) and the idea of a rattle gives me the hebie jebies.