Re: New Production: 870 or 500
It depends on what your criteria is for choosing one or the other. Assume quality is equal (which is asking a lot for current production 870s), the controls and loading are very different. The 870 has a slide release at the front ejection side of the trigger guard and a safety at the rear of the trigger guard. The lifter is spring loaded and will come back down when you finish loading a shell. By comparison, the Mossberg 500/590 shotgun lifter stays up and the way I load it is 1 in the ejection port, close it, flip the shotgun over, drop a shell into the loading port and push it in with the next shell. This is much faster than I've ever been able to load a Remington (or Mossberg 930 that has the 870 style lifter). Mossberg's controls (unless you get a Maverick 88 which has a safety on the trigger guard) are a left side slide release at the rear of the trigger guard and the safety on the top of the receiver. If you want to put a pistol grip on it, get an 870 or a Maverick 88. I have a 500, 590, and a 930 by Mossberg and I'm wearing a Mossberg hat while I'm typing this so the side where my loyalty lies should be pretty clear but that's based on my preference. I don't think Mossberg is objectively better, but I prefer the controls, loading, full length single piece magazine tubes, and the receivers being drilled and tapped from the factory (I use micro red dots). Personally, the only reason I would buy an 870 is if I were intent on putting a collapsible pistol grip setup on it. I've owned 3 and only 1 of them was reliable.
Left to right; 500, 930, 590, Maverick 88. The Maverick 88 is my dad's.
https://i.imgur.com/MAo0uQe.jpg
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
There are so many top quality blued steel and walnut Remington 870s from the good ol' Ilion, NY days in the used gun racks at rock bottom prices at shops and shows , it's not even a question of which you should consider.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
Quote:
Originally Posted by
abner13
There are so many top quality blued steel and walnut Remington 870s from the good ol' Ilion, NY days in the used gun racks at rock bottom prices at shops and shows , it's not even a question of which you should consider.
But he specifically asked about new production not used.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
My choice for a quality US made pump...
https://ithacagun.com/product/model-37-featherlight/
Other than that, between a new 870, and a new 500, new 500 for me. The 870 pretends to be a nice gun and falls short. The 500 knows its cheap, and overdelivers.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
Quote:
Originally Posted by
USMC3531
But he specifically asked about new production not used.
Since when has that ever mattered on this forum?:cool:
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
I prefer the 870 even though my first "real" shotgun was a 500.
In terms of Current Production Manufacturing Quality I would recommend a Mossberg.
Nothing to with controls, function, ability to accessorize, etc. Just production quality.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
I used to have both 500s and 870s. I somehow gravitated to the Mossberg line and sold off the 870s. Recently I got a used 870 police model; somehow, even after a complete strip down:cleaning:lube, I just didn't like the way the slide felt. So now I've sold it and am back to just a couple of 500s. Looking to buy one more 500.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
I'm also a 500 fan. I haven't had any issue that would make me switch teams, and I prefer the tang safety over the trigger guard cross bolt safety.
Re: New Production: 870 or 500
Quote:
Originally Posted by
philadelphia patriot
I bought a 590A1 with 7 shot tube and bead sight. It’s a great shotgun and I love it. I’m looking at the 500SP with 20” barrel and ghost ring sight system for throwing slugs 100 yards down range to hit steel. I also saw a regular 590 with a ghost ring sight system too. The 870 has a classic looks but I heard Remington’s quality control is going down so I figured I would ask here.
Several new of both. Still good on both but both are not finishing them like before. You can cut yourself on sharp edges. No polishing no edge breaking. Fit and function are ok and surface coloring is even. It’s just the work before the park, paint or what ever the hell they are doing (not bluing that’s for sure) is not done.