It’s like evaluating 9mm to .45 ACP, or strikers to hammers. Even perhaps evaluating the GLOCK to the 1911 — however right here, the contestants are extra alike in type and performance: The Mossberg 500 versus the Remington 870. These two legendary shotguns boast practically equivalent lifespans and units manufactured. Each are virtually as well-liked as the opposite, and each serve the identical roles. Naturally, this has led many to endlessly argue that one shotgun is objectively higher than the opposite. But when opinions and anecdotes are outdated by information, does one actually reign supreme? Let’s begin with fundamental specs.
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Mossberg 500 Specs
- Accessible Gauges: 12, 20, .410
- Accessible Barrel Lengths: 18.5″, 20″, 22″, 24″, 26″, 28″
- Receiver Materials: Aluminum
- Set off Pull: 8.5 lbs
- Weight: 7.0 lbs*
Weight primarily based on 500 Field, 20 ga., 26″ barrel, 5+1 rounds
Remington 870 Specs
- Accessible Gauges: 10, 12,16, 20, 28, .410
- Accessible Barrel Lengths: 18″, 20″, 21″, 23″, 25″, 26″, 28″, 30″
- Receiver Materials: Metal
- Set off Pull: 5.5 lbs
- Weight: 6.25 lbs*
Weight primarily based on 870 Fieldmaster, 20 ga., 26″ barrel, 4+1 rounds
At a look, these two shotguns are mainly equivalent. They every present myriad barrel lengths and the frequent gauges any shotgunner desires for safety, searching, or plinking. Each weigh rattling close to the identical, with receivers, shares, magazines, and slide assemblies that each one look alike, too. However there are, certainly, some key variations between these two weapons. Whether or not these variations are important sufficient to justify wholly backing one over the opposite is one other query that I’ll reply primarily based on private expertise with each pump weapons – however, spoilers: it’s practically a toss-up. Let’s examine.
Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870 Receivers: Does Steel Matter?
For those who ask Remington guys this query, some will resoundingly declare that the Mannequin 870’s stable metal receiver is “leaps and bounds extra sturdy, rugged, and dependable” than the Mossberg 500’s receiver. Remington even leans into this, plastering the very fact the 870 does sport a machined metal receiver atop its product web page:
However having had the pleasure of fielding an M500 within the service, and having beat up a Mossberg 500 JIC and a Remington 870 over the previous decade, I’m right here to inform you this explicit distinction doesn’t matter one bit. Sure, the Mannequin 870’s metal receiver is objectively stronger. However the Mossberg’s receiver can also be greater than powerful sufficient to resist no matter you’re going to make use of both pump gun for. Drive a automobile over it, throw it in opposition to a wall, or do usually silly, not-gun issues to the Mossberg, and its receiver will maintain up simply in addition to the 870’s metal workings.
The Mossberg additionally advantages from the truth that its receiver will gained’t rust or pit. It’s superficial however, over time, the end on both shotgun will take some nicks, scratches, and dents. And not using a coating of some variety – and when left to take a seat in a darkish secure or humid basement – naked metal will begin to corrode. The load distinction between these two receivers additionally isn’t important sufficient to make the heft nor felt recoil of 1 gun appear extra advantageous than the opposite. On this comparability, think about it a sensible tie.
One- vs. Two-Piece Slide Assemblies
However it’s right here that issues really feel noticeable: The Mossberg 500’s slide meeting (backside) makes use of a two-piece development, separating the motion bars from the slide that interfaces with the journal and forend. The bars connect with the slide through two pins and a collar. The 870’s slide meeting (high) is a monolithic design, combining the motion bars with the slide, foregoing any mechanical connections and fasteners. The result’s that the 870’s pump motion is objectively higher. It’s crisper, tighter, smoother, and wobbles lower than the Mossy’s pump. The five hundred also can begin to rattle after awhile, because the slide pins’ connections put on in.
Does this meaningfully influence biking for the Mossberg? No. However is it one thing {that a} neurotic shooter – like myself – will discover irritating sufficient to probably think about one shotgun over the opposite? Sure. The Remington handily wins on this entrance.
Single vs. Double Extractors
The Mossberg 500 compensates for its inferior slide motion with a superior bolt and extractor meeting. The Remington 870 depends on a single extractor, whereas the Mossy sports activities two claws for grabbing spent shells on both aspect of its bolt face. The Mossberg 500’s extractors are additionally milled from bar inventory, whereas some 870s’ extractors are MIM-manufactured, or “metallic injection molded”. That is simply one other identify for casting metallic, which leads to a considerably softer alloy. Some customers have reported points with 870 MIM extractors rounding out and failing to seize brass, and loads of aftermarket retailers have begun providing machined, “non-MIM” extractors comprised of hardened metal as an improve for these biking points.
Safeties & Slide Releases
The position of each shotguns’ safeties and slide releases might or might not influence your capability to reliably deal with both gun. For those who’re a left-handed shooter, like this author, you’ll vastly respect the Mossberg 500’s security and slide lock. The five hundred’s security rests atop the tang of the receiver, offering actually ambidextrous perform and comparatively quick access – although it’s much less ergonomic than the button-pressed security on the 870, situated simply behind and to the left of the set off, on its guard.
The 870’s slide toggle is straightforward to seize and ergonomic for any rightie, however lefties will discover that it’s merely not handy to succeed in with out wrapping your hand across the receiver and squeezing it. This forces you to get rid of your capturing stance and alter your high-ready grip totally. The five hundred’s slide toggle rests the place the 870’s security sits, simply beside the set off guard. I at all times discovered it straightforward to depress it with my left index finger.
Nonetheless, the detent on the Mossberg’s tang-top security can put on in over time. In excessive circumstances (after hundreds of rounds), the protection can loosen as much as such an extent that recoil alone can reengage the protection. I’ve by no means seen this on any M500 nor my very own shotgun, although. On this entrance, the higher gun’s decided by your handedness: For lefties, the Mossberg’s controls are extra ergonomic. For righties, the 870 gives a greater match.
Journal Capacities
All 870s, save for one (the Special Purpose Marine Magnum), come fitted with a 4-round journal tube, whereas 500s come optioned with a minimal 5-round tube. However a key distinction that may influence capability resides in each weapons’ journal caps: The Mossberg’s cap features as a fastener that secures the barrel to the journal and receiver. As soon as eliminated, the barrel is now not linked. This eliminates aftermarket help for putting in magazine extensions on the Mossberg.
In the meantime, the Remington’s journal cap merely threads onto the journal. It isn’t additionally chargeable for securing the barrel to the motion. When it’s eliminated, the journal and barrel stay seated to the receiver. This enables the 870 to just accept aftermarket magazine extensions, just like the Wilson Combat Extension pictured above. From the manufacturing facility, the five hundred wins on journal capability – however it loses to the 870 relating to including extra tube for additional shells.
Set off Really feel
The Remington 870’s set off wins, palms down. Its metallic set off housing and total development is greater high quality, and its lighter set off weight and really feel is throughout superior. The five hundred’s set off guard (which doubles because the set off mechanism housing) is comprised of polymer, providing a sloppier really feel. Coupled with its greater pull weight, its set off simply doesn’t really feel as crisp nor constant.
Feeding, Loading, and Ejecting
These statements might trigger controversy. However too dangerous; I converse from years of expertise with each weapons: I desire the Mossberg 500 on this class. The ‘Berg’s provider (you may name it an elevator, or lifter) and spring have merely carried out higher for me, and others report the identical when evaluating each weapons’ manufacturing facility internals. That is additionally one thing that retailers have endeavored to repair on the 870, producing aftermarket spring upgrades and reshaped carriers for many who report feeding points. I additionally just like the Mossberg’s bigger ejection port. It merely mitigates some jam dangers, and it makes port loading in a rush simpler.
So, Is One Shotgun Superior?
No. Like I discussed earlier, evaluating the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 is mainly a wash. One gun is just not universally higher than the opposite. It’s the use case that’ll decide which shotgun is superior on your explicit wants. I just like the Remington’s high quality. It merely feels higher within the palms and its controls, set off, and motion are crisper and cleaner. However the Mossberg’s received a leg up – not less than, from my very own capturing adventures – relating to consuming up and spitting out every kind of shot shells with none fuss, and its left-handed ergonomics higher swimsuit my wants. Despite its mushier set off, wobbly motion rods, and “cheaper” accoutrements, I desire the five hundred as my home-defense pump gun for its greater capability and dependable biking.
Nonetheless, if I had been inclined to do any sort of searching with my shotguns, I might seize my 870 with out hesitation. Its set off and pump make for higher consistency when dropping birds and massive sport. Now, that’s to not say the Mossberg isn’t an appropriate duck or turkey gun – it positively is, particularly when paired with a Holosun optic. Check out these camouflaged, optics-ready 500s. In fact, the Remington 870 DM (paired with a removable field magazine) additionally makes for some nice chook and boar searching.
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