Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500/535/835

The 870 seems to have a better fit and feel not to mention that the recoil is less than the mossberg pumps with the same load! Relibility seems to be about the same. Patterns are a matter of what choke you use !All are great guns and I wouldn't hesitate to take any of them to the field but I just prefer the 870!
 
Both are good guns but I prefer Mossbergs personaly. I have and shoot both but I like the safety position on the Mossy and none of my Mossbergs have ever broken, I wish I could same about the 870.

I like the interchangeable barrels and accu choke set up also.

If you look at gun stores at parts for shotguns you will have to blow the dust off of the parts boxes for the Mossbergs. Very reliable in the field.

Just like everything else, everyone has flavors that they prefer over another. It's just personal choice.
 
If you are talking the 870 Wingmaster, than it is hands down the most durable, dependable shotgun ever made.

If you are talking Express, I would give the slight edge to the 835 for the simple fact that it will pattern anything well with factory chokes.
 
I love the 870 ,BUT, I would shy away from the 3 1/2 version (Super Magnum). My dad has had some issues with the feeding reliability in his. My dad's gun has the thumbhole styled stock with the longer barrel and the recoil is very tolerable with the 3 1/2" loads. My friend has the synthetic version with the short barrel (turkey model) and it is too light, the 3 1/2" turkey loads will absolutely stomp you.

I was weened on a Remington 1100 but transitioned to a 870 express with the synthetic stock. Its fit was much like the 1100 I am so used to, so I am a little biased in that respect. I always grab the 870 when conditions are less than perfect. It is one tough mother, I can beat the bushes with it or even paddle the boat with it(don't ask). That said I have two 870 Wingmasters and two 870 Expresses in the safe right now. They have been very reliable for me.
 
Originally Posted By: TankerIf you are talking the 870 Wingmaster, than it is hands down the most durable, dependable shotgun ever made.

If you are talking Express, I would give the slight edge to the 835 for the simple fact that it will pattern anything well with factory chokes.

+1, good post.
 
Thanks for all the good info. I've been raised t believe Mossberg was lesser quality but I've read some good things about them here.
 
Originally Posted By: JBD-TNI love the 870 ,BUT, I would shy away from the 3 1/2 version (Super Magnum). My dad has had some issues with the feeding reliability in his. My dad's gun has the thumbhole styled stock with the longer barrel and the recoil is very tolerable with the 3 1/2" loads. My friend has the synthetic version with the short barrel (turkey model) and it is too light, the 3 1/2" turkey loads will absolutely stomp you.



+1 I've had both and my mossberg is more like a glock (shoots whenever, whereever), my 870 is more like my wife, has to be maintained.....
 
I favor the 835 over the 870 express but have a question about the 870 wingmaster and express, dont the express have the same internal workings as the wingmaster? I was told the internals are the same by a gunsmith.
 
Originally Posted By: howlingI favor the 835 over the 870 express but have a question about the 870 wingmaster and express, dont the express have the same internal workings as the wingmaster? I was told the internals are the same by a gunsmith.

It's all about the finished parts and finish. Alot more goes into fit/finish of an 870 WM vs an express. Think of them as sandpaper grit. WM would be 600 grit while Express would be more like 80 grit. The older WMs are the nicest pump ever made .
 
I have personally seen two Mossbergs self destruct in the duck blind. I own two 870 Wingmqasters and one Express now(a few 1100s also).I got the last WM for $160 at a gun show. IMHO dollar for dollar, the best value in shotguns ever. I think it looks way better too. Bob.
 
Originally Posted By: TankerIf you are talking the 870 Wingmaster, than it is hands down the most durable, dependable shotgun ever made.

If you are talking Express, I would give the slight edge to the 835 for the simple fact that it will pattern anything well with factory chokes.

I have a hard time equating high polish blue and walnut stocks to "durable, dependable." That said it's the 870 hands down:

1. Steel receiver vs. anodized aluminum. With a steel bolt sliding back and forth which one do you think will wear out first??? Which one is easier to refinish to as new???

2. Ability to easily add a magazine extension vs. just about impossible because you now need a new barrel too. Lets not forget probably a new receiver because you will likely strip out the threads that hold the magazine tube in getting the overtightened factory one out.

3. Resale value.

4. More options add ons and accessories.

5. Never seen the safety on an 870 stop working but have had to change many plastic broken tang safeties on the Mossbergs. With the Mossberg it's not a question of if it will fail but when. I wont buy something that has a safety destined to fail eventually. Some would argue the Mossberg tang safety location is the best and I agree. But it's totally stupid to put it in the right place and then make it out of guaranteed to fail junk.

6. Probably not really fair to continue comparisons...the 870 is a flagship design that put the first sucessful hammerless repeating shotgun right out of business {Model 12} while the Mossberg is a cost effective model {translated: el cheapo} whose biggest selling point is the low price.

Here's another thing I have never seen an 870 do...blow itself open because it's wore out. Fixed many Model 12's that do this and seen/fixed many Mossbergs, some fairly new with their inherently weak bolt block. As to others, the 37's cheesy little carrier arms get out of adjustment easily, not so the 870. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's undeniably the best pump gun ever.
 
I have an 870 express super mag and my dad has a mossberg 835 ulti-mag and while both are good reliable shotguns, I prefer the 870. I have never had any of the feeding issues or rust that people talk about with mine. I have shot 2 3/4 through 3 1/2" without ever having a problem. I also think that the fit and finish on the 870 is better. The 835 just dont seem like its put together as good. Either one will serve its purpose and do it well, I just prefer the 870.
 
Originally Posted By: msinc

I have a hard time equating high polish blue and walnut stocks to "durable, dependable." That said it's the 870 hands down:

High polish blue does equate to more dependable. Takes a very smooth metal finish to get smooth blueing job. Smoother parts are more dependable.
 
Yup! What he said!!



Originally Posted By: msincOriginally Posted By: TankerIf you are talking the 870 Wingmaster, than it is hands down the most durable, dependable shotgun ever made.

If you are talking Express, I would give the slight edge to the 835 for the simple fact that it will pattern anything well with factory chokes.

I have a hard time equating high polish blue and walnut stocks to "durable, dependable." That said it's the 870 hands down:

1. Steel receiver vs. anodized aluminum. With a steel bolt sliding back and forth which one do you think will wear out first??? Which one is easier to refinish to as new???

2. Ability to easily add a magazine extension vs. just about impossible because you now need a new barrel too. Lets not forget probably a new receiver because you will likely strip out the threads that hold the magazine tube in getting the overtightened factory one out.

3. Resale value.

4. More options add ons and accessories.

5. Never seen the safety on an 870 stop working but have had to change many plastic broken tang safeties on the Mossbergs. With the Mossberg it's not a question of if it will fail but when. I wont buy something that has a safety destined to fail eventually. Some would argue the Mossberg tang safety location is the best and I agree. But it's totally stupid to put it in the right place and then make it out of guaranteed to fail junk.

6. Probably not really fair to continue comparisons...the 870 is a flagship design that put the first sucessful hammerless repeating shotgun right out of business {Model 12} while the Mossberg is a cost effective model {translated: el cheapo} whose biggest selling point is the low price.

Here's another thing I have never seen an 870 do...blow itself open because it's wore out. Fixed many Model 12's that do this and seen/fixed many Mossbergs, some fairly new with their inherently weak bolt block. As to others, the 37's cheesy little carrier arms get out of adjustment easily, not so the 870. Love 'em or hate 'em, it's undeniably the best pump gun ever.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeOriginally Posted By: howlingI favor the 835 over the 870 express but have a question about the 870 wingmaster and express, dont the express have the same internal workings as the wingmaster? I was told the internals are the same by a gunsmith.

It's all about the finished parts and finish. Alot more goes into fit/finish of an 870 WM vs an express. Think of them as sandpaper grit. WM would be 600 grit while Express would be more like 80 grit. The older WMs are the nicest pump ever made .

This^^^

My 870 Express has given me feeding issues in the past. I had enough of the tinkering to fix game, so I polished the chamber, changed out the mag follower, mag spring and extractor...she has run like a dream ever since. As an example, the factory extractor on the express is a cheap alloy, replaced it with a good steel extractor they use in their better models...no extraction problems since. There is a reason they sell them for less.

My 2 cents, the Mossberg is really not any better or worse.
 
I have shot both 870's and Mossbergs. I prefer the feel of the 870, but think the Mossberg is a quality product for the price.
There are some subtle differences in the internal parts of an 870 Exrpess and an 870 Wingmaster. The biggest is the trigger group assembly of the Wingmaster is built on a steel carrier as opposed to the plastic carrier of the Express models. The police models are also built on a steel carrier. Of course the Wingmaster is also polished blue steel as opposed to the matt blue finish of the Expess models.
I have both an 870 Wingmaster, and an 870 Express Magnum. I've never had a problem with either of them. The Express Magnum is my turkey gun and it patterns great. I'd at one time bought an 1187 Turkey. The 870, with its Remington super full turkey choke outpatterned it with every choke I tried. I soon sold the 1187.
 
Owned Mossbergs for 30 years and no complaints. Never broke anything or had a jam. The 870 may last longer but I won't complain about how long my Mossbergs have lasted.
 
have had the mossberg and the 870 wm & express. the WM was nicest by far. I found the finish to lend easier use and maintenance.
One of the best measuring sticks for me is resale. The WM actually sold used for more than I paid for it new. Cant say the same for the other two with the mossberg selling for the least.
 


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