is the mossberg 500 a good hunting shotgun? Im trying to decide between that and a Remington 870?

13 Responses

1. Godfearing Outdoorsman

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   Yes it is. I have both and have never have had any trouble with either one.

   The 870 feels more solid but they cost about $70 more than the 500.

   I know the army used the Mossberg 500. I don’t know if they still do.
   Mossberg claims the Model 500 is the only shotgun to pass the US Army’s Mil-Spec 3443E test, "a brutal and unforgiving torture test with 3,000 rounds of full power 12 gauge buckshot".

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_500

2. RUGERIZM. osama in the whitehous

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   Remington 870 is built better. 870supermag 26" full forestock-375$ at bass pro.

3. Jeff

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   it’s about even with the Express version of the 870 for overall quality

   The Wingmaster 870s are finished better… and I prefer the older 870′s over the newer ones… they seem to be fitted and finished better… and even with a little wear seem to work a bit smoother.

   I have owned a few Mossys (and the hardware store versions) in 12 and 20… they are ok… for hunting they are tough enough.

   I noticed they worked loose a little after several weeks of semi- serious (about 15 rounds a week) skeet shooting…

4. dbaldu

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   Both are good guns.

   The only shotgun I own is a Mossberg 500. It has treated me well for more than 20 years of hunting, informal clays and occasional rounds of skeet. When I had trouble with the safety, Mossberg fixed it at no charge even though the gun was long since out of warranty. It has never shot loose, although I shoot mostly light and medium loads for clays, doves and grouse, not heavy duck and goose loads. the heaviest ammo I shoot is a few rounds of slugs in deer season. Your mileage may vary if you plan to shoot a lot of heavy loads.

   Go with the Mossberg. Spend the money you save on shells and practice.

5. survivethebc

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   Give some thought to a Benelli Nova or Supernova.

6. Brandon

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   They are both good, I have a 500, my father has an 870 wingmaster. The wingmaster is a great turkey/goose gun, the 500 makes a better small game and all around gun.

7. Tahoeguy

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   I also endorse the 870. I have an express which i have used for everything from skeet to mule deer. Very quick to take down and clean. Mossberg isnt bad, but i prefer my 870. someone else mentionned the benelli nova. besides the looks, its a well made piece. Stoeger (aka benelli) has some well priced o/u and other doubles, might bear a look too.

8. METROPOLIS1

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   Both are excellent shotguns…..

   For hunting the Remington 870 has a little more heft so its recoil is a tiny bit less……

   Both shotguns are accurate, quite reliable and have legions of fans…. For hunting you can not convince me that one is better than the other…. As a matter of fact you will find many hunters own more than one shotgun for hunting…. For deer I use a Mossberg 500 slug gun with a smooth bore…. For ducks or other feathered critters I use a Mossberg 835…. And for rabbit and close range encounters with coyote or other varmints I use a Remington 870 Express….

   All I can say is this…. Stop by your local sporting goods store and shoulder each shotgun…. You might find the twin beads on the Mossbergs barrel may give you a more "pointable" feel…. On the other hand you may prefer the little more weight and solid feel of the Remington 870… We cant give that or explain that to you…. Your going to have to look them over yourself…. Both are quality units designed for the working man…..

   The only time I think one is better than the other is when shopping for a defense shotgun… Then I say get a Mossberg…. Here’s why….

   http://jth8260.tripod.com/870.html

   But for hunting I think both are equal….

   http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/

   http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=3&display=specs

   http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=3&section=products

9. berry_js

   September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

   both are geat but the mossberg pump just kinda feels cheap and rattles. i’d go REM 870

10. .700 nitro

    September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    Have shot both quite a bit. Different feel but, both are very good guns. I prefer the 870 but, the 500 is fine for most people I see shooting them.

11. Teknoman Saber

    September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    The Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 are indeed about neck and neck as Jeff pointed out.

    I happen to own both, one was inherited from my Grandfather, (Mossberg 500), and the other I purchased, (Remington 870), a few years ago.

    I like both equally, as I have never had any trouble with either of them. I use both for Sporting Clays at my local range.

    Good Luck!

12. dca2003311@yahoo.com

    September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    * Yes it is a reasonably priced, rugged, dependable, well made shotgun, and will do what the other more expensive shotguns will do for a lot less $$$$.*

13. Steve

    September 3rd, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    i like the 870 best.

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