Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500 - Which is the Better Shotgun?
- Jan 25, 2022
Remington 870
In our recent podcast "What's the greatest shotgun of all time?" we didn't get the chance to compare these 2 amazing shotguns.
If you’re in the market for an American made pump-action shotgun, you’re likely trying to decide between the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 series.
Both brands offer quality firearms at a reasonable price. They come in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and 410. There are numerous variants and accessories available, making it easy to customize a shotgun with the features that matter to you. Change stocks, add sights, change out the forearm, and more. There are plenty of options to choose from.
Both series can be used for a variety of purposes, from hunting to home defense. Guns in the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 series are used by the military because they are reliable and made to last.
In this article, we’ll provide a general overview of what to expect from the Remington 870 vs Mossberg 500 to help you find the right shotgun for you.
Remington 870 Overview
Shotguns in the Remington 870 series are sturdy and reliable. Equipped with a steel receiver, Remington models tend to be slightly heavier.
The twin action bars are built to last with a smart design that combines the steel action bars and pump into one piece. This allows for a smoother feel and better experience when compared with the Mossberg action.
The Remington safety is located within easy reach behind the trigger on the trigger guard. It’s a traditional push-button safety. You’ll find the slide release in front of the trigger on the left side of the gun.
Remington uses a single extractor, which grips the rim of the shells to remove them from the shotgun. The ejector is riveted, making it harder to replace than a non-riveted ejector.
Remington has made some changes over the years. It’s very easy to remove the magazine cap to add an extension for some models. For those with a dimpled magazine tube, adding an extension isn’t simple. The spring and round can’t travel into an extension from a dimpled tube. You can remove the dimples or hire a gunsmith to do this for you. It’s also worth noting that the tube is soldered in place, which can become an issue if you damage the magazine tube and need to replace it.
Mossberg 500 Overview
The Mossberg 500 series shotguns are also durable and reliable. Made with an aluminum receiver, these guns tend to be lighter weight when compared to the Remington 870 series.
Mossberg uses a sliding safety, which is located on the tang of the receiver. It’s easy to use whether you’re right or left-handed. However, if you prefer a pistol grip, you’ll find that it’s a bit challenging to reach.
The slide release is located behind the trigger on the left side of the gun. You won’t have to break your firing grip to reach it. The twin action bars are anchored to a separate slide assembly. It tends to move around more than the Remington 870, but it’s also easier to replace or repair.
When it comes to adding magazine capacity, the Mossberg 500 design doesn’t allow you to simply screw on an extension. However, the 590 makes it easy to directly connect an extension to the tube.
Mossberg has two extractors to increase reliability. It’s nice to have a backup, especially since this allows you to keep using the gun until you can make repairs if one extractor breaks. The ejector screws in, so it’s easy to replace. Adding a scope rail and an optic to a Mossberg is also very easy.
Similarities Between the Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870
Pump-action shotguns are great for sporting uses as well as tactical and home defense. Both the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 series are highly adaptable, with a variety of configurations and customization options to choose from.
These are popular guns that have a long history of military and government use that's led to the production of over 10 million units of each weapon.
Both series come standard with front bead sights. With simple design, these guns are easy to clean and maintain, making them a great choice for new shooters and experts alike.
If you want an affordable shotgun you can count on, you can’t go wrong with either. However, there are some differences that might impact your decision.
Biggest Differences Between the Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870 Shotguns
The main difference you’re likely to notice right away when comparing these two is the location of the safety. The Remington 870 has a push-button safety on the trigger guard, behind the trigger. The Mossberg 500 has a sliding safety that’s found on the receiver tang.
Remington uses a steel receiver, which is slightly heavier than Mossberg's aluminum receiver. Both companies use steel twin action bars, but the design is different. Remington’s one-piece design tends to feel smoother and provide a slightly improved experience.
It’s easy to customize both Mossberg and Remington shotguns, whether you want to extend the magazine capacity or add sights. However, Mossberg tends to be a bit more user friendly when it comes to adding accessories.
Mossberg 500 guns are all tapped, making it easy to add a scope rail and an optic. It’s not as easy to add optics to the Remington 870, because it’s not drilled and tapped. Instead, you have to drill and tap your own holes or go to the gunsmith.
Mossberg 500 or Remington 870?
Mossberg 500 guns tend to cost slightly less than the Remington 870s, but the price differential probably isn’t significant enough to make the decision for you. At the end of the day, it really comes down to your personal preference.
Remington and Mossberg both make very reliable pump-action shotguns, whether you’re looking for a home defense shotgun or planning to go turkey hunting. If you’re left-handed, you might prefer the Mossberg due to the location of the tang safety. If you prefer a heavier gun, you’ll probably want to go with the Remington 870 or Mossberg 590.
If you have any questions, the experts at Green Top Sporting Goods are here to answer them.