• The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
    Price is $300 $250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
    Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.

  • Today marks the 24th anniversary of 9/11. I pray that this nation does not forget the loss of lives from this horrible event. Yesterday conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was murdered, and I worry about what is to come. Please love one another and your family in these trying times - Spark

question for the Remington 870 owners

RescueRiley said:
Thanks...It seemed odd that in todays day and age a pump gun would have a fixed choke.

incidentally I'm trying to decide between that and a mosberg 500..I like them both but the Mossy's overall capacity is 6 rounds..and local legislation will not allow me to register anything with a cap over 5.
Click to expand...

Sorry to hear you live in an area where you have to register your firearm.

On thing to think about on the Mossberg that I don't think has been mentioned yet. The safety on the Mossberg is on the top of the tang (vs on the trigger guard of the Remington). This is a good option to have if you shoot left handed or if your right arm is disabled for whatever reason. Even with that said, I prefer the 870, but there are some in my family that like the Mossberg for the safety position.
 
I don't much hold with them, but magazine tube extensions are available for 870s and they work fine. you can get a +2 or +4 easily. (In 20ga)

I know that there is a wider range of production ammo in 12 than in 20, but I still prefer 20 myself, as well. And there is plenty of ammo available. If you reload, or know someone who does, the world opens right up.
 
Riley,

IMO it is like the Ford/GM debate. Some people like Mossberg, some like Remington. I can tell you from my personel experience that it is a well built gun that is reliable. I have hunted about 30 years with a group of hardcore duck hunters, Most of them use Remingtons and have had very few problems.

Duck hunting is not the easiest on guns. What will you be using it for? Hunting, Trap, Skeet or home defense?

Also remember how many of these guns are manufactured every year. there are bound to be hiccups or lemons that come off the line. I am a firm believer that you can research anything these days and find someone that is not happy with the product or had problems with a specific product. My two cents!

Paul
 
I'd suggest checking some other sites- especially gun related forums. I've never had an 870 jam on me or a friend. Reading some of these reviews I am reminded of details- for whatever reason I've had to teach people *how* to load an 870 properly because they couldn't get things to work pushing shells in at a 45 degree angle (okay, honestly, the 590s we used in the military did seem to be a bit more accepting of slop in that area)

You'll find a better range of accessories for the 870 in 20 than the mossy, other than that, it's really a 50/50 choice- you get a bit more durability for a bit more money out of the 870, but I'd happily use either on the line. (be that the dove line or the thin one.)

I can't say I wouldn't enjoy a mossy in 20ga, but the 870 express I have is a good one.
 
The 870 is a very good shotgun. The Express is their budget model. If you have the extra $$ look at the Wingmaster. I two 870's one express the other a Wingmaster. The action is much better on the Wingmaster. I've had mine for 26 years, never had a problem.
Jams are sometimes caused from using low grade ammo. By the best you can afford as far as ammo.
Scott
 
I've got more than ten years use on my 870 Express (almost exclusively duck hunting) and have never had any problems with mine. It's not pretty, but it always works.

Jeff
 
I know you wanted advice on Remington v Mossberg, but I would suggest taking a look at a Winchester 1300 if you can find one. Between the Winchester and the Remington, I found the winchester to be the more refined. For example, on the 870 the slide release is basically a piece of sheet metal that is difficult to access and is so sharp it can cut your skin. On the winchester the slide release is much fatter, easier to access, and easier on the skin. In a side by side comparison (when buying my wife a youth 20) the 1300 was the hands down winner- in our opinion- for overall feel. However, there must be a reason that the Remington 870 is the best selling shotgun, ever.

Just to assuage any hints of bias, that is a Remington 700 in my avatar.
 
RescueRiley said:
Great stiff here guys... Just read some disturbing reviews on the 870 however...http://www.rateitall.com/i-25631-remington-model-870.aspx

any thoughts?
Click to expand...

The ONLY times I've heard of a Remington jamming is if the guy short stroked the pump (can happen with any pump gun), and never heard of loading problems, but then, I don't know people who try to shove the shells in just any old way.

To be honest I have had Mossbergs as well, and they are fine guns. They didn't come as smooth out of the box as Remingtons, and Like I mentioned earlier, they use aluminum receivers, not steel like Remingtons.

I never liked Winchesters for some reason. Nothing that I can tell is wrong with them, they just didn't feel right to me. Guys probably think the same thing about 870s.
 
Through my 870. Year after year. In rain and sleet and snow. And truthfully, I don't think my 870 express has EVER jammed.

I bought it in 1997.
 
As I say NY is Remington country. 16 years and thousands of rounds with no problems. My next is a special purpose and I can't wait.
 
RescueRiley said:
Great stiff here guys... Just read some disturbing reviews on the 870 however...http://www.rateitall.com/i-25631-remington-model-870.aspx

any thoughts?
Click to expand...

The 870 is a very good shotgun. I've had my Wingmaster since the early '70s. I have the original 28" barrel (full choke), a modified choke 24" barrel, and a 20" improved cylinder barrel.

The 870 is a very light shotgun. When you fire it, you MUST hold the action closed against recoil, THEN cycle the action. If you don't have a firm hold on the fore end, the action will open upon firing and it will start to both eject and cycle in a new round, causing a jam.

Hold the fore end in a manly fashion during firing to prevent it from opening during recoil, THEN cycle the action, and you will have no problems with the gun.

This is a type of "limp wristing" in the shotgun world. :D

Andy
 
hlee said:
I know you wanted advice on Remington v Mossberg, but I would suggest taking a look at a Winchester 1300 if you can find one. Between the Winchester and the Remington, I found the winchester to be the more refined. For example, on the 870 the slide release is basically a piece of sheet metal that is difficult to access and is so sharp it can cut your skin. On the winchester the slide release is much fatter, easier to access, and easier on the skin. In a side by side comparison (when buying my wife a youth 20) the 1300 was the hands down winner- in our opinion- for overall feel. However, there must be a reason that the Remington 870 is the best selling shotgun, ever.

Just to assuage any hints of bias, that is a Remington 700 in my avatar.
Click to expand...

The first time I fired my wife's Win. 1300 Defender (20 gauge), the barrel fell off the shotgun. The barrel bracket was very poorly welded to the barrel and the weld broke during firing. Also, at least on my wife's gun, the slide release is very small and difficult to access without completely repositioning the shooting hand.

These things did not impress me.

Andy
 
I have been using a Remington 870 Special Purpose model for 18 years. Deer, dove and turkey have all fallen because of it. Just change the choke to match the kind of hunting and ammo you are using. Rain, snow, sleet, etc has never hurt it. Only time I have had a malfunction was when I short-stroked the action causing a jam. My fault of course.

A friend of mine has been using a Mossberg 500 for 25 years and loves it.

You can not go wrong with either. Get the one that feels the most comfortable to you.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top