Shotgun Forums banner

SHOTGUN info

3472 Views 32 Replies 1 Participant Last post by  ShotgunPro
Sorry guys but i normally have a hard time making up mind mainly because there is too much information availible to me and there are also too many opinions that i take into consideration before making a choice. so with that being said can someone point me to some shotgun literature, and let me know some opinions for a good hunting/home defense shotgun. I know the remington 870 and mossberg 500 are both excellent and i'm leaning that way but i know the mossberg maverick is inexpensive and effective. also the remington has a dosen variants so whats really good?
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
Personally, I like the 870, although some people like the 500 for the location of the safety. They're both great weapons, but I believe more accessories are made for the 870 with the 500 close behind. If you want to have the most versatility I would say the 870, then 500. If you don't care about accessories, as stated above, they're about the same. The Maverick is a good gun, but I don't know as though I would rely on it for home defense. It is one that I wouldn't mind treking through the mud though. You can pick up an 870 or 500 for around $300. Hope this helps.
Spend some time on the Saiga12 forum before you decide. Interesting stuff over there.
If You Are Serious---Saiga 12 AK47 Shotgun

If you are serious about family protection and don't mind spending some money, then consider the Saiga 12 "Sporting Shotgun".

Like said before, basically it is your run-of-the-mill AK47 semiauto chambered for the 12 gage platform. Your decision. HB of CJ
If you are looking for a shotgun for hunting AND home defense, I would get the Remington 870 in 12 ga. You can swap out the barrels if you have two. Use one for hunting and put the other shorter barrel on when you get home and use it for HD.
I like the location of the safety and the slide release on the mossberg over the remington. On the other hand, the wobbly forend is kind of annoying. That's apparently fixed on the newer versions, however.

Either are a great choice.
Nothing against any other shotguns, but the Remington 870 is the most popular shotgun out there and has been a favorite since it was introduced in 1950. It is so popular that it is the best selling pump shot gun in US history according to Gun Digest Treasury. From 1950 to 1996 over 7 million of them were sold.

There's a reason for that.

That's also the reason why you will find more accessories for the 870 than any other shotgun on the market.

Whichever you decide to get, you will get a good gun, but I prefer the 870.
The Remington 870 and Mossberg 590 are both excellent shotguns...well made...and will serve your stated purpose of a hunting and/or home defense shotgun. Both have barrels that are easily switched between an 18" or 20" HD barrel and a longer 24" rifled slug barrel for deer up to 28" and 30" sporting clays/skeet/general purpose bird/squirrel/small game hunting barrel.

IMO, the Remington arguably is a better purchase because of the huge variety of aftermarket parts/accessories/barrels/etc. for the Remington and not as much for the Mossy. Also, having been down the road with Mossberg's customer service dep't over a few seemingly minor issues, they are slow, not terribly responsive, but will eventually get the job done for you. Remington's C/S on the other hand has always treated me very well and worked with great speed to resolve any questions/problems I have had.

Either way you go...you won't be disappointed.
Yes, the 870 is more popular for LEO and civilian use, but the Mossberg is the ONLY one that the Military uses and has a Contract with. Built tough, so you can't go wrong with either one.
I personally own the 870, but that is just because I got a good deal from a friend. Otherwise, I would have gotten the Mossberg.
As others have said, either one is a Good choice. And there are just the same amount of accessories for either brand.

As always, Stay Safe.
If you are looking for a shotgun for hunting AND home defense, I would get the Remington 870 in 12 ga. You can swap out the barrels if you have two. Use one for hunting and put the other shorter barrel on when you get home and use it for HD.
And you can do the same with the Mossberg and almost all other shotguns.

I like the location of the safety and the slide release on the mossberg over the remington. On the other hand, the wobbly forend is kind of annoying. That's apparently fixed on the newer versions, however.

Either are a great choice.
The Mossberg 500 has dual action bars. Cheaper models have a single bar. I would NOT buy a pump shotgun with a single action bar. The pump does have that sloppy feel and if the single bar breaks or bends you're screwed.

Yes, the 870 is more popular for LEO and civilian use, but the Mossberg is the ONLY one that the Military uses and has a Contract with. Built tough, so you can't go wrong with either one.
I personally own the 870, but that is just because I got a good deal from a friend. Otherwise, I would have gotten the Mossberg.
As others have said, either one is a Good choice. And there are just the same amount of accessories for either brand.

As always, Stay Safe.
Hmm... USMC is currently use Benelli shotguns. Or at the very least have put out a contract for them.

Take a look at a Browning BPS Defender model. I may be wrong on the Defender though. It's a 20" barrel with eight round capacity. Bottom eject and tang safety. Awesome shotguns.
Personally, I use the Benelli SuperNova Tactical, 12 gauge. Pistol grip stock with an 18 1/2 inch barrel with rifle sights. I use it from hunting and home defense... A great shotgun, though for hunting I only use it for larger game, not for fowl. That and its chambered for 3 1/2.
Here's my NEF "870"...~$300 after add'n the goodies.
I've got a shotgun or two in the stable, and can tell you that you can learn to shoot a tactical gun, but if the hunting gun don't fit you are not going to be able to shoot it well.

Go look at hunting shotguns. Find the one that fits you best, then either buy or create a second, short barrel for it. Take the plug out of the magazine tube and call it good. You don't need all that tacticool stuff hanging off of your shotgun. The only accessory I recommend is a light. Its hard to shoot a shot gun and weild a light at the same time, so come up with a plan for that.
The Mossberg 500 has dual action bars. Cheaper models have a single bar. I would NOT buy a pump shotgun with a single action bar. The pump does have that sloppy feel and if the single bar breaks or bends you're screwed.
It has dual action bars. Apparently it doesn't have the spring that keeps the slide from wobbling side-to-side that the new ones have. Like I said, it's not drastic, though it's noticable.
Nothing against any other shotguns, but the Remington 870 is the most popular shotgun out there and has been a favorite since it was introduced in 1950. It is so popular that it is the best selling pump shot gun in US history according to Gun Digest Treasury. From 1950 to 1996 over 7 million of them were sold.

There's a reason for that.

That's also the reason why you will find more accessories for the 870 than any other shotgun on the market.

Whichever you decide to get, you will get a good gun, but I prefer the 870.
I agree. The 500 aint no slouch though, my dad has a 500 cop model, LE long tube. Its a nice gun.

Just stacking 500 vs 870 isnt very helpful unless you are willing to name price or model.

I have a 870 super mag express, 28 inch vent rib with some stick on fiberoptic front sight that came with it used, for $195 i got it about 2 years ago.

it can shoot 2 3/4", 3", or 3 1/2"shells which is neat, but i have yet to shoot 3 1/2" from it.

I do think the 870 is made and finished a bit nicer, and bit smoother. Other than that, vertually every dodad and accessory is made for each of them. I know mossberg even makes barrels (aftermarket ones) to fit the 870, remmy might do that for mossbergs also, not sure i never looked. If they dont its a testment to the universal appeal and the market, even the competition makes barrels.
FN Tactical Police Shotgun 12GA, 18 Inch, Ported, Fixed Choke, 8rds

$669

anyone ever handle or shoot the FN pump shoties ?

Its based on the winchester 1300 which i have not ever messed with.

Everyone i hunt with has a 870, 500, or 1100.

See less See more
The Maverick is a good gun, but I don't know as though I would rely on it for home defense. It is one that I wouldn't mind treking through the mud though.
A new Mossberg Maverick 88 is just under $200. What is bad about it?

I was thinking of picking this up for home defense and putting a pistol grip/collapsable stock on it, and maybe a ghost ring sight. So, for about $300 I can have another decent HD weapon.
I love my 870. There is a reason why more police departments use the 870 as patrol shotguns over any other. They are built like tanks. Mossys are good, Benellis are very nice, but nothing says shotgun like an 870 in my book.
I love my 870, however my 590 and Benellis are great as well. Best thing to do is go try a few and see which one fits you best. How well can you operate the controls. Which felt good to you. ect ect. I personally like the 870 since it was the first shotgun I received as a kid (870 express 16+ years ago). It was the 3rd firearm I was issued in the Marines.... Yes I was issued a 20" stamped "wingmaster" in 97. They "feel" better to me.

Its like a car. Some people will say buy this or buy that, but really its gonna be what you want. However people may say "dont by Volkswagon, they are mostly lemons" ect. I would take heed of these warnings. Also, all the tactical crap may be nice, but is not needed. The plain speedfeed 1/2 stock with a shorter speedfeed forend or a nice surefire lighted forend, on a 18-20 with a extension would be ideal. Then buy a 28" or so barrel and plain barrel nut, that way you can swap the HD setup for hunting/ trap ect. Spare barrel can be found cheap and are a nice treasure to have.
See less See more
Yes, the 870 is more popular for LEO and civilian use, but the Mossberg is the ONLY one that the Military uses and has a Contract with. Built tough, so you can't go wrong with either one.
I personally own the 870, but that is just because I got a good deal from a friend. Otherwise, I would have gotten the Mossberg.
As others have said, either one is a Good choice. And there are just the same amount of accessories for either brand.

As always, Stay Safe.
We had Ithica 37's and Remington 870's as a MP stationed in Germany in the 80's, The Military uses whatever they can get at the time that meets their standards. My personal experience with Mossberg is not good, 9200 and 500, the 9200 wouldnt feed anything at all and the 500 kept breaking down. The 590 seems to get rave reviews from owners but I'd stick with Remington on this one.
1 - 20 of 33 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top