I'm considering purchasing a 12ga pump shotgun for field use and busting clays. In the future I'm planning to hunt deer. However, the likelihood that I'll make that happen during this year's season is low. I see that Dick's is having a doorbuster on a field/deer combo Mossberg500 AND a deal on the Remington 870 Express.

 

My question is this. Do I pick up the 500 combo for $299 OR the 870 for just about 250 I think.

 

I'm leaning towards the 870 because I figure I can splurge on a cantilever slug barrel some time next summer if I feel I'm up for deer hunting next year.

 

I've held both and prefer the safety/action release location and general feel of the 870, but is the Mossberg deal too good to pass up?

 

Discuss.

I want an 870 just to convert it to a bullpup with the bullpup unlimited kit

Remington Express vs Mossberg 500. Flip a coin. Remington started making the Express line to compete with the cheaper Mossberg line. Go with the one that feels better in your hand.

My personal opinion would be to find a used Remington 870 Wingmaster for just a little more money (there is a beautiful looking 870 trap gun for sale in the classifieds here) that you will be happy to pass on to your grandkids. A shotgun like that is a piece of craftsmanship in addition to being a useful tool.

Generally (exceptions exist of course), guns made 30 years ago were built to higher standards, had more personalized hand-fitting, and had higher QC than ones made today. Remington shotguns are a perfect example. These days you need to buy S&W Custom shop pistols to approach the quality of the standard pistols they were making in the 60's and 70's.

I am preparing to receive many flames.

lol.

 

 

I was looking at the Trap gun. But, t seems like a dedicated gun for clays, 2 3/4" chamber. I really want a shotgun that I can interchange a slug barrel onto to do some hunting. I'd prefer reliability over fanciness. In general, I'm a bit of a brute which is why I gravitate towards more affordable tank-like firearms (See my list of Rugers)

 

Maybe the trap gun fits that bill. I'm sure I will want to spring for a wingmaster later but this is me really testing the waters and looking for some flexibility and reliability.

lol.

 

 

I was looking at the Trap gun. But, t seems like a dedicated gun for clays, 2 3/4" chamber. I really want a shotgun that I can interchange a slug barrel onto to do some hunting. I'd prefer reliability over fanciness. In general, I'm a bit of a brute which is why I gravitate towards more affordable tank-like firearms (See my list of Rugers)

 

Maybe the trap gun fits that bill. I'm sure I will want to spring for a wingmaster later but this is me really testing the waters and looking for some flexibility and reliability.

 

If you are looking for something you don't feel guilty about chucking in the mud, then either of your two choices are good. I am a bird hunter, so 3" shells are not something I ever need. I was under the impression that you only really want the 3" shells for geese or turkey, but i could be wrong.

 

Since 99% of people never manage to wear out their shotguns, you might want to visit stores where they have used ones. I was really impressed with heritage Guild in Rahway. Lou's Guns in Raritan also has an good number of used shotguns in the back room. I would grab an older Winchester or an Ithaca any day over the new Remmys and Mossbergs. They are bits of well functioning history and will cost around the same as the new ones. And the pump action on the Winchesters and Ithacas blows away today's guns. If you want a nice accurate slug gun, Ithaca has the strongest and straightest barrel mount on any shotgun made. The barrel screws into threads in the receiver (as opposed to a sleeve and slot arrangement), making it very true.

What Chris posted in both his responses. Good information.

It's really personal opinion. I'm a Mossberg guy because I like the way Mossbergs look as well as the way they function. I also prefer the little things like the safety and ESPECIALLY the action release on Mossy's. I can't stand the action release on 870's, I just don't like their location that they put it in.

 

If I were you, I'd save the combo and just get either the 870 or 500 with a 28'' VR barrel for clays/hunting. Then if you want another barrel in the future, buy it separately.

 

If you're shooting clays at a WMA or at a sporting clays place every now and then, a pump is fine. But if you plan to shoot competetively, I would look at an o/u or something like that meant for it.

I personally am not a huge fan of the way mossbergs feel...870's are a little better but honestly the older steven's and winchesters out there I've tried all feel much better.

 

That said, with dicks selling the maveric88 mossberg clone I find it real hard to pass up for $170

I personally am not a huge fan of the way mossbergs feel...870's are a little better but honestly the older steven's and winchesters out there I've tried all feel much better.

 

That said, with dicks selling the maveric88 mossberg clone I find it real hard to pass up for $170

 

+1. I do like Mossberg's action release better than Remington's. But Mossberg 500's feel like rattletraps to me. There is no question that they work though.

for field use? either/or

 

BUT, I'd recommend the same model of shotgun you use for home defense (if you do)

for field use? either/or

 

BUT, I'd recommend the same model of shotgun you use for home defense (if you do)

 

I don't at the moment. My thinking is to have a remington 870 3" and eventually get a cantilever rifle barrel for deer, and an 18"/mag tube extension for HD.

 

Just to interchange as needed since you're not hunting every day. If it is during hunting season, I always have my handguns for HD.

 

In the long run, I very well may get dedicated weapons for field/deer/HD, but I'm trying to make the wisest choice in anticipation.

Go with the 870, you will not be disappointed.

I have a benelli supernova field 28" barrel for sale. Pm me