TN_Mike

I don't think you could go wrong with either one but I personally prefer the Mossberg 590. Mine has not been tricked out or anything and I will tell you, I think it will do the job. We carried the same model on the Weapons Dept. Roving Security Patrol onboard ship and I liked it then. So I bought myself one to have at home and it has lived with us for many years now.

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Colin

If you are going to shoot a lot of slugs go with the 590 or 870. They are both excellent shotguns, although I prefer the placement of the controls on th Mossberg's over the 870. It's easier clearing a double feed on a 590 than a 870. If you buy an older 870 see if the shell lifter has been modified to reduce the double feed problem, if not you can retrofit the newer lifter.

ccw9mm

I've got both a Remington 870 12ga and an Ithaca 37 12ga. I much prefer the Ithaca for smoothness of operation. Both have been highly reliable. The Remy is a tank. The Ithaca is (to me) simpler to disassemble. The feeding/ejection method used by the Ithaca is a preference, for me, as well. For defensive use, either of these or the Mossberg 500 series should serve well.

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webbee

Isn't that Model 37 a peach! I agree, I think Ithaca's rule...

On the 590/870 question:
I like Mossberg controls and prefer shooting it to the 870. I shoot both as practice. There is no doubt the Wingmaster is better made, however, you probably won't wear either of them out.
There are more accessories marketed for the 870.

You should shoot as many brands as you can, because guns are personal, and what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another. You have to live fire a weapon a few times to feel how it affects you and how well it places slug/shot/buck. Handling a friends/gunshop weapon and shooting it are two different things.

Either are good home defence/hunting/target shooting shotguns and you won't go wrong with either brand. If you have the gun disease...then getting both is mandatory.

Here's a couple of URLs:

870 Vs 500 series, biased towards Mossberg

Comparitive Study: Remington 870 vs Mosberg 590

OD

Justin T. Huang must be a young guy.
They've been using them since Vietnam.

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OD
"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."
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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper

OD

Shotguns in Vietnam.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/44435/...m_shotgun_fun/

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OD
"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."
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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper

paratroop23

Excellent!! I like that you have both Pro Mossy and Pro Remy comparissons! Thanks man!

I haven't really seen any new 870s in my area, but I haven't checked out every one of my local options yet. I've handled both shot guns, and I'm kind of leaning toward the Mossberg simply because of the location of the safety. I've only run acrossed the Maverick 88 and 500 Mossbergs. I kind of dig the Mossberg with the collapsable M-4 type stock. I've located a 590 online, but I want to make sure that it's a step above the 500 before a spend the extra money. Also I'm jungling whether or not to get the Ghost Ring or Bead sights, speed loader, mag extensions? Decisions Decisions!!

Thanks a bunch all of you.

Cap'n

The U.S. Military issued it's shotgun contract award to Mossberg. Remington did not enter the certification process as they stated "they had nothing to win, but everthing to lose" by sudjecting their shotgun to the rigorous military test trails.
I have a Mossberg 500 Tactical and can rest assured that with the harsh conditions our military puts these shotguns through, it will withstand anything that I will put it through.

tanksoldier

It's MOST RECENT contract, yes. Prior to Mossberg's "win" in the early 1980's the US military had a hodge podge of shotguns from every manufacturer imaginable.

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OD

The government has been using 870s since Vietnam.

__________________
OD
"Slow down, you'll get a more harmonious outcome...."
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"The pistol, learn it well, carry it always ..." - Jeff Cooper