870
Both are good choices......I am partial to the Remington, though.
Oh man have you started one now.
I have both and dont think you can really go wrong with either as far as RELIABILITY.
However just IMHO if you decide to use a pump for home defense, don’t shoot anything else like a autoloader or double barrel for any period of time. You want the bang-PUMP action to come automatically to you when crunch time comes.
Pictures, pictures, pictures
Check back later bump! ;-)
The Rem 870 design has been used for decades by military and police. There are a ton of aftermarket items for it as well.
I vote(d) 870.
That’s almost a theological question ....I have used Remington shotguns since the about 1960 and have never had a problem. In fact the first shotgun I bought for myself was a Remington 870, and I use it to this day.
Binelli NOVA.
I like the safety placement better on the 500.
The 870 gives you 7 rounds, the Mossberg gives you 8.
I have an 870 full-choke pump and am very happy with it. Just the mechanical sound of the pump action is an attention getter for any intruder.
A buddy of mine has a recording of the sound of racking a pump shot gun hooked up to his door bell I love it
They're both fine weapons, but it comes down to personal ergonomics. Which one shoulders better for you? Do you like the Mossy's thumb safety on the tang or the Remmy's safety on the trigger guard? What mag capacity do you feel you need? etc., etc.
My decision was for a used 870 Wingmaster as a base followed by an 18" aftermarket barrel and a +2 magazine extension.
870.
After 10,000 or more shells, the 870 will feel like an old friend, and will shoot like it's wired to your brain.
Both.
Ignore everyone else, and listen to me alone!
Both are good. If one or the other is substantially cheaper and in good shape, get that one.
If they are the same cost, pick whichever one feels best in your hands. If you can, before you buy, find some folks who have them and get them to take you shooting, so you can try them out.
And don't tell me Jedi mind tricks don't work on you! You'll hurt my feelings! ;)
I believe the Mossberg 500 will probably be cheaper, if you get a stock weapon. Get one that is gussied up for “tactical” use, ie, an ugly black gun, and it's going to cost more. Remington's 870 might possibly be a bit higher quality, or so I've heard. I've owned one of each, but a long time apart, and I'd be happy to have either kind. Especially right now. Mine was gussied up with the folding pistol-grip stock in black plastic, but the original forearm grip in beat up walnut. I think someone ran out of $$ while playing with it. I got it in a three-corner trade long ago, and it's long gone. I liked them both.
Oh yeah - whatever you buy, get thee to the range and practice with it until the manual of arms becomes second nature. The range is the place to make and correct mistakes like short-stroking the action or forgetting to snick off the safety.
Yes.
The question of what to use as a home defense weapon is a question of who is going to use the weapon.
If you are a young strapping male a a shotgun could be appropriate.
If you are a young petit female a pistol may be more appropriate.
Being able and confident in handling the weapon when the need arises is more important than hitting power.
If the only use the shotgun will be put to is home defense I would recommend shopping around and finding an used shotgun at a good price. Either would be a fine choice. Make sure that you buy one with as short a barrel as you can find with an open choke or ‘slug’ barrel.
If you may choose to hunt with the weapon you may want to put out the money for a new weapon. If this is a possibility you may want to buy an extra barrel to suit your hunting needs.