[HockaLouis]

Originally Posted by orlando_marquez

What about semi-auto? I am looking for my first semi-auto shotgun and cant decide whether a Mossy or a Remy. I will go full tactical over practical. This is will not be home defense and I wont be shooting slugs so I dont need one rifled.

I currently just finished by Winchester 1300 Defender and am looking so stay at an 18 tube with 7+1....

I'd say to look at a Benelli first and foremost. The Inertia System type. Not cheap. WISH I trusted Stoeger!

[CHLChris]

Originally Posted by HockaLouis

WISH I trusted Stoeger!

Or Stevens...

[akers06]

Originally Posted by HockaLouis

I'd say to look at a Benelli first and foremost. The Inertia System type. Not cheap. WISH I trusted Stoeger!

The new stoeger are a lot better than they use to be...I had a 3500 and it was flawless..hated I had to sale it

[Jagermeister]

I like Mossberg's safety. It is on top (well at least on my 590 mariner) right where your thumb sits naturally. You do not have to switch hand position like the 870. Less fumbling in the dark. Remington quality has taken a hit. I have not had any problems with my 590 boom stick. I recommend the 500 in mariner coating if you live in a wet area like myself. I am always in the rain. No rust ever. I also hunt fox, ducks, rabbits and Russian/German boar with the Mossberg. No problem with shot or slugs. The gun is not even made for hunting, but it is very accurate with just the bead sight. So, it is good for two and four legged animals.

[orlando_marquez]

Originally Posted by HockaLouis

I'd say to look at a Benelli first and foremost. The Inertia System type. Not cheap. WISH I trusted Stoeger!

Started researching them. At about $1,200 base price... i'm looking at a $2,000 project after stocks, rail system, and sights. My wife is not going to be happy...

[kbd512]

Between the Mossberg 500 and 870 Express, I'd pick neither.

If you purchase a shotgun, get one that's already up to snuff for HD. Cheap shotguns and really expensive shotguns are for hunting. The shotguns that cost as much as a good pistol are the type suitable for HD. There's no sense in getting a cheap weapon and then stating that you want to use it for a purpose that you are staking your life on.

I have an 870 Police Magnum and would have had a Mossberg 590A1, but I picked up the Remington at a better price than what I could find with respect to 590A1's at the time.

The 590A1 has a thicker barrel and the receiver comes ready for an optics rail. My only complaint about the 870 (Police Magnum version only, it seems) has been the stupid notch that the factory cuts at the top of the receiver for what purpose I don't really know (because the barrel mounted rifle sights clear the receiver with or without the notch). That means that there's just a little steel left over to secure hold an optics rail. I wish both manufacturers would save the public a little money and mill a Picatinny rail into the top of the receiver but I'm sure that'd cost an extra $20 or so (apparently a really big deal).

That said, either the 590A1 or 870 Police Magnum are pump guns with a track record of reliability and durability. Yes, I know Remington's quality has been slipping lately.

After you purchase the shotgun, then you have to add several hundred dollars worth of extra parts to it to make it suitable for HD.

- Sling and Sling Plates or Sling Mounts

- Tritium Night Sights

- Improved Magazine Tube Follower

- Picatinny Rail for Aimpoint or EoTech

- SureFire Weaponlight or Foregrip with Picatinny Rails for SureFire Weaponlight

- Extended Safety (Remington only)

- Extended Magazine Tube (Remington only)

- Magazine Barrel Clamp (Remington only)

There's no distinct advantage to either model, but if you are going to use a pistol grip style buttstock versus the traditional buttstock, then the Mossberg is not for you because you won't be able to actuate the safety. I'm 5'10", have long arms, and the Remington factory Speedfeed buttstock was too long for me, so I purchased a Speedfeed IV-S.

The only feature that I really like that the Mossberg has that the Remington doesn't is the lack of a shell lifter to pinch your fingers in when loading shells. The spring loaded shell lifter has never prevented me from loading shells, but it is annoying.

Whichever shotgun you go with understand that the sling/mounts, weaponlight, and metal magazine followers are not optional equipment for HD. For me, Tritium night sights are a requirement because apparently my eyes didn't come with built-in image intensification. Optics are really nice to have, but not a requirement.

Why not try shooting and using both shotguns at your local range, first?

After that, then you can decide which features you can live with and which features you can do without.

[readygirl]

My HD set up. If your going to get a 870, get an older one. The new ones come back to the shop with fail to eject issues.

[akers06]

Originally Posted by readygirl

My HD set up. If your going to get a 870, get an older one. The new ones come back to the shop with fail to eject issues.

Agreed....

[readygirl]

Another plus for the Mossy, is the shell lifter stays in the up position. Makes it easier to load with gloves on, and doesn,t mess up your nail polish as much...lol

[95sniper]

Originally Posted by readygirl

My HD set up. If your going to get a 870, get an older one. The new ones come back to the shop with fail to eject issues.

What sling is that?