Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870

Quick Comparison — Mossberg 500 vs Remington 870

Who Is the Mossberg 500 For?

The Mossberg 500 is the best-selling pump shotgun in history. Designed in 1961, it was the first American shotgun to use an aluminum receiver, which made it significantly lighter than the steel-receiver competition. The Mossberg 500 series includes the basic 500, the 500A (12-gauge), the 590 (military-grade with metal trigger guard), and the 590A1 (mil-spec heavy barrel). The Mossberg 500 is for shooters who want a lightweight, versatile shotgun with an ambidextrous tang safety and the ability to swap barrels in seconds without any tools. It is the most versatile pump shotgun platform for shooters who need one gun for home defense, bird hunting, and deer hunting.

Strengths of the Mossberg 500

• Ambidextrous Tang Safety: The tang safety is located on top of the receiver, directly under the thumb. It is quick, positive, visible in peripheral vision, and equally usable by right-handed and left-handed shooters. This is widely considered the best safety system for tactical use because it can be operated without breaking the firing grip.
• Tool-Less Barrel Swaps: The Mossberg 500 uses a single screw (the magazine cap) to secure the barrel. Remove the cap, lift off the barrel, and install a new one in seconds. No tools required. This makes the 500 the most versatile shotgun for switching between an 18.5" home-defense barrel and a 28" hunting barrel.
• Lighter Weight: The aluminum receiver saves approximately 8 to 12 ounces compared to the steel-receiver 870. Over a long day of hunting or during a home-defense scenario, that weight difference is noticeable and appreciated.
• Dual Action Bars: The 500 uses dual steel action bars to cycle the forend. This prevents binding during fast cycling, reduces the chance of the forend cracking under stress, and provides smoother operation than single-bar designs.

Weaknesses of the Mossberg 500

• Plastic Trigger Guard and Safety: The Mossberg 500 uses injection-molded plastic for the trigger guard and safety button. While durable in normal use, they can crack under extreme abuse or in cold weather. Aftermarket metal replacements are available.
• Rough Action Out of the Box: A new Mossberg 500 typically has a gritty, stiff action that requires 200 to 300 cycles to smooth out. Some shooters prefer the 870's lubricated feel from day one.
• Finish Quality: Mossberg's blued finish is functional but not as durable as the 870's. On budget models, the finish can wear quickly on high-contact areas like the loading port and ejection port.

Who Is the Remington 870 For?

The Remington 870 was introduced in 1950 and became the standard police and military shotgun in America for over 60 years. It has a forged steel receiver, a cross-bolt safety in the trigger guard, and a reputation for rugged durability that is earned through decades of law enforcement service. The 870 is for shooters who want an indestructible shotgun with the smoothest pump action on the market and the deepest aftermarket of any pump shotgun. It is the shotgun that police armories have trusted for generations, and it is the platform that competitive shooters and custom builders turn to for their most demanding projects.

Strengths of the Remington 870

• Steel Receiver Durability: The 870's receiver is machined from solid steel. It is heavier than the Mossberg 500's aluminum receiver, but it is virtually indestructible. Police departments report 870s with over 100,000 rounds that still function perfectly. The steel receiver also absorbs recoil more effectively.
• Smooth Pump Action: The 870's action is smoother out of the box than the 500. The steel-on-steel bearing surfaces and superior factory lubrication create a satisfying cycling motion that improves with age and use.
• Largest Pump Shotgun Aftermarket: The Remington 870 has the largest aftermarket of any pump shotgun in history. Barrels, stocks, forends, magazine extensions, sights, and accessories are available from dozens of manufacturers including Magpul, Mesa Tactical, Wilson Combat, and Vang Comp.
• Classic Design: The 870's silhouette is iconic. It is the shotgun that generations of Americans grew up seeing in police holsters, hunting camps, and military armories. There is a timeless quality to the 870 that the Mossberg 500 cannot match.

Weaknesses of the Remington 870

• Heavier Weight: The steel receiver makes the 870 heavier than the Mossberg 500 by 8 to 12 ounces. For all-day hunting or for smaller-framed shooters, the extra weight is a noticeable disadvantage.
• Barrel Swap Requires Tool: Changing barrels on the 870 requires unscrewing the magazine cap nut with a tool or coin. It is not as quick or convenient as the Mossberg 500's tool-less swap system.
• Quality Control Issues (2007–2020): Following Remington's acquisition by Cerberus Capital Management in 2007, quality control declined significantly. Many 870s from this era suffered from surface rust, rough machining, and poor finish. Post-bankruptcy production under new ownership has improved, but the reputation damage persists.

Head-to-Head: 7 Key Categories

1. Durability — Winner: Remington 870

The forged steel receiver of the 870 is stronger than the aluminum receiver of the Mossberg 500. The 870 will survive being dropped, run over, or used as a tool. The 500 is durable, but the 870 is built to a higher standard of physical abuse.

2. Ergonomics (Safety) — Winner: Mossberg 500

The tang safety is faster, more visible, and ambidextrous. Under stress, you do not have to search for a small button in the trigger guard — your thumb naturally lands on the tang. This is a clear tactical advantage for home-defense use.

3. Action Smoothness — Winner: Remington 870

A broken-in 870 has the smoothest pump action on the market. The steel-on-steel cycling is buttery. The 500 is functional but gritty in comparison, especially when new.

4. Barrel Interchangeability — Winner: Mossberg 500

Tool-less barrel swaps make the 500 the clear winner for versatility. You can switch from a 28" bird barrel to an 18.5" defense barrel in 10 seconds without any tools.

5. Aftermarket — Winner: Remington 870

The 870 aftermarket is significantly larger. Magpul, Mesa Tactical, Wilson Combat, and Vang Comp all build 870-specific products. You can turn an 870 into almost any configuration.

6. Weight — Winner: Mossberg 500

The 500 is lighter by 8 to 12 ounces. Simpler to carry all day and easier to maneuver in tight spaces.

7. Value for Money — Winner: Tie

Both shotguns are exceptional values. You get a combat-proven pump gun for under $500. The Mossberg 500 is slightly cheaper and comes with more magazine capacity standard.

MatchMyGun Verdict

If you want a lighter, more versatile shotgun with an ambidextrous safety and tool-less barrel swaps → buy the Mossberg 500.

If you want a heavier, indestructible classic with the smoothest action and deepest aftermarket → buy the Remington 870.

The Mossberg 500 is the better choice for home defense: the tang safety is faster, barrel swaps are quicker, and it is lighter to maneuver in tight spaces. The Remington 870 is the better choice for a forever gun that will outlast you. For most civilian shooters, the Mossberg 500 is the smarter purchase.