I’m looking for an HD shotgun (having sold my other one several years ago to fund another purchase). Looking around in the local gun shops, one sees Mossberg 590’s, Benelli SuperNova tacticals, and Remington 870 Express HD’s.
I know that any quality brand will work, and (after handling them all) they all fit me pretty well. I hate to do a “Brand X vs Brand Y” thing, but (considering the above choices), does any one stand out as being less problematic over the long term or better constructed than the others?
I guess it depends on what you are after in a SG. I have a FNH SLP right now and I really like it. That being said, I am strongly considering selling it and getting a pump for HD purposes. My personal choice in pumps is the Winchester 1300 Defender as I feel it cycles more smoothly than the Remington 870 out of the box and I really like the ergonomics. However, I will admit there are more after market gadgets for the 870 which can certainly influence your decision. Its not so much that I don’t like the 870, its that I really like the 1300. I don’t have much trigger time on a Mossberg and I know those who despise and love them. I know the new Mossberg 930 spx has had some quality control issues which have been highly discussed on forums such as shotgun world and others. However, it seems to be selling well so it is no telling how widespread those problems may be.
Good luck with the decision. I always find it tough to really nail down what I am looking for in a weapons platform and subsequently make a choice.
From a price standpoint the pump guns are going to be significantly less expensive than the autoloaders. You can’t go wrong with a Mossberg 590 or a Remington 870. I’m partial to the Mossberg myself, but that’s just personal preference.
The safety location is the biggest issue for me between Mossberg and Remington pump action shotguns. Figure out whether you want a cross bolt safety underneath, or an ambidextrous slider on top. Otherwise, it’s pretty much a toss up. If you happen to come across an older Ithaca 37, they’re really nice handling pump guns as well.
FWIW I keep a reliable (i.e. not box stock) Saiga-12 plus an old 870 Wingmaster as backup.
Both the Remington and Mossy are good guns. It comes down to personal preference. I grew up with Remingtons, and like the way they feel. Others prefer Mossies. Pick your poison.
I’ve owned all three you mentioned. It’s one of those Ford vs. Chevy things.
The supernova IS at a disadvantage from a parts availability standpoint. While it’s a little weird having a rotating bolt on a pump shotgun, and the LOP is horrendous (I have the PG stock), I love the controls’ locations. With the bolt forward, the elevator will stay in it’s upward position once pushed there. This allows you to load without fighting it each round. While not a dealbreaker, it’s a nice touch. Just like the shell release disconnect. I’ve had around 3k rounds through mine without a hiccup thus far. I know it’s not a LOT, but it’s a data point for you.
As far as “problematic” goes, I’ve seen fewer issues with the 870 than the 590. Any data I have on the SNTs is too small to be meaningful. If you’re looking at the 870, check out the police models. There is actually a reason they cost more.
My pic would be for a Mossberg 500 with a heavy 18.5" barrel and a speedfeed 4 stock. This is my current HD gun and the heavy barrel realy helps with recoil. The Mossberg has much better ejection and safety location than the 870 and the loading area is huch easier to use, since you do not ha a gate blocking you. I also have a streamlight TLR-1 mounted for low light use. Extended magazine tubes are not needed, in my opinion, for HD as most situations are going to be over in less than 5 rounds. If you need more than that, I think you are going to need a different gun.
I have a Winchester 1300, and I had a Winchester 1200 before that. When I compared the 1300 to an 870 (ca. 1995) the Winchester action was smoother and faster, and the gun was lighter. I can see how a steel receiver would be a plus for an issued agency gun, but not for a properly cared for home defense tool. The Remingtons and Mossbergs are nice, but my vote would be to find a 1300 if you can.
Let me just add that I would go with the gun I grew up hunting with if that’s part of the equation. I grew up with Winchester, so the safety is at the “wrong” location on and 870. If you grew up shooting pheasant or turkey with an 870, the safety is “wrong” on a 1300. I recently got a Nova for pheasant and don’t like it at all, not because it’s a bad shotgun, but because old habits die hard when a rooster pops up out of the milo.
I have an FN Tactical POlice. Nice shotgun. I’m more inclined to use the M4 for home defense, or a revolver with 38+p. Reason is the concussion and flash of the shotgun. Used to have the shotty set up for HD before I got the carbine, though as the rifle I had was too much for in house.
That said, as the others said “whatever fits”. I would say the more important aspect of fit is how natural the stroking action is while pumping under stress. Your biggest risk in an emergency situation is the short-stroke, failing to load and possibly hanging up your gun. See how that part of the cycle feels to you. (My suspicion is the Mossberg is a better feeder).
Next, you want to add a light. No, we don’t want to trick it out like a Tapco ad. But, you should have an easily switchable light so you can identify your target. I have a rail attachment that clamps to the barrel and tube - nothing exotic, got it at Midway. On it I have mounted a Streamlight M6 - high intensity light and red laser. ID target and help aim. Yes, you have to aim inside the home, a shotgun spreads about 1" per yard, so the shot pattern really is not a broadside of barn traveling at the perp, unlike the movies. BTW, my M4 has a light as well, for target ID. Nothing has to be fancy but it sure does have to work.