Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, which to get?

[Brooke]

I haven't owned a shotgun before.

I'm thinking about an inexpensive one for home that I can have fun with at a range for shooting skeet and targets.  It doesn't have to be the best gun for skeet.

Also, I want a 20 gauge (in case that makes any difference).

[BuckShot]

I like the build and feel of the 870 better, but the location of the safety on the Mossberg is real nice. As I'm sure you seen, the Mossbergs generally cost less than the Rems.

I have an 870 3.5" super mag and have never had problems with it. There are more barrel options for the 3" mag chamber, so I'd buy that one of I were to do it again.

[branch37]

I like the 870s myself,  but I have heard some negative things concerning the ones you get from big chain stores like Academy or Wal Mart.  They put some kind of coating on the inside of the barrel and after a handful of rounds it gets hot and causes the gun to jam.  You have to forcefully eject the empty shell.  That's just what they guys at the gun store told me.  They said Remington does it to cut corners on bulk orders to save money.  If you go with one from a smaller gun store that doesn't order in bulk, you're probably fine.  Mine works wonderfully.  Again, just what I heard. 

[TequilaChaser]

I would go with the Mossberg

Is only shotgun to pass the requirements/qualifications of the USMC/USNAVY for many years now...

Hope this helps

Edit: you did not specify whether you wanted single shot/double barrel (side-by-side or over-under), semi-auto, pump, or selective semi-auto/pump ..... Still, Mossberg 500 series has a good selection of different types

TC

[Spikes]

I like the 870s myself,  but I have heard some negative things concerning the ones you get from big chain stores like Academy or Wal Mart.  They put some kind of coating on the inside of the barrel and after a handful of rounds it gets hot and causes the gun to jam.  You have to forcefully eject the empty shell.  That's just what they guys at the gun store told me.  They said Remington does it to cut corners on bulk orders to save money.  If you go with one from a smaller gun store that doesn't order in bulk, you're probably fine.  Mine works wonderfully.  Again, just what I heard. 

I'm not sure they would change the way they make guns for particular stores. Unfortunately they started cutting corners when they were bought by the Spanish and got rid of all the good QC employees. I've toured the factory in Ilion, NY (about 30 mins from me)...pretty cool stuff to see.

I have an old 870 Wingmaster and a newer (maybe 6 years old) 870 that my father bought me and the quality is like night and day.

I haven't owned a shotgun before.

I'm thinking about an inexpensive one for home that I can have fun with at a range for shooting skeet and targets.  It doesn't have to be the best gun for skeet.

Also, I want a 20 gauge (in case that makes any difference).

The thing with these basic shotguns is that there are a lot of options such as wood or synthetic, barrel length (you said you wanted it for the home as well as range, defense guns are generally 18.5" barrels while skeet barrels are a lot longer (26-28"). A 20 gauge may cost you a bit more than a 12 just because they are slightly less popular and mass produced.

Here are a couple links:
http://www.mossberg.com/product/500-all-purpose-field-50136/
http://www.mossberg.com/product/500-all-purpose-field-56436/

The wood gun will have a nice blued barrel finish and will look more aesthetically pleasing at the range, but the synthetic will be less prone to dings and scratches and also has a matte-blued finished barrel.

[Maverick]

When it comes down to it, the ammo for a 20 is almost always quite a bit more expensive than the 12 gauge. The felt recoil difference isn't all that significant either to justify the expense of the ammo. 12 Gauge is also far easier to find in the store.

If you are going to have a pump shotgun try to get one with a screw in choke system. That way it has more flexibility in the field or range than a single fixed choke tube does and it is cheaper to swap out chokes than barrels.

[SysError]

I once saw an hour long show on Purdey.  I could not find the show I saw, however, I came across this:

James Purdey and Sons: How to Make a Handcrafted Gun



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSKBPBTnmIM

[Aspen]

Either should give you years of service.  The 870 off the shelf points better for me but that can be different from one shooter to the next.  I've owned a bunch of both over the years and they all functioned and shot well.  870's have changed and on new ones its not uncommon for them to have minor issues with rough edges or little things that make them run less smooth.  A Wingmaster from the 80's would usually cycle like butter right off the bat. 

[Brooke]

I would go with the Mossberg

Is only shotgun to pass the requirements/qualifications of the USMC/USNAVY for many years now...

Hope this helps

Edit: you did not specify whether you wanted single shot/double barrel (side-by-side or over-under), semi-auto, pump, or selective semi-auto/pump ..... Still, Mossberg 500 series has a good selection of different types

TC

I would like to get a pump.

[TequilaChaser]

I would like to get a pump.

Then I truly recommend getting a Mossberg, I'll grab my 2015 Gun bible and send you some different models to checkout after I get back from taking Dad to his eye doctor for his checkup, he had surgery on both eyes last week

TC

[Brooke]

Best wishes for your Dad.

[Rich46yo]

Tough call. For a hunter/clays gun I'd go 870. For a defense/fighting gun I'd go mossie. Mostly because it has an ambidextrous safety.

[Aspen]

I love pump guns but if the main purpose will be trap, skeet, sporting clays stuff, I really prefer an over/under or an auto.  Pumps absolutely can be effective but for skeet or clays where you have doubles, they aren't as popular.

In the lower price range, a Stoeger or TriStar will do the job for a casual shooter.

[zack1234]

I have reported Brooke to the authorties stating he is obssessed with japanese bombers in secs

He is not fit to own a firearm or a wooden spoon

[Nefarious]

Saiga 12