Shotgun: Which one would you keep?

Folks,

The Mrs. gave me the OK to buy one (and one only) home defense shotgun. Back story, years ago I had a Remington 870 Police Marine Magnum 25047, sold it and regretted that ever since as Remington stopped making that model. Used ones are rare as hen's teeth and new ones are like winning lottery tickets.

Fast forward to 10/2024. I purchased a Mossberg 590 8+1 Ghost Ring from Bud's for $600+- shipped. Seven days later, while Googling around, I found an FFL in Florida who had an 870 Police Marine Magnum 25047 in stock for $1000.00. Brand new in OEM box. I bought it.

The Mrs. says I can have 1 only. The Remington is 6+1 while the Mossberg is 8 + 1. The Mossberg safety is ambidextrous and has ghost ring sights. The Remington has rifle sights. Which would you keep?

 

If it is for strictly home defense I would just keep what I have.

I know that the 870 is a nicer piece but for something to stand up in the corner behind the bedroom door I am not sure it would be worth the extra$. If you were to sell it at a later date obviously you can probably get all or at least most of it back with the Remington , Mossberg maybe not so much. I have two Mossberg's myself and both have been reliable guns for bird hunting and I don't need to worry about them getting beat up like I would a higher end rifle.

 

Keep both......Hide it, lol!

 

one is yours.

one is hers.

You only have one.

 

Like the way you think!
Just put one in the safe or tuck it away in the back of your closet……problem solved

 

I was kind of thinking along those lines myself.

Kind of like a chain saw. If you have enough of them just add it to the pile with the rest and nobody knows any different.

 

Or what ? She'll buy a second pair of shoes ?

 

I have the same 590 probably. Mine is not an A1 due to having plastic trigger group (military gets metal). I was told not to buy Reminton pumps by a SHP officer I know. The new ones have extraction issues that their department had to train for. (banging the buttstock on the ground *very hard). I have an express model from 1991 that never once gave me any issues and I shot that thing A LOT. 590 meets my needs. Double arm for working the pump, higher capacity and the ghost ring works great. I have a saddle laser for it that I have not yet mounted because the fancy safety selector I bought won't let it fit correctly and I haven't been bothered to remedy.

I love my old 870, but won't trust the new ones. SD work means it has to function without fail, every time. (why I didn't purchase an autoloader for this job)

Had considered converting the Express for defense, but it means too much to me for sentimental reasons. Funny that it's the only gun I own that shows some real wear and rust. Be one of the last I'd ever part with.

 

Sounds like you need to have a boating accident.

My 870 is like a part of me after all these years so I'd stick with it. Much easier to maintain than a Mossberg 500 (I have both).

If you made a mistake selling the first one don't make the same mistake twice.

Sights are easy to change and mag tube extensions are easy to add, but home defense shotgun doesn't need sights and 5 shots is enough to do a lot of damage and probably end the threat.

 

I’d keep the shotguns…

 

Which shotgun should I own?
Yes.
Even if you have to store it at a trusted friend/relative's house, in a secured safe, with a trigger lock.
Not that I have experience with this sort of thing.

 

No better answer!

 

Both are proven guns. Similar in quality with the nod going to the Remington especially if it’s an older production model. Remington is a bit easier to disassemble and clean. It is extremely difficult to find decent parts for the 870 anymore with the current “Remington” not making any parts. The military and marines are using the 590 model now and have been very satisfied. A misdeed or jam is easier to clear with the Mossberg as the shell lifter/carrier is tucked up under the bolt in lock up and the Remington will need trigger pins removed and trigger assembly dropped out to clear. If one means more to you or one just feels better then go with it, either one will do what you need.

 

If you sold an 870 and regretted it enough to find another one, I’d keep it this time. But the logic of only being able to keep or have just one is the main issue here.

 

Sell the Remington. The Mossberg has more and better capacity and the quick target acquisition ghost ring. Both are huge for home defense.

 

If 6+1 don’t get you out of trouble, 8+1 is only gonna get you in deeper.

 

This is a low-quality photo of the Police Marine Magnum. Interesting note, the 25047 was made in a different part of the Remington factory and was only produced in small batches. I am friends with a town police officer who was a Marine Gunnery Sargent and Range Officer. I showed him the first 25047 before it was sold and he said, "Holy cr@p, where did you get this? You've got the Mack Daddy of tactical shotguns". I do not know who Mack Daddy is but take it that he was impressed with the gun. His opinion is to keep the 870 as the Mossberg will be available for the foreseeable future. I'm leaning towards keeping the Remington but it has not arrived at the FFL yet. Which ever one I keep, the officer is taking me to a range to do a few safety and instructional sessions as it's been a long time since I used a pump gun. Safety first on every day that ends with a "y".