I'm looking to buy a good 12ga shotgun, and these two models are the ones I see get good to great reviews. Price isn't an issue.

Anyone want to weigh-in here as to which they'd buy?

not really the same comparison, but i have a 500 SPX and an 870 police
i bought the spx first, and then carter got the anodized police ones
the only advantage the mossy has is the safety on the top, so it is ambidextrous
of my two, i would keep the rem and sell the mossy if i had to choose

I'm looking to buy a good 12ga shotgun, and these two models are the ones I see get good to great reviews. Price isn't an issue.

Anyone want to weigh-in here as to which they'd buy?

not really the same comparison, but i have a 500 SPX and an 870 police
i bought the spx first, and then carter got the anodized police ones
the only advantage the mossy has is the safety on the top, so it is ambidextrous
of my two, i would keep the rem and sell the mossy if i had to choose

I do not own either of them but personally I would get the 870,  I am in the market for a shotgun myself and considered both the mossberg 500 and the 870 and for me it is the 870 I will be getting. If I got the police model, that would be even better but they do cost more.

I have to admit mossberg does have a variety of "tacticool" 500's that look pretty badass but serve no real practical purpose.

Can't really go wrong with either. 870 is cheaper and has tons of aftermarket parts. Than's not to say the 590 doesn't have aftermarket stuff cause it does. The only drawback with 590 is if you plan on changing the stock to say a 6 position stock, you would have to remove the stock to clean it. Really not much of a problem. More of a inconveinience. Also I believe the 590 comes stock with 9 round magazine where most 870's come in 4+1 and you need to purchase the mag extension seperate. Both are bullet proof and will do the job. Personally I have a 590 cause I like the safety on the grip/handle vs in the trigger group on the 870. Really the differences are more personal preference.

There have been numerous comparisons done on these two shotguns and seems most people prefer the 590A1, if price is not a consideration. I don't think you can go wrong with either depending on what the intended purpose is and what aftermarket accessories you decide to outfit it with. I have owned both and my personal preference is the 590A1. The 590A1 I currently have is outfitted with a SureFire 623LMG Forend and Mesa LEO Telescoping Recoil Stock Kit. Here is a brief review on the two and there are a lot of them with varying opinions.

http://www.moodylonerswithhandguns.com/2010/01/07/a-brief-comparison-and-review-%E2%80%93-mossberg-590a1-and-remington-870-tactical/

I would get the mossberg.
Look up reviews from gunsmithes and people that have worked on guns. They say the mossy is easier to work on with less speciality parts and taking apart the whole riffle is not necessary, I'm sure it was the mossy.

I would get the mossberg.
Look up reviews from gunsmithes and people that have worked on guns. They say the mossy is easier to work on with less speciality parts and taking apart the whole riffle is not necessary, I'm sure it was the mossy.

I would beg to differ on easier to work on.  I had a helluva time putting my Mossberg back together after the first full takedown.  A full takedown is something I always do, just a bit of gun neurosis I suppose.

Far as preference, I had them both at the same time.  Already had the 870, but it was a pretty 26" full choke barrel duck or trap gun at the time.  So I got an ugly 500 with extended magazine for HD and beating around.  The 870 was a far smoother cycling gun.  The 500 was very notchy, lot of drag from things hitting inside the receiver.  Why I pulled it apart.  It had single action bar, may have allowed some twisting of things, dunno.  870 has twin bars.  Night and day.  I'd handle them both for sure.  Make sure you can operate with ease under stress.  I have to make a mental effort to use force when using live ammo as the cycling resistance to going into battery is greater than just cycling an empty gun.  Were I to do it over, might consider a Benelli or other modern semiauto.

I may have gotten a crappy 500, but I sold it and still have the 870 thirty years later, but with a nice 20" rifle sighted barrel on it now, and the pretty wood put away.

Have a 590a1 myself...Ordered it in from OGC. Like it alot, like the tang safety and the where the slide release is located compared to the 870's I have used. Someone I know bought an 870 'tactical' something or other. 6 pos stock...not to impressed with the quailty (finish and feel)....another thing I dont care for on the remmingtons is the floor plate...  IMO you need to compare the 870P models with the 590a1s.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I am kinda siding towards the Remington with the ghost ring sights,but all the Mossy supporters are giving me great reasons to re-think it.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I am kinda siding towards the Remington with the ghost ring sights,but all the Mossy supporters are giving me great reasons to re-think it.

Try shouldering both of them side by side if you can. Play with the safeties, slide release etc then make your decision.

i just go with what our military uses.  i think they use both but more of the 870s.  could be wrong.  plus there are more 870s out there floating around so means they are probably more preferred and probably more stuff out there for it.

i just go with what our military uses.  i think they use both but more of the 870s.  could be wrong.  plus there are more 870s out there floating around so means they are probably more preferred and probably more stuff out there for it.

Solid anwsers right there....

Keep in mind, Magpul goodies are only for the 870... No timeline on getting stock and pump replacements for the 590 yet.