Yeah, because Parkerizing is a lousy finish, unsuitable for rough, real-world use.

What do you plan to use the gun for, exactly, anyway?

 

Looking to keep it in my truck year round (I live in the country and dont have many neighbors. Would not stay in the truck on extended occasions), take it outdoors camping and carry in my boat it will just be a defensive gun. It will definitely see moisure and thats why I am leaning towards the marine finish. My remingtons tend to get "rusty" at the presence of any moisture. Always need to wipe them down after any venture outside.

 

If you figure you can trust the cheapest POS on the market for the job, it probably won't hold up in court as "self-defense". Defense with a shotgun means "shoot or be killed", whether your attacker is a human or wild animal. If I'm being attacked by an armed gangbanger or a pissed-off bear, I would rather not be holding a weapon bought based entirely on price.

What Parkerized guns do you have?

You do realize that the 870 Express is not Park'd, right?

 

I guess I didn't realize that the my remingtons were not a parkerized finish. The finish is similar to my ar barrel finish so assumed it was. Just has been such a pain to take care of so figured it was a lesser quality finish. As far as quality I can agree, but the escort has had good reviews on their pump guns. Their autoloaders, not as good. but mainly am looking for opinions as too a good recommeded pump shot gun that is durable around moisture, shorter barrel, and one that you wouldn't worry about something happening too.

 

Look for a used Mossberg SP Mariner - 7+1 with a special corrosion finish - new, over 500, look for used

 

Parkerizing is a military-quality finish, one of the best available options. All told, the US military considers it to be the best option, and has used it across the board as a final firearm finish since World War II.

It's a zinc phosphate coating.

The rough, matte Remington "Express" and "Sportsman" models are oxide finished. They can rust easily IME, although CLP (an initial wet rub down to get all the crud out, and wipe-downs with it later) does work all right. But in essence, the finish is barely different from rust, itself.

Remington does offer Parkerized 870s, but they're on the Law Enforcement site as the 870P. They cost a good deal more than an Express. http://remingtonle.com/shotguns/870synthetic.htm

Mossberg also offers a ruggedized, Parkerized version of the 500, as the 590 and 590A1. These are the "serious" defensive shotguns in their line.

Bottom line? For your purposes, Parkerizing is a combat-quality finish, and will work great, as will Marine finishes. But you have to get a gun that's actually Parkerized, and these are not bottom-of-the-line.

 

If I wanted a "beater" that goes bang when I pull the trigger I'd look for a used Benelli Nova and I'd not worry about the finish on the barrel .
The barrel on a Nova is about all that will rust up , but with minimal care it will hold up pretty well .

 

If I'm being attacked by an armed gangbanger or a pissed-off bear, I would rather not be holding a weapon bought based entirely on price.

Amen to that!

 

The oxide finish that Remington uses will rust if you sneeze in the same room as the gun and don't wipe it down.

 

You should be able to find a 870 police turn-in for under $200. Pawn shops usually have them. Then you can simply have the whole thing cerakoted.

If you really think you may have to use a gun for protection, it's always better to have it go BANG than CLICK.

 

You should be able to find a 870 police turn-in for under $200. Pawn shops usually have them. Then you can simply have the whole thing cerakoted.

If you really think you may have to use a gun for protection, it's always better to have it go BANG than CLICK.

+1

Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.----Thomas Jefferson

 

Well a little update and need some guidance. I Ventured to a semi local shop i have yet to visit since there are about 4 stores closer to me. They had a brand new mossberg 500 mariner for 350 and a used duracoated Remington 1100 for 350 that was in good shape. What would be the better choice? Both have a 20" barrel, and would work for what i want. The 1100 only runs 2 3/4 shells but is a autoloader and a 1988 year. The mossberg is new, runs 2 3/4 and 3 in shells, and marine coated and holds a couple extra shells.

 

Get the Mossberg. Pumps fail less than autos. Period.

 

Get the Mossberg. They're practically indestructible.

 

I can't beleive I'm typing this, but buy the brand new Mossberg, if you just have to have a Marine shotgun.

 

Pump should last longer in that environment with fewer issues than a gas gun

 

Get the Mossberg. Pumps fail less than autos. Period.

{hs# +1 get the Mossberg if it's in your price range and is actually Marine coated

 

Mossberg

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The Mossberg and the Winchester 1200/1300 use an aluminum receiver. A Mossberg, with a synthetic stock and forearm, and a coat of paint over the barrel and magazine tube would probably be as maintenance free as you could get. I once camo painted an 1100 that had been in a flood after taking off the rust. I never had a problem again with rust. The British painted several of their firearms during WWII and it worked out just fine. If price is your goal, look for a good condition field gun and have someone shorten the barrel and put on a sight. You can have a really cool looking gun with it shortened to the vent rib post closest to the length you want. Mossberg 500s and Ithica 37s can't have a magazine extentioni put on, but the Remington and Winchesters can if you just have to have more than four rounds in the tube.

 

I thought about duracote or ceramikote, especially on a winchester 1200/1300 (always wanted one) but after going to every gun shop with in 75 miles over the past week, no one had any reasonably priced or any shotguns except for daly's and maverick 88's. So ended up picking up the brand new 500 Mariner for 349.00. It will be my first venture with a mossberg so we will see how it goes.

 

Sooner or later you will end up with a Remington 870. The steel receiver makes all the difference in 'shootability' compared to the Mossberg. RIG gun grease, CorrosionX or Boeshield will take care of any any and all corrosion issues.

 

I thought remington had a marine version that was stainless?