I have a 500 and 590A1 (blued) and prefer the 590.

590 Mariner

The Mighty 590. With decades of military and law enforcement duty and countless performance and success stories under its belt, it’s no surprise that the 590 chosen for duty around the globe is also the ideal choice for home defense needs. This model includes a conversion kit to adapt from full...

www.mossberg.com

 

I have had both for many years. They are both bulletproof And I have never had a problem with any of them. That being said, my 590 Mariner I have beat the ever livin‘ snot out of it, mostly in a marine saltwater environment and the action remains smooth as new and the finish is holding strong despite my abuse and neglect.

I have 870’s too but as a left handed shooter, the top tang safety on the mossberg is easier for me.

 

I have had both for many years. They are both bulletproof And I have never had a problem with any of them. That being said, my 590 Mariner I have beat the ever livin‘ snot out of it, mostly in a marine saltwater environment and the action remains smooth as new and the finish is holding strong despite my abuse and neglect.

I have 870’s too but as a left handed shooter, the top tang safety on the mossberg is easier for me.

Thanks Wabo!
Mind if I ask if you treat your Marinecoat finish with any oil or rust preventative? Or do you just run the gun the way it is and let the nickel plating do its job and take the punishment?

Thanks!

 

Lol I totally neglect that 590 marine. It is covered in scratches and dings in the stock from thowing it in and out of boats, bilges, onto docks, parkinglots, trunks, etc.... all i ever do is hose it off and oil the action. I dont even keep it in a case, just ascabbard that covers up to the trigfer guard. The finish has held up thru all of that.

 

That's pretty impressive!
Sounds like I'm in business with the above shotgun then!
It'll spend most of its time loaded with slugs around a campfire in the forest, so the environment shouldn't be as harsh as the saltwater of the ocean. I think I'll get many years of dependable service out if this gun!

 

More of a fan of the nickle finished Rems inside and out, than the parkerized and sprayed coating mostly on the external parts of the mossberg isntead. So really, just comes to how much submerged salt water time the rig is going to see, and just how often you may have to pull it apart to de-salt/ relube everything for long time life span.

As for the Mossberg's, brother had two of the deluxe pump models that the ribs separated on both in a short amount of time back in the 70's, so after re-returning the second one for the same detached rib problem, went with a 870 Wingmaster that lasted well over 100K rounds isntead.

 

I have an older 870 Special Purpose that I love for field work and waterfowl. For a "tactical" gun though, the Mossberg just looks way better.
No doubt the 870 Marine Magnum is a solid workhorse, but I have always preferred the Mossberg "rattail" forend and the ease of loading on the 500.
There's plenty of stories out there about both the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500 family "failing" in one way or another. New 870s have terrible quality and if they don't already come rusted in the box, won't even extract and eject shells properly, RemArms is still using the crappy MIM extractor in their new production guns whereas Mossberg has two extractors, both made from dual-bar stock steel.
Thankfully I was able to snag an older 870 from 1994 when Big Green still made a decent product.
Nowadays though, Mossberg makes the better shotgun, and the fact that Remington Arms no longer exists proves it.
Plus, parts replacement is much easier on the Mossberg if something does break, no drilling or staking involved.

 

Mossberg is lighter and has greater shell capacity. Mossberg is actually still in business so that says something.