I would keep the Remington over a Mossberg Maverick.

 

Hi everyone!
I'm looking for some opinions on which shotgun I should keep in the safe and which one I should sell.
And no, keeping both is not an option LOL!
I just acquired two 12 gauge pump shotguns from a relative that have barely been used. One is an older Remington 870 Express Magnum field gun and the other is a plain jane Maverick 88 all purpose model.
I have used both the 870 and Mossberg pump guns my entire life so the ergonomics on either isn't a problem for me.

I'm more interested in the build quality of each. I know that the Maverick 88 has a great reputation for being a reliable workhorse on a budget and that the newer 870s have been spotty in terms of QC at best.
However, the barrel markings indicate that this 870 was made in 1990 (over 30 years ago when Remington was owned by DuPont), long before Freedom Group took over the company. It has the metal trigger group and the solid forged extractor as opposed to the newer MIM ones found on current 870s.

I've heard from some 870 afficianados that the older Remingtons are virtually indestructable and will last multiple lifetimes. Just wondering how the build quality of an older 870 compares with a newer Mossberg?

Which one I kept might come down to something minor such as difference in barrel length, difference in finishes, differences in wood quality, difference in chokes, and which of these things I prefer. Personally, I'm not a fan of the "Express" (rough) finish on a gun. I like smooth bluing.

And it might also depend on what particular use I planned for the gun along with what other guns I may have that are similar. Just on appearance, I would probably prefer the Maverick 88 to the "Express Magnum".

 

Both are decent utility shotguns. The Rem has perhaps more aftermarket mod potential, and between the two a greater resale value. That said, were I in the market for a cost effective, new budget shotgun, tha 88 would be at the top of the list (not your situation, I'm aware). Watch the unbiased video below of a Maverick 88 five hundred round round torture test. Amazing. Whodathunkit? (Even if not interested in the 88, the video is still entertaining, hang on through the Glock intro).

 

I watched this last night. Pretty impressive results for a cheaper gun.

 

The 870 is a classic work horse. It was the only shotgun I had for 15 years and I used it for everything.

 

Considering the maverick is a cheapened version of an already cheap shotgun. Go with the 870. It will outlast you.