The Frontier Sixshooter Community Message Board - Opinions? I got plenty of 'em

Opinions? I got plenty of 'em (reply)

Catoosa — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 14:25:41 +0000

I have two 870s, a 37, a Winchester 1200, and a Stevens Model 67. Like them all for various reasons, but only an 870 would go with me if I had front-row tickets to a gunfight.

Hey Woody... (reply)

pokynojoe — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 00:30:48 +0000

I don't suppose I could "separate" you from one or two of those lefty safties?

Model 37 "The Southpaw's Friend" (reply)

pokynojoe — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 00:26:01 +0000

Ouch! (reply)

cubrock — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 19:37:51 +0000

A friend has one of those and it has done well for him. Heavy as a brick, and just as solid.

Sad to say but I read a test report on a new 870 vs an H&R (reply)

stonewalrus — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 17:26:48 +0000

Pardner (made in China) and the Pardner fared better and had better steel than the 870.

Makes sense (reply)

cubrock — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:32:14 +0000

I did a ride-along with him and his car was plenty roomy, but it wasn't nearly as big as a Crown Vic. I can't remember what model car off the top of my head. They have to keep their shotguns in a rack behind the front seat and the shorter barrel makes sense with that.

I am just old fashioned... (reply)

Brian A — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:26:02 +0000

Have hunted with guys using Mossbergs and they all had problems with them, including having an 835 literally fall apart in a duck blind. They may be okay guns, but I will not depend my life on one.

I have used 870s, Ithaca 37s, Winchester Model 12s and 97s, for competition, duck hunting and general field use. All have malfunctioned at one time or another, for various reasons, but none ever put me out of commission and with no more than a few minutes of putzing were right back in the game. Several of these were guns made up from various parts scrounged around and slapped together.

My 870s see the most hard use any more because parts are easier to get, have had one fail to feed when the magazine spring got bound up on the follower, but within two minutes it was fixed. The 37s see the least because they just don't feel right to me. Have shot Model 12s the longest and have put a couple through absolute torture tests in the field. Had a couple of them drop overboard while duck hunting and had to fish them out of the muck and sand and weeds, rinsed them out good and kept hunting without a hitch.

The reason for the 14" barrels, (reply)

Drago — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 13:12:19 +0000

is so they'll fit in today's smaller cars. The Crown Vics are gone.

I've heard the exact opposite from some Army guys (reply)

cubrock — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 01:58:01 +0000

They loved their 590A1s and never had a problem. Maybe the Marines are harder on their shotguns. I bet the Marines would say it is because they use theirs.

Sounds like I'm not going to get any clear answer short of getting a 590A1 and running it through its paces alongside my 870. I didn't expect this to be as bad as .45 vs 9mm or 1911 vs Glock, but it would appear opinions run at least as strong in the shotgun world as they do in those other two debates. :)

I have 9s and .45s. I have Glocks and 1911s. I guess there is no reason not to add another such combo to the safe. The 870s are already at peace with the 500s beside them.

I appreciate everyone's observations!

Is the 870 more rugged than a 590A1? (reply)

Drago — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 01:48:25 +0000

I understand from some USMC friends, that the Marines went back to their "old" 870s until their Benelli M4 became general issue, because their Mossbergs were breaking down all the time.

I doubt it.... (reply)

woody — Thu, 24 Jul 2014 01:27:44 +0000

I've seen several fall apart in the duck blind. Especially late season hunting divers when the weather is cold,ice, nasty etc. last year I hunted with a benelli M1 and had it freeze shut on a few days. Still worked fine just tough to unload unless you use the trigger to do it!!! Buddy's 870 ran flawless all season and his sons mossberg 835 came apart in pieces during the early season and was dropping shells out the bottom before that happen. Actually a fairly common problem with mossberg's. The shell stops get out of wack and don't stop the second shell coming out the magazine tube. He used a Remington 883( one of those ugly all plastic things!!!!)for the late season and it worked fine. I know it's mostly waterfowl hunting related use but its a good testing ground for a guns reliability.

Ithaca 37 riot is primary, Win 120 is secondary (reply)

Hobie — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 23:01:24 +0000

I like the 37 best, then the 870, then ???? Mossberg, not so much if I have something else...

Maybe the 12 gauge Mossbergs are better (reply)

stonewalrus — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 22:52:06 +0000

But I had a 20 gauge Mossberg pretty much fall apart and had to rebuild it - was not impressed with the innards. I guess it fatigued sitting loaded in the safe. I really had not fired it much. I had to replace the lifters and the trigger/ hammer group. The hammer appeared to be sintered metal and just broke in two.

Various reviews I have read have differed on that (reply)

cubrock — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 22:40:05 +0000

Is there something specific other than aluminum vs steel receiver that you think is more rugged in an 870? Not being argumentative, but I am looking for specifics to help me make a decision.

If it comes down to an 870 is always way better than a 590A1, it will save me a ton of money, as I already have 870s and won't have to buy anything. :)

Every day! (reply)

Rob Leahy — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:32:49 +0000

You have discovered One of the handy things about 870s (reply)

Rob Leahy — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 20:20:24 +0000

they have accessories ans spare parts and barrels everywhere. Get a 590 if you want we won't laugh...too much Actually, if I didn't have a pile of 870s and a stray 500, I'd get a Benelli M4

http://www.benelliusa.com/m4-tactical-shotgun

Is the 870 more rugged than a 590A1? (reply)

cubrock — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:32:27 +0000

I'm looking at a 590A1. Already have 500s that I picked up on the cheap.

870 for sure... Ithaca second.... (reply)

woody — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 16:00:06 +0000

The 870 is a much better gun in my opinion. Very rugged and dependable. Simple to strip down to clean,tons of aftermarket accessories also. You can find good used guns for a good price if you look around. They made millions of them. As far as old and new I have a bunch of both,every gauge,hunting,defensive etc.and do not see any difference except the trigger groups are plastic compared to the aluminum one on the older guns. Both old and new are 100% reliable.

I'm probably the most anti mossberg guy around for several reason. But main one is the are not as durable and if you need customer service good luck. The worst I have ever dealt with in the gun industry. Remington is probably the best.

As for Ithaca 37's. I love them too and have a bunch being a lefty but 870 is still my choice for reasons I mentioned. Disassembly of a Ithaca is a little more difficult. They used to be really cheap and everywhere in upstate NY but they are drying up. My local gunsmith did helps out with a lifetime supply of lefty safties for Ithaca's when he closed.

I'd put my 37 riot in the same category as the 870. (reply)

MR — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 15:12:00 +0000

The only advantage I see for me in the 870 is I can check the chamber by opening the slide a bit, without having to jack the one in the chamber out on the ground.

I'm in the same club..... (reply)

Otony — Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:43:29 +0000

......I have an Ithaca 37 riot gun here. But I also have two other home defense shotguns, an older Belgian Browning A5 (actually an A3, but that is another story) with the trigger guard safety that has a 22" barrel, and a Legacy Sports o/u with 18.5" barrels.

The Legacy and Ithaca live in the house. The Browning lives in the shop. All are ready to go.

Been thinking about picking up an AOW Ithaca 37 for toting in the rig. Not sure about the legalities of having one loaded in a vehicle, need to look into that.

Otony