Pump Shotgun Comparison — 2026

Remington 870 vs. Mossberg 500

The complete Remington 870 vs. Mossberg 500 comparison — specs, value, reliability, and which is right for you in 2026.

Head to Head — 2026

Remington 870 vs. Mossberg 500 — Complete Comparison

The two most popular pump-action shotguns in American history face off. The Remington 870 (11 million made) vs. the Mossberg 500 (10 million made). Both are excellent — here’s how to choose.

SPECIFICATION	REMINGTON 870	MOSSBERG 500
Action	Pump — Dual extractors	Pump — Single extractor
Safety Location	Crossbolt (trigger guard)	Tang (top of stock)
Barrel Change	Tool-free	Tool-free
Weight	7.5 lbs	7.25 lbs
Capacity (standard)	4+1	5+1
Aluminum vs Steel Receiver	Steel	Aluminum
Price Range	$399–$629	$349–$499
Private Sale Value	$250–$500	$200–$360

Strengths

Where Each Wins

REMINGTON 870 WINS AT:

✓ More barrel/choke options

✓ Steel receiver (some prefer for durability)

✓ Smoother factory action feel

✓ Pre-bankruptcy examples (pre-2020) preferred

✓ Police Magnum is mil-grade

✓ 870 EX synthetic very affordable

MOSSBERG 500 WINS AT:

✓ Tang safety — easier to reach

✓ Aluminum receiver (lighter)

✓ Mil-spec 590A1 passes military testing

✓ Better left-handed shooter options

✓ Usually $50–$100 less expensive

✓ 500 Shockwave NFA-exempt option

The Verdict

Both are excellent workhorses. Choose the 870 if you want a smoother action and more aftermarket accessories. Choose the Mossberg 500 if tang safety suits you better, budget is tighter, or you want the mil-spec 590A1.

2026 Private Sale Values

What Each Is Worth Today

Use gunprice.com/ for your specific valuation. Verify serial at GunClear.com. Sell on GunShare.com. Transfer via GunTransfer.com. Log in GunVault.co.

FIREARM	2026 PRIVATE VALUE	VALUE RETENTION	FULL GUIDE
Remington 870 Express	$250–$350	65–80%	Value
Remington 870 Wingmaster	$350–$500	70–82%	Value
Mossberg 500 Field	$200–$290	57–74%	Value
Mossberg 590A1	$420–$560	74–90%	Value

FAQs

Comparison FAQs

Which is more reliable, 870 or 500?

Both have excellent reliability records with billions of rounds fired. The 870’s dual extractors provide a slight edge for stuck case extraction. The 500’s aluminum receiver is lighter but equally durable. Quality of individual examples varies — post-2020 Remington quality has improved under RemArms.

Which holds value better?

The Mossberg 590A1 holds the best value of either platform (74–90%). Pre-bankruptcy Remington 870s command premiums. For pure investment value, the 590A1 is the clear winner.

The Complete System