The Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 are both very accurate pump-action shotguns. Mossberg 500 has a 6rd magazine tube. Remington 870 also has a 4rd magazine tube. The Remington 870 has a lighter factory trigger pull than the Mossberg 500 but there are replacements for that.

Double barrels also allow you to get a faster follow up shot than a pump shotgun can provide. Although many doubles create more recoil when fired, you don’t need to drop the sights to operate the action before the next shot. This advantage negates the impact of higher recoil for many shooters.

You can get a good pump 12-gauge for about $250, or you can pay thousands of dollars for one. As of 2019, Cabella’s has a large range of shotguns. There are numerous single-shot shotguns you can get from Cheaper Than Dirt for $104-$150.

Today, the Remington Model 870 is considered the best selling shotgun in history. The success of this gun has a lot to do with its reliability and sturdy design. The 870 has a solid steel receiver, while most other pump-action shotguns have alloy receivers. That translates to lasting durability.

Remington Model 870

It is dependable and precise. The receiver is made from solid steel. The action is built in a way which prevents a huge kick, even with 3-inch shells, and allows follow-up shots to leave the gun quickly and easily. The Express’ stock is either laminate or synthetic, with varying finishes.

Remington Model 870 shotgun

Conclusion. Both the Remington & Mossberg are super popular and reliable pump action shotguns. Mossberg has the ambidextrous safety, double-extractor, nicer shell lifter, tons of upgrades, and is used by the military. While Remington has the smoother action, steel receiver, and better pistol grip setup.

My personal choice for a pump action shotgun for survival and home defense is the Remington 870, which is an extremely high quality pump action shotgun. Twin action bars ensure a smooth, reliable non binding action. There are many variations of this shotgun and all will serve you well.