OPINION: Remington 870 TAC-14 is BETTER than the Mossberg 590 Shockwave
At first glance, it is extremely difficult to tell the Remington 870 apart from the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. If the two were laid side-by-side on a gun bench, it would be tough to tell which is which from a distance. Their qualities and features overlap quite a bit, but IN MY OPINION, the Remington 870 TAC-14 holds the edge over the Mossberg 590 Shockwave (just slightly).
Without two samples to play with side-by-side for us here at TFB (*cough*… you should probably send us some Remington and Mossberg… *cough*), a side-by-side comparison of features will have to do.
- TAC-14: Capacity 4+1; Shockwave: Capacity 5+1
- TAC-14: Milled Steel Billet Receiver; Shockwave: Aluminum Receiver
- TAC-14: Magpul M-LOK Forend; Shockwave: Corn-Cob Forend w/ Handstrap
- TAC-14: MSRP $443.05; Shockwave: MSRP $455.00
- TAC-14: 14″ Cylinder Bore w/ Bead Sight; Shockwave: 14″ Cylinder Bore w/ Bead Sight
- TAC-14: Shockwave Raptor pistol grip; Shockwave: Shockwave Raptor pistol grip
- TAC-14: Black Oxide finish; Shockwave: Matte Blued finish
- TAC-14: 5.65 Lbs; Shockwave: 5.25 Lbs
A lot of the features can be considered a draw, but overall, the Remington 870 wins out in my opinion. Some other items not mentioned are both models are American-made, have a Lifetime Warranty, and have a strong after-market parts backing.
When staring at this list of features, the 2 biggest victories I see are the milled, solid-steel billet receiver and the Magpul M-LOK forend; both wins for the Remington 870. With a firearm like this, the extra weight and strength could go a long ways in taming recoil and improving durability. Also, the M-LOK compatible forend is huge with how wildly popular M-LOK furniture is becoming.
Overall, both of these models should have a street price around $400 and would be equally fun at the range. My tip of the hat goes to the Remington Model 870 TAC-14.
We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.
Editor | AllOutdoor.comWriter | OutdoorHub.comWriter | TheArmoryLife.comWriter | Tyrant CNCWriter | MDT Chassis SystemsSmith & Wesson Certified ArmorerGlock Certified ArmorerFirefighter/EMSCity CouncilmanInstagram: strength_in_arms
More by Adam Scepaniak
![[NRAAM 2024] The S&W GVAC, now in .300 Blackout](https://cdn-fastly.thefirearmblog.com/media/2024/06/04/064420/nraam-2024-the-s-w-gvac-now-in-300-blackout.jpg?size=350x220)
Comments
Join the conversation
Nothing against Remington, but I prefer the tighter lockup and more powerful hull ejection on a Mossberg shotty. My 870 was a good gun, but the action was so loose that I could cycle it in and out of battery without touching the foreend.
Sorry to be so late to the debate but I just found my last few weeks worth of TFB emails in my SPAM folder (and here I was, thinking TFB just didn't like me anymore). I regularly work on both Mossberg and Remington shotguns, including SBS and AOW rebuilds. The aluminum vs. steel receiver is a non-issue. Both guns use steel-on-steel lockup. If you want more weight, just add some tacti-cool accessories to the Mossberg (Personally, I prefer to keep things simple and streamlined). In my experience the Mossberg has superior ergonomics, with it's well placed action bar release and intuitive ambidextrous safety. If you decide to add a pistol gripped arm brace, then the Remington safety will be easier to reach (for southpaws, you can install a LH safety in the 870). But the clincher for me is that I've never jammed a Mossberg while loading it, but i have jammed the Remington. Fumbling the loading process or short-stroking the action bar can allow a shell to slip under the loading gate/shell lifter/elevator of the Remington. When this happens, it's time to get out the pocket knife or screwdriver to free it. This doesn't happen with the Mossberg since the elevator is skeletonized. If you prefer the feel and handling of the 870, this problem can be alleviated by installing an aftermarket skeletonized lifter. So there's room to please everyone.