beating a dead horse or 835 verses 870

[Don S]

I was just wandering from people with experience with both what is the best choice ? I don't care if one kicks more I will add a mercury tube to the stock anyway, lets talk performance. lets say both have 26" barrels and are 3.5" guns, is Mossbergs backbored barrel enough to matter? Wally world has the 870 for 327 and the 835 for 309, so price doesn't come into play. Well I guess thats really my question "backbored or not? "

[wisturkeyhunter]

If patterns were the only thing to consider the 835 might have a slight edge but 870's pattern plenty good enough. There more to a turkey gun than having the best pattern. Mossbergs in general feel cheap and they aren't as dependable. The safety is known to break and they can be picky on what shells they'll feed.

[Don S]

this is exactly the kind of answers I need. I bought a 535 Mossberg for a different reason than turkey hunting and now I might want to get a dedicated turkey gun . Don't get me wrong the 535 shoots great but It would have to pull double duty and I might want to help the economy alittle. Thanks wisturkeyhunter

[grizzly]

neither when it comes to pump guns the best is a mossberg 500  i've had one for over 30 years and it has never failed me it has some dings in the stock and the blueing a little wore but i would'nt trade it for any new gun out there.

[thundrchikin]

I have both a 835 and a 870 both of my guns shoot equally well, but I must say that it was harder for me to get the 870 to pattern up to my expectations.I had to try several different choke and shell combos whereas the 835 seemed to like about every combo I tried.In the 835 I shoot a comp-n-choke.670 with Win. HV #4's.I shoot a .660 comp-n-choke with Win. HV #5's in the 870.I have shot a great # of 835's over the years and I have never seen a bad one.

[trkynut54]

ORIGINAL: grizzly

neither when it comes to pump guns the best is a mossberg 500  i've had one for over 30 years and it has never failed me it has some dings in the stock and the blueing a little wore but i would'nt trade it for any new gun out there.

I've had my Mossberg 500 for over 30 years, i've killed 28 turkeys with it. It never failed me either, but I just HAD to get an 835 for some reason. [8|]

[NYSuperSportsman]

835 in my opinion. Mine shoots great. I have heard more Great pattern stories from and 835 than 870's.

[Limbhanger150]

I have had an 835 for twenty years. It has never failed to cycle any shell. I honestly do not shoot it all that much anymore and use it exclusively for turkey hunting. I have used it for dove and other small game and it functioned fine. The SBE will not "cycle" field loads sometimes  but that is the only complaint I have with that gun. My father owns that one and it jammed on me with field loads on a rabbit hunt. That is not uncommon for any 3.5 inch chambered semi-auto to jam up on light loads. Pumps I have heard of a clip or something failing but that can happen with any pump. Mossbergs happen to be the shotgun of choice for many military and law enforcement folks. I know several guys that shoot 870s and like them very much. It is very much a matter of personal choice when it comes to shotguns. They all perform well enough to kill a turkey.

[Don S]

went to wally world and they had sold the 835, said to check back at the end of the week. will probally buy the 835, I have looked at them before but not these 2 models side by side. waiting for my 535 barrel to come back, had forcing cone lenghtened and polished, and will shoot that to see if patterns improve.

[trkyklr]

dicks sporting goods is running a special on 535's...2 barrels(1@20" 1@26")
 
 & a red dot(put it on your 22) for like $349.95