Mossberg 590

Discussion in 'Firearms' started by Harbin, Feb 24, 2012.


  1. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    While I've fired a number of shotguns, this would be the first I'm buying for myself. I've been researching for a while and talked to a couple friends that really like it, anyone here with experience that says otherwise? Trying to get as much input as possible before pulling the trigger (pun intended).
     
  2. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    Why do you want the 590 over a 500? I think the 590 is significantly more expensive than the 500.

    I have a 500 that I got for < $300. It doesn't have ghost-rings or tacti-cool accessories (when I bought it), but makes the same hole as the 590.

    I only ask because you could get the 500 and 250 rounds of ammo for what a 590 costs.
     
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  3. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    I started out looking at the 500, then was nudged toward the 590 by a guy at work and one guy at the dealer I stopped at to check them out. The main reason they were pushing the 590 was durability, not that I plan on running off to war with mine...

    What barrel length did you choose?
     
  4. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    I got the 8 shot, then later bought a 6 shot Cruiser (no stock). I also have a tactical turkey (835??).

    http://www.survivalmonkey.com/forum/firearms/29512-mossberg-500-stock-upgrade.html


    I read all that info on durability and Remington vs Mossberg (stainless vs aluminum)..... I guess when TSHTF, it would be better to have something that is more durable, but I think I would run out of ammo before that gun would run out of its ability to kick a$$.
     
  5. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    To a large degree, barrel length is a choice made on intended use. General guidance, longer is for long shots, say 34 (if available) inch on geese. Medium, say 28 to 32 for trap, rabbit, and larger bird hunting. Shorter than that for things like snipe, and quick rising birds like grouse.

    Now, if you are thinking a house gun, short barrel is the better unless there's lots of room to maneuver. Your magazine extension tube will dictate the minimum there, since you do NOT want the tube extending past the muzzle.
     
  6. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+


    I don't plan to hunt with this, was looking at either 18.5 or 20".
     
  7. Cephus

    Cephus Monkey+++ Founding Member

    An 18.5 will kill anything that walks or crawls ,with the right shot in place !! I have a few old shotguns and the one that takes the beating a 500 that has been parkerized .
    I don't think it's been the house in 5 years ,it's either in the truck or out in the garage and it's held up real well !!
     
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  8. Gator 45/70

    Gator 45/70 Monkey+++

    I would roll with an 870...I'm only say'n this because i split the thread's on a 500 hsg.where the magazine assembly screws into...I may have done this not knowing and at times i can be rough with equipment...the 590 i have not delt with...Others may know more about the 590...But the 870 is Legend...
     
  9. hot diggity

    hot diggity Monkey+++ Site Supporter+++

    Weak point I found on the 590 (and 500) is the plastic safety selector. I love the location, but didn't like the plastic safety. I had read that they were prone to breakage, so before it broke I replaced it with an aluminum one...which broke. I now have a steel safety lever from Brownell's with a very nice spur on it. You could operate this safety with mittens on. If you cheap out and just get the lever, order a new screw. You will scar the tamper proof head up taking it off.

    HD
     
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  10. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    Good point about the safety. It is thumb operated...and therefore, if you put a pistol-grip stock on it like I did, it will be more difficult to get to. Not a big deal...I figure if I'm in a situation where I'll be using it....

    Clip - Black Hawk Down - This is my safety - YouTube
     
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  11. Minuteman

    Minuteman Chaplain Moderator Founding Member

    I have a few different shottys. Hunting and riot gun configuration. I bought a Mossberg 590A1 from a buddy who is a retired Marine sniper. He said it is used by Marine embassy guards around the world. He only had good things to say about it.
    I have had it for several years now and it is the one that goes with me while the others stay in the safe. He had put the speed feed stock and side saddle carrier on it and the sure fire fore end light. I love the light. It is not tacticool it is very practical. I used to live deep in the country and when the dogs barked at night you never knew what kind of critter you might come up against, man or beast.
    The flashlight is blindingly bright and great for searching the darkness outside or for blinding an intruder giving you an advantage. The ability to have several different loads at your fingertips is very advantages. You can, if time allows of course, select the appropriate round to fit the situation at hand. And of course if that situation includes a horde of the undead or a stampede of rabid rabbits you have plenty of rounds available to meet the threat.
    I have a 500, I also have a Winchester 1300, an 870, and an Ithaca 37. And Like I said if I had to pick only one it would be the 590A1, hands down.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mossberg_500#Model_500_vs._Model_590_vs._Model_590A1
    pic_0116.
     
  12. Alpha Dog

    Alpha Dog survival of the breed

    I didn't like the plastic safety either you can order a metal one just get the tool for the screw top or change the screm after removal. I lucked up and had some old mossberg parts in a box a guy give me and had a metal safety button in with it.

    Ive got a 500 and an 870 My 500 has been beat around throwed around and still works without a hitch very reliable gun. The 590 is reliable to but just a price over kill on the same gun as the 500. Now I dont like the maverick it is also made by mossberg but made in Mexico and to me is a disaster waiting to happen cheap parts. Some people swear by them I just don't like them.
     
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  13. Cephus

    Cephus Monkey+++ Founding Member


    There's a safety !!!!!![monkeyeating];)[stirpot]:D
     
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  14. Hispeedal2

    Hispeedal2 Nay Sayer

    I have a 590A1 with the same Surefire forend as Minuteman. No complaints... great shotgun. I also have fingered plenty of Uncle Sammy issued Mossys that look like they were drug behind a truck for 50 miles... never saw one fail.

    Look for a mil-spec 590A1. There is a difference. The barrel is thicker to hold up to rough sailors bumping them on metal ships. The trigger guard and safety ARE metal on the mil-spec ones.

    During the selection of the 590, the 590 was the only shotgun that survived the testing. To caveat, Remington did not enter the trials. There are just as many civilian and LE 870s out there that are running just as strong after decades of use.

    The 870 action is smoother than any Mossy I have tried. Of course, when shooting a 3" buckshot load, every shotgun is looking at blue sky. Anything that might be gained by a smoother action is negated to the recoil of heavy loads IMHO. I do own both regardless. The 870 has the advantage of being more ergonomic with pistol grip stocks.... something that I don't particularly like, but some do.
     
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  15. jim2

    jim2 Monkey+++

    No disrespect intended to anyone. Get the 500 and spend the rest on ammo. 18.8 bbl with bead front sight is as good as it gets. Mount a light under the bbl.

    I've come to the conclusion that shotties aren't worth much except for close range where action may be fast and exciting, like inhome defense, to out in the yard. 25 yds max for the most part except for slugs. Ammo is heavy and expensive for what it does. I have one, but it is for special purposes, not a general purpose weapon. A semi-auto carbine is much better. Think WASR/63 if funds are short.

    While the notion is popular, I've only met a few folks that could load slugs as needed for longer range work in serious situations.

    Still, if it is best for your particular situation, and only you would know this, then do get a decent shottie.

    YMMV
    jim
     
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  16. Midnightblue72

    Midnightblue72 Monkey++

    Owned a 590, liked it. Own a Benelli now and never looked back. I should sell and buy an M4, my M3 rocks the weak point is the selector twist from semi to pump. When I first bought it, I'd tell people it was a semi and a pump and they'd have that, tilted dog head look.
     
  17. E.L.

    E.L. Moderator of Lead Moderator Emeritus Founding Member

    The 590 is a great shotgun, if it is between the 500 and the 590 it is not much of a decision to me. While I prefer my 870's, and I have owned 500's, if I came across a deal on a 590 I would jump on it.
    I love how some many say "no buy the cheaper one and spend the rest on shells." If I would have had that mind set I would have never bought my Les Baer. It would have been different if the op would have said "I only have X amount to spend, what do you think?" My mindset is buy the best you can afford, then you will only cry once.
     
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  18. Minuteman

    Minuteman Chaplain Moderator Founding Member

    Buy quality and you only pay for it once. Buy cheap and you pay for it over and over again.
     
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  19. Harbin

    Harbin Monkey+

    Thanks for all the input! I really appreciated all the opinions and experiences.

    As Minuteman said, I'm not looking for the cheapest offering (although I'm not rich and looking to burn money either).

    The Benellis sound great but depending on the model can be 2-4 times the cost of a 590A1. The only semi-auto I've fired was a Beretta- decided with a buddy one day to shoot skeet while at Camp Pendleton. The weapon handled very nicely.

    Can't remember where I heard it, but I was once told semi-autos aren't as reliable as pump action. Any truth to that?
     
  20. CATO

    CATO Monkey+++

    I agree with you 100%, but I would hardly call a Mossberg 500, while cheap, a shoddy product.
     
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