Mossberg 590, 590A

[Jared]

I'm going to buy a newer 12 gauge pump. All of my life, the only pump gun I've ever even considered for anything has been the 870. That said, I got to looking at the Mossberg offerings and the various 590 and 590A1 offering caught my eye.

I'm asking some of you guys that use shotguns for defensive and /or LE applications that have experience with these pumps, how they are doing. How do they stack up against a currently produced 870? Are the differences between the "regular" 590 and the 590A1 worth worrying about?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Chuck Haggard]

I actually prefer the 500 or 590s over the 870. I've been to the armorer schools for both, and carried both at work, shot each extensively.

If you can afford the up-charge, then buy the 590

[Jared]

I actually prefer the 500 or 590s over the 870. I've been to the armorer schools for both, and carried both at work, shot each extensively.

If you can afford the up-charge, then buy the 590

I thought I remembered you mentioning that you preferred the Mossbergs to the Remy's. If I may ask, what makes them preferable to you? Are the upgrades on the 590A1 worth it over the "normal" 590? I think they are a heavier barrel, aluminum safety button and trigger guard.

The model that I'm really looking at is the 20" 590A1 with the factory ghost ring sights.

[1slow]

Is the 590A1 the one with a drop safe safety ?
Most shotgun safeties just block the trigger, worthless !

[WDW]

Get a 590A1. You couldn't give me a new 870. They are extremely spotty. The older ones were fine & I have several, but the last 3 I've had just didn't cut it. I have a 590A1 & that thing just runs & runs. Plus, the 590 comes standard with a one piece mag tube, 8+1 right out of the box.

[SecondsCount]

I have owned a 500 and currently have a 20" 590A1 with a front bead sight. Both models perform well.

I also have an older 870 Wingmaster but I like the placement of the safety on the Mossbergs better.

[ACP230]

I got a deal on a very-lightly used Mossberg 590 many years ago.
Got several boxes of birdshot and a case thrown in.

Intended to use it to shoot bowling pin matches but ended up using it for lousy weather
bird and deer hunting and as a house shotgun.
Like the ghost ring sights and the tang safety. Also the bayonet mount.

Had one small problem with the extractor but, after I found the fix on the Net, the local smith dealt with it
quickly. (It would have been done a lot sooner if he'd checked for a fix on the Net the first time he had it
at his shop.)

[ST911]

A large batch (100+) of 590 variants have given good service. 590A1 in 18" is my favorite, but I have 20" as well. For best results with the Mossberg, I've found these helpful in my 500s and 590s:

Replace OEM mag springs at frequent intervals. They are pretty poor.
Remove, degrease, loctite, and reinstall stock screw, sling studs, ejector screw, sight screws, heat shield screws.
Replace OEM follower with a high visibility unit.
Watch extractors and springs, replace as needed.

[El Cid]

Remington is part of freedom group right? Not sure what's going on there lately. They screwed up the Marlin lever actions and a deputy I work with had the extractor fall out of his brand new 870 after fewer than 10 rounds when shooting it in a qual session for use on duty. Our agency 870's are much older but they frequently require us to mortar them in order to get a fired she'll out of the weapon.

In addition to preceding the safety placement on the 590's, I've found their dual extractors to be superb. I only started keeping round counts a few years ago so I can only guess that my 590 has around 400-500 rounds through it. I've had it since 1993. I can't recall any shells not coming out easily (low brass, high brass, slug, buck, bird). One day when I have all the other NFA toys I want, I'll snag a 590A1 with the 14" bbl.

[RevolverRob]

Just noticied you can get a 590 and 590A1 straight from the factory with Magpul stock and fore-end. Totally worth that. Just add a light and you are in business.

The only 870 I would buy right now is one from Wilson or Vang Comp. And I love 870s and slick pump guns in general.

[Chuck Haggard]

My sample from work of over 150 guns, somewhere in the area of 180 guns (I forget exactly what the inventory numbers were) mostly 500s, some 590s, several 590 14" guns, is that they have proven to be tough, reliable, handle abuse and neglect well, and are easy to detail clean and fix as needed.

Our run big of 500s (bought all on one 125 gun batch purchase) did appear to have magazine springs made from recycled paperclips, and we had to replace them after a few years. I dropped Wolff Gunsprings magazine springs into those guns, and Vang stainless steel followers. Zero issues with feeding after that point.

That Vang follower I can HIGHLY recommend for anyone using a tube fed shotgun.


My experience with older 870s was always positive, however I didn't note them to be better than the Mossbergs. Newer 870s have had QC issues that I have heard of.

The placement of the safety on the Mossbergs is superior IMHO, and one reason why I prefer them.

If you want to add a pistol grip stock then don't pick the Mossberg, that safety no workee when using that type of stock.

My personal 590 is a 20" gun with ghost right sights, it has been very well used in multiple shotgun courses, and has been a loaner to guys at work that needed a gauge to take to a class when the job wouldn't give them a loaner. I've easily got over 10,000 rounds through that gun with no issues outside of out of spec ammo, etc., with only a mag spring and follower being upgraded in that time frame.

[Jared]

Would folks generally recommend just getting a Wolffe mag spring and Vang follower ASAP and installing those from the word go?

[Beat Trash]

Would folks generally recommend just getting a Wolffe mag spring and Vang follower ASAP and installing those from the word go?

Yes. In the grand scheme of things, it's a cheap upgrade to ensure reliability.

[Corlissimo]

Is the 590A1 the one with a drop safe safety ?
Most shotgun safeties just block the trigger, worthless !

If it has one then mine doesn't function. I have "bump-fired" it several times testing this out with snap caps loaded up. It didn't take that much force on the butt to fire, therefore I keep mine cruiser ready even though it's my main HD gun, sits in our bedroom, and we have no kids left in the house.

[Edwin]

I wish there were more factory options with the Marinecote finish but I guess I could just do the work myself.

[Chuck Haggard]

Yes. In the grand scheme of things, it's a cheap upgrade to ensure reliability.

^This^

[SpyderMan2k4]

At this point, Mossberg is a safer bet out of the box. My main shotgun is an 870 but it has a lot of upgraded parts.

The safety location and dual extractors alone make it worth the decision. Either the 590 or 590a1 will be excellent. Definitely upgrade the follower. I've tried a couple aftermarket ones and my preference is the S&J Hardware green delrin follower. Really smooth feeding, really bright, and really easy to feel.

[Chuck Haggard]

A lot of people like the high visibility plastic followers, I did too, until I got to play with that Vang part, it's fucking genius in design. Seriously, it's that much better.

[Jared]

Thanks for all the info guys! Hopefully in the next month or so I'll get to a store and get my hands on one.

[SpyderMan2k4]

A lot of people like the high visibility plastic followers, I did too, until I got to play with that Vang part, it's fucking genius in design. Seriously, it's that much better.

I got a GG&G, which is REALLY similar to the Vang design. I liked it a lot and it fed smooth, but one of the issues with the 870 is the extended magazine is just that, an extension, and the factory follower (and the GG&G, though to a lesser extent) would sometimes hang up on the seam and not allow the tube to be fully loaded (never had an issue with feeding, just loading). The plastic one I was able to shape and taper more so the edge doesn't get caught on the seam. For a Mossberg that doesn't have that problem, the Vang is definitely a sweet solution.

[Chuck Haggard]

I got a GG&G, which is REALLY similar to the Vang design. I liked it a lot and it fed smooth, but one of the issues with the 870 is the extended magazine is just that, an extension, and the factory follower (and the GG&G, though to a lesser extent) would sometimes hang up on the seam and not allow the tube to be fully loaded (never had an issue with feeding, just loading). The plastic one I was able to shape and taper more so the edge doesn't get caught on the seam. For a Mossberg that doesn't have that problem, the Vang is definitely a sweet solution.

I would see that happening.

The Vang part has a wadcutter type front edge, which in a mag tube with no seams means it scrapes crap out of the tube and dumps it out the loading port. I've seen that part work with dirt, sand and shot buffer where other followers jam up. That it also has a doughnut hole in the middle means crap can also shake out of the gun rather easily, if one holds the gun muzzle up and gives it a shake.

[SpyderMan2k4]

Interesting, good to know!

[Chuck Haggard]

You noted one reason why I think 870s with extended tubes ain't a great idea IMHO.

The +1 or +2 mag additions seem to avoid that issue.

[HCM]

We run 870s at work and the older ones have been great. The only new 870 I would even think about buying would be one of the police models. Yes they are 200 bucks more but in my experience you do get what you pay for.

I prefer the 18 inch 590 over the 20 inch. The gun just feels and handles better. The Magpul stock is nice but Houge and SpeedFeed both make shorter LOP stocks which also improve the handiness of the gun. As Chuck already mentioned, pistol grip type stocks and the Mossberg don't play well together.

[Al T.]

I'm a longtime 870 guy and I agree that I'd now get the Mossberg. And ditto for the Vang follower. :)

[ragnar_d]

Just noticied you can get a 590 and 590A1 straight from the factory with Magpul stock and fore-end. Totally worth that. Just add a light and you are in business.
Agreed. I've really been considering snagging one. A 20" Mossberg 500 was my first shotgun purchase as (at the time) a 590 was out of the budget. I'm really thinking a 18" 590 with the ghost ring sights and Magpul furniture would make it my go-to shotgun (especially with a mag tube extension to sneak in a couple extra rounds). Add a light and sling and then run the hell out of it.

[Chuck Whitlock]

Is the 590A1 the one with a drop safe safety ?
Most shotgun safeties just block the trigger, worthless !

Too bad that they shelved the model with the DA trigger. I thought it was a great idea, and my sample of one worked fine.

[SpyderMan2k4]

Too bad that they shelved the model with the DA trigger. I thought it was a great idea, and my sample of one worked fine.
What's that? I'm not familiar.

[ST911]

Too bad that they shelved the model with the DA trigger. I thought it was a great idea, and my sample of one worked fine.

The 590DA I had was indeed interesting.