Going Mossberg.

[sch84]

I decided on the Mossberg 590a1 as my home defense gun but I been reading some not so positive reviews about this shotgun. I like the fact it passed military testing but some people said that that testing means crap and I read that some people in the military even said these guns malfunction quite a bit. And I see that the NYPD pulled their 590s do to malfunctions as well. This kind of has me worried that I made the wrong choice. Is there anyone on this forum who was in the military and has had combat experience with this gun that can back up these claims? Is this going to be a dependable shotgun for home defense?

 

[Zach S]

The NYPD 590 thing happened a year or two ago, I cant recall what the issue was. For a while, Glock supplied armorers to NYPD to fix their pistols.

From what I understand, the most common Mossberg in the military is the PGO 500, for door breaching. These are the same that you find in LGS all across America, plastic safety and all. Most common complaints seemed to be broken safeties and missing safety detents. And depending on who you talk to, anything the military uses sucks. As I understand it, most problems are user-related.

I have a non-A1 590, and the only time I clean it is when water (or earth) ends up on the inside of it... I've never had a problem with it. Although I did replace the safety with an oversized aluminum one from Vang Comp (I think).

 

[mnrivrat]

Nothing wrong with the Mossberg. Proper maintenance is always a factor and most complaints I hear from Military operations is operator related.

The Model 590 A1 comes with a metal safety button . For home use the standard short barreled 500 is much cheaper and works well - but replacing the plastic safety button is recommended. The heavy barrel of the A1 is just extra weight .

 

[The-Reaver]

I would not have a problem leaving my house if I had to with anything Mossberg.

But I prefer 870's

 

[WJR]

Have two 590a1s. They have been excellent for me and I prefer them to 870s.

WJR

 

[mongo356]

Ditto on the 590. I don't sweat the plastic trigger guard at all. Ruger has a video on their website saying the plastic 10/22 trigger guards are more shock proof than the aluminum ones.

The only thing I chamged on mine was I did remove the plastic safety button and replace it with a metal one. Altho kinda rare i have seen a broken one or two.... just a preventative in my mind.

If I recall correctly the problem with the NY 590's had something to do with the fact that NY uses like 12lb triggers in all of their guns (the NY-1 & NY-2 in Glock pistols) to "go the extra safety step". Not sure the exact problem NYPD had but probably has to do with the tinkering of the springs beyond original specifications.

 

[jmr40]

The 870 is a better gun. The Mossberg passed the military trials, but if you read the criteria it dosen't prove much. Remember, they were to only company to submit a gun for testing. They didn't beat out anybody. A Remington will still be plugging away long after the Mossbergs have given up. If I were to go Mossberg it would be the 590 over the 500.

 

[bkjeffrey]

I carried a Mossberg 500 (non PGO) in across Iraq, Syria and Jordan 24 hours a day,everysing day, for 7 months. I never cleaned it. I dropped it, kicked it, tossed it, banged it on stuff and used it to bang stuff......It never gave me a problem.

I always wondered though. It clearly said Mossberg 500 on it, but was exactly like a 590. All the 500s Ive seen in the civilian have a captured barrel nut and 590s have removeable nuts. The 500 I carried in Iraq had a removeable nut. Oh well.

Id buy, use and trust my life to a Mossberg.

 

[sch84]

JMR40, I am going with a 590a1 not a 500. I agree that the 870 is one hell of a gun but I do disagree it would out last a 590a1. And the fact that I bought it as a JIC home shotgun, I doubt I will ever shoot it enough to ware it out. I had bought a new 870 police mag half a year ago and I wasn't to happy with it. Lets just say it had some QC problems. I had to sell it not long after I bought it because I had to pay for emergency car repairs. I thought that the police models went through special QC at Remington but I guess they might have changed that. I don't know.

 

[Robert]

I have put litterly thousands of rounds through my 590, not an A1, with nothing more than a swab of the barrel now and then and have had no issues at all. I have run everything form very light target loads to very heavy magnum slugs with zero problems.

As far as the 870 being better. I don't know about that. They both get the job done and one is not really any "better" than the other. I know my 590 fully loaded is lighter than the 870 I carried.

 

[okiewita40]

Just get a 500 and then put on a magazine extension on it. After shooting both a 500 and a 870 I prefer the 500. If you prefer the push button type safety that the 870 has you can always get a maverick security 88.

 

[DrewBegley]

I owned a Maverick 88 and it did it's job for me, but I was always insecure about that pretty blued finish. I can't turn a corner without beating up a gun clearing rooms. The Maverick (made by Mossberg) had a standard 5 + 1 shot capacity and it was a quick 200 dollar buy on an impulse day. I just sold it off and bought a 590 with an 8 + 1 capacity, side saddle to hold 6 more shots with a heatshield on the barrel and slapped on an M4 type adjustable stock with another 6 shot carrier. I can mount my M9 bayonet on it and still manage to get through doorframes and kick in doors without it hindering me. It's oddly light for the size and ammo and I'm sure i could torture it beyond all else I've dealt with. I'll back Mossberg until it blows up in my hands and I'm sure I'll be dead and gone before that happens.

Semper Fi!

 

[3006mv]

no probs w/ the 590. you cannot put a mag extension on a 500.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

The 590 will be fine for your application.

 

[wunderkind]

You gotta love the Mossberg ergos; intuitive safety (fire is in the same direction as the muzzle), easy-to-reach action release behind the trigger guard...twin extractors, they readily accept 6-shot sidesaddles w/out mods, drilled/tapped from the factory for ghost rings or optics...

 

[MCgunner]

...and, there's no friggin' shell elevator in the way of loading. That's a biggy for me. I like that.

If I wanted to upgrade and stay with a pump, not sure why I should as my Mossy ain't broke in 20 duck seasons, I'd get a Browning BPS which is also ergo friendly.

 

[Lightsped]

I love my 590A1. Also have a 930 SPX. Both have been super reliable with no problems of any kind. I also have a 870 Police and a 870 Super Shorty. All of these shotguns have performed perfectly. The two brands are equal in my mind.....

 

[Rail Driver]

I have a Mossberg 500 and fully loaded, it's at least a pound lighter than the 870 is empty.

The 870 had an 18.5" barrel, and held 4+1

The 500 has a 20" barrel and holds 8+1

Sure the 870 is better for folks that like the extra recoil soaking weight, but try carrying it around for 6 hours. Even with a sling, that 870 is going to get heavy by the time you get to your hunting hide.

The difference between my 500 and my 870 is like the difference between my Glock and my 1911 (as far as weight comparison is concerned).

 

[maximumdarkside]

Just picked up another 4 myself a franchi, an 870, a 500, and a maverick 88.

The franchi goes to my dad since he needs a nice auto.

The other 3 well the 870 feels the nicest but the maverick 88 functions best.
The 500 was in between them in all respects. So now I have the 870 and 500 and have to decide whether to keep or sale them as the 88 is a keeper.

Anyways back to the topic can't go wrong with either for what they are.