FourTeeFive
Member
Trying to figure out if there is a good reason to put one on my gun, or are they mostly for show? Mossberg 590A is the gun in question. Thanks!
Heat shields - are they just for looks?
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Stiletto Null
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If you have a 590A1 (with heavy barrel), you can't mount one anyway.
If you have a really high round count session (like you have four people passing the same shotty around), then yes, a heat shield (or at least heavy barrels) is your friend.
But if you don't see yourself using it for chewing through stacks of ammo on a regular basis, then you'll be fine without.
If you have a really high round count session (like you have four people passing the same shotty around), then yes, a heat shield (or at least heavy barrels) is your friend.
But if you don't see yourself using it for chewing through stacks of ammo on a regular basis, then you'll be fine without.
Hawk
Member
I found myself reconsidering their utility after this:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=237303
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=237303
i have a mossberg 500 "persuader" i purchased the ATI cheap ass universal heatshield. i put around 50 rounds thru the gun, and yeah, it kept me from burning myself on the portion of the barrel that it covered. horever it also slid forward after use. 1st time around i was using 00 and 000 buck shot. so i refit it, wrenched it down about as far as i could seem to get it. used the cheap bird shot from walmart 2nd time around, which dramatically reduced recoil. and the same thing happend, slipped forward. perhaps a better quality heat shield is in order. but all in all, it looks neat. it does serve a bit or a purpose. but its not entirely necessary.
dfariswheel
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The hand guard was developed for the WWI Winchester Model 1897 "Trench gun" specifically to allow the user to get a grip on the forward barrel when using a bayonet.
These days the hand guard serves little real purpose, adds weight and bulk, and nearly always slides around or rattles damaging the gun's finish.
Other than just because it looks "KEWL" a few people claim it keeps them from grabbing a hot barrel.
I suspect that not that many people routinely fire a shotgun fast enough to heat the barrel hot enough that they actually get burned.
These days the hand guard serves little real purpose, adds weight and bulk, and nearly always slides around or rattles damaging the gun's finish.
Other than just because it looks "KEWL" a few people claim it keeps them from grabbing a hot barrel.
I suspect that not that many people routinely fire a shotgun fast enough to heat the barrel hot enough that they actually get burned.
Gordon
Member
AND even if they DO fire alot of rounds (like a 'rolling thunder drill') proper handling techniques precludes a burn. 
Interestingly, I get more 'hate' mail from dissing heatshields than I get from the pistol grip only bunch.
Interestingly, I get more 'hate' mail from dissing heatshields than I get from the pistol grip only bunch.
Carl N. Brown
Member
If you get into 50 round plus shooting at thrown clay pigeons
using a home defense-brush-slug shotgun, yes, a properly
fitted and anchored heat shield is practical and useful.
using a home defense-brush-slug shotgun, yes, a properly
fitted and anchored heat shield is practical and useful.
rustymaggot
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looks and weight with possible side of malfunction
ive never been able to heat up a mossberg hot enough to need one. and if i were to get into a life threatening situation where id need to fire off that many, then i brought the wrong gun to begin with. my m1 carbine with a loaded magazine(15) weighs in at the same weight as my mossberg fully loaded(5+1)
after inital weight, the 12 gauge ammo weighs twice as much per shot than the 30 carbine ammo.
ive never been able to heat up a mossberg hot enough to need one. and if i were to get into a life threatening situation where id need to fire off that many, then i brought the wrong gun to begin with. my m1 carbine with a loaded magazine(15) weighs in at the same weight as my mossberg fully loaded(5+1)
after inital weight, the 12 gauge ammo weighs twice as much per shot than the 30 carbine ammo.
El Tejon
Member
No, they are not mostly for show--heat shields are only for show.
But, hey, its your gun. I think everyone, especially young guys go through phases. What gun nut does not?
If you want a heat shield, or pistol grips, or a big loopy sling weighted down with extra rounds, or laser/phaser or any other goofy thing on your weapon, by all means mount it. With experience and training you will later learn, like a certain kind of dancer, it is better to take off than put on!
But, hey, its your gun. I think everyone, especially young guys go through phases. What gun nut does not?
If you want a heat shield, or pistol grips
, or a big loopy sling weighted down with extra rounds, or laser/phaser or any other goofy thing on your weapon, by all means mount it. With experience and training you will later learn, like a certain kind of dancer, it is better to take off than put on! Sights are another thing...
Except for slugs or turkey (chokes so tight it's almost like slugs), I just don't "get" sights.
If I can hit a moving clay pigeon 70 yards away with a bead, and I did just that yesterday, what are sights good for on a shotgun, at least if you're shooting shot?
Except for slugs or turkey (chokes so tight it's almost like slugs), I just don't "get" sights.
If I can hit a moving clay pigeon 70 yards away with a bead, and I did just that yesterday, what are sights good for on a shotgun, at least if you're shooting shot?
They do help prevent significant burning to a small extent when the gun is not shot too much, IMO. But, since they are in direct contact with the barrel (and act as a heat sink) they themselves can get pretty hot after an extended shooting session.
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