Is the price difference between the Mossberg 590A1 and 500 worth it?

[Balrog]

It looks like the only difference between these two is a metal trigger guard and thicker barrel on the 590. Is the price difference worth it?

Has anyone fired both of these enough to tell whether the 590 is a better gun?

 

[Sheepdog1968]

There are a couple of other differences as well such as the way the forearm is attached to the metal bars that engage the bolt, the way the recoil spring is captured inside the tube, and the initial smoothness of the pump (nothing frequent use won't accomplish). If you're young, tight on cash, and just starting to build your collection I'd say no. If you have most of the toys you want, have some extra free money, I'd say it's worth the extra money. Many people I know will start off with a 500 and at some point want to get another pump shotgun and upgrade to the 590. Both a fine weapons and are more than suitable for home defense.

 

[zhyla]

The metal parts and thicker barrel are not worth a dime of price difference in my opinion.

The 590 and 590A1 lines have some variations of finish, barrel length, and sight options that you don't find on a regular 500. Unless you really need one of these it's not worth it.

Mossberg made the 500 for many, many decades before the 590's, there's really not anything wrong with the design as-is. The mag tube nut is more convenient, I will admit that.

edit: I've shot a 500, own a 590, have fondled a 590A1 but not shot it.

 

[jeremy1391]

The 590a1 also has a bayonet lug
Well worth it to me, just for cool factor.

 

[Messenger Guard]

From the standpoint of Joe Average there is no need for the 590 based on price. If you want the latest and greatest built to Uncle Sam's specs with the tacticool bayo lug....pay the difference. The 590s safety is metal too.

 

[jmr40]

The way the barrel attaches to the magazine is a much better design on the 590. Makes cleaning the magazine much easier as well as fixing any problems that may come up. Not a big fan of Mossberg shotguns, but the 590 is the only one I'd consider.

 

[zhyla]

The way the barrel attaches to the magazine is a much better design on the 590. Makes cleaning the magazine much easier as well as fixing any problems that may come up.

It is absolutely a better design. $130 to $300 better? Not to me.

 

[jmr40]

Actually not to me either. The 870 uses the same design and is only slightly more expensive than the 500. One of many reasons I prefer the 870. But if I had to buy a Mossberg, it would be the 590.

 

[SKILCZ]

The way the barrel attaches to the magazine is a much better design on the 590. Makes cleaning the magazine much easier as well as fixing any problems that may come up.

Beat me to it. This is one of the main advantages, IMO. Other than that, I don't think it's worth the extra money. For the extra price I could buy another used 500 to beat up. It's pretty hard to wear one out, and if you really want to clean the 500's mag tube, it's doable, just not very easily.