Magazine differences between Mossy 500 and 590

[Gunner23]

OK - I posted this at shotgunworld.com too, but noone has really chimed in with an answer yet.

I have a 20" 500 persuader. It's got a 7+1 capacity.

The 20" 590 has a 8+1 capacity.

What gives, different mag follower or something? The 590 sure doesn't look any longer than my 500, yet it fits another shell? I guess I'm having magazine envy, I want an 8 round tube, too!

Seriously though, I'd like to know what warrents the higher capacity in the 590, if anyone could shed some light on that for me. Someone suggested that becase the magazine tube on the 590 uses a cap and the 500 actaully screws into the tube, it allows another shell to fit. This doesn't seem right to me, but it's really the only difference that I can see...does that cap REALLY free up a full 2.75"?

 

[Hoppy590]

well. it is the cap. since the method that the barrel attaches to a 590 doesnt intrude into the magazine by just that little bit ( like an inch or so)
it allows enough room for the extra shell. ( the 500 mounts to the end of the magazine, and the 590 mounts AROUND the end of the magazine)

go ahead and load up you 20 inch 500 and try to fit one more shell in. you will see its just a bit shy


did that explanation make sense?

added: simple example. imagine you want to hook 2 pieces of pipe together just like a shotgun barrel and magazine. the over all length of either tube may not exceed 20 inches. you have 2 options. either make a mount like this.

 

[Gunner23]

Sure did. I figured thats what it was, I just didn't think that the cap alone could make such a difference - I was forgetting that the 7-round magazine still has room for about a half of a shell in it when fully loaded. So, in essence the cap only has to free up a little over an inch. Makes perfect sense now, thanks Hoppy.

 

[Hoppy590]

cool. i had some more stuff to add but my browser crashed. so i hope it all made sense