SwampWolf
Member
Does anyone know what year the Mossberg Model 590 was introduced? Anybody have experience with this shotgun and know the pros and cons it might have? Thanks.
Model 590 Questions
- Thread starter SwampWolf
- Start date
Coyote3855
Member
https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/mossberg-590-a-versatile-pump-action-shotgun/
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/a-history-of-the-mossberg-590a1/
Shooting Illustrated article above says 1987.
I have a 590 in 20 gauge that is my bedside gun. Never any issues.
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/content/a-history-of-the-mossberg-590a1/
Shooting Illustrated article above says 1987.
I have a 590 in 20 gauge that is my bedside gun. Never any issues.
SwampWolf
Member
Thanks for the info, Coyote. Can you tell me the month/year of the American Rifleman article. "Safari" won't let me open the page. Thanks.
Mossberg 500 - Wikipedia
"To maintain its low cost, Mossberg continued to produce the M500 for civilian and police markets, and in 1987, designed the M590 specifically for military use."
Pros and cons?
Pros: Cost (compared to some), durability, parts commonality w/ other Mossberg models and general availability, safety placement.
Cons: Not as nicely finished (external and internal parts) as some shotguns, safety placement (if you're used to crossbolt safeties).
"To maintain its low cost, Mossberg continued to produce the M500 for civilian and police markets, and in 1987, designed the M590 specifically for military use."
Pros and cons?
Pros: Cost (compared to some), durability, parts commonality w/ other Mossberg models and general availability, safety placement.
Cons: Not as nicely finished (external and internal parts) as some shotguns, safety placement (if you're used to crossbolt safeties).
Coyote3855
Member
I don't know if it was in the magazine. It was posted online December 29, 2021. I think I found it by Googling "first Mossberg 590" or some variation of that.
JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
The basic 590 model is nowhere near as robust or reliable as the legendary replacement, the M590A1.
The basic budget 590 has an easily rusted blued finish, a weak thin lined barrel, and a junk plastic trigger and safety.
The M590A1 features a bulletproof parkerized coating, heavy duty thick walled combat barrel, and a milled steel trigger guard and safety.
It is MUCH, MUCH better than the 500 and 590 series.
The basic budget 590 has an easily rusted blued finish, a weak thin lined barrel, and a junk plastic trigger and safety.
The M590A1 features a bulletproof parkerized coating, heavy duty thick walled combat barrel, and a milled steel trigger guard and safety.
It is MUCH, MUCH better than the 500 and 590 series.
ColtPythonElite
Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 10,475
I have had a basic 590 a few years. It suits my needs.
1KPerDay
Member
Note that there's a difference between the 590 and the military 590A1. The only issue I've ever had with my 9-shot "Marinecote" 590 is the spring taking a set when fully loaded and possibly leading to short-shucking when I'm trying to go fast. But if you don't try to go too fast it always works.
Examples:
When it's working right:
When either I'm short-shucking or it's starting to not work right (2 short-shucks here):
https://youtube.com/shorts/mRlkkTWAHU0?feature=share
Examples:
When it's working right:
When either I'm short-shucking or it's starting to not work right (2 short-shucks here):
https://youtube.com/shorts/mRlkkTWAHU0?feature=share
JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
DustyGmt
Member
I have a 590 and a 500. The 590 is a very good shotgun. I've put a ton of shells through the 500 and 590 over the years, they just work. I would buy a 590A1 if I found one at a good price and shot one a bit as a teenager. I specifically favor the 590 over the A1 because it is lighter and handier. The only thing my 590 doesn't have that I wish it did is the properly parkerized finish of the A1, not real worried about it though.
I'm borderline abusive to my mossbergs, they don't get a case or a seat in the safe, they just get thrown from place to place.....not literally but almost literally.
You'd be well served with a 590/590A1, but if you go with the A1 consider the weight difference. I think the 590 would have been just fine overseas in a military application and that maybe the "necessity" of the 590A1 over the 590 could be overstated....
I'm borderline abusive to my mossbergs, they don't get a case or a seat in the safe, they just get thrown from place to place.....not literally but almost literally.
You'd be well served with a 590/590A1, but if you go with the A1 consider the weight difference. I think the 590 would have been just fine overseas in a military application and that maybe the "necessity" of the 590A1 over the 590 could be overstated....
Last edited:
Blue Brick
Member
Funny side note: We had/have a member on this form that was sent to Iraq. His sergeant was sent to Walmart to purchased several Mossberg 500s for his unit.
JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
Granted it would be rare, but sometimes it does work that way. It depends on the individual unit and the commander.
I have a BIL and several friends in the Marine reserves who were rushed to Saudia Arabia shortly after Sadam invaded Kuwait without a lot of their gear. Lots of stuff was acquired outside normal channels.
And some of the special forces units can basically buy, or have custom built use anything they want.
Blue Brick
Member
How do you think it works?
DustyGmt
Member
Sometimes thats how it works. I know for a fact.
DustyGmt
Member
I would take a 500/590/590A1 because they are all essentially the same. I like the 590A1 because it is a lil beefier and I like the beastliness of it, I don't have an A1 but I could literally flip a coin between the 590 and A1 and could make a case for either but the 590 is just better because it's what I have 
. The 590 is just a lil better than the 500 and the 590A1 is just a lil better than the 590, but in terms of practicality, it's angels dancing on the head of a pin.
My 500 has been run hard and put away wet and the 590 is on its way.... They won't disappoint in terms of function
. The 590 is just a lil better than the 500 and the 590A1 is just a lil better than the 590, but in terms of practicality, it's angels dancing on the head of a pin.My 500 has been run hard and put away wet and the 590 is on its way.... They won't disappoint in terms of function
JCooperfan1911
member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2020
- Messages
- 2,709
I would take a 500/590/590A1 because they are all essentially the same. I like the 590A1 because it is a lil beefier and I like the beastliness of it, I don't have an A1 but I could literally flip a coin between the 590 and A1 and could make a case for either but the 590 is just better because it's what I have
My 500 has been run hard and put away wet and the 590 is on its way.... They won't disappoint in terms of function
View attachment 1155646
The 500 is not the same. It uses a completely different barrel assembly.
The 500, 590 and 590A1 have all been used by the military and they all have been proven reliable.
I also have seen that happen on a few occasions and in units outside of SOCOM. Yes it is rare but it happens.
I also have seen that happen on a few occasions and in units outside of SOCOM. Yes it is rare but it happens.
DustyGmt
Member
Yeah but we are kind of splitting hairs here aren't we? The 590/590A1 has an open end mag tube and the 500 has a closed end securing the mag tube to the barrel band with a bolt. Aside from the convenience of swapping a mag spring, maintenance or adding an extension, they are functionally identical in every way. Same reviever, bolt, etc...
To me it's kind of like saying a Ruger 10/22 with a standard barrel and plastic trigger guard is "nowhere near as reliable" as one with a metal trigger guard and heavy barrel. Functionally the same, just as reliable, but one is likely to fair better should it fall into a ravine or get run over by a pickup truck. Not trying to nitpick, but the 590 vs 590A1 superiority is a lil overstated in my opinion. Maybe I'd lose but I would bet a good healthy sum of money that the 590 and A1 would go shot for shot with no distinguished winner.
Eta: I do think the actual park'd finish is the thing that really sets them apart. That and I just like the 590A1 designation on the reciever.
Last edited:
troy fairweather
Member
I figure if you want a cheap gun to shoot that will serve you well the 88 is just fine, if you want better just step up and get the 590A1.
ECVMatt
Member
- Joined
- Jan 7, 2004
- Messages
- 2,867
Being a lefty, I am a big fan of the 590A1.
I have always kept one around and they pretty much always work. I dropped mine in the sand and broke an extractor clearing it out. Because it has two extractors, I could continue to shoot the rest of the weekend.
I have many cases of 12 GA through my 590A1 and no regrets.
Neat article on the 590A1: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-590a1-fighting-shotgun-the-militarys-pump-action-option/
I have always kept one around and they pretty much always work. I dropped mine in the sand and broke an extractor clearing it out. Because it has two extractors, I could continue to shoot the rest of the weekend.
I have many cases of 12 GA through my 590A1 and no regrets.
Neat article on the 590A1: https://www.sandboxx.us/blog/the-590a1-fighting-shotgun-the-militarys-pump-action-option/
Last edited:
