Mossberg 500/590 questions

[Jeb Stuart]

I have no idea if Ayoob ever said such a thing. But if he did, it's ridiculous to think it's possible. Let alone any type of advantage. First off, the shell length is the same for a 12 or a 20. (2-3/4" or 3"). So the travel of the action to cycle another round into the chamber is identical.

Second, if his reasoning is that 20's recoil less than 12's do, that's false thinking as well. Especially in regard to most pump guns on the market today. Felt recoil in shotguns is a combination of payload vs. overall weight of the weapon.

I've fired many 20's that recoiled WORSE than the same gun in a 12 with similar loads. Simply because most 20 gauge pump guns are built on scaled down receivers and actions from their 12 gauge counterparts. In short, the 20 gauge guns themselves weigh less, so the actual felt recoil is more profound to the shooter, than from the heavier 12 gauge.

Many 20 gauge guns have been sold on this false narrative over the decades.

Respectfully disagree. I have a number of 12 ga. and the 20 ga Mossberg is less felt recoil. Easy to see the difference when shooting a pistol grip. It is lighter to carry and the ballistics at close range are impressive. And I do like the Flex system. For myself their are no parts that just lay around. Nice to have a 20ga to hunt with, and if I want to use a slug barrel for hunting I have one, I like using the different grips that I have. Many say a pistol grip is useless. I do not like a pistol grip with a 12ga, but find the 20 ga very easy to use. For small game, I like the 20ga. Nice to just switch grips, barrel and stock and ready to go hunting.. I have shot the Mossberg 500 12 ga many times over the years, my brother has one and we have hunted together many times and shared guns at the range.
Both gauges are fine gun in the 500, but the 20ga. is my choice for Home defense. Lighter weight and a 18" barrel make it easy to move around, the house and not concerned about recoil anyway if a intrusion occurs. Inside of a home, I do not feel I need a 12ga.And one thing for sure, my 20ga is not going anywhere.
And just like a 20ga for many reasons. Like 12ga's as well.
Each to his own.

 

[amd6547]

The Mossberg 500 comes from a time when there was an explosion of low cost pump shotguns. There was a lot of competition to supply the demand for good field guns that didn’t cost what a Model 12 or an 870 or a Model 37 did. I recall that Kmart sold the Mossberg 500 for $85 circa 1978, since a friend bought one there.
Out of all those contenders, like the High Standard, the Winchester 1200, and others long forgotten, the Mossberg 500 rose to the top for its reliability and simplicity.
The military, buying it off the shelf and putting it to use was a rare show of procurement good sense. They chose it because of its demonstrated reliability. They have served admirably.
Their modularity and parts interchangeability is as good as it gets...my gun, which probably dates to 1970 or so, accepts any Model 500 part or accessory.
My experience, and my pal’s, who still has his Kmart ‘78 500, is one of total reliability. Even when we both had pistol grips on them, and would have target shooting matches at 25yds, with slugs.
So, I’m going to say that if the parts in a Mossberg 500 are in spec, and the shotgun is operated as it is made to, it won’t jam. If it does, you are doing something wrong, or something is broke.

 

[george29]

Had a 590A1, too big for HD. Installed a pistol grip, wallop was punishing. I liked the idea of 8+1 but realistically and 25 years later, the 930 is as reliable, is 4+1 though I think Paul Harrel talks about keeping one in the chamber as bad practice because of the lack of a sear safety so if I buy the Thunder Ranch 930 4+0 is still fine by me. I prefer 18½" barrel and less forward weight. Tube magazines I think are preferred to detachable mags, read up about it.