Mossberg 500/590

[Case82]

I'm looking for a HD shotgun & am leaning toward a Mossberg. The only concern I have is the plastic trigger guard & safety on the 500's I have seen.
Is this a problem in terms of long term durability?

Also, I really like the 590A1, is it worth the extra $$? and is it available without ghost ring sights?

 

[Starter52]

The Mossberg 500 shotguns have been bounced around in the back of pickup trucks and the bottom of duck boats for the past 40 years. They are plenty durable enough for a HD gun.

The 500 is a great pump shotgun at a good price. Don't be concerned at all about its plastic parts.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I've had a Model 500 for 35 years. It has seen a LOT of use by me,my dad,my brother and several nephews. The trigger guard is still intact. I have serviced and repaired countless 500s over the years and never had a broken trigger guard.

 

[B yond]

It's a good weapon. The plastic is very durable. If you're concerned though, you could prolly get an aftermarket metal one.

Never shot a 590, but I did hold one, it felt heavier to me. The biggest plus I see for the 590 as a weapon at HD ranges is the bayonet mount. Of course if you can stick someone with a bayo, you can shoot them with a shotty, so it's not very necessary at all. Plus, you might drop it and stick yourself in the foot. I'd save some cash and go with the 500 if I were you.

 

[chris in va]

Get a normal 500 with 28" barrel for clays practice then get the 18" for HD. No need for goofy add on's.

 

[jad0110]

590A1 with ghost ring sites, metal safety tang and trigger gaurd is listed as model # 51663 on Mossie's website:

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=5&display=specs

I myself am leaning towards the same gun without the metal tang safety and trigger gaurd, the model 50663. It also has the ghost ring sites, but costs less. I don't plan on abusing my HD shottie, so I feel the 50663 would serve me well.

YMMV

 

[Avenger29]

I'd go with the 590. I like the barrel-magazine tube attachment better than the Mossberg 500 series. Plus, get one loaded out with ghostrings and whatever, and it will already have those features, instead of having to add them later (a set of ghostrings will cost you about $100-$150).

I definitely plan on acquiring a 590- just don't know which one yet.

 

[Stillwater97]

Speaking of Mossberg 500's

I have a 500 20ga with 18 inch barrel and a pistol grip. I've had it for several years, and I still can't figure how a pistol grip is good for home defense. (btw, the gun is the most durable, shootingist, shotgun I own) So, I'm debating on replacing the pistol grip with a stock. I happened to be on Ebay and they had a telescoping stock that appeared to fit on the end of the existing pistol grip.
Anybody have one of these?


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270186290246

 

[Gord]

and they had a telescoping stock that appeared to fit on the end of the existing pistol grip.

No. That's just an M4-style stock and it comes with the pistol grip portion as well - otherwise it wouldn't be in the pic or they would have a disclaimer to the order of "does not include x, y or z."

A pistol grip is good for making guns look mean in movies, and not for much else. Recoil sucks. Aiming sucks. You're going to be holding the shotgun out in front of you as far as it would be if you had it shouldered anyway. Your choice, but I'd just order a standard buttstock (or a Speedfeed, or a collapsible, or whatever you want, if the price is close or if you're okay with spending the extra money).

 

[scout26]

Get which ever one you prefer, the key is once you've decided is to BA/UU/R via training and practice.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I bought a Mossberg 500 Field/Security combo and I'm very happy with this shotgun. Hey, they make pistols out of plastic, I wouldn't worry about a plastic trigger guard.

 

[perpster]

Both models are good. 590A1 is heavier because it has a heavy-walled (thicker) barrel. Hey, it absorbs more recoil. These barrels are 20" or 20.5" IIRC (1.5" or 2" longer than the 500 short barrels).

Plastic tang safety slider is sturdy but can be replaced with Brownell's metal tang piece. IIRC the trigger guard is not available in metal aftermarket. IMHO it's not an issue.

On the 590's IIRC ghost rings are an option, and are incompatible with the optional heat shield.

Both are good models and you won't go wrong with either.

BTW, did you know that the 500/590 receiver is a JOHN MOSES BROWNING design?

 

[Dan Goodwin]

Get a Remington 870. Between the two, it is the superior shotgun

 

[Leadhead]

I'm looking for a HD shotgun & am leaning toward a Mossberg. The only concern I have is the plastic trigger guard & safety on the 500's I have seen.
Is this a problem in terms of long term durability?

Also, I really like the 590A1, is it worth the extra $$? and is it available without ghost ring sights?

I'd get the 590 A1.

In the long run you won't remember the extra cash and if you sell it you will probably recover that extra cash.....


For HD I think the extra weight is a good thing....for hiking in the bush lighter might be nice!

Get a Remington 870. Between the two, it is the superior shotgun

Well, I sold my 590 A1 18.5" and currently only own 870's......but I'd buy another 590 A1 20" if I saw a good deal.

I like the Mossberg control layout with a regular stock everything is easy to operate without moving your hand from the ready position.


If you want to use a pistol grip/buttstock like a Spec Ops though the 870 is a better design.

 

[CA357]

I bought the 500A. It came with a 28" and an 18 1/2" barrel. I stuck the 18 1/2" on it, mounted Mossberg factory ghostring sights and put an elastic shell holder on the stock. It's all I need. I like the 590, and it looks cooler, but my 500A will do.

 

[Srigs]

I use my Mossy 500A 12 gauge with 28 and 18.5" barrels for a ton of things.

Very rugged and no issues with it so far.

 

[nitesite]

I have a 590 with ghost ring sights. It's not an -A1.

I don't think that MY plastic trigger housing and safety is going to receive enough of a beating to ever break, unlike 590-A1s which are used onboard US Navy ships and on military combat patrols.

Been perfect for me and still going strong.

 

[Leadhead]

A Maveric will do the job for even less money......

 

[g.willikers]

The only part that's ever failed in my 20 year old 500 was the plastic safety. It would not work at all when that happened. It's been replaced with a metal one. It's a cheap and easy, and very much recommended, replacement.