Mossberg 500 vs. 590

[SurvivorBrad]

I heard somewhere that the Mossberg 590 is more durable than the 500. Could someone explain the differences to me? Is it the internals, or purely external? Or is the 500 just as durable? Should I even worry about it?

 

[Robert]

I wouldn't worry about it. The 590 and the 590 A1 are the military versions of the 500. The A1 has a heavier barrel and a metal trigger group. I have had a 590 for over 10 years now and have put thousands of rounds through it with out a problem. There is nothing "wrong" with the 500. Just doesn't have the heat shield or the lug or the mag capacity.

 

[jon86]

The only difference that I'm aware of is that the 590 has a metal trigger assembly, while the 500 has a plastic trigger assembly. Maybe someone else could chime in though if there are any other differences? I wouldn't worry about it though. A mossberg maverick 88 is the only shotgun I own and it has had a LOT of shells run through it. I've never had a problem with it. I don't really see how someone could damage the trigger assembly anyway.

 

[1KPerDay]

The mag tubes and barrels are different. The 590 has a threaded cap that fits over the outside of the mag tube. The 500 has a screw-like cap that fits into a threaded hole at the end of the mag tube. The 590 in the same barrel length will hold more cartridges.

The 590 A1 is the heavy barreled "military" model and will not accept a mossberg heat shield to my knowledge, at least without modification to the shield. The A1 also has a metal safety and trigger housing. The longer model has a bayonet lug.

As far as I know, the only difference between the modern 500 and the NON-A1 590 is the magazine tube and the associated differences in the barrel lug/ring. For a while there were some differences in the length of the slide action tube but I can't remember if they standardized that or not.

Older 500s and clones had different cartridge interrupters than the modern style also. And there are at least 3 different types of bolts/bolt slides, but AFAIK the recent 500s and 590s all use the same type of bolt and bolt slide.


As to whether you should worry about it... I vote no. You'll have a hard time wearing out a 500 or a non-A1 590.

 

[Robert]

The only difference that I'm aware of is that the 590 has a metal trigger assembly

The A1 has the metal trigger group. The 590 has the plastic group, at least mine does. The 500, 590 and 590A1 will take anything you can throw at it for years without a problem. At least that has been my experience. YMMV

 

[Keizer]

The 590 A1 is the heavy barreled "military" model and will not accept a mossberg heat shield to my knowledge, at least without modification to the shield

Correct, the heat shields do require some mods to make them fit nicely on the A1's.

 

[evan price]

590A1 is only "stronger" because of a metal safety button and trigger guard. iirc the .mil barrel is thicker, too (means heavier).
If you are planning on working your shotgun daily by kicking doors and fighting bad guys, the 590A1 is a good choice. For home defense an old 500-A will be just fine.

 

[zhyla]

My way of looking at the 500-590-590A1 series is it's a clever price discrimination scheme. Mossberg makes the same shotgun in ~50 variations and prices them from $279 to $600. That way there is something for everyone.

 

[SurvivorBrad]

thanks for the advice, as I don't plan on "kicking in doors" , I think I'll get a 500.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I wouldn't worry about durability, but I'd prefer the 590 given the ability to pull maintenance on the magazine tube without having to remove it from the receiver.

lpl