Mossberg 590 field barrels?

[wlemay]

Just got a new mossberg 590 and am loving it, as far as a shotgun for home defense and fun... I dont think you can beat it.

However I took it out to a buddy's house and we did a little skeet shooting... there was much to be desired. Basically the 590 sucks for skeet shooting past 25 yards or so (aside from the fact that it holds a ton of shells).

I am wondering if it is possible to put a field barrel with a choke on the 590... I do realize that the big mag tube would have to go too, but I am okay with that as long as it's not a permanent deal. I was thinking I could find a used model 500 or 835 barrel & mag tube and just swap out whenever I want to skeet shoot or hunt. I have taken the barrel and mag tube off of the 590; its shockingly easy, they both just twist off... no tools required. I figured the other mossberg shotguns would be the same way and i could swap part without any modification to the receiver..

Anyone know if these part are interchangeable?

 

[RaceM]

The 835 has a cap nut on the mag vs. a captured bolt so no swap possible there unless you get an 835 mag too. I'd have to double check but I think the 835 barrel is a tad bigger at the receiver than the 500 as well.

 

[MAKster]

Since the receiver on the 500 and 590 is the same there are two ways you could do it. Buy a standard length 500-style mag tube and 500 barrel. Or buy the standard length mag tube for the 590-A1 and an 835 barrel. 500 barrels are less expensive and easier to find. If you use a 835 barrel you still cannot use 3.5 shells. Also, I believe the long 835 barrels are over bored so you cannot use slugs in them.

 

[RaceM]

I stand corrected. The 835 and 500 barrels are the same diameter at the receiver, so unless there’s a difference in the length or diameter of the locking shoulder it should work. However, there is a difference in the spacing between barrel and magazine, 3/16 (835) vs. 1/4 (500) because of the 835's thicker barrel. You might have to swap out or modify the for-end barrel channel so she’d come all the way back.

As MAKster said, 835's are overbored and slugs are not recommended.

 

[Smitty in CT]

835 barrels will fit on all of the 590's with the 18.5" barrel (5-round mag tube)... no modifications needed.

If you've got a 20" barrel (8-round mag tube) then you'll also need to swap the magazine tube.