Mossberg 590 safety with pistol grip stock

[xpun8]

After searching here and a few other places I am still curious about having an pistol grip stock and being able to hit the safety. As it is right now, standard stock the safety is within a thumbs reach, put on a pistol grip and now it's suddenly a new thumb yoga move to hit it. I was able to find the SST-590 that actually relocates it to what appears to be a very manageable location, however is costs nearly as much as I paid for the gun.

1) Are there other modifications available that make the safety manageable with a pistol grip?
2) Is there any benefit of having the pistol grip?

Having grown up with a over/under and the only targets were usually of the feathered variety I have no experience with tacticool stuff on a shotgun. I was able to shoot an 870 and 500, both with pistol grip stocks. I really liked the way the 500 felt and it didn't bite me while loading That was my primary reason for getting the 590 (higher capacity as well). The 590 will be used for HD and blasting targets at the pit. Your answers are appreciated.

JR

 

[Dave McCracken]

1, not that I know of.

2, no.

Most defensive shotguns have full stocks. Practically all of them owned by cogniscienti do.

No high dollar shooting academies like LFI and Gunsite teach use of a PG only shotgun.

Catch my drift?...

 

[MCgunner]

Some say a pistol gripped stock reduces recoil. For me, it just slows down sight acquisition and that first shot. Give me a normal stock. There is a reason the English like straight stocks on their doubles for quick flushing birds.

The only redeeming quality I can see for a pistol grip only is compactness, and, well, it's tacticool. Don't do a lot of good if you can't hit squat with it past 5 meters. If I want to conceal a weapon, I do have pistols and revolvers for that sort of thing. All my wing shooting is with normal shotguns and, so, if I'm going to shoot naturally and fast with a shotgun, it's got to have a stock on it.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Action Release Lever too...

...Mossbergs are terrific little shotties...I have several.

The ergonomics of their design don't lend themselves to Pistol Grip Stocks. Better to have the right fit with a more traditional stock and as Dave likes to say...Buy Ammo, Use Up, Repeat.

There's nothing wrong with accessorizing your Mossy, but it should be a net gain in function/fit, or why bother?

It's a tool, it should fit you, and you want to know how to use it skillfully and responsibly.

Good luck and Safe Shooting,

CZ52'

 

[Leadhead]

Keep the Mossberg as is......it's got the best control layout for a regular stock.

(edit, for Home Defense you might want to look at the Speedfeed buttstock that holds 4 shells inside....nice to have a mix of ammo handy)

It sounds like you are talking about getting a Pistol Grip with butt stock which is quite different then the Pistol grip only that Dave is talking about.

The only PGO that works well for me is the Speedfeed "witness protection" and it works well with the Mossberg as it is basicaly a "chopped" of regular butt grip but I found it was a bit of a stretch for my trigger finger and prefer the 870's

I'd get an 870 if you want a pistol gripped butt or Pistol grip only.

 

[xpun8]

Thanks for the responses so far.
The reason I'm thinking of pistol grip stock, which I failed to communicate in the OP, "shootability" for my wife and me. We have handguns that would/could be used for HD, we were looking for diversity. The 590 with the full size stock is not easy for my wife to use, this maybe a practice thing. I was thinking that if we put an adjustable buttstock/pistol grip on she'd be able to better handle it. If that isn't true let me know.

 

[CZ52GUY]

Shotties and the fairer sex...

...a 590 maybe a stretch for her...depends on the lady. The ergonomic issues with a pistol grip on a Mossberg (even as part of a fixed stock arrangement) remain.

A 590 is hardly lightweight and dimensionally isn't ideal for those small of stature. With enough time, instruction, practice, and the right loads...most issues can be overcome, but a 590 wouldn't be my first choice for my better half who probably is considered of average size per the Insurance Tables.

Steve/Lee/Dave have written volumes about finding the right fit for the right application. Guns in general are like shoes...either they fit, or they can be quite uncomfortable for the purpose intended.

More on your better half's experience and skills would be helpful to provide suggestions, but a 590 can be a handful for many little ladies.

Good luck,

CZ52'

 

[xpun8]

Thanks CZ52, I agree with "Guns are like shoes...", the 590 is not intended to be the only choice of HD. I was originally thinking it was a going to be a BUG, after thinking about it now maybe that thinking was flawed. Given her choice she'd much rather use her XD40.
She is 5'2" and less than 130lbs, she's not tiny, but she's also not a BMW (Burly Mountain Woman). Her shotgun experience is limited to about 30 rounds of birdshot through an old O/U 20g. We were going to go out to the pit this Saturday to put some rounds through the 590. She's not afraid of it (the recoil).

 

[CZ52GUY]

Guys, their girls, and guns

The most common mistake that many of us make (and I did it too), is that we consider possibilities for matching a gun to our better half without appropriate consultation with them.

While she may not fear the recoil, which is a very good thing, she may become a bit overwhelmed by it. I've seen some rough and tumble high testerone count guys that put a couple slugs through a 12GA pump and have had enough. Recoil sensitivity can be awkward and is very much an individual thing. One of the greatest obstacles I encounter when introducing someone to the joys of shotgun shooting is the intimidation factor. They see Ahhnald shooting a shotgun which puts the perp about 20 feet through the air...getting past the mystique can be tough.

For some ladies, an O/U 20GA may be just the ticket as a long gun alternative. Carefully supervised experimentation isn't necessarily a bad thing. Ideally, some semi-structured training where your better half has the opportunity to try out multiple choices is even better.

For your needs, if the 590 is going to be primarily your go-to tool...configure it for you...but ignore the ergonomics at your own peril. I've tried the Knoxx Folding, I've tried the Advanced Technology Telestock. I've tried the Speed Feed fixed with pistol grip. None let me interact with the gun as designed as well as a traditional fixed stock. For me, the right fit is a Hogue 12" LOP. I'm built like an old time Soviet Weightlifter with very short arms . The right fit for you may be different. Ideally, try to work it out with the factory stock first...it's simpler that way. I can "cheat" a factory stock by taking a severe "boxer's stance" to extend my reach, but the short stock is a better fit so I typically put one on to keep things simpler for me.

The greater benefit for you will be range time with your 590. Practice with birdshot, buck, slugs. Practice simple single shot mounting drills. Practice some 2-3 target drills. Practice shoot 1, reload 1. Then shoot 1, reload 2, etc. Work up to the point where you can safely improvise on a course of fire.
Trap and other flying clay sports are other great opportunities to hone your overall skills. Some of the very best shotgunners in the world shoot clay out of the air every weekend.

The Mossberg 500 family, Remington 870, Benelli Nova (there are others also), are good solid reliable shotties (although Steve and Benelli's don't get along ). I've been luckier with mine. You've got a good gun, make sure it fits, then shoot it safely and with purpose. Then shoot it some more.

In the end, YOU are the weapon...and strongly consider opportunities to seek out formal training.

Best of luck,

CZ52'

 

[Dope]

I use a Knoxx "specops" (god I hate tacticool names) stock on my 590. I much prefer a pistol grip (ALONG with the stock). Better control, and SIGNIFICANT recoil reduction. If you're going the PG route, get one of them. They are pretty damn nice. Safety is a bit of a pain but I have large hands and can reach it.

The recoil reduction alone will make it VERY attractive for your woman. The stock is spring-loaded to help "slow" the recoil and make it feel much more comfortable. Plus it has an adjustable LOP which means you can size it to fit either of you.

Just my .02.

Dope

 

[CZ52GUY]

Knoxx

While I continue to be concerned about the manipulation of safety and action release lever when using a pistol grip arrangement with the Mossberg, even with the Knoxx, and I hated the feel...for some, it's a life-saver if you're recoil sensitive.

It's a difficult trade-off, and I don't recommend it for most, but I understand where some would find the recoil reduction to be the trump card.

Safe shooting,

CZ52'

 

[nitesite]

My 590 8+1 with GR sights has the synthetic stock and forend. I would like to purchase and install the Mossberg wood stock, cut it to 12" and make sure I have a good recoil pad on it, and add some lead weight within it.

For me, that would beat any pistol-grip option because all the controls are within easy reach.

Anyone know where I might find a 500/590 shoulder stock in wood?

 

[xpun8]

Thanks for all your input, I went to the shop and actually handled the few variants they had set up. 590A1 stock, 500 with pg collapsible stock and 500 pistol grip only. The pistol grip only is the only one I could manipulate the safety with ease. I can't imagine using it though, at least not too much.
I think I'll be keeping the 590 just like it is, in a real pinch my wife would be able to use it.

 

[MCgunner]

My shotgun is strictly the safe room barricade gun. I'll pick up my cell, call 911 or let the wife do it behind the bed for cover, he breaks in the locked door, he's history. I don't intend to "clear the house". I'll let the pros do that. I'm in a small town and they hire a lot of cops, albeit not very experienced ones. Get what you pay for, I guess. But, response time is pretty quick. I figure I pay 'em to take the risks and do the training. However, if I have to leave the room, I take my revolver. Shotguns are not about moving through tight confines. Handguns are much better at that.

 

[fearless leader]

I was being followed while driving up highway 795 in the Scottsville, VA area, and I took a few wrong turns to verifiy I had a tale. Recent threats against me suggested this could be a bad thing. I reached under the seat, and took my 500 pistol grip pump out, and layed it on the seat. They still stayed with me. I only loaded the chamber if I expected to fire. I kept the hammer down on a spent chamber, so I never bothered with the safety. If I needed it instantly, I had only to rack the slide, point and shoot.
I only had one hand to work with, so I slid the slide by pressing the pistol grip into the seat, then the muzzle into the overhead in the car. I checked my 6:OO one more time. I guess they found somewhere else they needed to be. They were gone. I pulled over and cleared the chamber, and restored the Cruiser-safe condition again.
NOTE: I am not an instructor, and my methods were learned over time. I don't argue or suggest them to be ablsolutely safe, but just what I did.
Either way, I was no longer being followed.