Mossberg 590

[DustyGmt]

Just picked up a nice new Mossberg 590. Got a good deal on it, probably a great deal in this market considering the run on guns and the lack of availability, seems to have hit pump action shotguns from Mossberg and Remington particularly hard, lord knows there is no shortage of turkish pumps and kalishnakov style semi's but those arent really ones i have interest in.

I've got a couple extra plain nylon slings laying around but was thinking about adding a couple practical upgrades to it and didn't know if I could get some leads on quality gear. Thinking about the possibility of a sling that will hold shotshells but don't want something cheap with cheap elastic or I'll forego it altogether and just get a plain quality nylon sling.

I was also thinking about attachment points, I never really run a sling on shotguns but I notice alot of guys that do don't even use the existing sling attachments on the mag tube cap and stock, instead using a clamp on attachment just forward the pump/forend and a little spacer/attachment point in between the receiver and stock. Do any of you guys run them like that or just use the provided, stock attachment options?

Also don't want to put on a metal or plastic side saddle and will instead probably opt for the hook and loop velcro adhesive square on the receiver and 6rd Esstac shotgun cards that you can just take on and off without adding alot of bulk to the shotgun.

I've got a Mossberg 500 I've had many years and it's seen better days and i need to get some replacement parts for it, I've had an 870 Wingmaster that I hold high above a Mossberg anything, I haven't got much of anything negative to say about the Mossbergs I just feel the 870 is superior in craftsmanship, fit, feel and overall quality and that pretty much goes double in the case of the wingmaster but one thing I'm really liking about the 590 is the ease of loading shells up the tube or dropping a shell into the action. It seems to have a slightly larger ejection port for dropping a round in and stuffing shells up the tube is a lil nicer to me when you don't have to push the elevator out of the way. Mind you these are small "improvements" but they make a difference.

The 590 is also very light and handy and I would much rather haul it around camp, toss it in the vehicle and just generally feel a lil better about treating it harshly sooner than I would my Wingmaster. I have to say even though the Mossberg feels like a toy compared to the 870 it really is quite decent and I don't mind the tang safety on it.

Any of you guys have both and like both shotguns basically equally even though they are quite different? If the 500/590 wasn't a proven design and the 870 was my only frame of reference for a pump shotgun I would probably immediately write off the mossberg as inferior trash but I obviously know better.... it's a nifty shotgun.

 

[entropy]

Thinking about the possibility of a sling that will hold shotshells

Don't. It causes a constantly variable weight shift when swinging it. Two better solutions; Velcro side mounted shell holders, (though not good if you shoot off both shoulders, or share the gun with a lefty) or a SpeedFeed III stock with integral shell holders. I had one on my 870 Tactical magnum, and on the Wingmaster I had before that, at least during hunting season. They are great for water swatting ducks, and have 4 rounds that are not in your way, or bouncing around, swinging to and fro on a shell holder sling. A little practice and they are very easy to load from.

Do any of you guys run them like that or just use the provided, stock attachment options?

The pic above answers both questions. The extended mag clamp, (as well as the extended mag) came with the Tactical mag. On an HD shotgun, I actually prefer no sling, though I could clip one onto the sling loop on the bottom of the pistol grip of my Ithaca 37 if needed;

 

[sequins]

I recently got a 590 as well. Theyre nice. I got the 590a1 but I sort of wish I'd gotten the retrograde. I agree that it handles very well. I can't say I cared for my 870 wingmaster as the ejector was not reliable and it seemed really easy to short stroke. I know its not a common experience but I just didn't like the gun. I never once short stroked a benelli supernova or winchesters I've handled in the past and I don't usually suffer operator induced errors, I blame a bad wingmaster for my troubles and think of Mossberg much more highly than Remington. Maybe 60 years ago I'd have felt differently based on how some regard wingmasters and 700s...

 

[Virginian]

I have nothing against the Mossberg 500s or 590s, but I definitely prefer the 870 platform. The feel is different to me with the steel receiver. I had a couple of Expresses and no issues, just can't grow to love anything not gloss blue steel and walnut. And yes I duck hunt with it just like that. I learned long ago movement is the big enemy, not a glossy shotgun barrel.

 

[jmr40]

I'd suggest something like a side saddle to carry extra rounds.

Amazon.com : Tacstar Sidesaddle Fits Mossberg 930/935, Black : Gun Ammunition And Magazine Pouches : Sports & Outdoors

Maybe not that exact version, but something similar. Adding a few shells to the sling makes for a heavy sling that will be swinging back and forth with quite the force while you're trying to aim the shotgun.

Like others the 870 is my preference, but the 590 has some advantages. It was designed from the ground up to meet military specs a few years ago with many upgrades over the 500.

 

[igotta40]

There’s something about a shotgun with a bayonet….

 

[Old Dog]

I like the MagPul attachment that clamps to the barrel and mag tube providing a for a QD swivel


For the back end, I use one of the ambi rear sling mounts that go between the receiver and butt stock, but I've got a MagPul MOE butt stock that I haven't mounted

But... I still like my SpeedFeed stock. (Old photo before I set it up to take a MagPul MS3 sling)

Any of you guys have both and like both shotguns basically equally even though they are quite different?

We use 870s at work, a smattering of 590A1s coming in to replace 'em (probably a budget thing or maybe Remington isn't making the Police Magnum anymore). I MUCH prefer the tang safety of the Mossberg and the action release BEHIND the trigger guard rather than in front of it

For carrying extra rounds onboard, nothing beats the Mesa Tactical sidesaddle mounted to the receiver.

 

[DustyGmt]

There’s something about a shotgun with a bayonet….View attachment 1055345

Just had to point that out didn't ya. I got the 590, not the 590A1, so no bayo for me. It's OK, I'll get on without it but I would have preferred an A1 but the 590 was $250 and the 590A1 RG I was looking at a month or so ago was $525. I may get an A1 yet.....

 

[Old Dog]

Note to self: a bayonet is the one accessory I don't have for my 590A1...

 

[Charlie98]

I agree with entropy.... all shells do in a sling is add unstable forward weight, and they are not nearly as handy to get to as you might think. If the speedfeed type stock isn't for you, maybe consider a cross-body bandolier of sorts... that keeps the weight off the firearm itself.

Never was much of a 870 fan... the controls aren't right when compared to the Mossberg, and for some reason the comb height and shape cracks me in the cheek with heavy loads.

 

[luzyfuerza]

@DustyGmt , you really didn't give a use case for your 590. Although you did mention carrying around camp (deer camp??) and doing some tactical/personal defense kinds of things (port loading and mounting an ammo sidesaddle).

My comments have to do with the defensive use case.

For me, defensive shotguns don't really need slings. You probably aren't going to have to sling one over your shoulder while you hike two hours to the location of the fight. Mostly, they're a "grab-and-use" kind of weapon.

All actions you might need to perform in a fight (racking the slide, clearing malfunctions, ammo management, etc.) can be done without a sling.

Having a two-point sling on a pump shotgun can get in the way of the "press-rack" motion that you need to reflexively do with every shot.

Definitely stay away from the ammo carrier slings.

However having a sling on your gun for a shotgun class is a GOOD thing. When the instructor wants to gather everyone around her to discuss a finer point, or she needs to go downrange to demonstrate a skill, no students should have a shotgun held in their hands. A slung shotgun is like a pistol held in a holster.

Be careful of using a sling stud on the forward end of the mag tube if your gun has a long magazine. I shot off a two point sling once during a class when it flipped up in front of the muzzle on a shot.

The clamp-type attachment points are a bit better.

On my 590, I put a one-point sling attachment point just behind the receiver. I only attach a sling in classes, and its out of the way when its in its "ready-to-use" location.

 

[DustyGmt]

@DustyGmt , you really didn't give a use case for your 590. Although you did mention carrying around camp (deer camp??) and doing some tactical/personal defense kinds of things (port loading and mounting an ammo sidesaddle).

My comments have to do with the defensive use case.

For me, defensive shotguns don't really need slings. You probably aren't going to have to sling one over your shoulder while you hike two hours to the location of the fight. Mostly, they're a "grab-and-use" kind of weapon.

All actions you might need to perform in a fight (racking the slide, clearing malfunctions, ammo management, etc.) can be done without a sling.

Having a two-point sling on a pump shotgun can get in the way of the "press-rack" motion that you need to reflexively do with every shot.

Definitely stay away from the ammo carrier slings.

However having a sling on your gun for a shotgun class is a GOOD thing. When the instructor wants to gather everyone around her to discuss a finer point, or she needs to go downrange to demonstrate a skill, no students should have a shotgun held in their hands. A slung shotgun is like a pistol held in a holster.

Be careful of using a sling stud on the forward end of the mag tube if your gun has a long magazine. I shot off a two point sling once during a class when it flipped up in front of the muzzle on a shot.

The clamp-type attachment points are a bit better.

On my 590, I put a one-point sling attachment point just behind the receiver. I only attach a sling in classes, and its out of the way when its in my "ready-to-use" location.

Agreed. I hate using the sling attachment on the FSB on a standard M4, I always like the sling to be attached just forward the mag well and preferably an end plate hook up point. I suppose I would apply that same logic and preference to a shotgun. I eont think a sling is necessary for a HD shotgun but otoh it is nice to have your rifle/shotgun slung around you so you can transition quickly to your sidearm when running and gunning around the range for practice.

I know.....nobody is likely to ever need to do such outside of a LE or MIL scenario and usually not even then, but sometimes it's fun to go larping around, just for practice's sake if for nothing else....

 

[DustyGmt]

590 I just picked up.

 

[L-2]

I've got an 18.5" 590A1 Mossberg and two Remington 870, 18.5" and 14", all in 12 gauge.
They're all set-up about the same as, over-the-years, I've become accustomed to the how I like these guns.

-weapon-lights on each, although the light brand/model differs on the 14" (Surefire fore-end lights on two of them; the other has a Magpul fore-end with a Pic rail section attached to use a Surefire X300 or Streamlight TLR-1 type light.
-4-round Tacstar side-saddles on the receiver;
-5 or 6 round Esstac or Spectergear ammo carriers on the butt-stock (right side of stock).
https://esstac.com/
-slings on each. These vary as to what I might have had laying around already or bought years ago (Spectergear 3-point {but used as a 2-point}, Magpul 2-point; TacticalGunSlings; or whatever was laying around.
https://tacticalgunslings.com/tactical-slings/

In some cases, I've drilled into the synthetic stocks to put sling swivel mounts on the side instead of just the bottom. I've changed back & forth between the old style sling swivel or the newer QD socket types. I've put these sling mounts also onto the ends of the mag-tube caps or using the GG&G side-mounted sling attachments (but these might have come with the Spectergear slings).
http://www.spectergear.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=160

I probably tried a shell-holder sling years ago (I don't really remember). If I did, I either didn't buy one or gave it away if I did. The shells either didn't allow me to use the sling as I'd like. It did keep more ammo with the shotgun, but just plain got in the way along with the rounds constantly wanting to fall out. I suppose it would be just ok, if you just want to have more ammo with the shotgun and not actually use the sling much to carry the shotgun. I'm used to quickly slinging the shotgun over either my left or right shoulder at a moment's notice or slinging and shooting in either 2-point style over my left shoulder as I do also with my AR15 guns.

I'm a bit frustrated with the Remington brand as currently, the various models are hard to get; Remington won't want to service/repair my older pre-Remarms shotguns; and spare parts seem to be non-existent should I need any. Thank goodness my 870s haven't ever broken, so far.

Mossberg 590A1 models also seem to be hard-to-find, which might just be a Covid-supply-chain temporary issue (I hope). As with the OP, I have seen some regular 500 and 590 tactical models here and there when I went out gun-shopping during the last 2 weeks.

That's all. I've already said too much.

 

[luzyfuerza]

Agreed. I hate using the sling attachment on the FSB on a standard M4, I always like the sling to be attached just forward the mag well and preferably an end plate hook up point. I suppose I would apply that same logic and preference to a shotgun.

That's the way I like to sling my MSRs, too. I've just never found a way to attach the front of a two-point sling close to the receiver of a pump. On an autoloading shotgun it might be easier.

One thing I forgot to point out above is that a two-point sling with the front mount in front of the slide gets in the way of an integral slide/light. The TL Racker on my 590 doesn't work nearly as well with a sling in the way!

And I believe that every defensive shotgun should have a light either mounted to the slide or integral to it.

 

[DustyGmt]

Just to add, I wasn't really looking for one of those full on 26rd bandolier slings, but I do like the Butler Creek style that has 4 elastic cartridge holders, 2 at the top, and two about 1/3 of the way down but I suppose with the size of a 12ga shell along with the weight it very well probably is a lil impractical. Probably be great for a hunting gun but maybe not so much for a tactical/defensive setup.

 

[DustyGmt]

That's the way I like to sling my MSRs, too. I've just never found a way to attach the front of a two-point sling close to the receiver of a pump. On an autoloading shotgun it might be easier.

One thing I forgot to point out above is that a two-point sling with the front mount in front of the slide gets in the way of an integral slide/light. The TL Racker on my 590 doesn't work nearly as well with a sling in the way!

And I believe that every defensive shotgun should have a light either mounted to the slide or integral to it.

Yeah I'm trying to work out a solution for a light right now, I don't really want a Racker/integral light. I'm thinking a small pic rail section and a 1"GG&G mount with a Surefire G2L or other equivalent quality light or possibly a TLR-1. Not sure if the TLR-1 series of lights are made to withstand heavy recoil from a 12ga but I'd imagine they are up the the task.....

 

[luzyfuerza]

I've tried two different versions of pic-rail mounted lights (a G2L and an Inforce WML) plus the TL Racker.

The G2L and Inforce both work fine when the slide is stationary. I use that approach on my ARs. But it is virtually impossible to keep your finger or thumb on their buttons when you rack the slide on a pump shotgun. The TL Racker is much easier to control, even while racking the slide.

 

[KenW.]

I use a picatinney rail clamped to the mag tube for a sling mount. The factory one up front interferes with the bayonet.

 

[DustyGmt]

I use a picatinney rail clamped to the mag tube for a sling mount. The factory one up front interferes with the bayonet.View attachment 1055584

Keeping the bayonet on and ready for action eh? Interesting. Don't see so much of that since WWII, I like it.

 

[KenW.]

The bayonet is just for photo ops.

 

[DustyGmt]

The bayonet is just for photo ops.

It looks mean as all heck with the skewer on there. If our mil still fought in certain battlefield conditions, trench warfare, etc... that would be the shotgun to do it with. I also think the old 870's, the Nat'l Guard Wingmasters look awesome with the Bayonet on them too.

I'm just curious if it was just a blanket requirement that never changed when the DoD specs out a shotgun that it must have a bayonet lug. Does anybody know of any bayonets being employed on shotguns in the military since the Vietnam War? I know shotguns are more prominently used for door kickers and breaching but other than that, are bayonets ever used in combat anymore, ever? Or is it just a very old requirement that a shotgun or rifle must have a lug to even be considered for mil use?

 

[CopperFouling]

As far as the sidesaddle goes, some fairly serious shotgunners on another forum attach Velcro directly to the receiver and use the Vang Comp cards.

I bought the Vang Comp side saddle with the cards, but I don’t know now that it is 100 percent necessary, and it was not cheap.

if you buy the EsseTac ones, I’d like to know what you think of them.

 

[amd6547]

The bayonet is most useful these days for guarding and moving prisoners. A blade on the end of a 12ga is a good persuader...nobody wants poked in the leg or elsewhere.
I believe I read about a successful bayonet charge by French troops in Korea...?

 

[L-2]

For Post_23,
The Esstac cards stay put on either my stock or receiver (I use the 5-shot 12 gauge size).
I did need to replace the velcro material at one time as it began to peel off. I just needed to re-clean the area with rubbing alcohol and put a new piece on.

The Esstac cards themselves do tend to curl at the ends a bit once rounds are inserted into the elastic loops, but the there's still enough material in the center of the card to keep the cards in place while shooting.

For Post_17,
The TLR-1 lights do work well on my 870 14" shotgun.
As I have a few TLR-1HL lights, I did have one go out, from a broken/fractured switch, but this was from handgun use on my work G17gen4 and years of use. Unlike Surefire, Streamlight doesn't particularly warranty its product 100% for free after purchase, but will sell a replacement switch either directly or through an online supplier.

With a Surefire X300, I had one go out and don't think it failed from shotgun use, as Ii don't think that one got used on my shotgun. It probably just electronically failed due to daily use, which might entail dropping it (clumsy me) or routine banging it around while on my handgun. I've also broken a switch or two with Surefire's handgun lights. Surefire replaced the light under warranty even though it could have been 10 years old by the time it failed.

If something fails, you might need an immediate replacement, btw. The warranty replacement, either for parts or an entire light, could take several days or weeks by the time a new light/part arrives, including sending your broken light/part back first. It might be good to have at least one extra light, especially if it's something you go to work using.

Even though I'm now a retired-LEO, things will still break and in some cases, I'm shooting more now than when I was working.