Mossberg -- 9 shot or 6-shot+Speedfeed

[ActionJax]

Ok,
I'm settling in on a Mossy 12 g to purchase. My issue is deciding between the 9-shot 590A1, and the 6-shot model with the (4-shell containing) SpeedFeed stock. Both would hold about the same amount of ammo (9 vs. 10), but I am thinking of the possibility of different TYPES of backup shells (slugs, others), vs the ??? better recoil reduction of having the weight up front on the 9-shot model. The listed (empty?) weight of both is the same, 7 1/4 lbs.

Is it easy to get shells in/out of the speedfeed stock, or is it a jammin' PITA? Would I actually use this feature?

Does the Speedfeed stock have better/worse recoil handling than the standard synthetic stock?

BTW, the gun will be fired quite a bit for training, and employed as a home/community defense weapon, with occasional trips to the clay range (possibly after swapping to a longer barrel). I am thinking of standard bead sights instead of three-dot or ghost ring (unless you all talk me out of it)..... Links are below -- Please advise. Thanks so much!!



Model 51660

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=26&section=products

Model # 51410

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=26&section=products

 

[speaksoftly]

I have had both and prefer the 8+1 shot. The weight up front really does help the recoil and mine came with the speedfed stock as well. You can't go wrong with a 9 shot Mossy 590A1. Best pump action on the market if you ask me.

 

[Youngster]

I'd go for the 9 shot and a buttcuff for the additional rounds. It can be hard to get at those rounds in the Speedfeed quickly and the recoil pad is terrible.

Some individual Speedfeeds won't release their rounds easily while others will spit them out on recoil, with the one I had I had to download each tube by one in order to get my rounds quickly, it was meh.

 

[speaksoftly]

Some individual Speedfeeds won't release their rounds easily while others will spit them out on recoil, with the one I had I had to download each tube by one in order to get my rounds quickly, it was meh.

This is very true. "Meh" is exactly how I would describe the speedfed stocks and I've been much happier with the sidesaddle I later installed. The stock has since been replaced witha Knoxx recoil reducing stock.

 

[zhyla]

I have the 8+1 590 w/ speedfeed stock. It's a fine stock but I find the shell holding capability relatively useless. I mean, it holds shells just fine, but you can't get them out in a hurry. If you think you're going to rip a slug out of your stock in the middle of a fight... you're going to die while fiddling with that speedfeed stock.

Regarding capacity, I wish I had gone with the 5+1. I keep 5 in mine anyways just because of the weight makes it pretty nose heavy.

Make sure longer barrels exist for the gun you want if you're planning on swapping the barrel to shoot clays. I've heard both that the 590/590A1 barrels aren't compatible with 500 barrels and that they are, so I don't know the truth.

If I were to do this again I would just get a 500 5+1. For $150 more I got a cooler gun, but one that is heavier and performs the same function. For $300 more, 590A1's are even heavier and still get the same job done.