Mossberg Question 500/590

[zx12rider]

I bought a mossberg pistol gripped shotgun with the doorbuster barrel. It has the large mag tube "end cap", and matte finish which I thought made it a 590, but the gun is stamped 500. I think it's considered the tactical. My question is if the mag tube and finish is not the only difference between the 500 and 590, what else is?

 

[Landlocked Pirate]

My question is if the mag tube and finish is not the only difference between the 500 and 590, what else is?

From what I understand those are the only differences. Still, for some reason, the factory designates some of their guns 500's even though they have the end cap.

Here is a reply from Mossberg customer service to a similar question of mine a while back:

Thank you for your e-mail. The model that you are referring is the 500 model but it's only in a phospate finish , Many marines use this models, that come with bayonte lug and heatshileds, We have models that look similar to the 590 . This models differ in that the 500 is for 6-shot and also is available in 8-shot. There are more variety of barrels it's chambered for 2 3/4" shells 5 in the magazine tube and 1 in the chamber . The 590 also have blue finish barrels, mariner , and phosphate finishes but this are chambered for 6 shot and 9 shot. For this model the barrels won't interchange with the 500 and we only have 20" barrels in blue finish . If you would like I can send you a catalog 2007 so you can see the new models of the 500 in phosphate finish and the 590 models. Thank you.

 

[Daniel1120]

As far as I know, the bayonet lug, and the way the barrel mounts, and tube capacity. Some 500's come with factory heat shields and some 590's don't. Check these out to see the barrel mounts difference.

All of the internals are the same, 500 stocks can be used on a 590 and vice versa. Barrels however are not interchangeable. Just so you know, new model 590's and 500's come with plastic trigger guards and safeties, unless you get a 590a1 mil-spec.

As far as the finish, 500's and 590's come either blued or parkerized, neither is specific to model.

500 They are 7+1, or 5+1
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111929162

590 8+1
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=111355532

The 500 breacher, like you have, is a little of both. The barrel mounts similar to a 590 but no bayonet lug. Should be 5+1.

Btw, I do own both.