Pre-Purchase Mosberg Questions?

[Roadwild17]

I've got my shotgun purchase narrowed down to the Mosberg 600 Mariner 9-Shot 20" #50299 or the 590 9-Shot 20" # 50665.

Specific Questions?

Difference between 500 & 590?

Hows the Trigger group? Metal or plastic?

I understand the receivers are aluminum, is attaching a side-saddle any problem?

IF I get the 590, I doubt I'll use the speedfeed stock, can you get it with a regular stock?

Any experience with these, how are they??

 

[dfariswheel]

In order:

The differences between the 500 and the 590 are, the 590 is a "hardened" or strengthened version with a barrel mounting system more like the Remington 870 than the Model 500.
The 590 has a thicker barrel and is a little better quality then the "budget" 500.

Trigger groups on both are plastic. Before you get a metal group you have to buy the more expensive military/police quality Model 590-A1.

Attaching a side saddle is not a problem AS LONG as you don't over tighten the mounting screws and "squash" the receiver. Over tightening the screws can actually squeeze the receiver sides inward and cause stoppages.

You can get the 500 and 590 with standard stocks, which is probably a good idea. A number of spare ammo-carrying Speedfeed stock users report that the spare rounds often "bounce" out under recoil or if the gun is bumped.

 

[ArmedBear]

Attaching a side saddle is not a problem AS LONG as you don't over tighten the mounting screws and "squash" the receiver.

If that's not a good reason to get an 870 Marine Magnum instead, I don't know what is.

 

[Hoppy590]

dont get sucked in the "870 is the second coming of jesus" crowd. both the 500/590 and 870 are great guns

 

[ugaarguy]

Trigger groups on both are plastic. Before you get a metal group you have to buy the more expensive military/police quality Model 590-A1.

Wow, and I thought only the Mavericks had plastic trigger groups. I guess it's a 590-A1 for me if I ever get a Mossy.

 

[ArmedBear]

dont get sucked in the "870 is the second coming of jesus" crowd. both the 500/590 and 870 are great guns

The 500 is a fine cheap hunting shotgun, arguably the best. For an incredible price, it comes with a nice finish, a GREAT rib, and great balance, funciton and feel. It flat-out does not last as long as the 870, but very few people who buy one ever find out firsthand, because it takes a lot to shoot the Mossberg to death.

However, if I'm going to put a sidesaddle on the gun, I'm buying the gun with a receiver that won't collapse if I tighten the screws. Second coming of Jesus has nothing to do with it.

 

[research]

In reverse order:

I have the 590-A1 and love it. As the only shotgun so far in this household, it has been used for target shooting, clay shooting, grouse, pheasant, and duck hunting, and 3-gun competitioning. It has done well in all situations. For clays or hunting you have to get a shot off quickly due to the spread making longer distances less practical. After patterning a bunch of ammo brands I have found some loads that hold tighter groups. The capacity is great for the 3-gun competitions. It shoots slugs much more accurately than I had anticipated it would.

I have attached a Knoxx SpecOps stock for the benefit of adjusting to the correct fit for myself, wife, or others. I also love the recoil reduction mechanisms and have enjoyed a day spent shooting 3-inch magnum slug and buckshot rounds. The barrel got pretty hot but the shoulder was fine. My wife also got some great looks when she took it out for clay shooting with some friends.

My original configuration was the normal synthetic stock, which I used for a while. I prefer the simpler stock which serves me well. I did replace the butt pad with a skinnier one to improve the fit. That half inch made more of a difference than I thought it would. I have read the same thing dfariswheel mentioned about the Speedfeed losing rounds due to recoil.

No side saddle info to help you there.

I have the metal trigger group with the 590-A1, no problems there. I have heard that CaCruisin, who works at Knoxx, has put the plastic trigger group of a Maverick (same company, cheaper brand) on his Mossberg because he likes the safety placement better. He's had no problems with the plastic group. Others may have, but I don't know of them.

The capacity of the 500 is 5+1 while the 590 can have up to 8+1. The 500 and 590 can have a heat shield for the barrel as a factory installed option. The 590-A1 does not accept that heat shield due to the heavier/thicker-walled barrel.

Which ever you decide on, practice, practice, practice.

-Research