To Extend or Not to Extend

[PlayMaker]

I'll be honest...I'm looking for validation and approval...or to be yelled at so bad in knocks some sense into me and the idea out of my head...don't pull any punches. I have my heart and mind set on a Mossberg 590A1 Item #51660:

12 Gauge
9 Shot
20" Heavy-Walled Barrel/Parkerized Finish
Metal Trigger Guard & Safety Button
Black Synthetic Stock
Bead Sight

I would like to say that I do plan on rigorously practicing until I am proficient. I am not one of those who just takes pictures with their guns and then hangs them up for show. I follow Mr. McCracken, SM, Mr. Lapin and ArmedBear's comments religiously (I'm sure there was more but names slip my mind at the moment so I apologize). I just don't want to re-buy the same gun if I ever do decide I want extra rounds. I also plan on replacing the synthetics with wood therefore making it easier to adjust the fit to myself...plus I prefer the look of wood. I plan on going with the bead sight because I've heard that higher sights such as Ghost Rings will affect my cheek-weld ???

Here are a few cons/negatives I've already heard about having an extended magazine tube. I would like your thoughts on how much weight I should put on them. Feel free to add anything I have missed:

* throws balance off by adding weight to the muzzle
* extended mag tube clamp can cause a shift in impact every time it is re-applied (can someone explain this to me)
* lowers reliability by using a spring that is overly long

 

[Youngster]

Normally I shy away from extended mag shotguns for the reasons listed above, however I handled a 9 shot 590A1 the other day and it didn't seem overly front heavy {unloaded at least} and you don't have the extension and clamp issues that you do with a regular extended mag gun.

 

[Al LaVodka]

+1

The Ghost Ring sights are cool but the cheek-weld is a little off -- a tad (which is why the sights on the 930 are WAY too high). I am considering Mossberg's shims to change the angle of the stock actually. After my first shooting it I ordered a bead-front sight. I LOVE the synthetic Mossberg stocks, especially the 4-round SpeedFeed.

Is it a "sporting gun"? No -- it is a serious-duty gun. It is hefty. Buy the regular 8-shot 500. Maybe a regular barrel-weight blue 590. My lighter one has a Polychoke added -- best of all worlds.

Al

 

[Fred Fuller]

The only way to really know what works best for you is to try both setups and see which way you like it. And that means live with each one for a while, and really get familiar with it- not just spend a few minutes fondling in a gun shop 8^).

'Feel' is a subjective thing, and different people like different setups. There is no "right" or "best" way to do this stuff, it depends on what actually works (not 'looks') best for the individual shooter or situation (sometimes more than one family member uses the same gun, in which case the gun needs to be set up for the shortest/weakest family member).

What matters most of all is the shooter's mindset and skillset. Software, not hardware...

jmho, ymmv...

lpl

 

[Fiv3r]

I had a 6+1 870 with a synthetic stock. Had being the key word. I always liked the gun, but after hefting a 4 shot with wooden stock I made the switch.

The factory extended mag always made the gun (to me) feel a little front heavy. The "junk in the trunk" of the wooden stock along with the light front end capacity made shouldering and pointing an absolute dream.

I'm pretty good with a shotgun. It's my tool of choice when I have a choice. In no way do I feel undergunned with only 4 in the magazine.

...but my 6+1 wasn't a bad shotgun at all either Personal preference as to what feels best to you.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I don't see the point of the heavier barrel and metal trigger guard.

Maybe the extra weight will help with recoil, but whatever.

Also, when I have a good cheek weld my eye is lined up perfectly with the GRS.
Then again, I am 6'3" and have a big old head.

 

[Bix]

One of the advantages of taking a standard-capacity shotgun to school is that you get much more practice stuffing shells than your classmates

 

[Rshooter]

I just need to ask, do you want the gun for shooting and will it handle the mission you are trying to fill? If the answer is yes get what you want. I have two guns with extended mags but would never put a flashlight on my gun. There are options and opinions and as long as you practice safe and competent gunning I would not worry about opinions.

 

[Milkmaster]

Just a question first...Why would you buy a gun with synthetic furniture only to change it to wood later? Why don't you buy it with wood in the first place? Is it because the gun you desire does not come with a wooden stocked model?

Secondly...

Don't shy away from jumping into the crowd for a shotgun. Your first shotgun does not have to be your last nor the only one you ever own. I would say that rarely a new shotgunner buys the exact shotgun for his needs the first time out. I sure didn't. It took years of shotgunning for me to discover the exact setup that works best for me. For instance, how would you know that a particular model "feels" muzzle heavy or swings right for you without having experienced the alternative? I would suggest you find a good gunsmith to help you select a model primarily that fits you well for your first shotgun. Your first shotgun doesn't have to be a fancy mall ninja model and can be a used inexpensive gun. Looks and reliability are not always sold as a pair. Past that point it will be a lot of shots down the line of discovery for you to know what you like or dislike. You may trade a time or two before you end up with your favorite shotgun. That's part of the enjoyment of it anyway! Jump in and good luck!

 

[zhyla]

I've got a 9-shot 590. If I had to do it over again I'd take the 6-shot, shorter barrelled version. I have no problem with it but my wife finds it very heavy. That extra half pound at the far end of the gun is significant. I don't really notice it except when I'm reloading and holding the gun up with only one hand.

I recently yanked the heat shield off so I could move my flashlight back a few inches. If I could find a shorter forend I might get one so I can move the flashlight back another few inches. The weight of a flashlight is insignificant, but the weight of it at end of the barrel is considerable.

As Lee points out, as long as you get good with it you will be fine with that gun.

 

[PlayMaker]

Just a question first...Why would you buy a gun with synthetic furniture only to change it to wood later? Why don't you buy it with wood in the first place? Is it because the gun you desire does not come with a wooden stocked model?

That is correct. As much as I'm aware it does not come with wooden furniture. I've read on another forum that I'll have to do a little drilling to get the old style to fit but it shouldn't be so difficult. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2957296

I would say that rarely a new shotgunner buys the exact shotgun for his needs the first time out. I sure didn't. It took years of shotgunning for me to discover the exact setup that works best for me

I understand what you're saying. I just want to lessen those shots down the line of discovery as much as possible.

Thanks Mr. Lapin and zhyla...I hadn't taken my wife into consideration.

 

[DAVIDSDIVAD]

I've got a 9-shot 590. If I had to do it over again I'd take the 6-shot, shorter barrelled version. I have no problem with it but my wife finds it very heavy. That extra half pound at the far end of the gun is significant. I don't really notice it except when I'm reloading and holding the gun up with only one hand.

My ex girlfriend had this problem, but it's an easy fix.

Simply have your wife either rest the butt in her elbow, or hip while she reloads the gun.

 

[Dave McCracken]

What Lee said.

A couple things....

Each shooter has to decide whether an extension is worth the downside.

FWIW, IME the smaller the shooter the harder it is for the shooter to handle the extra weight forward the extension has. A matter of leverage.

Also, experience shows the extended mag equipped shotgun is a trifle slower to deploy. The difference may or may not be crucial.

There's three 870s here used for HD.

Number One, the oldest, has a two shot Remington extension and 18"+ barrel.

Number Two, a 1973 ex-cruiser, has a 20" barrel and 3 shot extension, either a Choate or Remington.

And Frankenstein, with 21" bobbed barrel and no extension.

Guess which is fastest?

Yep, though the times are close. And Frankenstein is least fatiguing.

I didn't notice in times past, but age brings the differences out.

At this point, I'd swap a couple rounds for the getting speed I've lost back.