Mossberg 590/590A1 series [Archive]

Linebacker

01-01-16, 21:29

For anyone that's bought one of these recently, how's the overall reliability/QC?

Well, it has replaced the 870 as the go-to shotgun for the US Military. In short, it is the most relaible shotgun in the world. I sent my new 590A1 to http://aimprotactical.com/ and they returned a wonderfully gunsmith'd and conditioned firearm in return. If I had to do over, I would have purchased directly from them in order to avoid transit costs...

SpyderMan2k4

01-01-16, 21:50

I got one new early this past summer. I've been pleased with it. The one issue I had, which apparently isn't completely uncommon, is sometimes longer rounds would jam into the cutout of the barrel that the bolt locks into. Once I realized that was the cause of my issue, I rounded the forward edge slightly and haven't had a problem since. Overall I like it a little more than my 870.

cutter_spc

01-01-16, 23:44

I bought 18" A1 about two years. Got it home installed the barrel and sighted down the gun and noticed the front bead looked crooked. I twisted the bead with my fingers and it fell on the floor, lol. The sight had been installed cross threaded and the barrel threads were toast. I contacted Mossbergs costumer service manager via email (took some digging to find his contact info, but I like dealing with the top) and he shipped me a new barrel with a prepaid shipping box for the old one. The gun has been flawless ever sense.

Looking back though, I should have just got the regular 590 and added the metal parts myself, the A1 is one heavy gun, that barrel is a beast!

26 Inf

01-02-16, 14:00

I'm slowly being won over to the Mossberg 590 series, especially the 590A1. The 590A1's are heavier - but they always go bang. I wouldn't have a 500 Series Mossberg for HD if you gave it to me, though.

The thing that I see in the Mossberg police shotguns we see and use is that they are more finicky regarding magtube springs - they will start having problems well before the Remingtons have.

Additionally, their actions are much more complicated to disassemble for cleaning and they really don't smooth out in use as much as Remingtons do.

All of ours shoot dead on and pattern great and the ambi safety is a major plus.

They are good to go IMO.

SpyderMan2k4

01-02-16, 14:08

I too have the 18.5" A1, and the thicker barrel definitely adds some weight, but keep in mind you can only get 590s in 20" configurations and they weigh the same, except with more mass out front (especially if you top off the longer mag tube).

That's interesting about the springs wearing out faster. Really, it's good practice, regardless of make it model, to swap out both the follower and mag spring anyway.

I've put WAY more rounds through the Mossberg than the 870 in an attempt to get the action to smooth out and it hasn't. It's still way rougher then the Remington even though it has probably twice the number of rounds through it. That being said, I only noticed it in dry fire... I don't notice the feel in live fire, it isn't any less reliable, and I can run the action just as fast, so it really isn't that big of a deal in actual use.

Tony617

01-02-16, 17:01

I have both the 18.5" and 20" 590A1 and have shot cases of 00 buckshot from them both over the years. I spent more on my 18.5" shotgun since I bought a J&S Hardware +2 extension and light mount. Both of my 590A1's are reliable though.

cutter_spc

01-02-16, 17:09

Tony617

01-02-16, 17:51

I have the S&J extension as well, do they make a light mount too?

I have CDMGear.com MTR light mount for my 18.5" 590A1.

http://www.cdmgear.com/lightmounts.html

I have Streamlight TLR-1s on the mount.

36835

EBAM1A

01-03-16, 11:35

I have a a 590 9 shot that i bought 25 years ago, a M50A1 9 shot that i bought 15 years ago, a 500 6 shot that i bought 10 years ago, and a M590A1 6 shot that i bought last year. I have not noticed any difference in quality over the years. The 590 commercial model has over 7,000 through it and only had ammo related malfunctions. The M590A1 6 shot is now my favorite. It handles better and faster than the 9 shot.

Mrgunsngear

01-05-16, 13:11

Another 18.5'' owner here (I have both actually but prefer the 18.5''). In today's market when Express guns are questionable the 590s really are a lot of gun for your money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsJGi7Rwdhs

acjones20

01-08-16, 08:02

I have a 6 shot 590a1 that I'm SBS'ing to 14 inches. It's a great shotgun, ambidextrous and is ready to mount an optic rail from the factory.

SpyderMan2k4

01-08-16, 08:54

I have a 6 shot 590a1 that I'm SBS'ing to 14 inches. It's a great shotgun, ambidextrous and is ready to mount an optic rail from the factory.
This is what I want to do with mine. The thing, though, is I would like to cut the barrel flush with the magazine tube, which would be 15 inches.

Relative to the trigger group, Mossberg receivers sit between 1 and 1.5 inches further back than an 870. So a 590 with an 18.5" barrel is going to be 1-1.5 inches shorter than an 18.5" 870, assuming the LOP is the same on each gun.

Because of that, I can have a 15" 590 that's the same OAL as a 14" 870, but the 590 will have a higher capacity. To me, that's definitely worth it.

Of course, Mossberg sells a 14" 590 that would be shorter than a 14" 870, but then that 590 has one less round capacity than a 15" 590... I'm willing to give up 1 inch of barrel to gain a round, especially when where OAL is still pretty short.

Not to mention, to use a factory 14" barrel on the 18.5" 590, the magazine tube and action bar assembly need to be replaced with shorter ones, which really starts adding to the price of converting.

09stanggt

01-08-16, 11:07

I have the #51520 model. It has GR sights and a shorter LOP, 13", which gives you a wooden rather than plastic stock. Only things I've done is added an aluminum railed forend, w/ SF 6p light, and a 2 shot extension. I had an 870HD, like this much more.

acjones20

01-08-16, 12:02

This is what I want to do with mine. The thing, though, is I would like to cut the barrel flush with the magazine tube, which would be 15 inches.

Relative to the trigger group, Mossberg receivers sit between 1 and 1.5 inches further back than an 870. So a 590 with an 18.5" barrel is going to be 1-1.5 inches shorter than an 18.5" 870, assuming the LOP is the same on each gun.

Because of that, I can have a 15" 590 that's the same OAL as a 14" 870, but the 590 will have a higher capacity. To me, that's definitely worth it.

Of course, Mossberg sells a 14" 590 that would be shorter than a 14" 870, but then that 590 has one less round capacity than a 15" 590... I'm willing to give up 1 inch of barrel to gain a round, especially when where OAL is still pretty short.

Not to mention, to use a factory 14" barrel on the 18.5" 590, the magazine tube and action bar assembly need to be replaced with shorter ones, which really starts adding to the price of converting.

I just ordered this from Mossberg http://shockwavetechnologies.com/site/?page_id=2874 and sold my 18.5 front end on the EE. It sold in a few days. If I'm getting a stamp, I wanted the full effect :D

U&A

01-15-16, 15:21

20" 590A1 owner here.

would't have it any other way. I have more fun shooting a shotgun than anything else.....no...no, the AK is more fun......no, the shotgun,..AK....Shotgun....AK..shotgun http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/smiley_faces/juggle-smiley-face.gif (http://emoticoner.com)

lawusmc0844

01-15-16, 22:11

I bought a 590A1 SPX over 2 years ago. I don't shoot my shotguns much but the SPX is a beast, its heavy but runs 100%. I also have a Nighthawk customized 870 but it has been sitting in the safe for over a year, so yes, I am a Mossberg guy.

mutedblade

01-17-16, 14:37

My cousin has a 590A1 Blackwater with 20" barrel. It's a heavy son of a gun but it goes boom when desired and the barrel is straight. Compared to my brothers new 870, it is a work of art. The Remington has some serious issues with the barrel being warped and ejection problems galore. While at the gun show in Chantilly, we looked at all of the Remington's and found that about 50% of the new production 870's had the barrel issue (probably ejection problem too). I prefer the older 870 to the 590A1 but the Mossberg to the newer 870 express.

I've heard tale of a PD getting a load of new 870's that sheared the barrels at the magazine lug from low recoil buckshot. Quality at Remington since Freedom group took over is atrocious. Personally, I'd have no problems recommending a new Mossberg 590A1.

b2dap1

01-17-16, 15:44

I have the 9 shot 590A1 Magpul. Its never let me down. Ive been wanting to send it off to Aimpro for some work. Ive heard good things.

Slater

01-17-16, 16:21

It's kind of a shame that some have rated the Chinese-made Hawk 982 (870 clone) as being a better gun than the Remington product.

lawusmc0844

01-17-16, 21:22

Tomac

01-18-16, 18:01

It's kind of a shame that some have rated the Chinese-made Hawk 982 (870 clone) as being a better gun than the Remington product.

Years ago I bought a couple of the Hawk 982's as beater/starter shotguns for my son & his best friend. I initially replaced the follower & springs, but after that they've beat/used the heck out of those clones and they've never missed a beat. Wish I could say the same about some of the 870's I've used during that same time period.
Tomac

SpyderMan2k4

01-18-16, 18:42

Just because something is made in China doesn't mean its crap. There are plenty of shit American products too, QC is the most important factor IMO. I remember seeing a NIB 870 Tactical at a shotgun course a few years ago that couldn't even chamber a round. The other 870s had problems with small parts breaking and feeding/extraction issues too.
Yep. To be fair, the inside extractor on my 590 broke off the last range trip I had... But at least it's got 2 extractors and it still functions, though the ejection is considerably more sluggish.

Mrgunsngear

01-30-16, 02:15

It's kind of a shame that some have rated the Chinese-made Hawk 982 (870 clone) as being a better gun than the Remington product.

If we're talking about the Express models, count me as one of them.

billj47

02-06-16, 16:19

590A1 USSM 50676.jpg

SpyderMan2k4

02-07-16, 16:43

If we're talking about the Express models, count me as one of them.
I've been hearing that more and more. You wouldn't happen to know which aftermarket Remington parts and accessories (stocks, forends, etc) work on that clone, do you?

hotrodder636

02-07-16, 18:45

I can only compare my 590A1 to my Benelli M4... and that is not really a comparison. Both are very good performers for what they were designed to do. I am more than happy. I have the standard barrel 590A1 with rear ghost ring sight.

Moshjath

03-07-16, 17:44

Sorry for the slight necro post...has Mossberg discontinued the 6 shot 590A1 variants? Can't find them on their website at all. I wonder if they are replacing them with the 7 shot variant. I wanted to purchase a 6 shot, as it is the same as our issued Mossbergs.

Linebacker

03-07-16, 17:57

Moshjath

03-07-16, 17:59

Thanks! I should go ahead and get one. Haven't had great luck with privately owned 870's, our issued Mossbergs work great.

usmcchet9296

06-21-16, 23:49

For anyone that's bought one of these recently, how's the overall reliability/QC?
I have a 18inch fluted barrel 590A1 that came with Magpul furniture
put a S&J Hardware +2 extension, GG&G quick release mount, Truglow tritium front sight, 6 round side saddle
What can I say about it
its a god damned tank and it runs like a athlete
gun cost me 405.00 than the upgrades a few hundred more but for an investment of somewhere around 700.00 I have an ultimate SHTF gun
https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7371/26671823423_8e8962ec4a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/GCU4Sx)Mossberg 590a1 (https://flic.kr/p/GCU4Sx) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7391/27277656595_dd3044d7e1_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Hyr7Y4)Mossberg 590a1 (https://flic.kr/p/Hyr7Y4) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7349/27277668315_3f62c7a47a_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Hyrbs8)Mossberg 590a1 (https://flic.kr/p/Hyrbs8) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7722/27243886616_9935ff4882_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/Hvs3k3)Mossberg 590a1 (https://flic.kr/p/Hvs3k3) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5754/21852917884_323ee6cd71_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zi4V9h)Evil black guns (https://flic.kr/p/zi4V9h) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/765/22287684400_a4fa5da6b0_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/zXud5G)Evil black guns (https://flic.kr/p/zXud5G) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

Ignore the match saver
I ditched that

mbinky

07-06-16, 12:46

590A1 with 18.5" barrel. Model 51517. I added the wood I like the look and it has a slightly shorter length of pull.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/901/mHef22.jpg

usmcchet9296

07-06-16, 13:09

Finished my 590A1
Specs. 18.5 inch barrel, Magpul furnature (Quick release cups/offset light mount/Switch holder), Arch Shell Holder 7 rnd, GG&G quick release forearm, Promag enhanced safety, TruGlow tritium front sight, Surefire 951 flashlight and tape switch.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7408/28016395992_0140b2d317_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHmsd)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHmsd) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7374/28016395242_5b3e4eb173_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHmeh)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHmeh) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7460/28016394392_8b770fab9f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkYC)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkYC) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7286/28016393782_78f77e4893_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkN7)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkN7) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr
Added skateboard grip tape to the forearm
https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7649/28016393022_4dcdae564b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkz1)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkz1) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7326/28016392262_d11cff3a47_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkkU)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JFHkkU) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7402/28119032535_1bd3152b40_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JQMoHM)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JQMoHM) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7451/28119026145_cb150d638e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/JQMmPB)590A1 complete (https://flic.kr/p/JQMmPB) by John Hermesmeyer (https://www.flickr.com/photos/jhermesmeyer/), on Flickr

usmcchet9296

07-06-16, 13:09

590A1 with 18.5" barrel. Model 51517. I added the wood I like the look and it has a slightly shorter length of pull.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/901/mHef22.jpg

Dude that wood is giving me wood
if I ever get a 590A1 with the 20inch barrel id love to do that

mbinky

07-06-16, 23:33

Protecting some SPAM and jalapeño stuffed pork chops :)

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/924/LiFGie.jpg

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/800x600q90/922/Qxsr3v.jpg

Falar

07-07-16, 13:13

I bought a 590A1 with the M4 style stock and grip. The front site is apparently glued on as mine fell off and when I looked at it appears to have just been held on by an adhesive.

I had a 590 years ago but I liked the sight setup on this and that the plastic parts were steel on it along with a heavier barrel to remove the need for a heat shield. This issue leaves me disappointed. Looks like the ramp that the blade sits on is also soldered onto the barrel....I hope it stays on.

williejc

07-07-16, 19:49

I've owned several Mossberg pumps, enjoy tinkering with them, and currently have a 590a1. It and another 590a1 had mis-feed issues because of defective shell interrupters. The company sent me new parts which worked. Two off the rack Walmart 500's had identical problems. Other models with factory defects have been described on the forum. Mossberg designs are simple; the corporation is wealthy; and I don't understand why they can't be more successful in managing quality control. My biggest complaint is that their customer support maze is not easily navigated. He who lacks time, some product knowledge, a little luck, and a touch of assertiveness will soon be frustrated.

Mossberg enjoys claiming that their shotgun passed a mil-spec requirement of shooting a giant number of 12 ga buckshot shells without failure. They don't say that their shotgun may have been the only entry or tell us that Remington did not submit a bid because Remington already knew that their bid could not or would not be lower than Mossberg's bid. Mossberg is implying(without vigor)that the 590a1 beat out the Remington 870, and would like us to infer that the 870 did not cut the
mustard. It was absent on purpose.

The 870 made like it was until recently was in a class by itself and was no clunker. My Mossberg 590a1, which I like and recommend, may be a clunker even though it passed the milspec test, blah, blah, etc. Once again, let me encourage all to buy at least one of the older 870's. 1000,000's abound. Get one.

Linebacker

07-31-16, 21:45

I purchased both my 590A1 and 870 Police Magnum from these guys who gunsmith them into perfection. I would not trust either without doing so.

http://aimprotactical.com/

U&A

07-31-16, 22:13

I purchased both my 590A1 and 870 Police Magnum from these guys who gunsmith them into perfection. I would not trust either without doing so.

http://aimprotactical.com/

Yup. Those darnd pump action shotguns are just to unreliable to trust in factory form.

Alliance96

08-07-16, 16:42

I enjoy my 590A1. It is a tank for sure. Still testing buck shot loads though

Circle_10

08-10-16, 20:40

I bought a 590A1 with the M4 style stock and grip.

How do you like that stock on it?

Years ago the new armorer at my place of employment got the bright idea to put AR style stocks on our 590s. He ended up getting fired for insubordination but his legacy lives on in those stupid ass AR stocks on the 590s. They are the Knoxx/Blackhawk "recoil reducing" stocks but the first time I fired one with that stock on it I felt like I'd just been kicked in the jaw, I find them much less comfortable to use than the conventional style Speedfeed stocks, it really felt like I had to cram my face down on the stock to get a proper sight picture through the ghost rings. Plus, with a pistol grip stock you can no longer manipulate the Mossberg tang safety with the thumb of your firing hand, or reach under the gun with your middle finger to depress the action lock.

If I were going to "upgrade" my 590A1 I'd probably go mbinky's route and get some wood for it, and possibly a heat shield.

jaholder

08-12-16, 11:55

My old school 590 with speed feed stock and 5 shot receiver saddle is my go-to HD shotgun, has been ever since I bought it used-unfired at a LGS going out of business for $400. My other go to is an older 870 20 inch that I had to replace a water damage stock and add a tube extension and meprolite bead, but it's as GTg as the 590.

I know of 2 instances where 870HD's were bad out of the box. In the powder finish process powder coat had intruded in between the bolt and firing pin and had cemented the frozen in place. The only way I'd buy one today is if I personally checked it out the bolt myself first.

Slater

08-12-16, 12:20

I didn't realize that 870's were powder coated.

williejc

08-13-16, 23:43

I've had three security type shotguns fail out of the box. One was an 870 riot gun(as it was called in 1982). The other two were 590 series weapons. Such is not uncommon with handguns or long guns. My point: armorer inspection before issue is and has been an essential step for many decades but not everyone is aware of this fact. Probably, most here are. In the 1960s I read an article in the NRA magazine about FBI weapons and pre-issue inspection by their armorers. The information surprised me. During this time when our military and Colt were working to debug the M16 and its ammo, the same magazine presented an article about the Marine Corp and weapon acquisition. It said that the Marines had some of their guys at the Colt plant, and they inspected and fired each M16 before accepting it.

daniel87

08-14-16, 02:40