Mossberg 500 or 590A1?

[restrung]

First I just want to say thanks to everyone who replied to my previous thread. You all were very informative and I learned a lot.

I am pretty sure I want to start with a shotgun and I have been reading good things about the Mossberg 500 and 590A1.

What are the real differences? I plan on using it for target and maybe skeet shooting. I’ll be going to the range with a friend usually but I think he mostly does target but I have always been intrigued by skeet as it seems to take a lot of skill and it’s more of a challenge.

At first I really wanted the 590A1 but now I am leaning more towards the Mossberg 500 because I can swap the barrel for a longer one if I ever do end up doing skeet and I don’t think I would be able to on the A1.

Thoughts on this?

 

[Twogunwilly]

You can't go wrong with either just get a real Mossberg & not the Maverick. Remington 870 is a great option too.

 

[Bananabandit]

Betwern 590 and the A1 are minor differences, depending on your usage. HD or just to shoot some shit, 590 all day long. I dont recall exact differences, I think one may the bayonet lug. Thicker barrel too?

590 will serve you just as good as a 590A1, just has a few extra perks.

 

[cgrutt]

Be sure to get some light target loads when starting out, the 500 kicks like a mule, lol... practice/look up push/pull technique ... treat shotgun as if it were a bow... push forward with support hand while simultaneously pulling back with trigger hand. Lets arms absorb a lot of the kickback so it's not just on your shoulder. Also can move butt stock closer to centerline of chest while practicing this technique. Same idea let more mass absorb kickback. This is more of a defensive shooting posture than skeet/trap but helpful esp. if you are a new shooter (which it sounds like you are) or have smaller build. Good luck!

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Get the 590A1. It has a thicker walled barrel and a metal trigger guard instead of polymer and is mil spec. Not that mil spec is the end all be all, but hey why not? Also grab yourself an M7 or M9 bayonet to stick on the end of it.

 

[Podmonkey]

I have a 590A1 and it is an absolute tank of a shotgun. Seriously, I have dropped it down stairs, more than once, tossed it, bobbled it, punted, knocked or dropped it of walls or tables and once even bounced it out the back of a pickup while my buddy was pretending he was running the Dakar rally in his Tacoma. Its fine, little dinged up but fine.
All that being said the 590A1 adds significant cost and weight to the 500/590 design for no real purpose for civilian or even police use. If you own a naval vessel with tight passageways and bulkheads to maneuver through or if you simply want the catchet of owning a shotgun that was in military service then go ahead and pickup the A1 otherwise get the standard ones. The persuader models even have the bayonet lug.
Have $2,000 to burn? The Benelli M4 is top of the sexy military shotgun food chain anyway.

 

[cgrutt]

I have a 590A1 and it is an absolute tank of a shotgun. Seriously, I have dropped it down stairs, more than once, tossed it, bobbled it, punted, knocked or dropped it of walls or tables and once even bounced it out the back of a pickup while my buddy was pretending he was running the Dakar rally in his Tacoma. Its fine, little dinged up but fine.
All that being said the 590A1 adds significant cost and weight to the 500/590 design for no real purpose for civilian or even police use. If you own a naval vessel with tight passageways and bulkheads to maneuver through or if you simply want the catchet of owning a shotgun that was in military service then go ahead and pickup the A1 otherwise get the standard ones. The persuader models even have the bayonet lug.
Have $2,000 to burn? The Benelli M4 is top of the sexy military shotgun food chain anyway.

+1 on Benelli M4 ... but note $2000 is only price of admission, lol... cost is significantly more after adding the bells and whistles...

 

[Podmonkey]

 

[Bananabandit]

If I wasn't working, Id pull out my 590 8shot Mariner. Cost a pretty penny but no regrets from me. I could've got an A1 but for my usage, it wouldnt make sense.

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Basically you can't go wrong with whichever Mossberg you pick. They are tried and true good quality and value. It's just that you might not be as cool as other kids depending on the model you go with.
For me, I was really happy with my basic 500 and then I saw the 590A1 and have since made a project out of my 500 and converted it to a 590A1.

My dick is now substantially the same size as it always was.
Feast your eyes...

 

[Mk44]

Mossberg 500 or 590A1...

The Moss 590A1 has a thicker walled barrel (more weight), has a metal trigger guard. 18" -20 " barrel. extended mag tube. A choice for law enforcement, military & home protection. A nice shotgun.

But if your intentions is to participate in skeet/ trap/ target shooting with it. I would recommend the Moss 500 because you'll want to have a longer barrel on your shotgun for the sport. Some thing like a 26"-30" barrel. an extended mag tube is not needed for the sport because we only put 1 or 2 shells at a time for trap/skeet. There are many options for the Moss500: 18" barrel home defense. 28" barrel for trap/skeet shooting or hunting. or a rifle barrel for deer hunting.

Imo..the Moss 590A1 will look a little out of place on the trap/skeet line. The barrel length is going to be a little short for the sport.
I've seen a guy shoot trap with his 18" home defense shotgun. He said it was all he had.

I started with a Moss 500 with combo barrels (18" & 28"). The 28" barrel spends more time on the shotgun as I visit the range and sometimes hunt with it. I have since accumulated nicer shotguns. but you can't go wrong with a Moss500.
The Rem870 is another good shotgun. it's just what you prefer.

 

[Doc8404]

I have both.
The 500 for nearly 25 years. 590 is heavy compared to it but a much more solid build.

500 just started to engage safety after each round. Pisses me off. Haven’t installed the upgrade kit yet.

 

[Bananabandit]

I have both.
The 500 for nearly 25 years. 590 is heavy compared to it but a much more solid build.

500 just started to engage safety after each round. Pisses me off. Haven’t installed the upgrade kit yet.

Did the government get ahold of that gun?

 

[Doc8404]

What gun.
Not mine.

 

[Acer-m14]

i have a 500AT pump .. try finding out info on that old mule kicker .. my dad gave it to me like 30 yrs ago .. it sat in the corner for 20 yrs when i had it .. got scoped lol drug that old thing back out few yrs ago .. let see if i can tame you .. only shot it with the cyl bore barrel and slugs .. and yeh it takes the 3 inch mags too .. loaned it out a few time .. they got the scope eye too .. lol ..

so what did i do .. got a 1 inch limb saver recoil pad .. cut the stock down to keep the length of pull to fit the pad ..
added all the #9 shot in the butt stock hole i could .. give it some more weight there ..
dropped the scope and just used the orig irons on it ..

shit its a totally different 500AT .. i love shooting it now and shoot skeet with it .. 24/25 is my best so far with the Cyl Bore .. lead at station 4 is like 10 feet lol .. never have used the other full choke barrel i have

 

[ArmedCorgi]

Did we scare OP away?

 

[Bustedknees]

Everytime I think of buying a Mossberg I kick myself and move on to something else.

 

[thegatman]

Mossy

 

[Tinman]

I have a 590 A1 and I love it.

 

[Bob]

When you care enough to send your very best...

8 rounds of 00 “Fuck You” in the tube, with 6 more on the side saddle. Plus 4 rounds of 1oz rifled “No Really, Fuck You” in the stock.