Mossberg 590A1 discussion

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Albertahightest

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I recently purchased and fell in love with a Mossberg shockwave. Now I've got the bug and I'd like to add a 590A1.

Looking at either the 18.5" or the 20" barrel and leaning heavily towards the 20". Id like to hear opinions on both.

My big hangup is bead sight or ghost ring. I have never used anything but beads on shotguns. The ghost ring might be neat but I do worry about it snagging on things. If it's a big improvement for slugs, I'd try one out.

I've got a walnut stock and forearm for it already so whatever furniture it comes with is irrelevant and will be sold.
 
Consider the weight of the 20" variant. A thick-walled barrel is heavy. With a full tube, the 20" is nose heavy. While it's manageable, it's not ideal. The 18.5" is more balanced and is available with ghost ring sights.

No issues with ghost ring sights snagging on things.
 
I own the 18.5” 590a1.
It is perfectly balanced! The 20” model is front heavy when loaded.
The extra round capacity is definitely a plus but both should be fitted with a Mesa tactical side saddle imo.
The weight of the barrel on the 590a1 makes the 590 very appealing as it serves no real purpose to regular dudes aside from awesomeness.
 
The ghost ring sight setup is more "snaggy" than a single front bead sight, no question. The sights just have a much, much taller profile than a front bead. Whether or not it matters to you is a different question. But I'd say it's not particularly snaggy compared to other front/rear iron sight setups. If you haven't tried that type of sights before, it's a risk. I like them a lot, but they are definitely a niche application and they don't make sense for the way a lot of guys use their shotguns.

Both 18.5" and 20" A1 models are pretty heavy relative to comparable models - The heavy wall barrel takes its toll. Personally, I don't love the handling/balance on either because of it, and obviously the longer one is worse (but you get two more rounds in the magazine tube...). The extra weight certainly does help dampen recoil if that's something you're after.
 
Thanks for the input fellas. In a perfect world, I'd be able to try the ghost rings out before purchase. I think it is just not something I "need" on a shotgun. And I must admit, I like the classic profile of the bead a lot more, aesthetically.

I have read about the weight of the 20" and I know that the extra rounds out that far would really add up fast. I do have the 14" model already for long distance carry. This one would see a lot more range use.

Tough decision! I am not so far one way or the other that a good sale price wouldn't sway me.
 
Albertahightest said:
Thanks for the input fellas. In a perfect world, I'd be able to try the ghost rings out before purchase. I think it is just not something I "need" on a shotgun. And I must admit, I like the classic profile of the bead a lot more, aesthetically.

I have read about the weight of the 20" and I know that the extra rounds out that far would really add up fast. I do have the 14" model already for long distance carry. This one would see a lot more range use.

Tough decision! I am not so far one way or the other that a good sale price wouldn't sway me.
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If your a bead guy, you probably won't like the ghost rings. I hated them on my 590's, hated them, but I am a bead sight guy. I hated them so much on one A1 I removed the rear site, sold it on the EE, and ground the front off with a wheel. My 2 cents, look for a model that accepts chokes, or be prepared to have them installed. Unless you are only shooting slugs and flight control buckshot, you need chokes. I sold all 3 of my 590A1's due to the lack of chokes.
 
The 590 tactical in the 18.5 inch barrel shoulders and handles great as well
Yeah it doesn’t have the A1 heavy barrel but it is not nose heavy either
The 590M can be had with the heavy barrel but the mags for them are super expensive and are big and bulky
 
hawkmp9 said:
I own the 18.5” 590a1.
It is perfectly balanced! The 20” model is front heavy when loaded.
The extra round capacity is definitely a plus but both should be fitted with a Mesa tactical side saddle imo.
The weight of the barrel on the 590a1 makes the 590 very appealing as it serves no real purpose to regular dudes aside from awesomeness.
Click to expand...
I'll politely disagree. I ran a 590a1 for three gun for years before upgrading to a different platform with a thinner barrel. I didn't burn myself but I had to be much more aware of hand placement during manipulation/reloads. Also, as a beater gun in truck, quad, or slung there's absolutely no question that the heavy wall models are capable of taking a fair amount of abuse.
 
Decades ago, a friend of mine and myself were on crown land goofing around with some guns. He brought an old 870 and we had some purple paper high brass shells from like the '50's or 60's. I swear the brass was nearly halfway up the shell and they kicked like a mule. He has the gun and pulls the "look ma', one hand!" and pops one off straight up. The shotgun hops out of his hand and crashes to the ground, and yep, dented the barrel good about 10" from the muzzle. A 590A1 barrel would have shaken that kind of abuse off, and certainly wouldn't have dented. It's a pipe. But, as the others have stated it is heavy.
The tall front blade won't really catch on anything, and it is preferred for shooting slugs, but a bead, for me anyway, is faster.
I have the 590A1 Retro w/bayonet mount and love it.
 
Greenhorse six said:
Since you already have one with a 14inch barrel, go for the classic 20in 590a1, with heatshield and bayonet .
It's a Riot...........
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I am not a fan of the heat shield myself. I have a set of retrograde furniture. Think I'll buy a 20" A1 with a bead site. Add the wood furniture and have enjoy. The 20" and 14" do seem like a good pair.
 
Thanks for the help, everybody. I purchased the 51660 tonight. 20" barrel, bead sights and base synthetic stock. Tenda has them for $739.

I will add my retrograde furniture and possibly the larger defender tactical bead. It will be like a retrograde without the heat shield and ghost ring sights.

Again, really appreciate everyone's input.
 
Albertahightest said:
Thanks for the help, everybody. I purchased the 51660 tonight. 20" barrel, bead sights and base synthetic stock. Tenda has them for $739.

I will add my retrograde furniture and possibly the larger defender tactical bead. It will be like a retrograde without the heat shield and ghost ring sights.

Again, really appreciate everyone's input.
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Pro tip, also get the safety upgrade from defender tactical if you go with the larger bead. The safety lever when disengaged acts as a rear sight reference.
That's a good price for the gun btw. Many have paid more for the same.
 
Painkillers said:
Pro tip, also get the safety upgrade from defender tactical if you go with the larger bead. The safety lever when disengaged acts as a rear sight reference.
That's a good price for the gun btw. Many have paid more for the same.
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$825 after taxes and shipping. I'm very happy with that after shipping around. Hard to find one for that on the used market out here.

Very good to know that the safety sight is good. I had seen them and wondered. It seemed a little gimmicky but nice to know it works. Thank you
 
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