590 or 590 A1 .... ?

Sharps '63

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I'm looking for a tactical shotgun to share with my lefty wife.

She has handled a 590 A1 with the AR type adjustable butt stock and tri-rail forend, finding it muzzle heavy and a bit of a reach for her. We've located a 590 so equipped with an added fore end PG that might make it easier for her to operate. It will come with the original furniture as well.

The July issue of "Tactical Weapons" has an article on the 590 A1 with the Magpul but stock and it said that it bridged the gap between the adjustable stock and a fixed PG type, especially for multiple users, where one is left handed. I'm wondering if this might be the better way to go as I find that I can adapt to her length of pull much better than she can mine.

Anyone got some first hand experience with the Magpul 590 A1 stock? looks weird, but if it works .....
 
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I haven't tried the magpul yet but one thing I notice with mossbergs over say an 870 is that the reach from the grip to the trigger is noticeably longer due to the fact that the action release mechanism of the mossberg pushes the trigger further forward in the receiver.
I have large hands and I notice this....I imagine people with smaller hands might not like it?
 
I have a Magpul set sitting at home waiting to be installed on my 590A1. (broken part, still waiting for vendor to resolve)

I have a Magpul set on my 870 and love it.

I found some discomfort/ache in my hand after repeatedly activating the Mossberg slide release.
Likely because of the reason stated above.

I bought the Magpul stock in hopes it would alleviate the problem by giving my hand a more vertical holding position.
I just need the darn part replaced bythe vendor so I can install the darn thing already!
 
I noticed that the slide release on the PG equipped 590 A1 was a little awkward to operate as a right hander. Don't know how a lefty might fare. This may or may not be a deal breaker as it isn't a big issue in my mind, even though we both have small paws.

The thinner barrel of the 590 may also make it less muzzle heavy for her. She won't be breaking down any doors with it .....

Who stocks the Magpul stock in question and what's the going rate?
 
I'm a Lefty and Proud of it ;) ...and own a Mossberg M590A1 14" compact. As a lefty, the controls on the M590A1 were made for me lol. The slide release I can press with my trigger finger and have a great view of the action, as well as many other firearms, AR's, etc.

I would Never own or buy a left handed gun...to me, they are pathetic. I've been shooting my entire life, even a bolt action rifle, my trigger finger and eyes on target never come off position...I just cycle the action with my right hand resting at the side, trigger finger always griping the stock, eyes always on target....operating bolt with right hand.

Just cause your wife if a lefty doesn't mean anything.

M590 and M590A1 is the A1 model is more solid, combat ready....thick walled barrel, steel safety, trigger grouping, etc. Magpul stocks and fore ends are SH!T ...IMHO....just like their AR stuff....why everybody goes crazy for that sh!t is beyond me....oh, I got magpul lol..bla bla


If you want a quality piece of hardware for your special someone....let HER choose, what ever feel more comfy and easier to handle. Magpul my @$$ ....a stock Mossberg M590A1 Ghost ring sights, 18" barrel 6-shot, slightly lighter than full size 20", nice high visibility red-ramp front sight, fully adjustable Ghost ring rear peep sight, a nice comfy sling, NO side saddle, as it cuts into the trigger finger of a left handed shooter.....make it a SpeedFeed stock holding 4 extra shells if you need the extra capacity.

Get the Mossberg M590A1 Compact 18" barrel, Ghost ring sights, SpeedFeed stock, nice sling, good to go...


Just my .02 ;)
 
I noticed that the slide release on the PG equipped 590 A1 was a little awkward to operate as a right hander. Don't know how a lefty might fare. This may or may not be a deal breaker as it isn't a big issue in my mind, even though we both have small paws.

The thinner barrel of the 590 may also make it less muzzle heavy for her. She won't be breaking down any doors with it .....

Who stocks the Magpul stock in question and what's the going rate?

Pretty sure CTCS (sponsor site Canadian Tactical Cowboy Supply) has them in stock, $119. Only 5% GST if you're out of BC,
 
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500 is lighter and I'm assuming the 590 (non A1) is as well. You might be better off getting a 500 for the wife and dressing it up to her specs. They aren't that expensive...

I have both the 18.5" 500 & 18.5" 590A1, I like the lighter 500 and think the balance is better. Heavy barrel throws it off on the A1, in my opinion. Haven't made up my mind if I'm going to sell either of them, but you can never have too many shotguns.

590A1
590A1wood0001_zps57d524dd.jpg

500
JICwood20001_zps6c5cc649.jpg
 
I am a lefty shooting a 590A1 with MagPul stock and foreend.

I found the OEM stock on the 590A1 (the one with the shell holders) had excessive length of pull which is why I changed it for the MagPul which is adjustable using spacers provided. Unless she has very long arms if she ends up with a 590A1 she will likely need to do something about the stock / length of pull.

I changed the forrend to facilitate mounting a light, the OEM forend is fine otherwise.

It is definitely muzzle-heavy and does not point or swing link a hunting or clay sports gun, but it is designed for an entirely different purpose.

Snapshot
 
I have the Magpul stock and forend on my 590a1 and it is perfect for me. Didn't care for the original stock at all.

FYI there may still be a Magpul equipped 590a1 in the EE. Was a good price too.
 
I did some surfing and those who knock the position of the Mossberg slide lock release (left rear of the trigger guard) have never handled a Win M12. It would appear to be designed for a lefty and everyone seems to have adapted to it very well since 1912.
On a Mossberg 500/590 equipped with a PG, a righty would simply have to orientate the ejection port to the ground and operate the release with the thumb. Keine probleme.

The lighter barrel of the 500 series sounds good as we won't be worried about the barrel being caught in the steel hatch of a ship; allegedly the reason the US Navy wanted the heavier barrel of the 590 A1. The 20" barrel 590 A1 I handled felt very muzzle heavy EMPTY. I can imagine that increases dramatically when the tube is max loaded.

I equipped my wife's AR 15 with ambi controls, including the charging handle. Liked it so much, I bought one of those for myself. As for righties using left handed guns, I can operate her Rem 700 LH .243 just fine from the right shoulder. It almost seems the way it oughta be. Savage(?) thought so too as they came out with a left bolt action bench rest rifle action.

Why lose control of the rifle with your strong hand if you don't have to?
 
Oh, and as for Magpul after market stocks, my AR came equipped with an OD Magpul forestock and PG. Looked kool, but .... Fortunately, it also came with the original M4 carbine forestock which was reinstalled ASAP. Fits my hand and suits my shooting style much better.

I think Colt got it right the first time ..... if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
I love the balance of my 18.5" 500. There's a reason they sold millions of them. Not knocking the 590A1, it's more robust, but do you actually need it?
 
The biggest difference between 500 and 590 is the barrel and mag tube retaining setup.

The 590 uses a very "870" style mag tube/barrel retaining setup which is entirely more user friendly and sano than the 500 setup.
The other 590A1 "improvements" are milspec....heavier/more metal/metal vs plastic/tool steel vs MIM parts.

The 590A1 is certainly stouter than a 500. IF I was buttstrokin' combatants and or usin the damn thing as a club/crosschecker..etc on a rgular basis I would welcome the brick####ouse approach at the expense of some weight and balance issues. Otherwise the gun is a poor handler and heavier than it needs to be.

The oem stock/trigger relatuionship is also too elongated...fits big hands wearing gloves...normal to small bare hands...notsomuch.

No different than the 870 police and tactical weight barrels which are also heavy although less extreme than the 590A1 approach.

I would DEF NOT setup a 590 or 590A1 for a woman....I would go 500 if a Mossy at all.

Where the Mossy has it in spades over the 870 is the Aluminum receiver. The 870 should have offered an ally receiver YRS AGO. Always hoping a company would produce an ally 870 receiver clone.
For a gun packed/carried a lot and shot little...an ally receiver is ideal...significantly lighter overall gun.
 
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