
...but it's cool, and I'm convinced I "need" it.
I recently bought one of those 590A1 retro's, and I like it so much, the past love of my life, the 870 wingmaster police (18" I think?...slug gun with rifle sights), has sat in the lock up.
The 590A1 has a ridiculously heavy walled barrel, it's so heavy that it take quite a while to heat up, but once hot, it tends to stay that way for quite a while...hence the heat shield which is a necessity for that gun if you plan on shooting any more than 3 mags worth.
As i get accustomed to the manual of arms for the 590A1, I know, I just know, I'm going to burn my hand when I start giving the Wingmaster some love again if a shield isn't present, having now grown used to palming the shotgun in front of the receiver and rolling it over to charge the magazine.
My only misgiving is that some have complained the shield will move forward under recoil. I'm really hoping that isn't the case, but can see it happening.