So I raced to Wanstalls just before close the other day walked in and immediately greeted by staff.
"Do to have any 590a1's in stock?".
"Yep, check out the 590a1 Black Water".
*quick inspection and request to see the 590a1 special purpose*
"I'll take a 590a1 Special purpose, and a Mesa Tactical 8 shell side saddle, thanks".
In and out in under ten minutes, with the typical great service of Wanstalls stock and staff.
Purchase aside, this wasn't a ten minute decision. I've had a Mossberg 500 mariner in my inventory for several years but never have gave it a lot of attention. I've taken it to the range a few times and maybe into the bush once. It's a nice shotgun, but I've spent so much time around the 870 that its ergonomics just became the norm.
That said, a few months ago I began looking into a 870 police because, quite frankly, I hate the express model - it may be as fine as the old 870 line but I just can't get past it. I will always look at them as a cheap alternative to lower priced competitors that sacrifice a bit of quality and Remington soul.
Through my research I came back to the 590a1 all steel, the military test, and although it has an aluminum receiver, I like the bolt carrier locking into the barrel.
I chose the special purpose over the Blackwater for a couple of reasons. First and foremost was the speed feed stock. How that idea got past research is beyond me. Online reading confirmed that the recoil and even rough carry tends to knock those rounds out. A Mesa tactical side saddle doesn't.
I've been running a dominion arms 12.5 and it's fun on the range and nice in the truck, however, 4+1 is quite hard to keep running on drills. I also found ejection to be hit and miss occasionally.
The 590a1 has the 20" barrel and holds 8+1 and is complimented by the 8 shell holder.
The Finish quality is a bit rough compared to the Benellis of course but for a tactical/combat shotgun it's quite nice.
The sights are nice. The fiber optic in red is nice and much easier to site the a typical brass bead.
The black water did have the advantage of the brand name XS ghost sight. The special purpose come with an LPA ghost sight. Both are nice. The LPA has screw driver adjustments and a thumbscrew quick release. Which is a nice addition on the pic rail and there is room for a red dot.
I was skeptical of the bayonet and found it to be tacky. However seeing that it's an actual Ontario knife M9 standard bayonet it's grown on me. I initially thought the bayo was custom to fit the mag tube of the 590a1. Turns out Mossberg just milled the end cap to fit the mounting ring.
As a whole I think it's actually a pretty cool addition, giving a bit of a tip of that hat to old school trench shot guns and to current issue use in the military.
Over all the shotgun market is as competitive as ever and it really just seems to come down to your price point. For example the difference between my dominion arms and 590a1 are noticeable. Though both do get the job done.
I'll have to get it out on range to see if the ported barrel helps at all, though I'm not expecting much.
Sorry, just a couple pictures.
Future mods are still up in the air. I like the magpul furniture but I'm not positive yet. I have a vickers sling kicking around and may likely use it the magpul butt stock will help with mounting but I'm not sure how to sling the front. Their is a traditional fore sling button that screws into the Bayo lug, but I'll need some metal for the vickers sling.
And again I'll be reading up on lighting options.
"Do to have any 590a1's in stock?".
"Yep, check out the 590a1 Black Water".
*quick inspection and request to see the 590a1 special purpose*
"I'll take a 590a1 Special purpose, and a Mesa Tactical 8 shell side saddle, thanks".
In and out in under ten minutes, with the typical great service of Wanstalls stock and staff.
Purchase aside, this wasn't a ten minute decision. I've had a Mossberg 500 mariner in my inventory for several years but never have gave it a lot of attention. I've taken it to the range a few times and maybe into the bush once. It's a nice shotgun, but I've spent so much time around the 870 that its ergonomics just became the norm.
That said, a few months ago I began looking into a 870 police because, quite frankly, I hate the express model - it may be as fine as the old 870 line but I just can't get past it. I will always look at them as a cheap alternative to lower priced competitors that sacrifice a bit of quality and Remington soul.
Through my research I came back to the 590a1 all steel, the military test, and although it has an aluminum receiver, I like the bolt carrier locking into the barrel.
I chose the special purpose over the Blackwater for a couple of reasons. First and foremost was the speed feed stock. How that idea got past research is beyond me. Online reading confirmed that the recoil and even rough carry tends to knock those rounds out. A Mesa tactical side saddle doesn't.
I've been running a dominion arms 12.5 and it's fun on the range and nice in the truck, however, 4+1 is quite hard to keep running on drills. I also found ejection to be hit and miss occasionally.
The 590a1 has the 20" barrel and holds 8+1 and is complimented by the 8 shell holder.
The Finish quality is a bit rough compared to the Benellis of course but for a tactical/combat shotgun it's quite nice.
The sights are nice. The fiber optic in red is nice and much easier to site the a typical brass bead.
The black water did have the advantage of the brand name XS ghost sight. The special purpose come with an LPA ghost sight. Both are nice. The LPA has screw driver adjustments and a thumbscrew quick release. Which is a nice addition on the pic rail and there is room for a red dot.
I was skeptical of the bayonet and found it to be tacky. However seeing that it's an actual Ontario knife M9 standard bayonet it's grown on me. I initially thought the bayo was custom to fit the mag tube of the 590a1. Turns out Mossberg just milled the end cap to fit the mounting ring.
As a whole I think it's actually a pretty cool addition, giving a bit of a tip of that hat to old school trench shot guns and to current issue use in the military.
Over all the shotgun market is as competitive as ever and it really just seems to come down to your price point. For example the difference between my dominion arms and 590a1 are noticeable. Though both do get the job done.
I'll have to get it out on range to see if the ported barrel helps at all, though I'm not expecting much.
Sorry, just a couple pictures.
Future mods are still up in the air. I like the magpul furniture but I'm not positive yet. I have a vickers sling kicking around and may likely use it the magpul butt stock will help with mounting but I'm not sure how to sling the front. Their is a traditional fore sling button that screws into the Bayo lug, but I'll need some metal for the vickers sling.
And again I'll be reading up on lighting options.
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