Opinions Please - Mossberg Shockwave 590 12ga - Coming from a 20ga 870

thegazelle

thegazelle

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Hi All:

My LGS has a sale on Mossberg 590 Shockwave. I am interested in picking this up, but it is (unfortunately for me) in 12ga only.

https://g4cgunstore.com/product/mossberg-590-shockwave-spx-12gauge-14-black/

Here's my question, and it's not asking about the gun for a review, as I can do some research on this online.

Part of the reason I have never owned a 12ga is because 13 or 14 years ago, I tried one and the kick was pretty bad (for my frail, wiry frame...and I am older now). I swore I would never buy a 12g and settled on a Remington 870 20ga Youth Model, shooting #7 1/2 and #8 birdshoot loads (Winchester AA).

I have since seen videos of young ladies and young teenagers shooting 12ga and no doubt, you can see the recoil, but it's controllable. So I have to think - if they can bear shooting that, maybe I can too...

I am seriously considering this gun, and giving 12ga another shot (no pun intended). Perhaps there are more recoil friendly loads I can use... Has any one of you out there moved from a 20ga to a 12ga successfully and is it the gun, the loads, developing proper skill and recoil mitigation techniques or all of the above? I think there are much more options with a 12ga for application, and I won't lie - the 590 Shockwave just looks plain cool and it's much more affordable than a Benelli.

I know lots of people will say well shoot whatever is comfortable for you. I just never had a lot of time figuring out that 12ga all those years ago. I shot it a couple of times and said, no thanks, I am not interested. I forgot what kind of gun it was, as it was a friend's with whom I have since lost touch. It was an old gun though. There, unfortunately no way for me to test shoot at 12ga at this time

Thoughts on another chance for a 12ga for me? I am 5' 6", 150 lbs. Not out of shape but not John Cena physique either.
 
Get the Shockwave and a decent stock with a limbsaver pad, then some lighter ammo.
I have never fully understood the reasoning for going to a 20ga over a 12ga , there is such a wide range of ammo choices and ammo availability for 12ga over any other gauge, you can get light or recoil reduced loads and there are mini shells , which are very mild .
 
Hey there:

Thanks for the response. I decided to take the plunge and buy the 590 as it was on sale and as always I really try to do my best to support my LGS.

Unfortunately, there is no stock for this gun - it has a pistol grip.

I ended up getting a bunch of the mini shells as you indicated (Federal Shortys):

https://www.federalpremium.com/shotshell/federal-target/shorty-shotshell/11-SH129+8.html

Apparently in the 590 Shockwave SPX, an adapter can be used in it so that the Shortys feed properly:

https://www.opsolmini-clip.com/

I ordered the above, so should get it maybe in a week or two.

I have to say, I love, love, love the gun. The weight is good (though I know that can be a negative as well as I understand it, less weight = more recoil), but hopefully the short shells would mitigate that.

Do you have a recommendation also for a reduced load shell that is full sized? My goal is not to rely on the Shortys forever, but to get use to them and then maybe move into the reduced recoil full sized shells and eventually to regular shells.

My LGS did offer me some options to try out, suggesting based on my height/size (short and small) and my 12ga shooting experience (nil), to go with 1oz loads or less, though he did suggest to me to pick up a box of slugs, and some 00 buck just for some variety.

I totally agree with you about the 12ga ammo options. Some stores barely support 20ga, and if they do, the ammo is significantly limited in variety.

I would welcome feedback from anyone else who has the 590 Shockwave SPX, and maybe any general suggestions on recoil friendly loads, or things to consider when I try shooting these to maybe give me a better experience...

Thanks!
 
thegazelle said:
....

Do you have a recommendation also for a reduced load shell that is full sized? My goal is not to rely on the Shortys forever, but to get use to them and then maybe move into the reduced recoil full sized shells and eventually to regular shells.

.....
Click to expand...

Have a look at this thread ..... low recoil amo recommendations in there ....

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1594380-Pistol-Gripped-Shorty-Shotgun-League


Borbee's load:

Kent 2 1/2 Low Recoil Training ammo (3/4oz of #8 @ 1200fps)
 
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0faustus0 said:
Have a look at this thread ..... low recoil amo recommendations in there ....

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1594380-Pistol-Gripped-Shorty-Shotgun-League


Borbee's load:

Kent 2 1/2 Low Recoil Training ammo (3/4oz of #8 @ 1200fps)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that information. I actually read through the entire 11 pages or so of the thread. Aside from the load information, I found the discussion about overall length of the firearm very interesting. When I put my new 590 in the safe last night it rested against the wall as the cut outs for the safe were probably another 1/2 a foot higher...lol. I thought I'd look at the specs of the Shockwave SPX, and it comes out at 26 3/8" of an inch overall, which I suppose is still within the NR framework of being above 26" overall.

Thanks for the Kent recommendation. I will have to look for it - haven't seen that brand at my local LGS, but then again until yesterday it's been almost 10 years since I was looking for ammo for a shotty.
 
And this is what I normally use for buckshot and slugs out of my Tac-14 .....

Buckshot:
  • Federal Law Enforcement Tactical Buckshot - 12GA, 2-3/4", 00 Buck, 9 Pellet, at 1145 fps - LE13200


Slugs:
  • Sellier & Bellot - 12GA, 2-3/4", Special Sport Slug, 1oz at 1,345 fps
 
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thegazelle said:
Unfortunately, there is no stock for this gun - it has a pistol grip.
Click to expand...

I think the suggestion was to replace the pistol grip with a traditional stock. You can find used/take-offs on forums (from folks that have upgraded), or go with aftermarket like a Magpul with a Limbsaver butt pad. Note, the Magpul forend needs trimming to fit the shockwave if you want to swap that out too.
 
Oh I see....I mis-read that part, thinking that the traditional stock may have been an option. I love Magpul products, and I just like the sound of "limbsaver". So far the forend feels good, but then again I haven't shot it yet. I do like the feel of the gun more than my 870, maybe because it is shorter.

I do worry about where that safety is and if my hand is close to that and it recoils, I can see it taking a chunk of the webbing out between my thumb and index finger.
 
thegazelle said:
Oh I see....I mis-read that part, thinking that the traditional stock may have been an option. I love Magpul products, and I just like the sound of "limbsaver". So far the forend feels good, but then again I haven't shot it yet. I do like the feel of the gun more than my 870, maybe because it is shorter.

I do worry about where that safety is and if my hand is close to that and it recoils, I can see it taking a chunk of the webbing out between my thumb and index finger.
Click to expand...

No matter traditional or pistol gripped stock, your hand won't be near enough to the safety to bump it. It's on the receiver, not the stock.

5e3XAHU.jpg


Definitely grab the Opsole adapter and run 1¾" shells.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. My hands are small, so I will go get the gun out and grip and show you what I am talking about. For my finger to access the trigger, the rest of my hand has to ride higher - so my hand is a lot closer to the safety than maybe someone else who has bigger hands. I will take a photo shortly with my hand on the outside of the trigger guard so you can see what I am talking about. Unless I am not gripping it right. Photo coming in a minute.


Ok, I just added the photo in the link below. I wonder because my hand is close to that safety if it recoils backward whether the edges of that will cut the webbing in my hand since the safety will be switched up, exposing the bottom edges of that switch. You can see my hands are pretty small.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ae68culg1ifggmq/590.JPG?dl=0
 
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You should have no issues G, I run a 12g Beretta 1301Tac with 1 arm.

A Mesa Tactical Hydraulic buffer tube (reduces recoil) considerably compared to a regular buffer tube. I also have an MDT folding stock adapter.



View attachment 485407
 
lerch641 said:
No matter traditional or pistol gripped stock, your hand won't be near enough to the safety to bump it. It's on the receiver, not the stock.

5e3XAHU.jpg


Definitely grab the Opsole adapter and run 1¾" shells.
Click to expand...

Lerch641, his 590 Shockwave SPX has a birds head grip .... and the hand getting jammed into the safety is a possibility, ... as Hickok45 experienced ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxECBq-f68s

With my Tac-14 my hand got slammed into the trigger guard .... and that did hurt .... and till I made some modifications.

Here is my solution to the problem ...

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1594380-Pistol-Gripped-Shorty-Shotgun-League?p=17080726&viewfull=1#post17080726
 
Cool, thanks IABNDT. Good to know. Without firing this, I am only conjecturing at this point. But have a look at the photo I posted of me holding the gun that I just uploaded. In my view, my hand's pretty close and not experienced handling 12ga recoil I can see that switch coming back and snagging the webbing of my hand.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ae68culg1ifggmq/590.JPG?dl=0

That's an awesome gun you have there. I was looking at Berettas but the price a bit out of my range (saving up for an X95 currently).

It is funny this is coming a bit full circle - I had a chance to buy a Mossberg 500 years ago and decided on the 870 Youth 20ga as it was smaller. I didn't think I could get a shotty in an even smaller size, and I am pretty happy with this recent add.

Now I just have to find that Kent ammo...
 
Thegazelle,

1.) … first ... your new 590 Shockwave SPX does not have a "pistol grip" but a "birds head grip" ... there is a big difference!

2.) Second, yes, there is a risk that when you fire that gun …. that the gun recoils into your hand and that the safety or the trigger guard gets jammed into you hand … and injures you.

3.) You have several options to mitigate this risk:

a.) Hold that "birds head grip" as tight as possible …
b.) Create more friction by wrapping the birds head grip with hockey tape … or like me install a piece of bicycle tubing over the grip. There are also commercial products on the market … like the “Pachmayr Tactical Grip Glove” for the Shockwave.
c.) Or install some sort of sling system that will prevent your hand from sliding forward. I installed a three finger sling loop on my Tac-14 … and it works beautifully for me …
d.) Wear a pair of gloves that help with creating the necessary friction on that "birds head grip".

Tac14_Marine_Sept_2020_lowres.jpg


Hope this helps ….
 
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0faustus0 said:
Thegazelle,

1.) … first ... your new 590 Shockwave SPX does not have a "pistol grip" but a "birds head grip" ... there is a big difference!

2.) Second, yes, there is a risk that when you fire that gun …. that the gun recoils into your hand and that the safety or the trigger guard gets jammed into you hand … and injures you.

3.) You have several options to mitigate this risk:

a.) Hold that "birds head grip" as tight as possible …
b.) Create more friction by wrapping the birds head grip with hockey tape … or like me install a piece of bicycle tubing over the grip. There are also commercial products on the market … like the “Pachmayr Tactical Grip Glove” for the Shockwave.
c.) Or install some sort of sling system that will prevent your hand from sliding forward. I installed a three finger sling loop on my Tac-14 … and it works beautifully for me …
d.) Wear a pair of gloves that help with creating the necessary friction on that "birds head grip".

Tac14_Marine_Sept_2020_lowres.jpg


Hope this helps ….
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification, 0faustus0. I am glad you corrected my terminology so I don't keep embarrassing myself (although it happens naturally anyways, hee hee). Didn't even know there was such as thing as bird's head grip so good to know that.

I will definitely get something that will grip it. I have hockey tape at home - my son plays...well, he played... but the tape is white. I may order that Pachmayr item (don't they made blank shotshell rounds too - I swear I heard that name before eons ago).

Gloves sound good too maybe the kind where the fingertips are bare but the rest is covered.

That TAC-14 looks like a sweet gun!

Thanks again for the suggestions.
 
+1 to inner tube on the grip, makes a huge difference in gripping it tight, I thought it was going to be brutal to shoot as I have some tendinitis with my wrists but it’s not. The birds head grip puts your wrist at the same angle as a full stock, I don’t find mine any worse and I shoot full power slug and buck loads. I use a push pull grip and it helps with recoil, push with the support hand on the forend and pull with the dominant hand on the grip. I liked it enough to shoot grouse with it last fall, was a success.
 
I gotcha, even then, the safety goes forward to fire, and if you experience so much recoil that you hand hits it, that may be "too much" and scale your ammo back.

Or just keep doing it and wear gloves to protect your meat.
 
lerch641 said:
No matter traditional or pistol gripped stock, your hand won't be near enough to the safety to bump it. It's on the receiver, not the stock.

5e3XAHU.jpg


Definitely grab the Opsole adapter and run 1¾" shells.
Click to expand...

Its not everyday that I like a home paint job and cheap aftermarket accessories, but you did a good job with that one. The factory shockwaves are absolute junk, but they can be improved.
 
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