Opinions Please - Mossberg Shockwave 590 12ga - Coming from a 20ga 870
- Thread starter thegazelle
- Start date
Super, thanks for the suggestion. This is a great learning learning experience for me from you all of you, as I never even thought they made low recoil slugs (I always thought slugs were in fact the epitome of recoil). I haven't heard of Score before (only am aware of Challenger, and I did pick up a bulk case of regular Challenger target loads, and got a couple of cases of the Federal Shortys (it was in #8 shot, though I heard they also have #4 shot, so I should have looked for the #4 too). I will look for Score brand. I will always try to support Canadian industry wherever possible.
Thanks again for the feedback and keep it coming.
I am pleased that I got my old 870 over 12-13 years ago, as I heard in the past number of years the quality of the 870 has gone down. It will be very interesting to see how the 12ga 590 with low recoil rounds compares to my 20ga 870 with regular 2 3/4, 1oz #8 rounds (I pretty much used Winchester AA).
EDIT: Additional question for you all - any point of putting some optics on this? There is a pic rail for optics, but I have seen this shot from hip and some shot in standing position. It seems the older I get the smaller that bead looks...
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Greenhorse six
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you're going to keep it in the shockwave configuration, with the birdshead grip, then , no to optics, you want a " Laser " , Crimson Trace make a receiver mounted unit that looks pretty impressive.
LOL ... I am trying to imagine Brobee shooting clays with a laser .... ROFL ....
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I have a Tac 14 . Put Scattergun Tech sights on it and all good . Found a pic rail with a groove down the middle so if i put it on the sights are still usable if i tried a red dot . Aimpoint T2 Micro went on to see if it was faster and i think it is although the red dot isn't on right now . Plus one shot extension . Had the barrel threaded and use flush fit chokes . It's my tent gun and general bear medicine . Larry Vickers sling . Swapped out the new forend for a slimmer old one . 3 inch mag Brenneke slugs are kinda wicked to shoot but doable as is 3 inch mag 00 buck . Regular shooting is any 2 3/4 that's on sale but won't need anymore soon . Full choke and 3 inch number 4 buck dropped a coyote at 68 long paces .
Thanks 1ABNDT. That is cool - it's fine if it replaces the shell carrier as I don't see myself really using that - I like the fact that it is screwed into the receiver so it is really low profile and doesn't stick out. Will check around the CGN vendors to see if any of them carry this.
Thanks for the links and suggestions.
I'm going to step in, and put my foot down here. lol The OP has confessed to being a small-framed, recoil-shy, light guy and most of you seem to be encouraging him to shoot his first 12ga with a grip like that? With friends like you... lol
I think the OP should pick-up a Mossberg synthetic buttstock off of the EE, some regular #7-1/2 target loads, and get as close to the 20ga 870 experience he can, for a fair comparison. I also think recoil tolerance, to some degree, is a decision. When you start lighting it up with a 12ga, you soon forget the increased recoil.
I'm also mindful of what a buddy of mine said (and I can't remember the exact quote) but the spirit of it was; "I never feel recoil when I'm hunting". In other words, if your targets are interesting enough..getting knocked-around a bit might feel like a small price to pay. Shooting static targets with a shotgun isn't something that appeals to me, but reactive targets or flying clays-now that is fun.
Lastly...I'd never tell someone how to have fun, but I'd steer clear of slugs or 00 Buck until you're able to shoot a half dozen rounds of clays without issue. I'd also suggest that when you're ready to give'r, don't start with those loads. Get that shoulder tenderized with at least a dozen #7-1/2s.
I think the OP should pick-up a Mossberg synthetic buttstock off of the EE, some regular #7-1/2 target loads, and get as close to the 20ga 870 experience he can, for a fair comparison. I also think recoil tolerance, to some degree, is a decision. When you start lighting it up with a 12ga, you soon forget the increased recoil.
I'm also mindful of what a buddy of mine said (and I can't remember the exact quote) but the spirit of it was; "I never feel recoil when I'm hunting". In other words, if your targets are interesting enough..getting knocked-around a bit might feel like a small price to pay. Shooting static targets with a shotgun isn't something that appeals to me, but reactive targets or flying clays-now that is fun.Lastly...I'd never tell someone how to have fun, but I'd steer clear of slugs or 00 Buck until you're able to shoot a half dozen rounds of clays without issue. I'd also suggest that when you're ready to give'r, don't start with those loads. Get that shoulder tenderized with at least a dozen #7-1/2s.
I'm going to step in, and put my foot down here. lol The OP has confessed to being a small-framed, recoil-shy, light guy and most of you seem to be encouraging him to shoot his first 12ga with a grip like that? With friends like you... lol
I think the OP should pick-up a Mossberg synthetic buttstock off of the EE, some regular #7-1/2 target loads, and get as close to the 20ga 870 experience he can, for a fair comparison. I also think recoil tolerance, to some degree, is a decision. When you start lighting it up with a 12ga, you soon forget the increased recoil.
Lastly...I'd never tell someone how to have fun, but I'd steer clear of slugs or 00 Buck until you're able to shoot a half dozen rounds of clays without issue. I'd also suggest that when you're ready to give'r, don't start with those loads. Get that shoulder tenderized with at least a dozen #7-1/2s.
Haha....thanks for your response, my friend. I think everyone is just trying to help, so no worries. I appreciate all the perspectives. I agree with what you said about the enjoyment of the shooting taking your mind off the discomfort. I think what I may do is order/buy a buttsock, but try the bird's head grip first and the push-pull technique, coupled with low recoil shortly loads (they are #8 I believe)...but then again, I may do all this recoil mitigation only to find out that hey, it's not so bad. My problem is I had no idea what my friend gave me to shoot all those 13 or so years ago for his 12ga. Who know, it may have been 3 1/2" magnum loads, who knows...I have had an opportunity to shoot more guns since (including my 20ga shotty), so hopefully that experience has yielded some assistance in dealing with recoil. You never know, by this time next year I may be posting how I am shooting slugs one handed (doubtful, but I can dream).
Thanks again for everyone's reply
If you want to have a standard stock configuration and if recoil control is a concern I can attest to the magpul setup with the sga/ aftermarket adapter and a limbsaver pad ( the adapter allows you ro run most remington factory recoil pads however if you choose to go limbsaver the PN is listed below) this is by far the best recoil control option out there from my experience. I've shot the fab defense recoil reduction models with a spring in them and the mesa hydraulics assist models. I still prefer the sga setup with the limbsaver . If you want to run a factory mossberg stock I conveniently have one available , it is the speedfeed model, it is standard on the law enforcement class 3 590a1 14" ( sbs packs one heck of a punch) and feels better than other plain mossberg wood and synthetic pads , (just compared it to my retrograde and 535 pad and it feels softer/ more squishy...maybe this helps "cushion" felt recoil )
If you want to go the magpul route the parts you need are as followed .
Magpul mossberg sga stock part # MAG490 ($150-$170)
Magpul sga oem buttpad adapter part # MAG318 ($20-$30)
Limbsaver airtech lineup (more recoil control apparently) part # 10805 ($70-$90)
Limbsaver classic lineup ( standard limbsaver, I run this ) part # 10101 ($45-$60) I got mine off Amazon
And if you wish to adjust your cheek weld now that you have a stock and choose to run a red dot sight since you have a picatinny rail the magpul cheek riser parts # is MAG461 (.50 AND .75) and MAG463 ( .25 AND .50)
My .02 cents
, it is the speedfeed model, it is standard on the law enforcement class 3 590a1 14" ( sbs packs one heck of a punch) and feels better than other plain mossberg wood and synthetic pads , (just compared it to my retrograde and 535 pad and it feels softer/ more squishy...maybe this helps "cushion" felt recoil ) If you want to go the magpul route the parts you need are as followed .
Magpul mossberg sga stock part # MAG490 ($150-$170)
Magpul sga oem buttpad adapter part # MAG318 ($20-$30)
Limbsaver airtech lineup (more recoil control apparently) part # 10805 ($70-$90)
Limbsaver classic lineup ( standard limbsaver, I run this ) part # 10101 ($45-$60) I got mine off Amazon
And if you wish to adjust your cheek weld now that you have a stock and choose to run a red dot sight since you have a picatinny rail the magpul cheek riser parts # is MAG461 (.50 AND .75) and MAG463 ( .25 AND .50)
My .02 cents
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If you want to have a standard stock configuration and if recoil control is a concern I can attest to the magpul setup with the sga/ aftermarket adapter and a limbsaver pad ( the adapter allows you ro run most remington factory recoil pads however if you choose to go limbsaver the PN is listed below) this is by far the best recoil control option out there from my experience. I've shot the fab defense recoil reduction models with a spring in them and the mesa hydraulics assist models. I still prefer the sga setup with the limbsaver . If you want to run a factory mossberg stock I conveniently have one available
If you want to go the magpul route the parts you need are as followed .
Magpul mossberg sga stock part # MAG490 ($150-$170)
Magpul sga oem buttpad adapter part # MAG318 ($20-$30)
Limbsaver airtech lineup (more recoil control apparently) part # 10805 ($70-$90)
Limbsaver classic lineup ( standard limbsaver, I run this ) part # 10101 ($45-$60) I got mine off Amazon
And if you wish to adjust your cheek weld now that you have a stock and choose to run a red dot sight since you have a picatinny rail the magpul cheek riser parts # is MAG461 (.50 AND .75) and MAG463 ( .25 AND .50)
My .02 cents
Thank you very much for this, especially the part numbers and pricing. This gives me a lot options. I will PM you separately about the Mossberg stock.
So I am going to grab the Streamlight TL Racker for the flashlight. I am thinking of a laser to put onto the picatinny, but not sure what, if any is good, especially on a 12ga shotgun. I figure this may help with shooting at the hip. I am not sure what lasers, if any, are appropriate and would be rugged/sturdy enough. Any suggestions would be welcome
I put a standard 590 shoulder stock in mine. I shortened the LOP and kept it Factory looking. My Wife usually HATES shotguns but she has changed due to the neutral balance of the short barrel.
I have never fired the thing with the bird head handle. I did this with another gun and found that the novelty wore off. With a stock it just stays fun 250, 500, 750 rounds later.
What am I comparing too? I have a thing for SBS, really! I have quite a few and this one surprised me with how much I like it. When I can add pictures I'd like to show off some fabrication.
I have never fired the thing with the bird head handle. I did this with another gun and found that the novelty wore off. With a stock it just stays fun 250, 500, 750 rounds later.
What am I comparing too? I have a thing for SBS, really! I have quite a few and this one surprised me with how much I like it. When I can add pictures I'd like to show off some fabrication.
1) if recoil will be an issue put a full stock on it
2) if you want to keep the birdshead pistol grip on it, learn how to shoot a pistol grip shotgun safely!
Also get used to birdshot first. A lot of birdshot. Don't fire buck or slug out of it until you get used to the recoil. You WILL get hurt if you don't.
2) if you want to keep the birdshead pistol grip on it, learn how to shoot a pistol grip shotgun safely!
Also get used to birdshot first. A lot of birdshot. Don't fire buck or slug out of it until you get used to the recoil. You WILL get hurt if you don't.
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I had a chance to try this out yesterday. OpSol adapter, Aguila minishells @ size 7 1/2.
Had no problems shooting this. I did not feel any recoil that I could remember (maybe there was some but I had such a hoot shooting this).
I can see, however, where the bird's head grip would be a problem if there was significantly more recoil (which I will expect there will be if I shot buckshot, which I will try). I may swap out that bird's head grip with the full sized stock while shooting 4 buck, just in case.
Thing fed and racked beautifully - the feeding in my opinion is better than my 870, which periodically catches on my fingers. My teenage daughter shot the Mossberg and it was a lot of fun.
Had no problems shooting this. I did not feel any recoil that I could remember (maybe there was some but I had such a hoot shooting this).
I can see, however, where the bird's head grip would be a problem if there was significantly more recoil (which I will expect there will be if I shot buckshot, which I will try). I may swap out that bird's head grip with the full sized stock while shooting 4 buck, just in case.
Thing fed and racked beautifully - the feeding in my opinion is better than my 870, which periodically catches on my fingers. My teenage daughter shot the Mossberg and it was a lot of fun.
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Right on, I was surprised at how comfortable they are to shoot. Even with buck and slugs once you’ve got a handle on the ergonomics of shooting it, I don’t bother shooting it from the hip. I hold it like Brobee does in his videos, I was expecting it to be on the nasty side but for me it’s not much worse than any other 12g with a full stock.
12G recoil isn't for everyone. I let one of my friend's try my Mossberg Persuader in 12G with bird shot and he handed it back to me after one shell. It's shocking to some who don't realize it's going to give them a little jolt or find out the little jolt is a bit bigger than they thought.
A heavier shotgun, like a full sized O/U with walnut furniture is a better bet. The weight will absorb some of the impact and a good aftermarket recoil pad will also help.
A heavier shotgun, like a full sized O/U with walnut furniture is a better bet. The weight will absorb some of the impact and a good aftermarket recoil pad will also help.
Agree with the hip thing. I only did it at first as I did not know what to expect, so I figured if it was bad better to get a rabbit punch than a bonkus on the nogginus.
That being said, I was pretty pleased I didn't fall over. I have several options to move up and then I can then decide what is comfortable. I may try the stock that I bought for this first (I forgot to bring it with me yesterday).
The big win for me is that I now can file that single bad 12ga experience permanently in the past, where it belongs.
