Please School Me

08A42.0t

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im looking to purchase my first 12ga shot gun. Ive read every word of the 590 sticky and 590 vs 870 threads as well as the 500 vs 590. Ive also consumed many many reviews and comparisons. As most of what I have read is 590 vs 870. Im leaning towards the 590a1. Not a hunter or clay shooter.Primarily for target and defense. Lately Ive been seeing ads for the 870 for sale on EE and some looking specifically for a 590a1. If you have the choice what firearm would you pick and why?

I really like the idea that the trigger and trigger guard are steel on the 590 for durability and that the safety is thumb activated.
 
I started with an 870 clone (Grizzly) and it was a good learning gun. Plenty of parts and aftermarket support. But then I snagged a 590A1 off a used rack and never looked back.

I prefer the Mossberg solely for the open loading port so I don't snag gloves on a gate. There's other perks but this was the biggest draw for me.
 
One is a Chevy, the other is a Ford. Given the amount of rounds you're likely to put through it in a year, durability is not an issue. BTW - Sooner or later you'll try shooting clays and make the realization that its a whole pile of fun, and that the 590a1 is less than optimal for said activity.
 
590a1 is a Cadillac. It will do you what you ask of it, when you need it the most. If you're trying to go to the runs, get something lighter.
 
You won’t go wrong with either, both will work well. I would handle both and see which one has the best ergonomics for you. I prefer the 870 due to the mass amount of factory and aftermarket support and products available for the 870, they are both long established and reliable guns though.
 
My advise: go to your local gun shop and handle both of them. See which shotgun fits you better and then make your decision.
 
Thank you to all. Not a lefty. The more research I do I keep coming back to the 590a1. One of our sponsors has $50 off the one with ghost ring 20". Another sponsor has them for more but they are close to where i work. Whats the process for purchasing NR? So far Ive only purchased R and the transfer time on my last purchase, well, hopefully Ill get it before Christmas.
 
My advice for most guns is a reputable brand, and fit before anything. But it's a shotgun, so less so. Between these two, you're even Stevens. I find the 870 to be a little more trim, and I prefer the coated finish as opposed to the Parkerized. The 870 (so long as it's not the extended 'tactical' model) will allow you to easily buy and swap barrels at your leisure. If you want to go with a pistol gripped stock in the future, stick with the 870. Thise considerations aside (more second order consequence), you're looking at two amazing and proven platforms.

When in doubt, buy the one you think is the coolest ;)
 
You aren’t a hunter so you don’t need 3”. You can still find 2 3/4” wingmasters for around $300-350. You won’t find a better pump gun. The new ones aren’t even in the same league quality wise. You can get all kinds of accessories, and the action is smooth as silk. Gun stores get them in all the time but they go quick. EE isn’t the best place since everyone jacks the price's through the roof
 
Thank you to everyone. Now that I have purchased a 12 ga pump action with 3" chamber, am I going to be able to use target loads, for you know, targets and is it advisable to switch back and forth between target and say 00 ? I have been reading about ejection issues but looks like that is fairly unique to semi's
 
Thank you to everyone. Now that I have purchased a 12 ga pump action with 3" chamber, am I going to be able to use target loads, for you know, targets and is it advisable to switch back and forth between target and say 00 ? I have been reading about ejection issues but looks like that is fairly unique to semi's

Yes you’ll be good to switch between birdshot, buck and slugs in a pump gun without having any of the feeding or ejecting issues a semi auto can potentially have. Pump it with authority and you won’t short stroke it, one of a pump action shotguns advantages is its ability to shoot any load.

If you have a barrel that takes chokes you will likely find there’s a certain choke or two that will pattern bird and buckshot well and shoot slugs point of aim/ point of impact at certain distances.
 
Yes you’ll be good to switch between birdshot, buck and slugs in a pump gun without having any of the feeding or ejecting issues a semi auto can potentially have. Pump it with authority and you won’t short stroke it, one of a pump action shotguns advantages is its ability to shoot any load.

If you have a barrel that takes chokes you will likely find there’s a certain choke or two that will pattern bird and buckshot well and shoot slugs point of aim/ point of impact at certain distances.

I've never seen a 590 with chokes. Not saying they don't exist, but they're definitely not common if they do exist.

OP when you say targets, what do you mean? Are you looking to bust clays flying through the sky? Or something else?
 
I've never seen a 590 with chokes. Not saying they don't exist, but they're definitely not common if they do exist.

OP when you say targets, what do you mean? Are you looking to bust clays flying through the sky? Or something else?


Mossberg 590A1 Tactical comes threaded for chokes, at least that’s where their website says. Can’t say I have seen one in person but I’m more of an 870 guy, although I wouldn’t kick a 500/590 out of bed if one crawled under the covers lol.

Check out the description on the 590A1 Tactical, they specifically say it comes with an 18.5” barrel threaded for accu-chokes. Nice looking shotgun.

https://www.mossberg.com/7-shots-now-available-in-mossbergs-legendary-590-tactical-shotguns/
 
Mossberg 590A1 Tactical comes threaded for chokes, at least that’s where their website says. Can’t say I have seen one in person but I’m more of an 870 guy, although I wouldn’t kick a 500/590 out of bed if one crawled under the covers lol.

Check out the description on the 590A1 Tactical, they specifically say it comes with an 18.5” barrel threaded for accu-chokes. Nice looking shotgun.

https://www.mossberg.com/7-shots-now-available-in-mossbergs-legendary-590-tactical-shotguns/

Interesting. Looks like a relatively new model? Wonder if they've actually made it onto shelves anywhere yet...
 
Interesting. Looks like a relatively new model? Wonder if they've actually made it onto shelves anywhere yet...

Seems to have been available since 2018, was looking at a thread on it over on a mossberg shotgun forum that was from ‘18. It seems like it’s the only 590 model that was offered with them, although someone mentioned a run of choked 20” barrels. As it’s the US I’m sure they get more access to things like that than we do north of the border.
 
I've never seen a 590 with chokes. Not saying they don't exist, but they're definitely not common if they do exist.

OP when you say targets, what do you mean? Are you looking to bust clays flying through the sky? Or something else?

Targets such as paper at the range. I did purchase the 590a1 with 20" barrel and speedfeed stock. Havent got it yet but I dont believe its threaded. Im very interested in getting to be able to safely use the tool and maybe in the future some tactical training. AM I correct in thinking I cant fire slugs unless I have a rifled barrel?
 
AM I correct in thinking I cant fire slugs unless I have a rifled barrel?

You can shoot rifled slugs (foster slug) through a smooth bore barrel, sabot slugs are meant to be shot through a rifled barrel or a rifled choke. Hell you can shoot sabots through a smooth bore but you won’t get the required spin to the projectile needed to shoot accurately at longer distances that the rifled barrel gives you, a sabot will likely just tumble when shot out of a smooth bore. You won’t harm the barrel though.
 
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