Mossberg 500 tactical or 590?

I

IshootThings

Inactive
Hello. I bought my first firearm earlier this year and I'm working on my third one. I don't know much about shotguns and as my first shotgun, I am interested in the 500 tactical which I can get for $400 or the 590 (with heat shield) for $380. This shotgun will be use for home defense and range "practice." I like the idea of tactical but the 590 seems to be a better built gun. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!

I'm not sure if there is a difference but guess I should note that the 500 tactical comes with an adjustable stock and pistol grip.
 
Last edited:
I would wait and look around for a 590A1 (with the ghost ring sights). I have a 500 tactical, but would much rather have a 590A1.
 
One vote for the 590. I did like the way they 590 felt when I held it. In the last 10 years, the only shotgun I've fired is a base model 500 and I assume the 590 or 500 tactical would shoot similarly. Thanks for the response.
 
Mossbergs do not work well with any sort of pistol grip. Hold one and try to move the safety to the fire position while maintaining your grip.

If I were going to get an HD Mossberg and money were no object, I'd get this:

mossberg590fullhousesmall.jpg


It's a 590A1 with GRS & speedfeed. I'd get the light barrel version because it's not going to be subjected to military abuse and the heavy barrel is heavy.

In the real world, I bought one of these on sale at Big 5 and added GRS to it:

Mossberg8shot.jpg


because even after adding the sights, it cost hundreds less than the 590A1.
 
Thanks for the responses guys.

Nat, Big 5 has the base model 500 for $300, the 500 tactical for $400 and the 590 for $380. I'll have to hold the 500 tactical and see how that grip/safety issue is. Didn't try it when I looked at it before and I'm glad you said something about it because I'd be mad if I bought it and had trouble with the safety! Thanks!
 
There is a 590 -- it is a suped-up 500. I'd go with that. Then I'd go with the 500 8-shot. Then I'd go with the 590-A1 18-1/2" -- this is a fairly super-suped-up 500-type gun. THEN I'd go with the 590-A1 20". Been there, done that with them all.
 
The 590 is a very different gun than the 590-A1. The former is a suped up 500 which is a great gun to begin with. The 590-A1 is a very hefty military gun designed not to dent the barrel on ships' ladders.
In order of my preference...
  • 590
  • 500 - 8 shot
  • 590-A1 6-shot with a Vang Comp Mag Extn.
  • 590-A1 9-shot

Been there, done that with all of them. And BEAD SIGHTS -- no silly "GRS." Ghost Ring Sights are for rifle/slug shooting, not a shotgun if you know how to use them IMO.
 
I'm glad you got to this thread before me. I couldn't make a choice at first. But I'm definitly buying the 590. It has better perks to it. Besides (certain) attachments.
 
+1 for Mossberg 590A1

My personal favorite is my 14 inch barreled 12 gauge Mossberg 590A1 shotgun with ghost ring sights, a Hogue Youth stock, a Surefire 621FGA Forend Weaponlight, Blackhawk front sling adapter, Specter Gear 3-point tactical sling, and 3GunGear.com 7-Shell Side Saddle, which has a nylon side saddle with elasticized shell holders backed with velcro that affixes to a base on the shotgun receiver. This side saddle carrier allows single-hand removal and attachment so that additional side saddle carriers can be carried on tactical vests or plate carriers and your ammo source can be easily replenished. This shotgun has an overall length (OAL) of 35 inches, which is a nice compact size for manuevering inside a house or building.

47eb4c49-4075-c315.jpg

47eb4c49-408c-2310.jpg


I'm a big fan of the Mossberg 590A1 for tactical use and/or HD, if you choose a shotgun for HD. My PD carries 14" Mossberg 590A1's for duty use in our cruisers. We used to carry the Remington 870's for duty, but we switched to the Mossbergs more than 10 years ago and I'm not sure why we did so.

However, I prefer the Mossberg to the Remington...to me the Mossberg seems more sturdy and solid and I like the placement of the safety better with a rifle stock. If you're dead set on using a pistol grip, then the Remington 870 may be better due to its safety location, but I'm not a big fan of pistol grips on a shotgun.

I do prefer pump shotguns over semis, largely due to reliablity in feeding ammo over the semi in most instantces. I know from personal use that my Mossberg eats everything I've ever fed her! She's a nasty beast!

I'd also like to add that I strongly believe that a light source should be MANDATORY for any tactical or HD weapon, so as to positively identify your potential target! Lest it be a family member, such as a teen son/daughter sneaking back into the house...that could be extremely tragic.
 
The 590A1 is just so awesome it's hard to pick anything else but, there are plenty of 590'a and even 500's I would love to have - Mossberg has so many shotguns I could fill a safe with Mossberg 12ga. HD/Combat shotguns.
 
I have a 590A1 with the 20" barrel. It is rather long and its heavy...but is far faster to get back on target and far easier to shoot than my 870 especially when using reduced recoil ammo.
 
Mossbergs are awesome. I personally own a 590A1 20", and carried a 500 16" for a couple years on patrol boats stateside and overseas. I bought my personal cause we just couldnt make those duty guns quit; and the manual of arms is simple and intuitive to get down with a little practice. In kuwaiti sandstorms, salt air , shooting every kind of ammo from old dirty garbage to crazy high power stuff and everything in between all it ever took was some CLP to keep them running. I've seen em stuck shut so tight that it took a couple raps from a dead-blow on the pump to open the action (NOT advisable, our armorers were..."special";)) and they ran just fine after that (no, I did not personally handle said un-stuck weapons) Overall, they're a tough as nails, quick handling , powerful personal artillery piece I would and have bet my life on.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top