Mossberg 590 variations

jrfoxx

New member
I have seen many post where people refer to thier Mossberg 590, and am a bit conused as to how one tells the difference in the models/variations.I have seen people refer to a 590A1, model 50665, and SP. Mine came with the "Speed-Feed" stock, gost ring sights,bayonet lug, extended mag tube, and is parkerized (if there are ones that arent), with no heat shield, and unless the difference is very minor (I dont currently have another "regular" shotgun to compare to), the barrel appears to be standard thicknees, and not the thicker one I see mentioned. Mine has no marking indicating anything more than its a 590. What models have what features? Which one specifically is mine? Do some have different features/options but not distinguishing "model" designations, whereasother do? I've looked around and hevent been able to really sort it all out, and Mossbergs website has the LEAST amount of info of anywhere I've looked (go figure, they only make the freakin' things :))
Anybody know what the scoop is with this? I'm kinda curious about it now.
 
A Mossberg 590A1 MilSpec (vs. a standard 590) has these three distinguishing characteristics:

1. Metal trigger guard assembly (vs. a plastic one on the standard).

2. Metal safety assembly (vs. a plastic one on the standard).

3. A heavier barrel than the standard (hence standard heat shields won't fit an A1 590 even though they do fit a standard 590).

Sounds like you have a "standard" 590 Special-Purpose.

The only Mossbergs to pass the military's field testing was the 590A1 MilSpec...it even won out over the Remington 870.

Still, all three brands of shotguns -- Winchester, Remington and Mossberg -- are fine weapons.

I just wanted the "top-dog" Mossberg for my home defense arm...my shorty Mossberg 500 is my car gun.

-- John D.
 
Thanks.Thats about what I thought for the 590A1 vs what I had.So, that means I dont have the A1, but whats the difference with the ones with no extended mag, a bead sight, standard stock, etc (ex:whats a 50665 vs a SP, which it sounds like I may have?)
again, thanks Cloudcroft.
 
And I have a 590A1 on layaway just waiting to be bought just because of the features you mentioned, cloud. Not to mention the bayonet lug is kind of neat.
 
jrfoxx,

You're welcome.

I used to have a 590 SP like yours a few years ago but sold it due to "financial difficulties" at the time...otherwise, I sure would have kept it.

Even with the bead front sight it aimed/hit just where I needed it to. I just would have liked to have rifle type sights in order to "zero" slugs to hit point-of-aim (I cast and load my own slug loads). Can't do that with a bead sight setup...if a bead-sighted shotgun shoots a bit off center, you have to use Kentucky Windage to correct it. I didn't want to do that...my guns MUST shoot/hit where I am aiming.

But at that same time of "financial embarrassment," I decided that when things improved for me $$-wise, I'd replace the 590SP with another one, but probably try to get Ghost Ring sights on it instead of the bead sights mine had had (but at least it WAS Parkerized and had a bayonet lug).

I don't recall even being aware of a 590A1 version at that particular time but I was probably just plain ignorant.

Recently, my "financial difficulties" ended big-time and although I could then (and now) get any guns I wanted -- to replace those I had sold or get any others I had ever wanted -- I didn't WANT to go back to having lots of guns, assorted ammo/calibers, a variety of accessories for each gun, etc., requiring a deuce-and-a-half truck to move...it was way too much "stuff" for me!

I wanted to reduce the number and calibers of guns I would have the rest of my life...sort of downsizing, if you will as I got older, to the most-efficient essentials. I just felt too burdened by all those assorted guns/ammo/accessories and their corresponding reloading bullets/powders/dies and such to keep each one fed.

And, since I planned to move a few times before I finally settle down to stay some place the rest of my life, I wanted to make moving easier by having less stuff in general. That meant getting rid of lots of my stuff, not just keeping the gun-count low!

I still wanted to replace the 590SP I had sold earlier as I see the 590 as the best home-defense shotgun for me, so I "allowed" myself to purchase one since that would be the LAST shotgun I would ever buy, hence no serious increase in the # of guns I'd have and that would be within my plans of having a minimal # of guns in my "arsenal."

Consequently, doing some online research to search out the best source for a 590, I "discovered" the 590A1 and decided to get that one instead of a 590SP. I kept the 500 "Cruiser" for my "car gun" as it was given to me by a friend since I do not sell guns that were given to me by friends, only guns I have bought myself. And with it's two pistol grips, the shorty 500 sure IS a dandy car gun (it lives out there in the car 24/7 with a couple of ammo pouches and a sling).

As for 590s with no bayonet lug, bead front sight, I believe you may be referring to a version of the Mossberg 500, i.e., the Mossberg "Persuader" (not a 590) which even used to be (still is?) sold in WalMarts...don't recall ever seeing a 590 sold there. I also don't recall seeing a 590 with no bayonet lug.

The Persuader is a great choice for someone wanting a home-defense shotgun of increased magazine capacity over the 500 -- like the 590 has -- but who don't need/care about Ghost Ring sights, bayonet lug or a Parkerized finish (since said 500s -- Cruisers and Persuaders -- usually came in blue finish only).

Yes, you're right that the variations of the 500s and 590s can be confusing, and I'm no expert on Mossbergs, so I can't speak on any other versions out there except the ones I have addressed in this thread...sorry.



Big Mac,

Yes, I like the bayonet lug, too, if for no other reason than to annoy anti-gun liberals!

It IS quite usable in a close-quarters situation -- perhaps when being mobbed by Zombies (!) for instance -- but I'm not sure I would have a bayonet actually attached. In a home-defense scenario, I'd have my 590A1 in my hands and my 1911 in my military-issue (M3) shoulder holster for immediate backup duty. And a VERY sharp Moro barong in a sheath.

That should cover the problem(s).

If not, it's just my time to go.

-- John D.
 
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The mossberg website is confusing to use, but they do have everything listed you just have to mess around with the site to find what you want.
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The 590-a1 (milspec) with ghost rings, heavy barrel and metal safety/triggergaurd is a awsome shooter. This is one of my home defenders.
 
WEll cloud I do have a bayonet attached to my 590A1. It might terrify some punk into thinking twice when he sees this crazy mexican wielding a beefy shotgun with a sharp thing that can be use to torment bad people after they are shot. not to mention it's a workout to train with a bayonet.
 
In the movie Dead Presidents during the Vietnam battle scenes there is a 590 with wood furnature, same as on my old 500 Field Grade. Was this an actual model, or just some Hollywood prop guy making the 590 look like an older trench gun?
 
If you DID see a Mossberg 590 in RVN battle scenes, it was pure Hollywood.

IIRC, the 590 wasn't introduced until the mid-1970s. For the most part, we were out of the RVN by the end of 1973, and 2 years later the RVN was conquered by the NVA and it was all over.

When I was there in the late 1960s, the shotgun usually seen -- and used for walking point for those who wanted to be armed with a shotgun -- was the Ithaca Model 37, which had the "wood furniture" you describe. I suppose there were other brand shotguns used, too, but I only recall seeing the Ithaca 37 in MilSpec Parkerized finish of course.

It could have been a Model 12 Winchester "trench gun."

I don't believe anything other than wood stocks were seen on shotguns -- and the related 40mm M79 grenade launcher (which also had buckshot ammo available for it) -- because the only synthetic stocks I recall were on the M16 rifle and M60 machine gun.

But "my war" was 37 years ago so I can't be sure of my recollections exactly.

-- John D.
 
I'm positive it was a 590 with sporting type 500 wood (checkered forearm and grip). I think is was just an attempt to make a 590 more period appropriate looking, like you said an M-12 Trench. Not sure why an actual one was not used. Looked very odd, parkerized combat weapon with fancy wood furnature. The rest of the squad (Marine Recon) in the film used M16 A1's, 1911's and one M-3 Grease Gun so that was the only technical fault in that(other than seeming like one should have an M-60), actually enjoyed that part of the movie a lot and wish it would have lasted longer, definately displayed the horrors of jungle fighting. They never show the exotic stuff in VN movies (Hush Puppies, Enforcer carbine pistols, Swedish K's, etc.)while uncommon would be nice to see once in a while.

BTW-Thank you for your service.
 
To be historically correct, the Mossberg 590 A1 did not beat out the 870 for military acceptance as previously stated. Remington did not enter the 870 in the trials, so Mossberg won by default.

I have both tested and used both versions of the 590 and like the standard 590 over the 590A1. I don't like the extra weight of the heavy barrel and can't imagine a reason for it. I've never heard of of 590 barrels bursting. Everyone makes a big deal out of having metal trigger guards and I don't understand that either. I did change out the safety as Mossbergs are prone to have safety failures that result in failure to fire. I have several shotguns of various makes and models and work with dozens of different guns every day. There are a great many good guns to choose from and variety makes it all so interesting.
 
CaCrusin,

Remington was concerned about their brand-name reputation if they failed, so they didn't enter to avoid the risk. Military trials are pretty serious and failing doesn't help advertising, does it.

As for the "heavy" 590, some people just like the top-of-the line, hardcore, truck could run over it, bullet-proof models. To each his own.

Besides, being heavier helps tame recoil, and I don't mind the weight a bit because it's NOT A CARRY gun, it's for HD. If I'm going to carry a shotgun for long periods, give me my lighter shorty Mossberg 500.



.351winchester,

Thanks...

Hey, I hear they need some good young men over in Iraq...interested? ;-)

Join the Army and enjoy traveling to other countries, experiencing other cultures, etc.

Yeah...right.

As for other weapons used, those Montagnards (CIDGs) we sometimes worked with had all sorts of old stuff, mostly M1 carbines and Garands.


-- John D.
 
If you really want to get all the info on Moassberg shotguns call them up and order their catalog It has FAR more detailed info than their website and is of course free.
 
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