Mossberg 590A1 Barrel choices

CookieMonster

New member
Hey all, I know this has been covered a little bit in the past but I am not completely clear on this subject so I hope someone can help me out here.

I have just purchased a 590A1 Model 51663 (20 inch bbl, 9 round tube)

I am still unclear as to if I am able to swap out barrels on this. What happens if I shoot the barrel out, I need a new gun and cannot change the barrel?

Also, if I contact a gunsmith, they should be able to thread the barrel to accept chokes, am I right? Is it worth it to do this? As it stands I am just going to be using it for HD and for range time, but next season I am planning on hunting birds (probably turkey) and deer with slugs.

Would I be better off getting a more specialised shotgun for this and leaving this one alone? I figure the more variety and customization I can do the better.
 
The barrel can be swapped. It can also be altered for tubes.

I've yet to see a shotgun barrel worn out from shooting. But then, I'm only 65. I know of some barrels with over 200K rounds through them.

Mossbergs are not expensive. Instead of a lot of mods, it'd be cheaper and probably better to just buy another 500 for hunting and range duty.
 
It could be swapped for what other types of barrels? I read it uses a different attachment method from the standard 500 and I have a very hard time locating other barrels online as it stands. Are there rifled barrels available for the 590a1?
It is good to know that a shotguns barrel will not really 'wear' out though.

My train of thought to get the barrel threaded is this; for 65~ or so dollars and I could get it threaded and be able to use various chokes. A 20 inch barrel should be plenty to get slugs to 100 yards fairly accurately. If I could use birdshot #4-#6 and get a good pattern out to 40~ yards for this, wouldn't it be more economical to just do that as opposed to getting a second 500~ dollar shotgun? I would rather put that 500 dollars on optics than a second shotgun, but if I am off let me know!

If you couldn't tell, this is my maiden voyage into the shotgun world. I am still very new with this platform. I have lots of experience with rifles and pistols but yeah, none here.
 
I do not believe you can use any barrels other than the one you have, other than a replacement but you will never wear it out. There is some chatter on the net about using another model's barrels if you change the magazine tube.
 
Yeah, I read about this too, and that is partially why I am somewhat confused.
I guess I should wait a few days until I actually pick up the shotgun (21st)
Then maybe take it to a gunsmith and see what they say about my idea on threading it to accept chokes. I can't think of any downsides to this, only positives. And having a heavy barrel should make threading this possible, right?
 
They make a 500 Persuader:)
You are stuck with your barrel for all practical purposes(changes are pretty much cost prohibitive)
Shotgun barrels don't wear out from shooting. Rifling will, but not shotgun barrels
There was a thread about a week ago about rifled slug barrels and how most people aren't all that impressed especially given the extra cost.
 
Barrel choices might be mainly limited to a bead or ramped front sight for the 590.
Had mine threaded by Mike Orlen to be able to hunt squirrels, birds etc, who did a fine job as expected.


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I ordered my shotgun with the ghost ring sights, Ill be more than happy with that. Good information all around, and good to know a smooth bore wont wear out. Then, I suppose the only thing I need to do is get my barrel threaded and I will be more than happy with this.
 
Barrels can be changed on a 590, they just aren't as common or cheap as 500 barrels. You won't "shoot out" a shotgun barrel.

I'd leave your 590 stock as a dedicated HD gun and get a lighter, longer barreled and better balanced shotgun for wingshooting.
 
Wingshooting is a bit different then turkey hunting.

IMO, getting your bbl smith'd to accept chokes would be fine for turkey hunting.

For deer hunting, my B-n-L shoots Brenneke's out of his stock 590bbl and is most accurate out to 75yds. With practice, me thinks it would be good to 100yds.
 
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