Mossberg 500 or 590

wht06rado · June 12th, 2008, 04:20 PM

I have had a Mossberg 500 around for about a year now. It has been my go to for a home defense gun. I was only able to get about 50 rounds through it before they closed our local shot gun range. I was surfing around Budsgunshop.com today and I saw a sweet Mossberg 590Mossberg 50663 590 12 20 CB 9SH CB GSRNG for Sale at Buds Gun Shop.
And I got to thinking about selling my 500 for the 590. Here is my train of thought:
*The 590 I saw has sights on it instead of just a gold bead.
*The 590 has a 9 shot capacity over the 6 shot capacity of the 500.

I don't really care for the bayonet lug. And for an extra 1 1/2" in barrel length I get another 3 shots before I have to reload.

So, am I just going gun crazy or do you think it would be a good move to sell my 500 and get a 590?

Wht

ETA: After doing some reading it looks like the Surefire forend I have for my 500(623FA ) will not fit a 590 without removing the bayonet lug. I am not sure how removing the lug would effect the shotgun. But it would have to be modified to use my Surefire forend.

matiki · June 12th, 2008, 04:46 PM

I bought a 500 'special purpose tactical' for my wife, I wanted the adjustable length of pull and reduced weight. For myself, the 590 would have been the ideal.

Removing the Bayo lug on your 590 shouldn't hurt anything, I think there's a picture of a 590 over in the DC HD Shotgun picture thread where he mounted some sort of light holder where the bayo lug was.

SIXTO · June 12th, 2008, 06:30 PM

I'd much rather have the 590, but not for the reasons you listed. The 590 is much heavier built, making a much more robust gun.

atctimmy · June 12th, 2008, 06:59 PM

You can get the ghost ring sights from mossberg for $64. IMO it is not worth buying a new shotgun unless you just want a new one (which is always a good idea). If you do get a new one go bury your old one with about 100 rds of 00buck. Me thinks you may need it in the not too distant future.

wht06rado · June 12th, 2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atctimmy

You can get the ghost ring sights from mossberg for $64. IMO it is not worth buying a new shotgun unless you just want a new one (which is always a good idea). If you do get a new one go bury your old one with about 100 rds of 00buck. Me thinks you may need it in the not too distant future.

Where can I get these sights you speak of?

Wht

atctimmy · June 12th, 2008, 10:33 PM

Go to Mossbergs web site and order them.

O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

Looks like the price went up about five bucks since last I looked. Look under accesories.

sgtD · June 13th, 2008, 01:37 AM

They are both good, but I agree with what SIXTO said 100%, as would anyone familiar with Mossys.

Cap'n · June 13th, 2008, 03:23 AM

A few facts to help with your decision,

Quote:

Model 500 vs. Model 590 vs. Model 590A1

Mossberg 590, with 20 inch barrel. The primary difference between the Model 500 and Model 590 is in magazine tube design. The Model 500 magazines are closed at the muzzle end, and the barrel is held in place by bolting into a threaded hole at the end of the magazine tube. Model 590 magazines are open at the end, and the barrels fit around the magazine tube and are held on by a nut at the end. The Model 500 magazine facilitates easy barrel changes, as the barrel bolt serves no function other than holding the barrel in place. The Model 590 magazine facilitates easy cleaning and parts replacement, as removing the nut allows removal of the magazine spring and follower.

Parkerized Mossberg 590A1 with M7 Bayonet, upper picatinny rail, and modified standard 590 Heat shield. The Model 590A1 is a Model 590 with an aluminum trigger guard and safety, and a heavier barrel, intended for military use under the most extreme conditions. The 590A1 is generally sold through military and law enforcement channels, though in most jurisdictions the 18.5" and 20" models may be legally purchased by private persons. 590A1s with 14" barrels are Title II firearms, and may be purchased by private persons in NFA-legal states.

The riot gun versions of the Model 500 (Persuader and Mariner) are available with an 18.5" or 20" (47cm or 51cm) barrel depending on magazine capacity. The 590 is only available with a 20" barrel and flush-fit magazine tube. The 590A1 is available with a 14" (35.5cm), 18.5", or 20" barrel. One model sold as Model 590 (catalog item 51663) is technically a 590A1, as it uses the heavy barrel and military trigger group, but unlike models designated 590A1 it is sold on the civilian market.

Unlike Model 500 and 590 shotguns (with the exception of ghost-ring sight 590 models), Model 590A1 shotguns cannot be easily fitted with the factory heat shield, due to the heavy barrel. A heat shield and bayonet lug are required for military 3443G Type I riot shotguns, and some 590A1s are so equipped, but it is not clear if the 590A1 heat shields have ever been offered for sale outside of the military market.

With the comparisons above, I wouldn't hardly say that the aluminum safety tang and the aluminum trigger guard make for a more robust shotgun considering the receivers are exactly the same. Yes, the barrel is a heavier walled barrel and the 590 has an extended mag tube that can hold 3 more shells, but many owners have found that the heavier barrel and extra weight of the extended mag tube and extra shells makes the shotgun very front-end heavy. Many went back to the 500 because of the front-end heavy feeling.

You might want to hold one to see how it feels for yourself. And yes, you can buy ghost ring sights for your 500 directly from Mossberg.

rhinokrk · June 13th, 2008, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

I'd much rather have the 590, but not for the reasons you listed. The 590 is much heavier built, making a much more robust gun.

+1
That said; if you're not putting a lot of rounds down range, the 500 is fine.

Saint77 · June 13th, 2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIXTO

I'd much rather have the 590, but not for the reasons you listed. The 590 is much heavier built, making a much more robust gun.

+1

I opted for the 590. I felt it was a nice middle ground of all the models.

June 12th, 2008, 04:20 PM	#1
wht06rado Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 775	Mossberg 500 or 590 I have had a Mossberg 500 around for about a year now. It has been my go to for a home defense gun. I was only able to get about 50 rounds through it before they closed our local shot gun range. I was surfing around Budsgunshop.com today and I saw a sweet Mossberg 590Mossberg 50663 590 12 20 CB 9SH CB GSRNG for Sale at Buds Gun Shop. And I got to thinking about selling my 500 for the 590. Here is my train of thought: The 590 I saw has sights on it instead of just a gold bead. The 590 has a 9 shot capacity over the 6 shot capacity of the 500. I don't really care for the bayonet lug. And for an extra 1 1/2" in barrel length I get another 3 shots before I have to reload. So, am I just going gun crazy or do you think it would be a good move to sell my 500 and get a 590? Wht ETA: After doing some reading it looks like the Surefire forend I have for my 500(623FA ) will not fit a 590 without removing the bayonet lug. I am not sure how removing the lug would effect the shotgun. But it would have to be modified to use my Surefire forend. __________________ “They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security” Benjamin Franklin I'm not pro gun, I'm pro rights. What are you? NRA Member ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

June 12th, 2008, 04:46 PM	#2
matiki VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: N.W. Posts: 2,883	I bought a 500 'special purpose tactical' for my wife, I wanted the adjustable length of pull and reduced weight. For myself, the 590 would have been the ideal. Removing the Bayo lug on your 590 shouldn't hurt anything, I think there's a picture of a 590 over in the DC HD Shotgun picture thread where he mounted some sort of light holder where the bayo lug was. __________________ "Wise people learn when they can; fools learn when they must." - The Duke of Wellington

June 12th, 2008, 06:30 PM	#3
SIXTO VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 12,254	I'd much rather have the 590, but not for the reasons you listed. The 590 is much heavier built, making a much more robust gun. __________________ _________________ \|^^^^^^^^^^^^^\| \|___ \| SIXTO EXPRESS---\| \|\|'\|";,__. \|_..._...___________\| \|\|_\|_\|...,] "(@)'(@)""""\|(@)(@)*****(@)

June 12th, 2008, 06:59 PM	#4
atctimmy Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In the man cave Posts: 1,796	You can get the ghost ring sights from mossberg for $64. IMO it is not worth buying a new shotgun unless you just want a new one (which is always a good idea). If you do get a new one go bury your old one with about 100 rds of 00buck. Me thinks you may need it in the not too distant future. __________________ I have Post Tree Stand Mirage Disorder.

June 12th, 2008, 10:33 PM	#6
atctimmy Distinguished Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: In the man cave Posts: 1,796	Go to Mossbergs web site and order them. O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining Looks like the price went up about five bucks since last I looked. Look under accesories. __________________ I have Post Tree Stand Mirage Disorder.

June 13th, 2008, 01:37 AM	#7
sgtD VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 2,212	They are both good, but I agree with what SIXTO said 100%, as would anyone familiar with Mossys. __________________ When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.

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