I am suffering from a little buyer’s remorse as I made an uneducated decision when I was 19 years old (11 years ago) and bought my first firearm. The Clinton Crime Bill was still in effect and I was not old enough to legally purchase a handgun so I decided to go with a pump-action 12 gauge shotgun. In my research and limited access to subject matter knowledge I chose to go with a Mossberg 590 Special Purpose as I “heard” and read in gun rags that it was “Mil-Spec”. Back then I went to my local Wal-Mart and asked the clerk behind the hunting counter for the special order catalog and placed my order for the 590.
Fast forward to today I still have said Mossberg 590 but have since learned that it is not a 590A1. To my knowledge the differences are:
• 590 has a trigger assembly with a plastic trigger guard, aluminum on the 590A1.
• 590 has a plastic safety button, aluminum on the 590A1.
• 590 has a standard 20” barrel, heavy walled barrel (which negates the installation of a heat shield) on the 590A1.
So to upgrade my 590 I will need to replace above mentioned parts with OEM trigger assembly with aluminum trigger guard, aluminum safety button, and a heavy walled barrel (with rifle sights while I’m at it). I will also be replacing the magazine spring with a Wolff and possibly a high visibility follower.
Are there any other parts and or modifications that I am leaving out?
I agree. I used to collect HD shotguns (hence the screen name) and had a 20" 590A1, model 51663. While I prefer the controls on the Mossberg it was too heavy and too long for a house gun.
Edited to add: The only thing I would change on your 590 is the safety control. I would replace it with a metal one. The plastic trigger guard doesn’t bother me in the least.
Well for starters it’s not what I thought it was when I purchased it. My 590 has the heat shield from the factory. I wanted a “mil-spec” pump shotgun, cliché maybe but if I had it to do over again I would have opted for the 590A1 or an 870P. At that time I didn’t even know there was an A1 or what the differances were from an 870 Express and an 870P. “Knowing is half the battle”…
I agree on the length. I always felt the 20" barrel was cumbersome for a house gun. There was a time when I wanted a Winchester Defender just to have the 18" barrel.
If it is mainly for the collection to have a mil issue shotgun, I believe the 590 has been issued in addition to the A1 variant. My convoy security team was issued plain old Mossberg 500A shotguns along with one Benelli M4.
I had the same gripe I think you’re having as well and figured it wasn’t worth it. I have not looked recently but the sight upgrade is also nowhere to be found.
I’d say just stay with what you have for many reasons. Per the MIL-SPEC your current shotgun would be a TYPE I, which requires a heat shield. The primary procurements have all been for Type II shotguns. VERY Few Type III shotguns, which call for rilfe/ghost ring sights, were ever procured, i.e. fewer then the Type I’s.
The most common issue shotguns are Type II’s which are actualy a plain old 18" Mossberg 500 (P/N 50411-9) in the Army. The second most common Type II’s are a 17" or 18" Mossberg 590A1 (P/N 51411-8) for the Navy and Marines. Only about 1,000 Type I Mossberg 590’s in the 20" heat sheild version were ever purchased. Many of those went to the Special Forces and various other units. of those issued to SF, most have recently been converted to 14" Compacts, with spare 16" breaching barrels, and would be classified as Type II’s.
Example of a Type II varent using a 500 reciever, but the USMC/Navy barrel and mag tube system.
For the Army issue 500’s they use the plastic trigger guard. In the 9 years we have been using them here, I am unaware of breakage being an issue. The Army relpaces the whole trigger group if they are broken because they by the trigger housing for less then the man hours to take one apart.
The 20" A1 is a great beast of a shotgun, but for a 20" gun I would prefer the better handling of the plain 590.
Look for a comparision from stickman in the future
DMR, your post was a wealth of knowledge I thank your for sharing. I have seen pics of other Mossberg varients in OEF but never knew the details until now.
P/N 50411-9 includes the pistol grip as a overpack. Most of the shotguns here are run pistol grip only as secondary weapons, slung, chamber empty, used primarily for breaching. The M-4 is the soldiers primary weapon usualy, although at various times shotguns have been popular for drivers. the MILSPEC also reflects the time it was origionaly developed. It calls for a 14" stock which was common for the 70’s. Today it is more commonly accepted, that a 12-13" stock is far more suitable for modern shooting methods. Much has been discussed with the M-4 MILSPEC is a starting point, but does not always equal the end all be all. Again you have a great shotgun as is. If I did anything I would take a look at getting one of the new 13" Houge stocks, a trinium bead and call it a day.
I have not seen a 13" even offered by anyone. I just found a guy on another board selling a new youth/ladies 12" LOP Hogue stock that did not fit him for $50 shipped! They are out of stock EVERYWHERE.
Regarding the plastic vs metal trigger guard issue, I recently watched a segment on TV (Sportsman’s Channe,l. IIRC) in which Ruger performed a controlled test on two trigger guards, one plastic and one metal.
A five pound weight was dropped from a height of five feet (I think) onto each trigger guard. The metal one snapped in half, while the weight simply bounced off of the plastic version. That kind of opened my eyes to how tough plastic (or maybe polymer is the more correct term) can be.
OP:
You can get the metal trigger guard from Brownell’s. It’s one of those “meh” things that is ok but not a must have.
The metal safety from Vang is great. I really like them. I would say of the three differences in the A1 it is probably the best insurance measure.
The heavy barrel is OK, if you’re running though passageways and hatch combings. It is great for preventing dents from that, but if you’re not in a steel environment or having to drag your shotgun out of a squad all the time and knocking it against door frames you’ll probably be ok without it. They are heavy, especially in the 20" version.
Having said all that, if you just want it then get it. You’ve had 11 years of remorse. If that’s what it takes to make you feel better about it then go for it. But don’t think that you’ve shorted yourself by not having all the A1 features.
I’ve got one of DMR’s SBS kits that I’m waiting on the paperwork from ATFE on. It is a very nice kit.
Austin12, I was about ready to check trunks at the airport for you. Haven’t heard from you in a loooooooong time. Good to see you again.
Well I have gotten quit a bit of knowledge out of you gents on the topic. I have rethought the heavy barrel route and since decided to upgrade the following; 12" LOP Hogue buttstock, Brownells steel saftey button, Wolff mag spring, Aimpro Tactical steel follower, and I’m still on the fence about the trigger assembly with the aluminum trigger guard.
I have the 20" 590A1 and love it. Yes, it is a beast of a shotgun and weighs a ton but I still like it. It just soaks up recoil. I would love to have one of the 14" 590s or 870 Police guns, though.
If you’re 590 SP works, it will likely continue to work. Change your mag springs; remove, degrease, loctite, and resintall anything with threads; watch your plastic components. Watch your extractors.
I like the aluminum TG and safety button. The latter is the only thing I’d preemptively replace though. I’ve replaced a number of broken plastic safeties.
I like high-vis followers. We had a thread on them here within a couple of weeks ago with a few good examples, with pictures.
I took a 20" 590 SP w/ GRS through a NRA tac shotgun instructor course several years ago, ~500-600 rounds during those days, many before before and since. It’s heavy at the end of a long range day, but manageable. More tricky to move around inside buildings.
