Can't make up my mind: 590A1 or 930SPX?

General Firearms Shotguns
1

Saw an used 590A1 at the gunstore the other day, and I keep lusting for it. However, while conducting research, I came across the 930SPX for roughly the same price.

In a general purpose shotgun, which one would you pick? I consider the 590A1 to be dead nuts reliable and a good beater shotgun that would come in handy without much maintenance. On the other hand, the 930SPX is in the same price range and holds just as many rounds if you ghost-load the shotgun. In addition, the 930SPX is semi auto–only major draw back is that I hear it has to be cleaned every 300 rounds or it will start to malfunction (not that I ever plan on shooting that much in 1 session, it’s just over cumulative sessions I’d like something that can go bang without much maintenance).

I will be setting up the shotgun with just a tactical type 2-point sling and a weapon-light. The shottie may pull trunk, bedside, or clay-breaking duty. Which one would you pick?

2

If I only could have one shot gun, pump gun hands down. Most versatile. I have a 590 and I love it. I have not shot a 930, but I generally favor inertia guns over gas guns in semi auto shot guns(although the Benelli M4 is a pretty sweet gas gun).

3

If you only have one shotgun, I would go with the 590A1.

but… semi-auto shotguns are so much fun! Here’s my 930 SPX, it’s my favorite firearm in my collection.

I installed Mesa Tactical 4-round saddle, limbsaver recoil pad, and topped it off with an Aimpoint Micro R-1…

4

I’ve had a 930SPX for about two years now and I like it,but the novelty has about worn off. It functions with everything,regular as well as low recoil rounds and is fun to shoot.
I was fortunate to get one at that time that did not have the canted front sight. I love the LPA ghost ring rear sights. The 590A1 is just a much tougher shotgun,IMO,over the long haul,and I am seriously considering,in fact I have determined to buy the 590A1SPX version with the same sight set up as the 930SPX.
I do not like the follower in the 930SPX and had planned to change it but never got around to it. I have done no mods to it at all.
The 590A1 is a heavy gun but IMO has better features for hard use over time.I’ll most likely put a Hogue youth stock on it for a better LOP for my short self.

   Edited to add: I have found cleaning to be highly overrated. I was taught as a youth to clean my .22 or my shotgun even if I just had three rounds through them. I think this was a lesson in self discipline more than anything else.I didn't clean the 930 until I had it a year.Lubing is NOT overrated.
  The 930 had approximately 800 rounds through it at that time. Of course,I like to see how long things will run without cleaning,too.
5

Thanks for the responses–it really seems like the 590A1 is a much better fit as a SHTF/tough as nails shotgun while the 930SPX seems better suited to range and competition use. Does this sound about right?

I may end up selling my 500 tactical to get a 590A1.

6

The SPX is a good shotgun, depending on individual sample.
The A1 is a great shotgun.
I say that having written probably the most viewed SPX review on the interwebs.

7

I have a 590(non-A1) and a 930SPX. I really like both, but if I could only keep one I would keep the 590.

I don’ think the 930 needs to be cleaned every 300 rounds, but I have noticed that if you let it get really dirty the cyclic rate will slow down.

Overall I think the 590A1 will be more durable over time, especially if it gets thrown around. The rear sight on my 930 broke off, but Mossberg sent me a new one.

You mentioned using it for a tactical gun and for clays. I don’t think you will be happy trying to do both with one gun. However I bought a 24" barrel for my 930 that I put on to shoot clays. With that barrel it is a clay destroying machine. But it was horrible with the 18" cylinder bore barrel. Shooting clays with the 590 is doable but you have to hit them quick before they got too far away.

I have thousands of rounds through both the 590 and 930. The 590 has never malfunctioned. After some initial teething problems my 930 in now 100% reliable.

I think the 590A1 will be your best choice. It will be 100% ready to go out of the box. In my opinion the 930SPX needs a better charging handle and a better magazine tube(the factory one is flimsy) which is more $$$$

8

I recently went with the Mossberg 930 SPX, having previously had the 590A1. I mainly switched to the auto-loader after a left shoulder injury made it painful to rack the 590.

I decided on the one with the Chaote pistol grip stock, mostly because its what my dealer had in stock. The only mod I’ve made so far is to insert the .375 riser in the stock to help align the sights more quickly when I shoulder the gun. I would like a shorter stock, but we all know that’s not in the cards, I have ordered the shorter Chaote 1/2" recoil pad as a possible solution.

9

Hard to choose. But in the end, I would pick 590A1. If you train right, you can shoot fairly fast.

And I generally don’t like the look of pistol grip on shotguns.

10

If you’re life might depend on this shotgun I’d highly suggest the 590A1.

11

I’d like to counter that with an or a 930SPX. The only ammunition failure I’ve faced with my 930 SPX was because of cheap ammunition which was not intended for the guns purpose. It has never failed with HD purposed ammunition.

Many people think pump guns are the wiser choice. But under stress I’ve seen people short stroke before (loading)and after the first shot which causes many problems in pump guns, ones that cannot be corrected by simply pulling the cocking handle back.

I know Mr. Jensen knows his stuff, I’m just throwing in a counterpoint.

12

A simple Nordic Components clamp will secure the barrel and magazine tube together far better than replacing the magazine tube. But add that clamp along with the NC tube you have installed is the best of both worlds.