590 vs 590A1

voyager4520 · June 23, 2011, 06:33 PM

I've never owned a shotgun before and I'm interested in the 590 models, particularly the A1. But I'm confused over what the differences between the two are. From what I understand all A1's have a heavy-wall barrel and a metal trigger guard and safety.

1. Is there a difference besides capacity between a 590 magazine tube and an A1 magazine tube? I heard that the regular 590 has some sort of internal end cap that has to be removed with an allen wrench or something.
2. Does the 590 have dual action bars attached to the forend like the A1 does?
3. Does the 590 have dual extractors like the A1 does?
4. Do any of the 590's have metal trigger guards and safeties?(from the factory)
5. Does the 590 Mariner have a metal trigger guard and safety?
6. If I were to buy a different forend for one, would that forend have its own action bar/s attached to it? Or would I have to somehow remove the action bar/s from the stock forend to put on the aftermarket forend?

Are there any other core differences between the two? I know each can come with various sights, different stocks and possibly a pistol grip, different capacity magazine tubes, different length barrels, and the 590 can use a heat shield.

I'm particularly considering the 20" barrel 9 shot models.

Lordofbarbeque · June 23, 2011, 11:48 PM

1. Both can be had in 8+1 config using 2.25" shells with 20" barrel
2. Yes
3. Yes
4. Varies. My 590 does not have metal guard or safety
5. No
6. No
I would not consider metal guard or safety a reliability issue for either 500 or 590 for home defense. I don't think you want to put pistol grip on 500/590 you lose benefit of safety location. Forearm changes are no big deal.
As to heat shields it is a personal preference. In class they are helpful due to amount of rounds fired , in home defense they serve no purpose IMHO.
Hope this helps.

Usertag · June 24, 2011, 12:03 AM

The guy above me is completely right. But for question 4. The normal 590 doesn't have a metal trigger guard or safety. Only the A1 will most likely have one.

TheKlawMan · June 24, 2011, 12:59 AM

Doesn't the A1 have a bayonette lug?

Gehrhard · June 24, 2011, 06:47 PM

I have an 18-1/2" and it doesn't.

More answers to this same post by the OP on THR forum.

voyager4520 · June 25, 2011, 02:31 AM

Thank you very much guys!

June 23, 2011, 06:33 PM	#1
voyager4520 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: SE Colorado Posts: 840	590 vs 590A1 I've never owned a shotgun before and I'm interested in the 590 models, particularly the A1. But I'm confused over what the differences between the two are. From what I understand all A1's have a heavy-wall barrel and a metal trigger guard and safety. 1. Is there a difference besides capacity between a 590 magazine tube and an A1 magazine tube? I heard that the regular 590 has some sort of internal end cap that has to be removed with an allen wrench or something. 2. Does the 590 have dual action bars attached to the forend like the A1 does? 3. Does the 590 have dual extractors like the A1 does? 4. Do any of the 590's have metal trigger guards and safeties?(from the factory) 5. Does the 590 Mariner have a metal trigger guard and safety? 6. If I were to buy a different forend for one, would that forend have its own action bar/s attached to it? Or would I have to somehow remove the action bar/s from the stock forend to put on the aftermarket forend? Are there any other core differences between the two? I know each can come with various sights, different stocks and possibly a pistol grip, different capacity magazine tubes, different length barrels, and the 590 can use a heat shield. I'm particularly considering the 20" barrel 9 shot models. __________________ Glock 23,27 Last edited by voyager4520; June 23, 2011 at 06:45 PM.

June 23, 2011, 11:48 PM	#2
Lordofbarbeque Member Join Date: October 18, 2009 Posts: 35	diff's 1. Both can be had in 8+1 config using 2.25" shells with 20" barrel 2. Yes 3. Yes 4. Varies. My 590 does not have metal guard or safety 5. No 6. No I would not consider metal guard or safety a reliability issue for either 500 or 590 for home defense. I don't think you want to put pistol grip on 500/590 you lose benefit of safety location. Forearm changes are no big deal. As to heat shields it is a personal preference. In class they are helpful due to amount of rounds fired , in home defense they serve no purpose IMHO. Hope this helps.

June 25, 2011, 02:31 AM	#6
voyager4520 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2009 Location: SE Colorado Posts: 840	Thank you very much guys! __________________ Glock 23,27

June 24, 2011, 12:03 AM	#3
Usertag Senior Member Join Date: January 1, 2011 Location: Louisville Posts: 261	The guy above me is completely right. But for question 4. The normal 590 doesn't have a metal trigger guard or safety. Only the A1 will most likely have one.

June 24, 2011, 12:59 AM	#4
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	Doesn't the A1 have a bayonette lug?