Mossberg 500, 590 & 590a1

Noreaster · October 12, 2014, 09:34 PM

Local Walmart had a Mossberg 500 tactical on the shelf. Park finish, 18.5 barrel with a breaching type break at the end. Looked nice and then I noticed a 500 persuader with 20 inch barrel and cheap blue finish with only 7 shot tube. Now I'm really confused. I know the 590a1 is beefed up (heavy barrel, safety & metal trigger group,) but what the heck is the difference between a 500 tactical and a 590? Does the 590 have anything worth the extra price? Also why is the 500 20 inch persuader only 7 shot and the 590/590a1 8 shot tube???

Chief Brody · October 12, 2014, 11:17 PM

Maverick 88 vs. Mossberg 500 vs. Mossberg 590. All the differences explained, enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9_SYMmEmY

L-2 · October 12, 2014, 11:37 PM

Sometimes being so observant can be a curse

For reasons unknown, perhaps even to itself, Mossberg assigns its model numbers to various families of guns, e.g., the 500 series, 590, & 590A1.

It would have made some sense if Mossberg defined the 590A1 series of guns with "clean-out" mag tubes (the mag tube which can be easily taken apart to run a cleaning mop through it, like a Remington 870's); Parkerized or "Mariner" finishes; and metal trigger guards & safeties; regardless of barrel length.

It would have also made sense if the 590 series was very similar except for being a bit less expensive with polymer trigger guards & safeties; and some other finishes like being blued.

Then that would leave the 500 series of having non-clean-out mag tube guns, but they deviated with a couple of those "Tactical", pistol-gripped-breacher-nosed models. I seem to recall there was an old Government/military contract where similar guns were to be marked as a "500" in or near that configuration with that "clean-out" mag tube. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere near that rumor.

My agency has been using a version of the 590A1 for a couple of decades with the models specs slightly changing over the years. What you see one year may not be exactly available the next year. With a large enough quantity special order, Mossberg may be willing to make a gun just the way a customer wants, however.

The best thing would be to have a good idea of what features you'd want and find an existing model which comes close.

Why 7 and 8 round mag capacities on a 20" barrel? Note the mag tube again. One will have an end cap, like a Remington 870; the other will have a captured bolt which threads into the mag tube. I suppose that takes up the space for that extra round.

Dreaming100Straight · October 13, 2014, 01:41 AM

Don't confuse the matte with the parkerized finish.

Blindstitch · October 13, 2014, 02:58 AM

Buying a 590 over a 500 isn't justified for just the trigger group and finish.

Noreaster · October 15, 2014, 02:55 PM

I just thought the 590 and 590a1 were tougher models (something internal?) but it appears to be just a couple of parts like metal safety, trigger group and heavier barrel on the a1. My local walmart had a 500 tactical with a breacher end on the barrel and matt finish, price was great. I wanted to pick one up for three gun and HD and didn't want to over abuse the standard 500 but it would appear for my limited purpose it wouldn't matter. Thanks for the replys

jmr40 · October 16, 2014, 03:31 PM

L-2 pointed out the completely different magazine tube which is a weak point of the 500. Of all the major pump shotguns the 500 would be the least desirable for me. Any of the 590 variants would be perfectly acceptable.

October 12, 2014, 09:34 PM	#1
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	Mossberg 500, 590 & 590a1 Local Walmart had a Mossberg 500 tactical on the shelf. Park finish, 18.5 barrel with a breaching type break at the end. Looked nice and then I noticed a 500 persuader with 20 inch barrel and cheap blue finish with only 7 shot tube. Now I'm really confused. I know the 590a1 is beefed up (heavy barrel, safety & metal trigger group,) but what the heck is the difference between a 500 tactical and a 590? Does the 590 have anything worth the extra price? Also why is the 500 20 inch persuader only 7 shot and the 590/590a1 8 shot tube???

October 12, 2014, 11:37 PM	#3
L-2 Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2004 Location: Nevada Posts: 523	Sometimes being so observant can be a curse For reasons unknown, perhaps even to itself, Mossberg assigns its model numbers to various families of guns, e.g., the 500 series, 590, & 590A1. It would have made some sense if Mossberg defined the 590A1 series of guns with "clean-out" mag tubes (the mag tube which can be easily taken apart to run a cleaning mop through it, like a Remington 870's); Parkerized or "Mariner" finishes; and metal trigger guards & safeties; regardless of barrel length. It would have also made sense if the 590 series was very similar except for being a bit less expensive with polymer trigger guards & safeties; and some other finishes like being blued. Then that would leave the 500 series of having non-clean-out mag tube guns, but they deviated with a couple of those "Tactical", pistol-gripped-breacher-nosed models. I seem to recall there was an old Government/military contract where similar guns were to be marked as a "500" in or near that configuration with that "clean-out" mag tube. Perhaps the truth lies somewhere near that rumor. My agency has been using a version of the 590A1 for a couple of decades with the models specs slightly changing over the years. What you see one year may not be exactly available the next year. With a large enough quantity special order, Mossberg may be willing to make a gun just the way a customer wants, however. The best thing would be to have a good idea of what features you'd want and find an existing model which comes close. Why 7 and 8 round mag capacities on a 20" barrel? Note the mag tube again. One will have an end cap, like a Remington 870; the other will have a captured bolt which threads into the mag tube. I suppose that takes up the space for that extra round. Last edited by L-2; October 12, 2014 at 11:43 PM.

October 12, 2014, 11:17 PM	#2
Chief Brody Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 81	Maverick 88 vs. Mossberg 500 vs. Mossberg 590. All the differences explained, enjoy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gr9_SYMmEmY

October 13, 2014, 01:41 AM	#4
Dreaming100Straight Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2013 Posts: 1,235	Don't confuse the matte with the parkerized finish.

October 13, 2014, 02:58 AM	#5
Blindstitch Senior Member Join Date: April 14, 2013 Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 2,693	Buying a 590 over a 500 isn't justified for just the trigger group and finish.

October 15, 2014, 02:55 PM	#6
Noreaster Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2011 Location: New England Posts: 1,449	I just thought the 590 and 590a1 were tougher models (something internal?) but it appears to be just a couple of parts like metal safety, trigger group and heavier barrel on the a1. My local walmart had a 500 tactical with a breacher end on the barrel and matt finish, price was great. I wanted to pick one up for three gun and HD and didn't want to over abuse the standard 500 but it would appear for my limited purpose it wouldn't matter. Thanks for the replys

October 16, 2014, 03:31 PM	#7
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,808	L-2 pointed out the completely different magazine tube which is a weak point of the 500. Of all the major pump shotguns the 500 would be the least desirable for me. Any of the 590 variants would be perfectly acceptable.