Mossberg 590A1 Barrel choices

CookieMonster · February 14, 2012, 11:43 AM

Hey all, I know this has been covered a little bit in the past but I am not completely clear on this subject so I hope someone can help me out here.

I have just purchased a 590A1 Model 51663 (20 inch bbl, 9 round tube)

I am still unclear as to if I am able to swap out barrels on this. What happens if I shoot the barrel out, I need a new gun and cannot change the barrel?

Also, if I contact a gunsmith, they should be able to thread the barrel to accept chokes, am I right? Is it worth it to do this? As it stands I am just going to be using it for HD and for range time, but next season I am planning on hunting birds (probably turkey) and deer with slugs.

Would I be better off getting a more specialised shotgun for this and leaving this one alone? I figure the more variety and customization I can do the better.

Dave McC · February 14, 2012, 03:18 PM

The barrel can be swapped. It can also be altered for tubes.

I've yet to see a shotgun barrel worn out from shooting. But then, I'm only 65. I know of some barrels with over 200K rounds through them.

Mossbergs are not expensive. Instead of a lot of mods, it'd be cheaper and probably better to just buy another 500 for hunting and range duty.

CookieMonster · February 16, 2012, 12:57 PM

It could be swapped for what other types of barrels? I read it uses a different attachment method from the standard 500 and I have a very hard time locating other barrels online as it stands. Are there rifled barrels available for the 590a1?
It is good to know that a shotguns barrel will not really 'wear' out though.

My train of thought to get the barrel threaded is this; for 65~ or so dollars and I could get it threaded and be able to use various chokes. A 20 inch barrel should be plenty to get slugs to 100 yards fairly accurately. If I could use birdshot #4-#6 and get a good pattern out to 40~ yards for this, wouldn't it be more economical to just do that as opposed to getting a second 500~ dollar shotgun? I would rather put that 500 dollars on optics than a second shotgun, but if I am off let me know!

If you couldn't tell, this is my maiden voyage into the shotgun world. I am still very new with this platform. I have lots of experience with rifles and pistols but yeah, none here.

TheKlawMan · February 17, 2012, 01:55 AM

I do not believe you can use any barrels other than the one you have, other than a replacement but you will never wear it out. There is some chatter on the net about using another model's barrels if you change the magazine tube.

CookieMonster · February 17, 2012, 12:57 PM

Yeah, I read about this too, and that is partially why I am somewhat confused.
I guess I should wait a few days until I actually pick up the shotgun (21st)
Then maybe take it to a gunsmith and see what they say about my idea on threading it to accept chokes. I can't think of any downsides to this, only positives. And having a heavy barrel should make threading this possible, right?

johnwilliamson062 · February 17, 2012, 07:42 PM

They make a 500 Persuader

You are stuck with your barrel for all practical purposes(changes are pretty much cost prohibitive)
Shotgun barrels don't wear out from shooting. Rifling will, but not shotgun barrels
There was a thread about a week ago about rifled slug barrels and how most people aren't all that impressed especially given the extra cost.

alloy · February 17, 2012, 08:06 PM

Barrel choices might be mainly limited to a bead or ramped front sight for the 590.
Had mine threaded by Mike Orlen to be able to hunt squirrels, birds etc, who did a fine job as expected.

CookieMonster · February 18, 2012, 01:44 AM

I ordered my shotgun with the ghost ring sights, Ill be more than happy with that. Good information all around, and good to know a smooth bore wont wear out. Then, I suppose the only thing I need to do is get my barrel threaded and I will be more than happy with this.

TheKlawMan · February 18, 2012, 09:15 PM

I think threading and you are good to go.

natman · February 19, 2012, 04:06 AM

Barrels can be changed on a 590, they just aren't as common or cheap as 500 barrels. You won't "shoot out" a shotgun barrel.

I'd leave your 590 stock as a dedicated HD gun and get a lighter, longer barreled and better balanced shotgun for wingshooting.

shortwave · February 20, 2012, 02:08 PM

Wingshooting is a bit different then turkey hunting.

IMO, getting your bbl smith'd to accept chokes would be fine for turkey hunting.

For deer hunting, my B-n-L shoots Brenneke's out of his stock 590bbl and is most accurate out to 75yds. With practice, me thinks it would be good to 100yds.

February 14, 2012, 11:43 AM	#1
CookieMonster Member Join Date: December 23, 2011 Location: CT Posts: 31	Mossberg 590A1 Barrel choices Hey all, I know this has been covered a little bit in the past but I am not completely clear on this subject so I hope someone can help me out here. I have just purchased a 590A1 Model 51663 (20 inch bbl, 9 round tube) I am still unclear as to if I am able to swap out barrels on this. What happens if I shoot the barrel out, I need a new gun and cannot change the barrel? Also, if I contact a gunsmith, they should be able to thread the barrel to accept chokes, am I right? Is it worth it to do this? As it stands I am just going to be using it for HD and for range time, but next season I am planning on hunting birds (probably turkey) and deer with slugs. Would I be better off getting a more specialised shotgun for this and leaving this one alone? I figure the more variety and customization I can do the better.

February 14, 2012, 03:18 PM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	The barrel can be swapped. It can also be altered for tubes. I've yet to see a shotgun barrel worn out from shooting. But then, I'm only 65. I know of some barrels with over 200K rounds through them. Mossbergs are not expensive. Instead of a lot of mods, it'd be cheaper and probably better to just buy another 500 for hunting and range duty.

February 16, 2012, 12:57 PM	#3
CookieMonster Member Join Date: December 23, 2011 Location: CT Posts: 31	It could be swapped for what other types of barrels? I read it uses a different attachment method from the standard 500 and I have a very hard time locating other barrels online as it stands. Are there rifled barrels available for the 590a1? It is good to know that a shotguns barrel will not really 'wear' out though. My train of thought to get the barrel threaded is this; for 65~ or so dollars and I could get it threaded and be able to use various chokes. A 20 inch barrel should be plenty to get slugs to 100 yards fairly accurately. If I could use birdshot #4-#6 and get a good pattern out to 40~ yards for this, wouldn't it be more economical to just do that as opposed to getting a second 500~ dollar shotgun? I would rather put that 500 dollars on optics than a second shotgun, but if I am off let me know! If you couldn't tell, this is my maiden voyage into the shotgun world. I am still very new with this platform. I have lots of experience with rifles and pistols but yeah, none here.

February 17, 2012, 01:55 AM	#4
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	I do not believe you can use any barrels other than the one you have, other than a replacement but you will never wear it out. There is some chatter on the net about using another model's barrels if you change the magazine tube.

February 17, 2012, 12:57 PM	#5
CookieMonster Member Join Date: December 23, 2011 Location: CT Posts: 31	Yeah, I read about this too, and that is partially why I am somewhat confused. I guess I should wait a few days until I actually pick up the shotgun (21st) Then maybe take it to a gunsmith and see what they say about my idea on threading it to accept chokes. I can't think of any downsides to this, only positives. And having a heavy barrel should make threading this possible, right?

February 17, 2012, 07:42 PM	#6
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	They make a 500 Persuader You are stuck with your barrel for all practical purposes(changes are pretty much cost prohibitive) Shotgun barrels don't wear out from shooting. Rifling will, but not shotgun barrels There was a thread about a week ago about rifled slug barrels and how most people aren't all that impressed especially given the extra cost.

February 18, 2012, 01:44 AM	#8
CookieMonster Member Join Date: December 23, 2011 Location: CT Posts: 31	I ordered my shotgun with the ghost ring sights, Ill be more than happy with that. Good information all around, and good to know a smooth bore wont wear out. Then, I suppose the only thing I need to do is get my barrel threaded and I will be more than happy with this.

February 18, 2012, 09:15 PM	#9
TheKlawMan Junior member Join Date: June 23, 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 2,149	I think threading and you are good to go.

February 19, 2012, 04:06 AM	#10
natman Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2008 Posts: 2,607	Barrels can be changed on a 590, they just aren't as common or cheap as 500 barrels. You won't "shoot out" a shotgun barrel. I'd leave your 590 stock as a dedicated HD gun and get a lighter, longer barreled and better balanced shotgun for wingshooting.

February 20, 2012, 02:08 PM	#11
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Wingshooting is a bit different then turkey hunting. IMO, getting your bbl smith'd to accept chokes would be fine for turkey hunting. For deer hunting, my B-n-L shoots Brenneke's out of his stock 590bbl and is most accurate out to 75yds. With practice, me thinks it would be good to 100yds.