Mossberg 590A1 Tactical vs Magpul

[Fergie]

I am looking to pick up a Mossberg 590A1 9 shot (my first shotgun) and I definitely want the Ghost ring sights but I am unclear on the other differences between the various models. This is for home defense.

Here is their catalog website.... http://catalogs.mossberg.com/2015/

Item # 51773 - Magpul - XS Ghost rings and sling plates
Item # 51771 - XS Ghost rings
Item # 53693 Ghost rings, tri-rail foreend, adjustable tube stock
Item # 51668 - Ghost rings and 4 shell storage in stock

Anyone have advice on some or all of the following:

• XS Ghost rings vs ordinary Ghost rings?
• Magpul in general, it does not give details?
• The need for a tri-railed foreend (I will want a light I believe)?
• What does an adjustable tube stock do?
• Use of 4 shell storage in stock?
• Any reason to get a sling for home defense? Do I need to sling plates?

Thanks in advance!

[ErnstHatAngst]

Click on models here and it will give you another, perhaps more accessible view of your options, along with big pics and pricing. http://www.mossberg.com/category/series/590a1-tactical/

First of all, I will say that in my opinion you will probably desire a shorter length of pull (that means shorter stock) and softer recoil pad than most any of the factory options-- Unless you're very tall and love recoil.

It seems that most shotgun aficionados prefer the shorter barrel, even with the reduced capacity, for better balance and swing in tight spaces.

The difference in sights largely comes down to preference. Most would probably say that ghost rings are not needed at home defense distances. I don't really know the difference between these two types of ghost rings. Sorry I can't be more help.

Magpul models have the Magpul fore-end and stock. I have read good feedback on the Magpul furniture. I have never tried it. Modular construction and stock allows for adjusting length of pull and stock height with spacers. This may be a help with getting your eyes even with a raised sight, like ghost rings or a red dot.

There are so many add-ons you can purchase I wouldn't consider a factory light mount being included as a make or break it in my decision. You can add whatever you want later on if the model you prefer lacks a certain feature.

Adjustable tube stock is pretty much like your adjustable M4 stock. Adjust for length up and down as you please. I would make sure a nice recoil pad or system is available for this. A 12ga has a LOT more kick than an M4. I personally feel the safety location on the 590 lends itself to a stock without a pistol grip.

The Speed Feed stock with shells stored inside have the dubious reputation of dropping shells under hard recoil. I have never owned one of these stocks but my friend did and reported this as happening to him. I have read other accounts online.

For home defense alone I think a sling is nothing but something dangling off your gun to catch on doorknobs and whatever else. It appears that all 590A1 models have sling swivels included, but there are so many ways to sling a shotgun that use these (or some another system) that it really boils down to preference.

Best advice I could offer would be to try to go to some local shops and try putting some these shotguns in your hands and seeing for yourself!

I just bought the 590A1 US Service Model myself Good Luck with your purchase!

[JohnnyMtn]

Angst's post was a good one. My advice is to just pick up any 590A1 that you can get and go from there. Do not over think this. Pick up one of those models and start shooting it. Then later, maybe change out the sights or forend or whatever.

As for the sights, the XS ghost rings are just a different model/style of ghost rings. The XS are a slightly larger aperture and their post is more visible. This is totally personal preference. I don't have ghost rings on my shotgun and instead have a tritium rifle sight. I like looking down the barrel and not seeing a large aperture in the way. For me, beads would work just fine for an HD scenario. My rifle sights are like a bead with just a bit more in the way. And the tritium kind of makes up for that. My point is that you might not like a ghost ring, especially an oversized one like XS until you start using it.

The 9-shot guns are, imho, a bit long and heavy. Yes, those extra 3-4 shots are nice but they do add weight. I prefer the 18" barrels with the 5-6 shot tubes. When I bought my shotgun it was an 18" with a 4-shot tube. I had every intention of immediately buying a 2-shot extension to make it a 6+1. But upon first shooting the gun in the 4+1 config I was amazed at how well balanced the gun was. It felt great. So being a little afraid about messing up that balance, I went with only a 1-shot extension and not the 2-shot. The gun now is a 5+1 and still handles very nice. For its HD role it's great.

People seem to like the magpul furniture. Again, it's personal preference. Do you want a pistol grip gun or a traditional rifle stock? There are pros/cons for both. The Magpul stock seems to sit in the middle of the two. You will either like it or you won't. I am guessing that you'll be fine.

In the end, don't overthink the purchase of an HD shotgun. A 590A1 is an awesome shotgun and is so easy to modify. Get it, start shooting it, and then find out what you like and don't like.

[jarhead714]

Don't forget the M9 or OKC3S.

[Munny$hot]

IMHO the ghost ring sights are very slow compared to a front bead or rifle type sights and are not as good for light gathering vs open style sights. Also a shotgun is a short distance weapon so you may be better served with a red dot sight especially for CQB/home defence. Weight is another factor so a full picatinny forend is not your best option. The standard Magpul forend with a good Surefire dual illumination light or Streamlight TLR1 will be a good option. On a Mossberg 590 a pistol grip stock is not recommended due to the placement of the safety. The Magpul stock is a good option and has an adjustable LOP/length and a side saddle. Be sure also to take a shotgun, CQB, night fighting classes to be proficient. Killing paper will do you no good in a bad situation. So many people concentrate on what their gun looks like, how many gadgets they hang off of it, fire a couple of rounds and call it good. IMHO for home defense start with getting a dog, make access the your home unappealing, home alarm, etc before buying a firearm.

[Nacho_Eater]

I have the version with the 18.5" barrel, ghost ring sights, and bantam (short) stock for the right pull for me.

Great shotgun and it's so much fun to shoot. Surprisingly accurate with slugs!

[Fergie]

Thanks for the replies! If I hear a sound in the night a handgun will be my first choice so I can have a hand free to grab my kid. I imagine this being my go-to gun for more natural disasters / people disaster situations. Guarding against looters and what not.

So I am not sure if I want the shorter length or not. I get it is better for hallways and narrow spaces, but if I ever have to walk out of my neighborhood on foot during an emergency, more shots seemed better.

I went to the local shop and they did not have any 590A1's to hold in person - so I have to order one. Which is what took me to the Mossberg catalog. Maybe I will drive a little further for another shop.

Thanks again!

[Danodog]

I bought the 51771 model from Turners for $549 I think before taxes and DROS. It is a beast. Check your barrel inside first, mine came with very light surface rust. Others have reported the same. A few minutes scrubbing got most of it out. The barrel will be oiled from now on as a preventative measure.

[Fergie]

Rust sux!

I bought the 51771 model from Turners for $549 I think before taxes and DROS. It is a beast. Check your barrel inside first, mine came with very light surface rust. Others have reported the same. A few minutes scrubbing got most of it out. The barrel will be oiled from now on as a preventative measure.

Would you refuse a barrel with any amount of rust? What will gun shops do in these situations? Exchange the gun, try to fix the rust? I do not consider rust on a new gun acceptable.

Thanks for the tips though, I will bring a flash light to inspect the barrel.

[Danodog]

I did not check the barrel thoroughly until a week later. I thought it was oil or some other rust inhibitor. I do keep into a safe but I have one of the heated rods with the silicone packs. All my other rifles have faired just fine without any rust. I suspect that this is an issue with the barrels that Mossberg supplies with the shotgun. There are other people complaining about the same issue. One guy had a replacement barrel sent to him and it was worse than his first barrel.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=699681&highlight=rust

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[land locked]

If you order on line you need to inspect it before delivery. Make sure your FFL is good with a return/exchange to the place you ordered it from first. I have been lucky with all my Internet orders so far.

As far as the magpul furniture, I have it on a Remington 870. I don't care for the look, but function and comfort is excellent. The fore end gives a good place to attach a light and has a built in hand stop. The stock has an excellent recoil pad, adjustable length of pull and a comfortable angled grip. Multiple attachment points for slings.

If I didn't have that set, I would have a 13" LOP stock and standard fore end.

[DArBad]

Mossberg 590 Mag Cap

Wrong entry.

[shellslinger]

What others have said, the ghost rings look cool and all but the bead sight is the way to go

[Sheepdog1968]

I was fortunate to have had taken a lot of firearms classes from Louis Awerbuck. At about the six year mark'of knowing him and having taken his shotgun class in the past we talked at length about this very topic. I had ghost rings on my home defense shotgun but shoot weekly trap with my bead shotgun. I was considering to switch over to a bead and wanted his advice. He firmly believed ghost rings were better. As such, I've stuck with ghost rings on my home defense shotgun. Louis knew a great deal of firearms training and was one of the individuals who helped develop the modern use of a shotgun for self defense. As such, I tend to trust him even though I don't know all of the rational behind it.