Differance between 590A1 and 590 sold by B5??

[Friar_Tuck]

What is the functional and price difference between a 590 sold @ B5 for $399 and the 590-A1 which I havent seen for sale anywhere...(cept here in the classifieds)

[aplinker]

an A and a 1.

Finish (park vs blue), heavy barrel, all metal trigger housing in the 590A1. There's more, but I don't remember what else the 590 is lacking.

[bigstick61]

It's pretty much the above. A heavy barrel without a heat shield on the 590A1 vs. a standard barrel w/ a heat shield on the 590SP; the 590SP actually does come in a parkerized model, and I did see one once at the Covina Big 5 like that, while the 590A1 is parkerized only; the 590A1 comes standard with ghost rings sights while the 590SP does not (but it can be fitted with them, and I think there is even a model which has them); the 590A1 supposedly has an aluminum trigger guard and safety button while the 590SP does not, but I have heard that the 590A1 sold commercially does not come with these parts in aluminum anymore. Outside of these things, the rest of the features are identical.

[tuna quesadilla]

590A1 has a metal safety, metal trigger assembly, superior finish, heavier barrel, and a bayonet lug (some older plain-jane 590s have bayonet lugs as well but they now seem to be only on the 590A1s).

590A1 is basically a more heavy-duty version of the 590. It's worth the $$ if you, like me, enjoy a durable firearm.

[bigstick61]

All of the 590SPs I've seen have had bayonet lugs. It is one of the principle differences between the 590 in general and the ordinary 500.

[damndave]

590A1 has a metal trigger assembly and safety, parkerized finish and heavy barrel.

Well worth the money, I love mine.

[Friar_Tuck]

Is the 590 that periodically goes on sale at B5 the blued version? (I thought they were parkerized?)

[zhyla]

590A1 is basically a more heavy-duty version of the 590. It's worth the $$ if you, like me, enjoy a durable firearm.

And not worth the $$ if you realize that regular 500/590's are already durable firearms. Near as I can tell here are the real differences:

- Ability to tell your friends you've got the "military" shotgun.
- Ability to get the cosmetic features and convenient mag cap of the 590 line in an 18.5" barrel configuration. This is a big deal if you don't like blued guns.

The metal vs plastic this and that are, to me at least, don't cares.

[tuna quesadilla]

And not worth the $$ if you realize that regular 500/590's are already durable firearms. Near as I can tell here are the real differences:

- Ability to tell your friends you've got the "military" shotgun.
- Ability to get the cosmetic features and convenient mag cap of the 590 line in an 18.5" barrel configuration. This is a big deal if you don't like blued guns.

The metal vs plastic this and that are, to me at least, don't cares.

I've actually never handled a regular non-A1 590; I was basing my assumption off of my experience with 590A1s and 500s. In the past I've owned several 500s and I've found the fit and finish to be severely lacking. Cheaply made, cheaply finished rattle traps. Picking up a 590A1 was like night and day. Much more solid weapon. It's possible that the non-A1 590 is the same way.

[bigstick61]

Is the 590 that periodically goes on sale at B5 the blued version? (I thought they were parkerized?)

They're blued, although once in awhile a parkerized one comes up. I've only seen the 590SP at Big 5.

[bigstick61]

And not worth the $$ if you realize that regular 500/590's are already durable firearms. Near as I can tell here are the real differences:

- Ability to tell your friends you've got the "military" shotgun.
- Ability to get the cosmetic features and convenient mag cap of the 590 line in an 18.5" barrel configuration. This is a big deal if you don't like blued guns.

The metal vs plastic this and that are, to me at least, don't cares.

In regards to the first, the military uses the 590SP as well, not to mention at least one version of the 500, so getting the 590SP means you also have the "military" one. I don't even think the 590A1 comes with aluminum trigger guards and safety buttons anymore. It does have better sights, though, but you can buy these seperately.