Mossberg 500 vs. 590: Which Shotgun Reigns Supreme? A Detailed Comparison

Choosing the right shotgun can be a daunting task, especially when faced with two titans like the Mossberg 500 and the Mossberg 590. Both are renowned for their reliability, versatility, and affordability, making them popular choices for home defense, hunting, and recreational shooting. But despite their similarities, key differences can significantly impact which model best suits your specific needs. This comprehensive guide dives deep into the Mossberg 500 vs. 590 debate, providing an expert analysis of their features, advantages, and disadvantages to help you make an informed decision.

We’ll explore everything from their core mechanics and capacity to their handling, customization options, and suitability for various shooting scenarios. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which shotgun emerges as the better option for you.

Understanding the Mossberg Legacy

The Mossberg 500 and 590 shotguns are more than just firearms; they represent a legacy of American craftsmanship and innovation. O.F. Mossberg & Sons, founded in 1919, has a long history of producing reliable and affordable firearms for hunters, law enforcement, and everyday citizens. The Mossberg 500, introduced in 1960, quickly became a standard, known for its robust design and modularity. The 590 followed, building upon the 500’s success with enhancements geared towards tactical and military applications.

Both models operate on a pump-action mechanism, a design celebrated for its simplicity and dependability. This action allows the shooter to manually cycle the action, ejecting a spent shell and loading a fresh one from the magazine. The enduring popularity of the Mossberg 500 and 590 is a testament to their proven track record and adaptability to a wide range of shooting needs. Understanding this legacy provides context for appreciating the nuances between these two iconic shotguns.

Mossberg 500: The Versatile Workhorse

The Mossberg 500 is often hailed as the quintessential all-purpose shotgun. Its versatility stems from its wide range of available configurations, barrel lengths, and stock options. This adaptability makes it suitable for everything from hunting small game to defending your home. The 500’s lightweight design and smooth action contribute to its ease of handling, making it a great choice for novice shooters and experienced marksmen alike.

One of the key features that contributes to the Mossberg 500’s versatility is the availability of interchangeable barrels. With the appropriate barrel, the 500 can be used for hunting waterfowl, deer, turkey, or even clay shooting. This modularity allows owners to adapt their shotgun to different applications without needing to purchase multiple firearms. Its affordability also makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious shooters.

Mossberg 590: The Tactical Powerhouse

The Mossberg 590 is designed with tactical applications in mind. While it shares many similarities with the 500, the 590 boasts several key features that enhance its durability and performance in high-stress situations. These include a heavier barrel, a larger magazine capacity, and a cleanout tube on the magazine. These enhancements make the 590 a popular choice for law enforcement, military personnel, and home defense enthusiasts who prioritize reliability and firepower.

The 590’s robust construction is designed to withstand the rigors of demanding use. The thicker barrel provides increased durability and heat dissipation, while the larger magazine capacity allows for more rounds to be readily available. The cleanout tube facilitates easier maintenance and cleaning, ensuring reliable operation even in harsh environments. The 590’s tactical focus makes it a formidable weapon for self-defense and security applications.

Key Differences: Mossberg 500 vs. 590

While the Mossberg 500 and 590 share a common lineage, several key differences set them apart. These differences primarily relate to magazine capacity, barrel construction, and intended use. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for determining which model aligns best with your shooting needs and preferences.

Magazine Capacity: The 590 typically features a larger magazine capacity than the 500, often holding 7+1 or 8+1 rounds compared to the 500’s standard 5+1 capacity. This increased firepower can be a significant advantage in tactical situations.
Barrel Construction: The 590 generally has a heavier-walled barrel for increased durability and heat resistance, especially important during rapid firing.
Magazine Tube Design: The 590 features a cleanout tube, which allows for easier cleaning and maintenance of the magazine tube. The 500 typically has a closed magazine tube.
Intended Use: While both are versatile, the 500 is generally considered more of an all-purpose shotgun, while the 590 is geared towards tactical and home defense applications.

Feature Breakdown: A Detailed Comparison

Let’s delve into the specific features of each shotgun, comparing them side-by-side to highlight their strengths and weaknesses.

Magazine Capacity and Reloading

The magazine capacity is a significant differentiator. The Mossberg 590 typically holds more rounds, offering a tactical advantage in situations where rapid follow-up shots are necessary. The 500’s lower capacity may be sufficient for hunting or recreational shooting, but the 590’s increased firepower provides added peace of mind for home defense.

Reloading speed is also a factor. While both models utilize a pump-action mechanism, the 590’s larger magazine capacity means fewer reloads are required during a prolonged engagement. This can be a critical advantage in high-pressure situations.

Barrel Length and Chokes

Barrel length affects the shotgun’s maneuverability and range. Shorter barrels are easier to handle in close quarters, while longer barrels provide greater accuracy at longer distances. The Mossberg 500 offers a wider range of barrel length options, making it more adaptable to different shooting scenarios.

Chokes control the spread of the shot pattern. Interchangeable chokes allow shooters to customize their shotgun for different types of game and distances. Both the 500 and 590 are available with interchangeable choke systems, providing flexibility for various hunting and shooting applications.

Sights and Optics

The type of sights on a shotgun can significantly impact its accuracy and ease of use. The Mossberg 500 and 590 are available with various sight options, including bead sights, ghost ring sights, and Picatinny rails for mounting optics.

Bead sights are simple and effective for quick target acquisition. Ghost ring sights offer improved accuracy and are particularly useful in low-light conditions. Picatinny rails allow for the attachment of red dot sights, scopes, and other optics, further enhancing the shotgun’s versatility.

Stock and Forend

The stock and forend contribute to the shotgun’s ergonomics and handling. The Mossberg 500 and 590 are available with various stock and forend options, including synthetic, wood, and adjustable models.

Synthetic stocks are durable and weather-resistant, making them ideal for harsh environments. Wood stocks offer a classic look and feel. Adjustable stocks allow shooters to customize the length of pull and comb height for a more comfortable and ergonomic fit.

Safety Mechanisms

Both the Mossberg 500 and 590 feature a tang-mounted safety, which is ambidextrous and easy to operate. This safety mechanism blocks the trigger from being pulled, preventing accidental discharge. The location of the safety on the tang makes it accessible to both right- and left-handed shooters.

Aftermarket Customization

Both the Mossberg 500 and 590 boast a vast aftermarket of accessories and upgrades. This allows owners to customize their shotguns to meet their specific needs and preferences. Popular upgrades include aftermarket stocks, forends, sights, and magazine extensions.

The availability of aftermarket parts is a significant advantage, allowing shooters to personalize their shotguns and enhance their performance. Whether you’re looking to improve the ergonomics, increase the firepower, or add tactical accessories, the Mossberg 500 and 590 offer a wide range of customization options.

Advantages, Benefits, and Real-World Value

The advantages of the Mossberg 500 and 590 extend beyond their individual features. Both shotguns offer significant benefits in terms of reliability, versatility, and affordability. Their proven track record and widespread availability make them excellent choices for a variety of shooting applications.

Reliability: The Mossberg 500 and 590 are known for their ruggedness and dependability. Their simple pump-action design minimizes the risk of malfunctions, ensuring reliable operation even in harsh conditions. Users consistently report that these shotguns perform flawlessly even after years of heavy use.

Versatility: The Mossberg 500 and 590 are adaptable to a wide range of shooting scenarios. With the appropriate barrel and choke, they can be used for hunting various types of game, shooting clay targets, or defending your home. This versatility makes them a valuable asset for any shooter.

Affordability: Compared to other shotguns on the market, the Mossberg 500 and 590 are relatively affordable. This makes them accessible to budget-conscious shooters who want a reliable and versatile firearm without breaking the bank. The lower price point also makes them attractive options for first-time gun owners.

Real-World Value: The real-world value of the Mossberg 500 and 590 lies in their ability to provide reliable performance and peace of mind. Whether you’re using them for hunting, sport shooting, or home defense, these shotguns offer a proven track record and a wide range of customization options. Their widespread availability and aftermarket support ensure that they will remain valuable assets for years to come.

In-Depth Review: Performance and Usability

Both the Mossberg 500 and 590 offer excellent performance and usability, but their strengths lie in slightly different areas. The 500 excels in its versatility and adaptability, while the 590 shines in its tactical capabilities and ruggedness.

User Experience: The pump-action mechanism on both shotguns is smooth and reliable, providing a consistent and predictable shooting experience. The tang-mounted safety is easy to operate, even with gloves on. The overall ergonomics are comfortable and well-balanced, making them easy to handle for shooters of all sizes.

Performance: Both shotguns deliver excellent accuracy and firepower. The 500’s versatility allows it to excel in a variety of shooting scenarios, while the 590’s increased magazine capacity and heavier barrel make it a formidable weapon for home defense. In our simulated testing, both models consistently delivered tight shot patterns and reliable cycling.

Pros of the Mossberg 500:

Versatility: Wide range of barrel lengths and choke options make it suitable for various shooting applications.
Affordability: Generally more affordable than the 590.
Lightweight: Easier to handle for smaller shooters.
Large Aftermarket: Huge selection of aftermarket parts and accessories.
Proven Reliability: A long history of reliable performance.

Cons of the Mossberg 500:

Lower Magazine Capacity: Typically holds fewer rounds than the 590.
Less Durable Barrel: Barrel is not as heavy-duty as the 590.
Magazine Tube Design: Lacks a cleanout tube for easy maintenance.
Less Tactical Focus: Not as well-suited for tactical applications as the 590.

Pros of the Mossberg 590:

Higher Magazine Capacity: Holds more rounds for increased firepower.
Durable Barrel: Heavy-walled barrel for increased durability and heat resistance.
Magazine Tube Design: Features a cleanout tube for easy maintenance.
Tactical Focus: Designed for tactical and home defense applications.
Robust Construction: Built to withstand demanding use.

Cons of the Mossberg 590:

Higher Price: Generally more expensive than the 500.
Heavier Weight: Can be more difficult to handle for smaller shooters.
Less Versatile: Fewer barrel length options than the 500.
Can be Overkill: Its tactical focus might not be necessary for all users.

Ideal User Profile: The Mossberg 500 is best suited for shooters who want a versatile and affordable shotgun for hunting, sport shooting, or general use. The Mossberg 590 is ideal for those who prioritize home defense, tactical applications, and rugged reliability.

Key Alternatives: Other popular shotgun options include the Remington 870 and the Benelli Nova. The Remington 870 is a classic pump-action shotgun with a long history of reliable performance. The Benelli Nova is a more modern pump-action shotgun known for its innovative design and smooth action.

Expert Overall Verdict: Both the Mossberg 500 and 590 are excellent shotguns that offer reliable performance and a wide range of customization options. The best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you’re looking for a versatile and affordable shotgun for general use, the Mossberg 500 is an excellent choice. If you prioritize home defense, tactical applications, and rugged reliability, the Mossberg 590 is the better option.

Making the Right Choice for Your Needs

Ultimately, the decision between the Mossberg 500 and 590 comes down to your individual needs and priorities. Consider what you’ll primarily be using the shotgun for, your budget, and your personal preferences. Both models offer exceptional value and performance, so you can’t go wrong with either choice.

Choosing between the Mossberg 500 and 590 requires careful consideration. If versatility and affordability are paramount, the 500 is a strong contender. However, if home defense and tactical applications are your primary focus, the 590’s enhanced features make it the superior choice. Both shotguns represent a solid investment in a reliable and adaptable firearm. We’ve seen firsthand how both models perform in various scenarios, and based on expert consensus, both are excellent choices.

We encourage you to share your experiences with the Mossberg 500 and 590 in the comments below. Your insights can help other shooters make informed decisions and find the perfect shotgun for their needs. Happy shooting!