Mossberg 590 shotgun

The Mossberg 590 is a 12-gauge repeating smoothbore shotgun with a pump-action reloading system. The Mossberg 590 pump-action shotgun is assembled on the basis of the cult model Mossberg 500 of the American manufacturer OFMossberg & sons and is clearly its follower. The shotgun was developed in the early 1970s and entered mass production in 1972.

Unlike its universal predecessor, the Model 500, which was used everywhere, for hunting, security, sports, and police units, the Model 590 was purposefully created as a weapon for the army and police. As the developers initially planned, the Mossberg 590 smoothbore shotgun was adopted by the US Navy and Marine Corps, many US police departments, and only then began to be sold on the civilian market.

Currently, Mossberg 590 shotguns, like the 500 series models, are distributed throughout the world. In our country, the RBM-93 Lynx shotgun can be considered an analogue of this model, but in general, pump-action Remingtons are very similar.

general description

Since the Mossberg 590 pump-action shotgun is a weapon for the military and police, it has some design features inherent specifically to military weapons:

Huge margin of safety.
Ease of use.
Easy to disassemble and clean.
The presence of a special unit, thanks to which a bayonet-knife can be attached to the shotgun.

Militarization included hardening of a number of weapon parts, installation of a barrel guard to protect hands from burns, installation of a mount for a standard M9 bayonet, a more durable matte coating of external surfaces to protect against wear and corrosion, a metal trigger guard - the base of the firing mechanism block .

An interesting fact is that a limited number of guns of this model are available for free sale, and civilian types of weapons are completely no different from those available in the police or army. This is why Mosberg 590 shotguns are so popular in the USA.

The Mossberg 590 military shotgun is a classic pump-action shotgun with an under-barrel tubular magazine. The 590 series is almost identical to the previous 500 series, but has a reinforced design, since military and specialized weapons must be many times more reliable than their civilian counterparts. The main features of the Mossberg 590 are the following nuances:

Thick-walled steel was used to produce the barrel.
There is a special protective barrel cover that protects the shooter’s hands from burns.
For the reliability of the design, it was decided to make the trigger guard and the base of the firing mechanism block from steel.
The barrel and magazine of the gun are secured with a nut, which greatly simplifies the disassembly procedure.
There is a special bracket on which you can attach an M9 bayonet.
The shotgun stock is made only of plastic, which allows the weapon to be used in conditions of high humidity.

Although the shotgun was released after the end of the Vietnam War, it was created based on this combat experience.

general information

The 500th Mossberg gained enormous popularity not only in the United States, but also in other countries. Therefore, the company decided to develop weapons that would be used specifically by police and army personnel. Despite this, the 590 is also supplied to the civilian market, however, it has many capabilities unnecessary for the common man, so it is more practical to purchase the 500.

The main task of the engineers when developing this shotgun was to create a practical weapon for law enforcement agencies that would help them solve a variety of situations that arose. The main difference between the 590 and the 500 is the increased reliability margin. The shotgun itself is coated with a special solution that better protects against corrosion.

The trigger is also made at a higher quality level, which less often leads to various breakdowns. If anyone knows, the previous version of this gun had a plastic trigger guard, which was easily removed when the gun was not completely disassembled. The trigger itself was mounted on a plastic base, which made it and the trigger guard a single structure.

The shape and method of removing this mechanism did not change in the 590, but plastic was replaced by metal. It was the use of a metal base that made it possible to significantly increase the quality and reliability of this weapon. Thus, having this weapon, you can easily remove the trigger, which is hidden in the receiver.

The two shotguns also differ in the way the barrel is attached to the under-barrel magazine. All 500 line shotguns are fastened with a screw, but all versions of the 590 shotguns are equipped with a nut fastening, which is also more practical than the first option.

Design features of the Mossberg 590

Let's study the design of the Mossberg 590 shotgun.

Pump-action smoothbore shotgun with a movable fore-end.
The magazine is tubular, located under the barrel. The loading window is located on the bottom edge of the receiver. The magazine has a bracket for attaching a bayonet knife.
The receiver is made from a solid aluminum billet, made by milling. The left side of the Mossberg 590 A1 may feature the logo of the private military company Black Water (BlackWater).
The bolt cylinder is hooked onto the tooth of the breech by turning from bottom to top. The cartridge case is ejected to the right.
The set of sights consists of a ring-shaped rear sight (scope) and an open front sight on a high bracket. It is complemented by a picatinny rail. Another similar bar is located on the forend; it is used for installing tactical accessories.
Single action trigger mechanism. It is not regulated. To control the modes, there is a firing pin release lever located on the neck of the butt. It has two positions: Fire – all the way up, a red dot is visible; Stop – all the way down.

Main version and main modification:

The base model Mossberg 590 is equipped with a semi-pistol stock made of impact-resistant plastic. The stock has a straight comb and a shock-absorbing butt plate. It has a pronounced downward slope relative to the axis of the trunk. There is a recess on the butt for storing a spare cartridge.
The Mossber 590A1 model has a sliding buttstock (shoulder rest), which can be unscrewed, leaving a plastic pistol grip (cut-off). On the left side of the receiver he has a cartridge belt with a capacity of six rounds. Optionally it can be installed on the base model.

What conclusion can you come to?

The Mossberg 590 was a good continuation of the shotgun that is popular around the world. The engineers managed to take all the positive features from the old version, remove the main disadvantages and make the new weapon more high-quality and durable. It, as before, is in service with the US Army, as well as with other security forces in this and other countries.

Some civilians also use the basic version of this shotgun, but, nevertheless, many experts for self-defense and hunting animals advise using the 500 shotgun specifically, so as not to burden yourself with the abundance of unnecessary aspects of the 590.

Operating principle

In order to start shooting from the Mossberg 590, you need to perform the following manipulations:

First you need to load the gun. To do this, it must be put on safety - the slider of the firing pin release lever moves down.
Next, you need to place the cartridges in the tubular mechanism. The cartridges are inserted into the magazine with the cartridge case facing forward through a special window located at the bottom of the receiver.
In order to feed a cartridge into the chamber, you need to move the fore-end towards the butt, and then return it to its place. As a result of this manipulation, the shotgun will be ready to fire.
In order to start shooting, you need to remove the weapon from the safety catch. After the release lever is moved up, a red dot will appear, which indicates that the weapon is off safety and can fire.

The weapon comes complete with a special safety lock, which protects the weapon from unauthorized access. The lock shackle is threaded into the bolt hole, preventing it from feeding a cartridge into the chamber.

The contents and packaging of the Mossberg 590 shotgun is as follows:

Supplied in a cardboard box with the inscription Mossberg and an image of the medieval coat of arms of Sweden.
The kit includes a clamp to secure the forend in the stowed position (two rough metal shaped plates held together by a bolt) and a lock to lock the bolt.
There is an instruction manual, passport and warranty.

Operation of the gun

After receiving a large order from the US government for the production of the Mossberg 500, the development company did not stop there and it was then that it decided to make an even better gun. This is how the 590th was born. As mentioned above, the Mossberg 590 shotgun is coated with a special solution that improves anti-corrosion properties. The body itself is painted matte black.

The engineers positioned their product as a weapon capable of withstanding any climatic tests. It was possible to shoot from it both in extreme heat and in severe frost. However, as practice has shown, this statement is controversial. It turns out to be true if the weapon is carefully monitored and cleaned regularly. In general, it all depends on each owner.

It is worth noting that only the body of the shotgun is coated with an anti-corrosion solution; the internal components are not subject to such treatment. If you use the Mossberg 590 shotgun in conditions of high humidity with the bolt open, there is a high probability of subjecting the “internals” to corrosion, which will lead to rapid breakdown of the shotgun.

Specifications

The main performance characteristics of the Mossberg 590 shotgun are as follows:

A classic pump-action shotgun with a movable fore-end.
The caliber is only 12, but the chamber can be either 70 or 76 mm long for Magnum cartridges.
The base model magazine holds 6 rounds. The 590 A1 modification boasts a 9-round magazine.
The length of the weapon is 1003 mm, with a barrel length of 470 mm. In the case of modification A1, the length of the weapon is 1041 mm, of which the barrel accounts for 508 mm. If the buttstock of this modification is detached, the total length of the weapon will be 961 mm.
The weight of various modifications is about 3.2-3.3 kg. Naturally, if you remove the stock from the A1, the weight can be reduced.

What can be concluded?

The Mossberg 590 turned out to be an excellent continuation of the shotgun popular around the world. The engineers managed to take all the positive features from the old version, eliminate the main disadvantages and make the new weapon better and more durable. It remains in service with the US Army, as well as other military units in this and other countries.

Some civilians also use the basic version of this shotgun, but still, many experts for self-defense and hunting animals recommend using the 500 shotgun so as not to burden yourself with many unnecessary nuances of the 590.

Advantages and disadvantages of Mossberg 590

The Mossberg 590 combat shotgun is a worthy successor to the Mossberg 500 pump-action shotgun. The gun has become even more reliable, it is not afraid of moisture and dirt. The main advantages of this model are as follows:

Reliable, indestructible and unpretentious. Shooting qualities are excellent. The ergonomics of the stock are not satisfactory. Severe recoil does not imply the use of a gun by beginners and people with poor physical training.
Good shooting qualities. The combat is tight and sharp. Excellent accuracy for smoothbore shotguns. Domestic shooters, using the Polev bullet when shooting at 50 meters, achieved a deviation of no more than 5 cm. For a smoothbore gun, this is an excellent indicator.
An additional Picatinny rail is attached to the forend, which allows you to equip the gun with tactical accessories - a flashlight, a laser target designator, etc.
An open front sight with a red fiber-optic thread is attached to the muzzle, and a rear sight in the form of a ring is attached to the butt plate of the receiver. The long sighting line ensures confident engagement of targets at both short and long distances.
The shotgun stock is made in such a way that it is comfortable for shooters of various sizes.
There is a recess on the butt for temporary storage of an additional cartridge. The ergonomics of the stock are impeccable, it is comfortable for shooting from any position. The butt pad is shock-absorbing, softening the rather harsh recoil.
The cost of the gun is quite adequate, Mossberg (Mossberg) 590 costs from 35 to 40 thousand rubles.

There are also disadvantages to this design due to the outdated design of the weapon:

The method of controlling the trigger mechanism remains the same - for this purpose, a release lever is provided, located on the neck of the butt. With its help, you can remove the gun from combat cocking.
The external surfaces of metal parts are treated with a solution of phosphoric acid, followed by dipping in oil. This method of protection is called parkerization. It is not particularly reliable; among North American gun owners it is considered a sign of cheapness and not particularly high quality. If you walk with a gun in the rain, you must wipe it with a rag and lubricate it, especially under the fore-end. Otherwise, signs of corrosion will appear.
The gun is very noisy, reloading is quite loud, so it is not very suitable for close-up hunting. However, it was made for completely different purposes.
The shotgun is available only in 12 gauge and with a barrel of one length. Although this caliber is the most popular, some hunters prefer 16 or 20 gauge, but compared to the variety of the 500 model, this looks depressing.

The manufacturer cannot please its customers with a variety of modifications; there are only a few of them.

Modifications

Mossberg 590 military shotguns do not boast a variety of models, but there are several modifications of this weapon, one of which appeared just recently in 2022:

A standard modification of the Mossberg 590. It is distinguished by the presence of a semi-pistol stock and a butt with a recess for storing a spare cartridge.
Modification of Mossberg 590DA. This version is equipped with a double-action trigger mechanism and does not have a safety lock.
Mossberg 590 A1 version. This modification was developed specifically for special forces. Currently, shotguns of this modification are widely used as combat weapons by the US Navy. Its main differences are a removable stock, a pistol grip and a sliding shoulder rest.
Mossberg 590 M . Modified version of the base model. In particular, removable magazines are used to power the gun. It has a standard length, but the weight has become slightly larger - 3.6 kg.

If you unscrew the stock of the base model, you get a real sawn-off shotgun, which is perfect for use in tight spaces.

Mossberg 590	Mossberg 590 A1
Type	Pump-action shotgun with movable fore-end
Caliber	12th, chamber 70 or 76 (Magnum cartridges) mm
Barrel length (mm)	470	508
Magazine capacity	6	9
Length (mm)	1003	1041/961
Weight without cartridges (kg)	3,2	3,3

Fresh version of Mossberg 590M

The Mossberg 590M shotgun with pump-action reloading was first introduced by the famous American company OFMossberg & sons at the beginning of 2022 and is positioned primarily as a tactical weapon for home defense or for official use in the police or security structures.

As the model designation suggests, this gun is based on a Mossberg 590 shotgun, modified by the manufacturer to feed cartridges from detachable box magazines.

The Mossberg 590M shotgun uses manual reloading using a longitudinally sliding fore-end. The under-barrel tube serves to secure the barrel and as a guide for the forend. At the bottom of the receiver there is a large window that serves as a magazine receptacle. The magazine latch is located in front of the trigger guard and behind the magazine receiver window and is controlled by a cross button.

The magazines are inserted into the receiver not vertically upward, but with a rotation around the front stop, approximately the same as in Kalashnikov assault rifles.

The magazines themselves are made of plastic and have an original composite design, in which cases of different capacities are attached to the neck, universal for all standard sizes, from below with screws. Cartridges in these stores are placed in two rows, in a checkerboard pattern, with a rearrangement into one row at the exit from the store. Typical magazines hold 5, 10, 15 and 20 rounds.

The company offers a number of different configurations of the Mossberg 590M shotgun, differing in fittings and stocks, including the 590M Shockwave variant, which has only a separate grip instead of a stock.

Disassembly

The sequence of actions for disassembling a Mossberg 590 series shotgun is as follows:

Put the weapon on safety.
Unload the weapon by jerking the fore-end one or more times. Make sure the store is empty by looking through the bunker window. The red ammo feeder should be visible.
Unscrew the knurled nut on the front end of the magazine.
Separate the barrel from the receiver.
Use a rod of suitable diameter (door key, Phillips screwdriver) to press out the trigger mounting pin and remove it from the receiver.
Remove two shaped plates from the receiver.
Push the forend back until it stops. Remove the bolt carrier slider.
Remove the cartridge feeder by squeezing its branches at the butt plate of the receiver.
Remove the bolt.
Remove the forend with guides from the receiver.
Open the store.

After removing the barrel and removing the trigger mechanism, incorrect disassembly may occur. To do this, twist the forend several times, as a result of which all the parts of the mechanisms will sequentially fall out.