Mossberg 500 vs 590
- Jan 10, 2022
Mossberg introduced the first 500 model pump-action shotgun in the early 1960s. After more than 50 years, it continues to be one of the most popular firearms on the market with well over 10 million units sold worldwide. If you’re looking for an affordable and dependable shotgun, you’ll find that the Mossberg 500 series has plenty of options.
O.F. Mossberg & Sons is one of the leading firearms manufacturers in the United States. Known for reliability and versatility, the Mossberg 500 series includes models designed for hunting, tactical use, youths, and more. In fact, Mossberg’s military 590A1 model is the only pump-action shotgun that passes all US Military Mil-Spec 3443 requirements. While professionals rely on Mossberg in the field, the 500 models are also approachable for new shooters and hunters.
Keep reading to learn more about the shotguns in the Mossberg 500 series and the differences between Mossberg 500 vs Mossberg 590 firearms.
Mossberg 500 Overview
Mossberg has truly created something special with the 500 series. The Mossberg 500 is available in more than 20 variations, including the 500 Youth Super Bantam, the 500 Combo Turkey/Deer, the 500 Combo Field/Security, the 500 Retrograde, and the 500 ATI Tactical.
It’s also available in three different gauges: 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410. You can choose from plenty of options, including barrel finish, stock material, and sights. There are also numerous hunting and tactical accessories available, so you can truly customize your Mossberg 500 to your preferences.
Mossberg 500 Hunting
The Mossberg 500 Hunting shotgun is lightweight, dependable, and great for hunters who want an affordable firearm. It’s simple to use and reliable in any hunting environment. Due to ease of use and reliability, it’s also great for new shooters and home defense.
This 12-gauge shotgun has dual extractors, twin action bars and an anti-jam elevator to keep it firing smoothly. The positive steel to steel lockup causes the steel bolt to lock directly to the barrel, so the barrel holds most of the force when the gun is fired. The top mounted safety is easy to use whether you’re right or left-handed.
You can choose from a wide array of specialty stocks, patterns, and finishes for game-specific hunting needs. It’s also easy to change out the barrel, magazine tube, and other components to truly customize your Mossberg 500 shotgun.
Mossberg 590 Tactical
This field-tested shotgun has been used by military and law enforcement professionals for decades. The Mossberg 590 is a dependable choice for both personal and home defense needs. Like the standard Mossberg 500 models, the 590 includes a positive steel-to-steel lockup, dual extractors, top mounted safety, twin action bars, and an anti-jam elevator.
Tactical tri-railed forends make attaching railed accessories a breeze. Need to adjust length-of-pull? The six position adjustable stocks allow for an adjustment of nearly four inches without the need for additional tools. The Mossberg 590A1 includes a heavy-walled barrel with Parkerized or Marinecote finishes as well as a metal trigger guard and safety buttons.
Then there’s the Mossberg 590M, which offers magazine-fed convenience in the Mossberg pump-action platform. This allows for faster reloading/unloading and increased capacity without additional magazine tube length.
The 590M also makes it easy to transition between various types of loads. This heavy-walled barrel 12-gauge shotgun is easy to balance for greater accuracy and includes all the standard features you’d expect from a Mossberg 500 series gun, including ambidextrous safety and positive steel-to-steel lockup.
Mossberg 590 vs 500 Differences
The primary distinction between the Mossberg 590 and 500 lies in their magazine and barrel design. The 590, used in both commercial and military applications, features a clean-out cap on the magazine tube, allowing for easy maintenance and debris removal. In contrast, the Mossberg 500 utilizes a magazine cap to connect the barrel to the magazine tube, resulting in a slightly different assembly process. Additionally, the 590 often boasts a higher shell capacity and a more robust construction, making it a popular choice for tactical purposes. When comparing the Mossberg 590 and 500, potential buyers should consider their specific needs in terms of maintenance, shell capacity, and intended use to make an informed decision.
500 & 590 Magazines
The main difference between the Mossberg 500 vs 590 is the magazine design. The 500 has a closed-off muzzle end. It stays in place by bolting into the threaded end of the magazine tube. Take-down screw assembly threads into the end of the closed magazine tube; to remove the barrel, remove the screw, then pull the barrel forward and off the action.
Fortunately, for both the Mossberg 500 and 590 models, removing and cleaning parts is simple. The 590 has an open magazine tube that allows for more shell capacity with the addition of a magazine extension. For some 590s, the standard plastic tang safety and trigger guard are upgraded to metal.
500 & 590 Barrels
The main difference between the Mossberg 500 vs 590 is the magazine design. The 500 has a closed-off muzzle end. It stays in place by bolting into the threaded end of the magazine tube. Take-down screw assembly threads into the end of the closed magazine tube; to remove the barrel, remove the screw, then pull the barrel forward and off the action.
Fortunately, for both the Mossberg 500 and 590 models, removing and cleaning parts is simple. The 590 has an open magazine tube that allows for more shell capacity with the addition of a magazine extension. For some 590s, the standard plastic tang safety and trigger guard are upgraded to metal.
The Mossberg 500 is available with various length barrels (up to 28 inches). It’s most often used for hunting, target practice, skeet shooting, home defense, and competition. It’s an affordable option that’s great for hunters and newer shooters. It’s designed to shoot all kinds of shells from 12-gauge buckshot to slugs.
The Mossberg 590 has been used by the military and law enforcement for decades. It has more shell capacity than the 500, along with faster reloading time. The 590 has additional features available, including heavy-walled barrels, ghost ring sights, bayonet lugs, and heat shields. It’s also available with a metal trigger guard and safety. The 590 is built to stand up to harsher conditions than the 500, but both are reliable shotguns.
Final Thoughts
The Mossberg 590 and 500 are similarly equipped with great features like positive steel-to-steel lockup, ambidextrous safety, twin action bars, and an anti-jam elevator. The most significant differences come down to their features and intended use.
If you enjoy hunting, the 500 is purpose-built and easily customizable all the way down to camo pattern. It’s lighter in weight with a longer barrel, making it more effective for hunting and more approachable for beginning shooters as there is less recoil than the 590.
The 590 has a solid reputation among the military and law enforcement. It has even more customization options than the 500 and is built to withstand even the harshest conditions. It’s faster to disassemble and has higher shell capacity. The Mossberg 590 is perfectly suitable for home security, tactical, and competition applications.
Choosing between the Mossberg 590 vs 500 is simple once you consider these differences. There isn’t a superior choice between the Mossberg 500 vs 590; it all comes down to what’s most important to you. And hey, these guns are affordable, so you can always get both if you really can’t decide! You’ll find Mossberg 500 and 590 shotguns at Green Top Sporting Goods, along with accessories to customize your gun.