Time for an update! I've had a couple recent questions about what I have on my 590A1 recently...
Most questions I get are in regard to the ERGO trirail forend, AFG, and the Hogue stock.
As far as the AFG goes, there are other options in lieu of the AFG. Magpul also has the XTM rail cover style hand stop. Other options include XTM panels and the hand stop pieces from Gear Sector.
There are lots of possibilities and the reason I mention it is because I have on occassion slammed my index finger into the front stop. I found out the hard way that benching the shotgun, resting the forend as I normally would on my support hand is kinda a bad idea with the AFG. It actually cut my knuckle. Now, with all the shooting I've done, this has literally happened only like 3 times. I always practice the push/pull method which will normally negate this issue, as long as youre consistent on the push/pull.
I still very much like the ERGO trirail as it allows the customization of the forend and given the paragraph above, I may explore some other options. The ERGO trirail is the "medium" length for standard (7 + inch, 7 5/8" maybe) action slide tubes. Cant go wrong with the ERGO and ERGO CS has always been supportive whenever I've had questions.
As for the Hogue, its the short (12") LOP. Man, the Hogue is a dream, never an issue! I had heard before to be careful about wrapping your thumb around the grip becuase of the possibility of smacking your nose. I've bumped my nose once.
The short LOP has helped with a couple things;
I'm not terribly tall, I'm 5' 10" and the 12" stock has made it possible to get square behind the gun instead of havin to stand bladed. Being able to square up to the gun has helped reduce felt/perceived recoil. I cant say emphasize enough how much this has helped improve handling full power loads and staying on target through repeat/follow up shots.
Now, I'll also add that the VCS in conjuction with the Hogue, I feel, has added to the dramatically improved handling. I have video and pictures from firing at night where the gasses being ported through the VCS are visible. No doubt in my mind this contributes to reducing muzzle climb.
Something I've changed recently was to eliminate the receiver end plate sling adapter from ERGO. I was havin problems with some stock twist. I got a longer bolt to make sure it threaded far enough into the receiver and was always certain it was properly snug. Its just the way it mated between the receiver and stock that the Hogue was never really locked in. I know of folks who use end plate adapters from other companies and havent had any problems at all. For me, the best solution was to remove it and I dont intend to use anything else...
I've gone to the Specter Gear SOP sling rather than the single point from Botach I had been using since I had done away with the sling adapter. I'm gonna try the sling while hunting this year and see if its as helpful and if I can use it as effectively as I did the single point despite obvious differences between the two styles. If I had to pick on the Specter Gear sling, it would be the adapter that wraps the stock. It doesnt entirely interfer, but it isnt perfect either. The sling does allow the option of removing the wrap and goin directly to a standard sling swivel.
So thats where I am, I may yet change a couple minor things down the road centering around the forend to better improve and customize handling. Otherwise I'm very happy with the way it is!!!