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Finally completed my 'cheap' 590 - I call it 'practical tactical'

R

ricky_bobby

.270 WIN
Well its always nice to 'finish' a gun project - (And when I say 'cheap 590', read below, the build itself was not, just the bare bones gun ha!)

Some years back in the 'golden days' of gun buying aka the first Trump term and pre 'wu-flu' panic and then inflation, Buds had a special on the base model 590 with 6 shot tube, SKU 50778

$249 delivered no tax and free shipping to my local FFL back in those days so I was out the door for $274! Basically $70 more than a Maverick in those days!

It came with stock furniture which I promptly swapped out and decided this would be one of my 'tacticool' builds, but classy - I wanted something rugged and reliable and this pump has been in my truck on trips to the mountains, driven with me to Florida, and although my wood-stocked, glossier blued Mossbergs and Mavericks have more 'soul' with their traditional wood stocks and corn cob furniture, I have always loved this one - it is by far the slickest action yet from all my Mossbergs (and now that I see the notches on the action tube without burrs on them, I may actually get to dial that one in some more, but thats another thread in the Mav88 forum) - Open the action, turn it vertical and it just drops smoothly closed with just the weight of the gun, so smooth.

Mod list-
Magpul SGA gray stock with Type 1 and 2 QD's on both sides
Magpul SGA gray forend with M-Lok handstop kit (handstop just installed today, huge difference in grip and manipulation of pump as the texture locks you in, yet you can do a solid push/pull - have not tested it yet but I do not use it to 'pull' into my shoulder, most shotgun guys say mount nothing at 6:00, so I think it will do well just keeping hand in place and allowing me to push forward into the front hand stop)
S&J Hardware +1 Magazine extension
Wolff magazine spring (from the 8 shot Mossberg models, perfect function and fit with the mag extension on this one)
S&J Hardware Type 3 follower
Vang Comp big speed safety
Scalarworks Sync01 RMR mount
Holosun HE507C Green (multi reticle) with a Dream Plastics dust cover (highly recommend this brand they are a small family owned business and make simple neoprene rubber dust covers for your optics)

Since the optic mount is so low, I *almost* can co-witness with the bead if I wanted, I had a 1/4" riser for the SGA in the parts bin, but I really don't need it, since it sits so low on the receiver - I may down the road add the XS big dot just to see if it does cowitness- but as of now, on shotguns with optics I use just the 32MOA circle and it is a perfect and easy to pick up sight picture for shotgun defensive distances -

I do have the Magpul Sling mount barrel clamp (not pictured) and may add a WML on one of the side M-Lok slots (my favorite is a Streamlight ProTac1 on a Magpul cantilever mount) but this one is basically good to go for my uses - I usually would grab my 1301T first in any scenario, but this one now as set up, is by far #2 on my shotgun 'what do I grab', in my current fleet. Since I am so pleased with how this came out I may just send the barrel to Vang Comp for their treatment to make it even more special!

Enjoy the completed pic and any questions shoot away -

IMG_2939.jpeg
 
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For me the 18" with S&J +1 extension giving me 7+1 is the perfect combo of compact, light, and maneuverable - I know 20" barrels don't need an extension and carry another round, but in my experience you can tell a difference going from a 16" AR to a 14.5" pinned/welded rifle, same concept - I may own a 20" barreled 590/500 someday, but I tend to stick with similar manual of arms for all -

I don't need another but this one came out so nice, and I always wanted a Marinecote, so the 590A1 Professional in marinecote may be on the docket to add to the fleet this year!
 
I went with a Houge replacement stock on the '88 just to shorten the length of pull for my shorter arms. :) I have not looked into any kind of extension, as 5+1 SEEMS adequate for a modest home defense tool. Really like how your 590 is looking. ;)
 
Jmm14534 said:
Nice looking shoty! Just wondering if you considered making it compatible with short shells?
Click to expand...

I did not personally, although it would be easy with an adapter - my thinking is for my uses (I'm not a hunter so everything in my safe has a defensive role) I keep cases of slugs and 00 buck (2 3/4) in bulk - Minishells add capacity but they are definitely less 'oomph' by design and more expensive usually $1.10 a round or more, so my thoughts are I'd rather keep more 00 buck around than try to start stocking up on minishells - and since the ammo I buy I want it to share multiple weapons, I'd have to outfit the other Mossbergs I have with an adapter as well, but it wouldn't solve my problems with my semi-auto 12g's, which normally don't cycle Minishells
 
Learning how to "combat" load a pump or semiauto shotgun while on the move eliminates the need for mini's but more importantly it teaches you a technique that can be used with any make or model of gun.

Once you're good at it it's second nature and something that you don't even think about. Shoot two or three rounds and as the situation allows load two.

And you will never run dry!
 
Ernst said:
Learning how to "combat" load a pump or semiauto shotgun while on the move eliminates the need for mini's but more importantly it teaches you a technique that can be used with any make or model of gun.

Once you're good at it it's second nature and something that you don't even think about. Shoot two or three rounds and as the situation allows load two.

And you will never run dry!
Click to expand...

Ernst you think just as I do and that is how I train, for common reloading techniques, hence why I've never dabbled into mini-shells, and when I do add new guns to the 'fleet', I do not add more calibers as I tend to buy in bulk and keep enough (12GA, 5.56, 9mm, 45ACP, 38SP/357Mag, 22LR)
 
One of the modification to a Mossberg 500/590 that will really facilitate combat loading is open up the reloading port so you can thumb in new rounds.

Take a file and get rid of all the sharp edges completely around the port and cut back the forward end so as you thumb in rounds it's a natural ramp type feel which won't irritate your thumb.

This also enhances your abiity to load two shells at once without ever taking the gun off the target area.

In the past we've talked to Mossberg about opening up the loading port but to date nothing has happened.

Regards
 
ricky_bobby, your effort turned excellent. Sleek and functional. So often projects end up so gaudy, not the case here.
 
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