I like both guns, but the 590 seems to be the tougher of the two.  Its slide may not be quite as smooth as the 870, of course nothing compares to the pump action of a Browning, but I do prefer the 590 to the 870.  Just my .02

The 870 has a grand tradition as a field shotgun and when "dressed properly is a good tactical shotgun as well.   I bought a 590 with ghost ring rear sight and red ramp front sight several years ago (all from the factory).  It has survived a Jim Crews 'Urban Shotgun' class and lots of practice since without a single problem.  To me it is bulletproof.  I can hit a gallon pait can at 50 yards offhand EVERY TIME with Federal slugs and nice tight 00 buck groups out to 25 yards with Federal low recoil tactical loads.  Only thing I have done to it is add a side-saddle 6-round carrier and replaced the magazine follower with a orange one with a pointed tip so that I can easily tell when the tube is empty even in the dark.
It just plain works, works good every time, and cost was reasonable.

If you want durability, 870's are damn near bulletproof.

That's a tough decision. I have both and I can't really say I favor one over the other. If you do decide on the 590A1, I recommend you get the factory ghost rings. They can be quite expensive to add later. The rear ghost ring is easy because the receiver is already drilled and tapped, but the front blade has to be soldered and the barrel refinished.

I added Sidesaddles and CQB Solutions slings and buttstock shell pouches to both of them. I can't say enough about the CQB shell pouches. I really like 'em. They balance the guns nicely with fully loaded mag tubes and sidesaddles. A tad heavy but not unmanageable. Whatever you do, do NOT get one of those slings with the shell loops. If you do, don't use it to carry spare shells. It really throws off the balance, like hanging a weight off the end of your barrel.

That's about all I can think of right now. Good luck!

I have owned 2 of each... I prefer the 590 overall. I have one right now with the ghost ring sights, sidesaddle & speedfeed stock that allows you to carry just on the weapon a total of 19 shells. (9 in the weapon, 4 in the stock, 6 in the sidesaddle). The 590 has been issued by the military and believe it went through an extensive beating in a torture test about 10 years ago. I'll try to find the info and repost it later.

Take care,
John

From Mossberg's websight:
www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/Law.htm

We in Canada can have a short barrelled shotgun without the excessive paperwork imposed upon our friends to the south.  Based mainly on that, I recommend the LE/Export only Mossberg with the 14" entry barrel, fiber-optic front sight & ghost ring rear.  Handy as heck, and all very legal.

Edited to add that the speedfeed stock is also a handy option.

Mossberg law enforcement price list:
www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/lawprc.htm

Gives you a starting point anyway.  Dunno what they actually go for in Canada - handled one, that's it.  Nice though.

Edited 'cuz I can't talk and type type

870's are great scatterguns.
That said, M590 is sitting in my safe as we speak as my one and only shotgun. Sold all my others including my Benelli M1S90.
This is my 3rd 590. I never learned from the first two. Awesome scatterguns.

well, I don't have a 590 anymore.....

So I think they all suck now!

590A1 here, same deal 19 shells...might eventually throw a flashlight on there.  With a bayo-lug to boot, that shotgun is by far the best SHTF piece and #1 choice for a home defense system.  You can put different loads into the side saddle, and in the stock...etc.

Well, I'd still have my AR, but the 590 would still be slung over my shoulder and my 45 on the hip.  But I digress

FYI I hunt birds n turkeys with my Rem 870 Express Supa Mag.

On Speedfeed stocks:  I don't like them.  The ammo gets beat to hell from recoil.
Do this test and you will not like them either: Place 4 rounds of you favorite 00 buck in the speedfeed stock.  Shoot 50 rounds of whatever you like through the shotgun. Take one of the rounds out of the speedfeed stock and carefully cut back the end of it so that you can pour out the 00 'balls', you will see thay are no longer round but flattened where the recoil had slammed them together.  Shoot the remaing three rounds at a clean paper target at 10-15 yards and you will see that each one now spreads out about double that of "unbattered" rounds.

If you are shooting your shotgun for tactical work (or defense in your home) you must know where every one of those 7 or 9 "balls" are going.

Also most of the #4 or 00 loads have a plastic filler or buffer to help the shot stay round upon firing, etc.  This buffer stuff will begin to work out of the shell (past the crimp) after a few rides back and forth in the speedfeed stock and then the ammo really goes downhill. Spend the money you save on a plain stock for Federal Tactical 00 buck (or whatever you perfer) and shoot lots of it at distances from 5 feet to 25 yards and be one with your shotgun.  When you get there you will know and God help the stupid bastard that breaks into you home!

The speed feed stock is okay if you use those rounds up every time you shoot (rotate the inventory so they dont see too much battering).

Personally I have a sidesaddle fitted and am content with "only" nine in the tube and six more on the side.  If you need more than that you are probably in real trouble!

My 2 cents worth....

I was going to offer up the same suggestion: slugs....

Good point regarding the buckshot though, never thought about that.

Striker, I am a sporting shotgun guy not a tactical shotgun guy but that said I own 6 - Remington 870's and three Mossberg 500's. I have no experience with the Mossberg 590. My beef is with Mossberg quality control and repair service. Six 870's, two for twenty five  years, one broken firing pin, thousands and thousands of rounds fired. All work fine.

One Mossberg youth 500 in .410 did not feed  from the mag right out of the box, two trips to Mossberg to be repaired.

Another Mossberg youth 500 Turkey model in 20 gauge, the tru glow sight broken twice, cheap plastic, and the cammo finish worn off during light normal use. Mossberg replaced the sight twice but said they could not do anything about the finish.

A friend has a 835 turkey/ slug combo in cammo also with a tru glow sight, also broken twice.

My brother sent his 9200 back to Mossberg because the slug barrel shot two feet low and the sights could not be adjusted anymore. He also sent the vent rib barrel because it patterned like shit with the turkey choke. Mossberg replaced the slug barrel and enclosed a test target with three bulleyes but no other information about the bird barrel. He sent all four of his chokes for them to test but they only returned one with no explanation. That was two weeks and four E-mails ago but nothing from Mossberg. I would go with Remington. MIKE.

Consider the Norinco copy of the 870.  Very sharp with all the toys already installed.  I bought an 870 and tricked it out, then saw the Norinco for about $200 US at a show a few weeks later. I should have waited. I do however think the durability and smooth action of the 870 makes it the winner.  Will also keep its resale value far better.

Quoted: Consider the Norinco copy of the 870.  Very sharp with all the toys already installed.  I bought an 870 and tricked it out, then saw the Norinco for about $200 US at a show a few weeks later. I should have waited. I do however think the durability and smooth action of the 870 makes it the winner.  Will also keep its resale value far better.

I have to agree, I was looking aroung for a good used 870 to "Tacticalize" But everyone wanted too much for them, $200 or more then add the stuff I wanted, Nylon Stocks, Parkerized, Mag tube. Ghost Ring sights, it starts to get expensive.
The Norinco has all that stuff and all I did was add a Side Saddle and its ready to go. I cant believe, I won't get my $220 bucks back if I try and sell it. It works as good as the wingmaster I had 15yrs ago. I paid $170 for it back than and never got around to tricking it out. If want a fancy remington like a Scattergun Tech model your gonna spend $600+. If you just want a good Home defense, deer gun, you cant beat it for $200.

I love the 590 A1 with ghost ring sights.  It is tough and reliable.

max

I prefer Mossbergs over Remington shotguns.  I was buying a 870 at my local shop but suprisingly they were out of stock. So instead I went with The Mossberg 835.  As far as quality and durability it is built like a rock. I have never had any problems and it is extremely reliable. Go with the mossberg you wont be dissapointed.

Hey Striker!
E me and I will tell you about the NEW 590 that I have under my bed!
I am currently exploring other firearm possibilities.
I may be able to help you out if you choose a 590.

Found a Canadian dealer - www.leverarms.com
no prices on the website tho...

striker,

I bought a Mossberg 590 Compact with the 14" barrel and Ghost Ring Sights and Speedfeed stock for about $799 Cdn. My Local gun shop brought them in.

Really nice to shoot and really easy on the shoulder shooting slugs (I shit you not), me and a buddy where racing to shoot bowling pins down and he was getting battered by his 870 but the mossberg was a dream to shoot.

My Mossberg 590 is the current favorite of the collection.



I call it "Sunshine"

Ahhhh this is the battel that has gone on for years now with me.

I have always been a mossy guy but it seems that the 870s are a bit tougher.

If you want to thunker(aka shotgun plinker) any would be fine and the Mossy is a very good gun but for a SHTF gun I my self with in the next two or three days will buy a 870.