I like both equally well as I'm a gunsmith to. I'm aware of the differences but have to disagree with you on it being a POS.
The 590 A (mil version) is a great gun and my favorite. My serbu super shorty is a 500A and it's never let me down either.
But all my 870's have performed flawlessly right outta the box or customized, and by customized I mean the whole nine yards,
for example: "ass to risk package"
Smooth action
Trigger job w/Timney sear
Dehorn receiver, inside & out
Stake shell stops, if required
Complete safety & function check
Button Head safety
18½" barrel
Knoxx Spec-Ops or Comp recoil absorbing stock
Lengthen forcing cone for less shot deformation and improved patterns
Install Rem-chokes or back-bore barrel for improved patterns
Hone barrel after machining
One or two-round bar stock magazine extension, or cap w/ sling attachment
Hi-visibility follower
Wolff Extra-Power magazine spring
Rear-mounted LPA ghost-ring sight system w/pic-rail & silver-soldered front post sight
Satin matte bead blast and reblue entire shotgun
Install sling swivel in pistol grip
Wilderness heavy duty sling with sling swivels
Surefire 618FA forend-mounted weaponlight
Mesa Tactical shell holder, 6-round
not to mention vang comp style barrel & throating, all these options make this thing a lethal combat machine.
Not that its perfectly fine outta the box, but I prefer the above options. Like I stated above my favorite shotgun
is a mossberg 590A for many reasons. It is right outta the box and the only thing I've added is the mesa side saddle
which I suggest to anyone. But to call the most widely accepted and "in departmental use" shotgun out there a POS
is just nonsense.
My serbu:
870 stock & heavily modded:
Mossberg 590A's stock & modded:
Winchester & NEF:
Saiga S12 stock:
I have several more police shotguns from FN's to Savage and even some antique C&R shotties. It's
interesting to see how they've evolved over the yrs and how we've made them more reliable and easier
to handle. My favorite shotgun in my possesion (don't laugh) is my winchester 1200 police gun
chambered in 20gauge. The small black one pictured above with the birdshead pistol grip & 16" barrel
and yes it's an NFA weapon as most of mine are. But I guess opinions are like belly buttons everyone's got one
Quoted:
I wouldn't give $50 for a 870, I don't care what they do to it. You can't improve on a design that is
flawed from the get-go. A Mossberg 590 is a far better choice than that POS at a quarter the price.