Thoughts on the Mossberg 590a1 Retrograde?

So this is a post-purchase, pre-shooting thread.

I made a cash sale today and decided that it was New Gun Friday. I have been on the fence about the Shockwave. Even at 300 bucks I couldn't justify one. Handy, cool as all get out...but ultimately pretty niche to me.

I have an old Ithaca 37 DSPS 20" gun that will slamfire. Lefty friendly, lightweight, classic cool furniture. However, I sorta want to retire it. It was sold to me by a friend and I wanted to replace it with a capable gun that would serve in a HD role as well as cabin defense duty.

My LGS had Mossberg's 2019 Retrograde samples of the 500 and 590a1, and I couldn't resist. For those unfamiliar, the Retrograde line is new for 2019. They sport walnut furniture and either a blued or park finishes depending on the model. I have been looking at a 500 for awhile. The Retrograde version has a nice deep blue and looks like a gun found in a Police Cruiser. 18" barrel and a very reasonable $400-ish price tag.

However, the 590a1's siren song was just too sweet to pass up. 20" barrel, military grade, heat shield, ghost ring rear sight with a bladed front, and a bayonet lug for good measure. Pair all that with a no nonsense park finish, and you are left with a gun that will last a lifetime plus. It easily fills the HD role and will certainly pull cabin defense duty this summer/fall.

While it cost over $700, I feel I made a good long term investment as all the things one may switch out on a 500 series has been done from the get go (metal trigger guard/safety etc). This is my first Mossberg. I've had two 870s and the mentioned Ithaca regarding pump guns. It shoulders well, and I hope to run it pretty hard next week.

I'm pretty stoked

kozak6 said:

No pictures?

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I still haven't even cleaned the gun yet

I bought this as a "one and done" shotgun. It will do everything my Ithaca and last several lifetimes for no more than I plan on shooting it.

I'm expecting rain storms tuesday, so i plan on running a few boxes through it then while the range is dead. I picked up some 00 buck today and have a box or two of cheap blaster target rounds of an indeterminate age in my stash.

Truth be told, I haven't shot a shotgun in over 5 years. I haven't had much use for one, but this one was too purdy to pass up.

Hopefully pics to follow midweek.

I'm still waiting to find some time to shoot this new scatter gun Work has been nuts.

I love the feel of this gun. Its nearly as slick as my 50 year old Ithaca. The wood furniture makes for a solid feeling gun. I think the idea that it is an "offensive" or "defense" gun holds up. The amount if firepower a 20" tube offers along with the weight of the gun would make for a good door kicking firearm. That said, with as heavy as it is, I view it as more of a post up and wait gun. I'm a pretty beefy guy, but I don't think I would want to drag this 8lb monster all over hell´s half acre. However, I would feel well armed if its all I had.

Hoping to get to the range tomorrow before vacation on friday

AlexanderA said:

I have a Mossberg 500 as well as a couple of Remington 870's. If you have a choice, go with the 870.

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I've had two 870s. As a lefty, they don't work for me. I give a shotgun two strikes. I can deal with empty shells flying past my face OR a righty friendly crossbolt safety. The 870 fails both of these for me.

I probably prefer the Ithaca 37 DSPS over either, but from a control standpoint I like the Mossberg.

I do feel that you need to get up into the 590+ range for the payoff to be worth it. The A1 really feels like a serious piece of equipment. Certainly more robust than any Express, Persuader, or entry level shotgun I have ever handled. The Ithaca 37 kills it on ejecting at the bottom and overall weight. The 590A1 feels like a real hell and back gun.

I am embarrassed to say I still haven't even shot this big ol blaster. The weather didn't cooperate worth a hoot before going on vacation with the family.

I'm hoping to get it out for a test run this next week.

The good news is that I have been amassing various shells the last couple weeks. Ive got several boxes of target ammo, high brass, low brass, 000, 00, specialty 00/slug, etc. I think my shoulder will give out before I exhaust all my ammo.