Mossberg 500 and 590: Differences?

[Slater]

The Mossberg 500 was modified to some extent to create the Model 590. Having never examined a 500 very closely, what were the specific modifications? I'm told that the 590 is beefier to some degree, but on the surface at least, they look pretty much the same to me.

 

[Fred Fuller]

The 590 was developed a couple of decades ago to meet military specifications in a bid by Mossberg for a government contract. It is essentially a beefier 500, basic design is pretty much the same, main difference is that the magazine tube is easily accessible for cleaning/maintenance from the front. On the 500 the tube has to be unscrewed from the receiver- not a good plan IMHO. That by itself would make me prefer a 590 over a 500.

lpl/nc

 

[MrAcheson]

I believe the receiver is the same for both guns. The major difference is how the barrel and mag tube fit together on the business end of the gun. The 590 uses a sturdier system than the 500. The military spec 590s (590a1) also have more metal parts (like the trigger guard and safety button) instead of plastic and heavier barrels.