Who knew the Mossberg Shockwave would expand the 590 series? Not too long ago, Mossberg introduced three 590s: two 20-gauge models and a .410. Mossberg has long made 500s in the sampler gauge/caliber, but it’s new to the 590 world. The 590 has traditionally been a 12 gauge. However, the Shockwave has always been a 590. So, when they produced 20-gauge and .410 Shockwaves, they opened up the world for proper shotgun variants. That’s how we got the 20-gauge 590.
The model you’re looking at now is the seven-shot 20 gauge 590. They also produce a longer nine-shot model with ghost ring sights. This plain Jane version features an 18.5-inch barrel with a normal bead sight. It’s super plain and basic, but still a capable shotgun.
The gun measures out to a little over 39 inches with a length of pull of 13.87 inches. The gun has simple black polymer furniture, and the only thing close to extra features is sling swivels.
The 20 gauge 590 series offers an affordable, low-recoil shotgun option for the discerning shooter. It’s built on a very proven platform that’s been depended on for decades by police and military forces.
The Pros and Cons of 20 Gauge 590
As a dedicated tactical shotgun, you’re not dealing with a longer-than-necessary barrel, an ultra-long length of pull, or a five-round magazine tube. The 590 configuration gives you a barebones fighting shotgun that’s perfectly suitable for a defensive role. The magazine tube holds six 2.75-inch rounds, and an additional round in the chamber gives you a solid capacity.
Like every Mossberg, the gun features a tang safety. It’s on the receiver and provides an ambidextrous and easy-to-use safety. The tang safety is very easy to use in the dark. Mossberg also makes all of their Mossberg 500/590 series shotguns to be optics-ready. It’s easy to add a rail and optic or a dedicated optics mount.
The 20 gauge 590 can accept most furniture designed for the famed 12 gauge variant. This includes stocks and forends, so accessorizing and customizing isn’t difficult.
The downsides are few and far between. However, I think Mossberg has the wrong stock on the gun. It’s got a length of pull that’s fine for most grown men. However, a 20 gauge tactical shotgun is likely going to be used by smaller shooters. A shorter length of pull, like a Bantam 12.5-inch LOP, would be better suited for this gun.
The other problem is the bead. It’s directly mounted on the short barrel and can create POI/POA issues. It tends to make it appear that slugs are hitting high. There is a reason why Remington uses the pedestal bead sights.
To The Range
The recoil difference between the 12 gauge and 20 gauge is massive. The 20 gauge is just plain pleasant. Even standard power buckshot loads are soft compared to a 12 gauge. The 20 gauge 590 still packs a fight-stopping wallop. The lack of recoil makes it quick and easy to handle. It helps that the gun weighs less than six pounds.
In practice, I could fire two shots from the low ready in less than a second on an A-zone at ten yards. I have that same speed with a semi-auto 12 gauge. For a pump gun, it’s quite fast. Without recoil and muzzle rise, it’s much easier to shoot the gun in less than stellar positions, like behind cover.
The cylinder bore choke patterns are as you expect. It’s not going to blow your socks off, but with some cheaper Monarch buckshot, the pattern was about the size of my hand at ten yards. That’s perfectly suitable for home defense use. Speaking of, a big problem with 20 gauge is a lack of dedicated defensive ammo. Federal is supposed to release a Flitecontrol load, but it has not appeared yet.
To counteract the POI/POA problem, I attached a Williams Gun Sight Low Reflex Sight. It’s a handy little red dot that mounts nice and low on the 20 gauge 590. With the dot in place, this thing can dispatch a lot of lead quickly and accurately.
Chewing Through
I shot the Lucky Gunner Home Defense Shotgun Skills test and excelled with the Mossberg. I almost got Advanced in each course. The test is broken down into four stages.
Stage 1 is just a simple ready-up drill at 15 yards.
The Second stage is a ready-up drill with two shots at 10 yards.
Stage 3 gets complicated with the gun being loaded with three rounds in a cruiser-ready configuration and placed on a table. The shooter has to fire all three rounds and do an emergency reload with two rounds.
Stage 4 starts in a compressed, low-ready position. You fire two shots from this position, then step back, assume a shouldered shotgun stance, and make a headshot.
I sailed through it with ease with the 20 gauge 590. The 20 gauge 590 maintains Mossberg’s reputation for reliability and robustness. I chewed through several bulk boxes of 20-gauge shotguns and had no problems with any ammo types.
The Little Shotgun That Can
The 20 gauge 590 is a fantastic shotgun for those who are looking for a lower recoil option. It’s affordable, easy to shoot, and from a proven company. I still think a better low-recoil alternative would be an AR, but if you really want a low-recoil shotgun, the 590 has you covered.
For more information, please visit Mossberg.com.
