Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde

[Wraith]

I know the 590A1 is a solid shotgun. I’ve been eyeballing one for a couple months now and as soon as I’m about to pull the trigger (Today) I get this email link

Mossberg Introduces Retrograde Series of Pump-Action Shotguns

Now I’m guessing if I should buy a 590A1 now, still, and put wood on it. Or, do I buy it with wood as it will packed as the Retrograde?

Is a quality wood stock and forend hard to find on and/or install for this shotgun?

Thank you in advance.

 

[BDinPutnam]

900 bucks seems a bit steep to me but I lucked out and got my 500 for free and my 870 Wingmaster for 200 bucks.

 

[Wraith]

900 bucks seems a bit steep to me but I lucked out and got my 500 for free and my 870 Wingmaster for 200 bucks.

Nice! I figure that’s MSRP and it’ll be $50-150 lower depending on how successfully it takes off.

 

[Bananabandit]

I think it look ridiculous. But thats just me

 

[Podmonkey]

Well fuck me runnin'! I have been pondering doing this to my 590A1 for sometime myself.
But as @BDinPutnam says, far too much money!
It would be far cheaper for me to buy the stock set and heat shield separately.
The wood looks a little off besides, too glossy I think. Should have a more military matte look to it.

 

[Bigfoot]

I kind of like the looks of it.

 

[Modean]

Love the look, but the price is pretty high. I paid under $500 for my 590A1 and $70 for the heat shield. I see wood furniture on eBay in the $100-$150 range.

 

[Celt]

I like it, but not for that kind of money.

 

[Vapor]

You can get an 8 shot persuader for like $300, then grab wood from havlin sales for like $90. I guess that doesn't get you a bayonet but...$750?

 

[Wraith]

And this is why I asked. I appreciate ya’ll talkin’ me off the edge. I do like it as is but if it’s really that much overpriced I’ll have to go another route.

 

[Upstate43]

I'm curious to know how they got the heatshield on the 590a1 with the ghost sights, and how they plan to get it off for weapons maintenance.

You can put a heatshield on the 590a1's, but it requires some muscle and lubrication to install, and it certainly won't come off without breaking some components.........hmmm, my phrasing is leaving me open to some jokes there, but my assessment still stands.

 

[Modean]

I'm curious to know how they got the heatshield on the 590a1 with the ghost sights, and how they plan to get it off for weapons maintenance.

You can put a heatshield on the 590a1's, but it requires some muscle and lubrication to install, and it certainly won't come off without breaking some components.........hmmm, my phrasing is leaving me open to some jokes there, but my assessment still stands.

First, it’s much easier with the correct shield. The standard one for the 500 does not fit a 590A1 because of the heavy wall barrel. I have ghost rings on mine, and it took a couple of hits with a rubber mallet to seat the rear clamp. I had put some light cloth under the arms to keep from scratching the barrel. Getting it off? No idea. I’ve never felt the need.

 

[HEX]

My only thought is that the 590A1 , with the heat shield and bayo lug and all, is already a fairly heavy shotgun compared to others in it's style/class. I don't see any logic in making it even heavier just to have wood for some reason.

 

[Wraith]

My only thought is that the 590A1 , with the heat shield and bayo lug and all, is already a fairly heavy shotgun compared to others in it's style/class. I don't see any logic in making it even heavier just to have wood for some reason.

I just want it as a fun to tinker with home defense gun. The wood is just ‘cause I like th aesthetic more than it’s practicality. I could careless for the bayonet lug.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

I put a real nice 590a1 on gunbroker several months back nut got $265! The buyer got a great deal. My customer lost his ass.

$1 start no reseve. Go figure.

 

[Wraith]

Auctions are funny like that sometimes.

 

[Upstate43]

First, it’s much easier with the correct shield. The standard one for the 500 does not fit a 590A1 because of the heavy wall barrel. I have ghost rings on mine, and it took a couple of hits with a rubber mallet to seat the rear clamp. I had put some light cloth under the arms to keep from scratching the barrel. Getting it off? No idea. I’ve never felt the need.

I know it can be done, as I've installed the heat shield (the correct one, I might add) to a 590a1. The point is, it isn't easy as you're basically forcing the heat shield clamps to spread over the barrel and you can't get it off for weapons maintenance....you know, for when you get dirt or surface rust on the underside of the shield or on the barrel itself.

By comparison, the 590's with the bead sight can have bead removed and the heat shield installed and removed simply by sliding the shield over the barrel....much easier.

 

[oc shooter]

it's still just a mossberg

 

[Upstate43]

My only thought is that the 590A1 , with the heat shield and bayo lug and all, is already a fairly heavy shotgun compared to others in it's style/class. I don't see any logic in making it even heavier just to have wood for some reason.

Yes, that's the main issue with 590a1: it's very heavy, especially with 8+1 and a side saddle. It certainly can be used well enough if you develop a little bit of muscle, but its not as nimble as some of the lighter-barreled pump-actions. But I don't mind that, since it's a workhorse of a shotgun; everything about it is overbuilt.

As for the retrograde, it does seem cool. I am curious to know if Mossberg developed a new heatshield system for the a1's, since in the past those shields could only be installed and removed from variants with the front bead sight.

I personally wouldn't bother with the retrograde for the following reasons:
-Mossberg is asking $800-$900 for a shotgun that can essentially be had for $500-$600 in other trims.
-The wooden stock looks cool, but it adds weight and the LOP and cheek weld cannot be customized (the former is especially important, as a lot of Mossberg owners find themselves shortening the OEM stock or buying an aftermarket one to reduce the LOP).


My 2 cents: go find a moderately used 590a1 for a fraction of the price and customize it to your hearts content.

 

[Podmonkey]

I think I paid around $430 new for my 590A1.
I might be misremembering though as I bought it at Buffalo Gun Center and their prices are horseshit.

 

[Upstate43]

I paid ~$520 for mine before FFL fees: 9 shot, with XS ghost ring sights.

I think the Magpul trim might fetch a bit higher. Regardless, $800-$900 for essentially the same shotgun but with different stock and fore-end pieces is a bit foolish.