AA-12 vs Mossberg 590

1996–Present

1994–Present

~10,000 estimated

~2,500,000+ units (global estimate, including civilian and law‑enforcement sales)

965 mm (38 in) with stock extended; 820 mm (32.3 in) collapsed

1,016 mm (40 in) with 14‑in barrel; 1,137 mm (44.75 in) with 18.5‑in barrel; 1,219 mm (48 in) with 20‑in barrel

457 mm (18 in) standard; 381 mm (15 in) compact variant

356 mm (14 in) short barrel variant; 470 mm (18.5 in) standard barrel; 508 mm (20 in) extended barrel

5.5 kg (12.1 lb) empty

3.2 kg (7.0 lb) empty (14‑in barrel); 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) empty (18.5‑in barrel)

20‑round drum standard, 8‑round box, optional 30‑round drum

5+1, 6+1, 8+1, 10+1, 12+1, 14+1, 16+1, 18+1, 20+1 shells depending on tube length

Gas‑operated, closed‑bolt, rotating bolt with recoil‑mitigation buffer

Pump‑action, manually operated sliding fore‑end with rotating bolt lock‑up; chrome‑lined barrel for corrosion resistance

Select‑fire trigger with Safe, Semi‑auto, and Full‑auto modes

Single‑stage trigger with integrated manual safety/trigger lever; ambidextrous safety lever on the top of the receiver

Fixed iron sights (rear notch, front bead) with Picatinny rail for optics

Standard front bead; optional ghost‑ring rear sight on tactical models; some variants equipped with detachable rifle‑style sights