Mossberg 500 vs Mossberg 590

1964–Present

1994–Present

10,000,000+ units (cumulative worldwide)

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

965 mm (38 in) with stock extended; 864 mm (34 in) with stock collapsed (tactical models)

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

406 mm (16 in) standard; 457 mm (18 in) and 508 mm (20 in) options

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

2.95 kg (6.5 lb) empty (12‑gauge, 18‑in barrel)

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

5+1 rounds standard; 6+1, 7+1, 8+1 tube extensions available; detachable box magazines up to 5 rounds

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

Pump‑action, slide‑action bolt with dual‑action locking lug; steel receiver with anti‑jam bolt design

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

Single‑stage trigger with manual safety lever; optional ghost‑ring safety on tactical models

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

Bead front sight; optional ghost‑ring rear sight or fiber‑optic front sight on tactical variants

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