The Mossberg 590 is a tough shotgun known for being reliable in tactical situations, home defense, and hunting. Upgrading your mossberg 590s with the right modifications can make it handle better, perform better, and be more reliable. This guide will show you the best mods to make your Mossberg 590 more powerful, precise, and functional, helping you turn it into a customized powerhouse that fits your needs.
Key Takeaways
| Modification | Benefits | Considerations |
| Stock Upgrades | Improved ergonomics, recoil management | Weight, adjustability, material |
| Forend Replacements | Better grip, accessory mounting options | Compatibility, durability, texture |
| Sights and Optics | Enhanced accuracy, faster target acquisition | Type (red dot, holographic), mounting system |
| Barrel Mods and Chokes | Customized shot patterns, versatility | Legal restrictions, intended use |
| Recoil Pads and Muzzle Brakes | Reduced felt recoil, improved follow-up shots | Added weight, noise considerations |
Why Customize Your Mossberg 590s?
Customizing your Mossberg 590s can make it better in several ways:
- Improved accuracy for better shot placement
- Better recoil management for smoother shooting
- Increased comfort for better handling
- Enhanced tactical functionality for high-stress situations
- Personalized looks to make your shotgun unique
- Increased versatility for different uses
Let’s look at the best modifications to make these improvements and turn your Mossberg 590s into a custom shotgun that fits you perfectly.
Best Mods for the Mossberg 590s
Stock Upgrades
Changing the stock on your Mossberg 590s can make it handle much better and feel more comfortable. The Superleggera Stock is super light at just 2.2lbs, making the shotgun easier to move around without being weak. This is great for using the gun for a long time or when you need to move quickly. For competitive shooters who want the best performance, the Furiosa Ultra PRS Competition Chassis lets you adjust the weight and balance of the shotgun perfectly. This helps shooters set up their gun just right for different types of competitions or how they like to shoot.
Forend Replacements
Upgrading the forend can make your Mossberg 590s easier to hold and control. The Gladiatore Fore-End ($139.99) has M-lok rails so you can add things like lights or lasers. It also looks nice with its engraving. If you want something that’s really easy to hold and use for a long time, the Gladiatore Club Grip Fore-End Kit is made to fit your hand well and not make you tired. This is great for people who shoot a lot or need to use their shotgun in tough situations.
Sights and Optics
Better sights on your Mossberg 590s can help you aim faster and more accurately. Here are some options to think about:
- Red dot sights: These help you aim quickly and are good for close to medium distances. They’re great for home defense or tactical use where you need to be fast.
- Holographic sights: These give you a wider view and can be more precise than red dots, especially if you have trouble seeing clearly.
- Ghost ring sights: These are better than the regular bead sight and help you aim more accurately while still being quick to use.
- Fiber optic sights: These are easier to see when it’s dark without needing batteries.
When picking a sight, think about how long the battery lasts, how tough it is, and if it will work with other mods you have or want to add to your Mossberg 590s.
Barrel Mods and Chokes
Changing your barrel or adding chokes can make your shotgun work better for different situations. Chokes that you can change let you adjust how your shot spreads for different types of hunting or tactical use. Here are some options:
- Extended choke tubes: These can give you more control over your shot pattern and might help reduce recoil.
- Ported barrels: These can help keep the muzzle from rising as much, letting you shoot again faster.
- Changing barrel length: This can change how the shotgun handles and how the shot performs, but it’s more complicated to do.
Always make sure any changes to your barrel follow the rules about how long a shotgun barrel can be.
Recoil Pads and Muzzle Brakes
To make the shotgun kick less and be more comfortable to shoot, you can add a good recoil pad or muzzle brake. These can make it feel like the gun kicks less, letting you shoot faster and for longer without getting tired. New recoil pads use materials that absorb the kick better than old rubber pads. Muzzle brakes, while not as common on shotguns, can really help reduce both how much the gun kicks and how much the muzzle jumps up. When picking these, think about:
- How good the material is and how long it will last
- If it will fit with the stock you have
- For muzzle brakes, remember they reduce kick but make the gun louder
- How it changes the length and handling of the shotgun
Make sure to install these correctly to get the most benefit and keep your shotgun working well.
Tactical vs. Hunting Modifications
When customizing your Mossberg 590s, think about what you’ll use it for most. Tactical mods focus on quick aiming, moving easily in tight spaces, and shooting fast. Hunting mods might focus on accuracy at longer distances, being light to carry, and working well in different hunting situations.
Tactical Modifications
For home defense or police use, consider these mods to make your Mossberg 590s better for tactical situations:
- Shorter barrel (if it’s legal) to move easier in small spaces like inside buildings or cars
- Tactical light or laser sight for dark situations, helping you see and aim at targets better
- Bigger magazine tube to hold more shells so you don’t have to reload as often
- Ghost ring sights or red dot sights to aim quickly and accurately when things are moving fast
- Controls that work for both right and left-handed shooters
- Places to attach a sling so you can carry the gun easily and switch to a handgun if needed
Hunting Modifications
For hunting, focus on mods that make the shotgun work better in the field:
- Longer barrel for better accuracy at longer distances, which is important for shooting slugs or hunting turkeys
- Stock that can be adjusted to fit well even when wearing thick winter clothes
- Places to attach a sling for easy carrying on long walks
- Chokes that can be changed for different types of hunting and distances
- Finishes that protect against bad weather
- Recoil reduction to make shooting more comfortable, especially with heavy hunting loads
- Fiber optic sights or low-power scopes for better accuracy in different light conditions
Installation Guide: How to Modify a Mossberg 590s
Before you start changing your Mossberg 590s, make sure you have the right tools, a clean place to work, and understand what you’re doing. Here’s a list of things you’ll need:
- Screwdrivers (flathead and Phillips) in different sizes
- Allen wrenches in both metric and standard sizes
- Punches for pushing out pins
- Gunsmithing hammer with soft heads to avoid damaging the gun
- Gun cleaning kit to clean parts before and after
- Torque wrench to tighten things just right
- Loctite or similar to keep screws from coming loose
- Safety glasses and gloves to protect yourself
- Gun mat or soft surface to protect the gun and your work area
Always read the instructions that come with your new parts. If you’re not sure about something, it’s best to ask a professional gunsmith for help to make sure everything is installed correctly and safely.
Step-by-Step Installation Guide
- Make sure the shotgun is unloaded and safe to work on. Check the chamber and magazine tube twice to be sure they’re empty.
- Read your shotgun’s manual and the instructions for the new part you’re installing.
- Take off the old stock or forend following the instructions. This usually means removing some pins or screws.
- Clean all the surfaces where the new part will go using the right cleaners and clean cloths.
- Try fitting the new part without fully installing it to make sure it fits right.
- Put a little bit of thread-locker on screws if the instructions say to.
- Install the new part, making sure it lines up right with the rest of the gun.
- Tighten all screws to the right tightness using a torque wrench so you don’t make them too tight.
- Test how the shotgun works without any ammo to make sure all parts move smoothly.
- Look closely at everything you installed, checking for any gaps, parts that don’t line up, or loose pieces.
Troubleshooting Fitment Issues
If you have trouble getting parts to fit, try these steps:
- Double-check that the part is made for your exact model of Mossberg 590
- Make sure you’ve removed all old parts completely, including any leftover glue or thread-locker
- Check for any rough spots where parts mount and carefully smooth them with fine sandpaper if needed
- Make sure all mounting surfaces are clean, flat, and not damaged
- If parts seem slightly off, contact the company that made them for help before trying to change anything
- If you keep having problems, consider asking a professional gunsmith for help
Maintenance & Care Tips for Custom Mossberg 590s
Taking good care of your modified Mossberg 590s is important to keep it working well and protect the money you’ve spent on upgrades. Make a routine for regular maintenance that covers both the original shotgun parts and your custom modifications:
Cleaning & Lubrication
- Clean your shotgun well after each use, paying extra attention to modified areas and where new parts meet old ones
- Use the right cleaners and lubricants for each part, following what the shotgun maker and modification makers recommend
- Pay special attention to the action, barrel, and any added rails or mounting points
- For sights with lenses, use special lens cleaners and soft cloths made for delicate optics
- Regularly check and clean the magazine tube and follower to make sure shells feed smoothly
- Put a little lubricant on moving parts, but not too much because that can attract dirt
Storage & Inspection
- Store your shotgun in a cool, dry place to prevent rust, using a dehumidifier in your gun safe if needed
- Use a gun sock or case treated with silicone to protect against moisture and dust
- Regularly check all modifications for signs of wear, loosening, or damage, especially screws and mounting points
- Check any special finishes or coatings, fixing any chips or wear quickly to prevent rust
- Keep track of how many rounds you’ve fired and plan regular check-ups based on how much you use the gun
- Periodically test all modifications to make sure they still work as they should
- For long-term storage, consider removing sensitive parts like optics and storing them separately
Conclusion
Customizing your Mossberg 590s can make it much more powerful, precise, and better performing for different uses. By carefully choosing and installing the right modifications, you can create a shotgun that’s perfect for what you need, whether that’s for tactical use, hunting, or competitive shooting. The process of customizing not only makes the gun better but also helps you understand how it works more deeply.
Always remember to be safe when modifying your shotgun and keep up with proper maintenance. This will ensure your customized Mossberg 590s lasts a long time, stays reliable, and performs at its best. As you get to know your modified shotgun better, you might find ways to make it even better or add more upgrades to keep improving how it performs.
