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Mossberg Persuader Model 590A1 12 Gauge Magnum No. 51411

Courtesy, Gun Tests

The trigger was balky, but this gun's controls were the easiest to learn and use, we thought.

The Mossberg Persuader Model 590A1 No. 51411 , $443, uses an 18.5-inch fixed Cylinder choke barrel, single front bead sight, non-glare matte finish, and 5+1 capacity. We tested the 5+1 500A Persuader, No. 50411, in the January 2001 issue. The major differences between the two guns are the heavy barrel and matte-black Parkerized finish on the 51411 and the presence of a pistol grip as part of the 50411 package. Also, the 590A1 has a metal trigger guard and safety button. The 590A1 is also more pricey, $443 compared to $357 MSRP for the 500-series gun. The gun we tested measured 38.5 inches in overall length. The receiver was aluminum. It had an LOP of 13.9 inches, a drop at comb of 1.5 inches, and a drop at heel of 2.5 inches. There was no cast in the buttstock.

One impressive aspect of operating the Mossberg was that we could work both the safety and the slide release without changing the shooting-hand grip and without having to dismount the shotgun. To rack the slide, we pulled the trigger finger off the trigger and depressed the action lock lever with the middle knuckle of the right hand. Lefties had it even easier; they could pull the trigger finger off the trigger and release the button without having to shift the hand on the grip. The Mossberg tang safety was likewise ambidextrous, positive, and easy to get to.

The steel Mossberg trigger also broke at 9 pounds, but it had a cleaner feeling as it moved from its full-cock to discharged position.

The pistol grip on the Mossberg stock is about a half-inch shorter than the Winchester and about an inch shorter than the Remington. Also, the molded-in checkering provided a better grip surface on the Winchester and Remington guns, we

Courtesy, Gun Tests

The Mossberg's strength was its easy-to-use controls. The top arrow shows the tang-mounted sliding safety, which was easy to use for righties or lefties. The bottom arrow points to the action release button, which was easy to find but out of the way. One impressive aspect of operating the Mossberg was that we could work both the safety and the slide release without changing the shooting-hand grip and without having to dismount the shotgun.

The Mossberg buttstock included molded-in studs for rear sling swivels, and was threaded to accept a stud in its cap, but the screw-in stud itself (part no. 36) wasn’t included with the gun, that we could find.

The Mossberg enabled us to shoot 25-yard three-shot groups around 4.5 inches with the Federal Premium rifled slug. The Mossberg also printed the tightest patterns, though at close quarters all three shotguns would be effective self-defense choices. Firing at 10 yards with the Federal Premium Wing-Shok loads (3-inch magnums filled with No. 2s), we shot 9.6-inch-wide patterns with the Persuader, followed by 10-inch spreads by the Winchester and 11.5-inch Express patterns. But we can’t necessarily say which pattern is best.

On the Mossberg, 5 shells went in smoothly, but the sixth lodged in the magazine mouth, preventing the elevator from moving. We had to screw off the magazine cap, remove the barrel, and jiggle the action to free the shell.

The front sight on the Mossberg is a standard bead, but the top strap is flattened and grooved. Also, unlike the other guns, the Mossberg is already drilled and tapped for an alternative sighting system, such as a Ghost Ring.

This gun had the best-situated controls, a receiver prepped for better sights, and it showed the best accuracy with slugs. We also liked its metal parts and heavy barrel.

Reader Comments

On the Mossberg, 5 shells went in smoothly, but the sixth lodged in the magazine mouth, preventing the elevator from moving. We had to screw off the magazine cap, remove the barrel, and jiggle the action to free the shell.REALLY? Not acceptable for my home defense needs. JK

Comment by: spike723 | October 22, 2009

Operator error. Mag tube holds 5 capacity + one in chamber; tube will not acceot 6th shell; for higher capacity need to buy 20" bbl. 590 with, if I recall correctly, 8+1 (3" shells) or 9+1 (2 and 3/4" shells) capacity. Piece dead reliable (did NRA LE Instructor's class w. mine) when owner reads the manual... Excelsior, mad nyrasgt @ Appleseed.com

Comment by: Mark D | October 22, 2009

Please clarify this: Were you trying to load 6 shells into the 5 shot tube or had you already chambered 1 and were attempting to load the 6th?

Comment by: KEITH T | October 22, 2009

I own a Mossberg 500A and my capacity is 7+1. I've never experienced the problem you mentioned. As Keith T mentioned was there a shell chambered?

Comment by: THE SAFETY IS OFF | October 22, 2009

The steel trigger guard makes this well worth the extra money. The plastic trigger guard on the standard model 500 is very prone to breakage, especially if one is careless when re-assembling the gun after cleaning.

Comment by: wild romanian | October 22, 2009

Re; Keith - "Were you trying to..." Huh? Was I trying? I should have put "quotes" around the first sentence. I was quoting the article, if you had read it. Spike

Comment by: spike723 | October 29, 2009