Confession time: I love shotguns.
There is just something about delivering what’s best described as a “payload of lead” with each pull of the trigger.
Plus, the shotgun just so happens to be the most versatile weapon in my armory.
With a single 12-gauge pump gun, I can hunt deer, birds, and bears. I can defend my home or shoot skeet.
A shotgun is a do-it-all kind of weapon — as long as it’s at close range.
One of my favorite modern pump-action shotguns comes from the Mossberg 500 series — the Mossberg 590. The Mossberg 500 series and I go back a long, long way.
Over the years, I’ve swapped some things out on my trust 590, upgrading it here and there.
And I’m here to share some of my favorite accessories and parts so you too can take your Mossberg to the next level.
So let’s get started.
Best Mossberg 500 Upgrades
1. Knoxx Breachersgrip Gen III
In most cases, pistol grip only shotguns suck. They are painful to shoot, difficult to control, and fill very niche roles.
Very few work well…but the Knoxx Breachersgrip Gen III from Blackhawk Industries is the exception.
The Knoxx Breachersgrip works with the 590, 500, and Mossberg Shockwave.
The Shockwave is an odd gun legally.
I won’t dive into the details, but it must remain over 26 inches to be a non-NFA item. This traditionally means you have to use the included Shockwave Raptor grip.
I made a big bet when I got the Blackhawk Knoxx Breachersgrip Gen III. (To my ATF agents and forum lawyers, I just attached a Mossberg 18.5-inch barrel I had on the gun before installing the grip. I don’t even joke about NFA violations.)
The Breachersgrip is a recoil-reducing pistol grip designed for short shotguns used in breaching operations. It greatly reduces felt recoil and makes PGO shotguns comfortable.
I have put some nasty rounds through guns with this grip, including powerful PDX buck and ball slugs. I felt almost nothing.
It turned a 12-gauge powerhouse into something closer to a .45 ACP from a 1911.
Recoil reduction is important for more than keeping your wrists from aching. With this grip, I can confidently aim the shotgun and shoot faster and more efficiently with it.
The Breachersgrip is great for replacing standard Mossberg JIC pistol grips or those found on cruiser models. Most importantly, the Breachersgrip from Knoxx and Blackhawk is one way to tame the Shockwave.
Check out more of our favorite grips (including recoil-reducing ones) in Best Mossberg 500/590 Stocks.
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2. Magpul MOE Shotgun Forend
Magpul SGA furniture is fantastic for shotguns, and like most Magpul gear, it’s extremely high quality and modular.
The Magpul SGA Mossberg 500/590 MOE Pump allows you to add stuff only where you need it.
You can attach M-LOK or MOE accessories directly to the pump or attach rails to accommodate any accessory that mounts to Picatinny rails. This allows the easy mounting of lights, lasers, and even chainsaw grips.
The pump doesn’t overlap the receiver, so it doesn’t interfere with side saddles if you want one. Also, it looks cool as hell.
To mount it to a short-barreled shotgun or firearm, you have two options.
Option 1 is to Dremel the pump to fit the short action tube. It’s easy but takes a bit of time and the necessary tools.
Option 2 is an adapter from Hogue. This makes the Magpul MOE Shotgun pump compatible with shorter action tubes.
And don’t forget some M-LOK Rails to mount your favorite accessories.
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3. Magpul M-LOK Vertical Grip
If you rock a Magpul forend, a Magpul M-LOK Vertical Grip is the perfect addition.
Why? Because with a vert grip, you are much less likely to short-stroke the shotgun.
You get an excellent grip and a stable platform.
To effectively mitigate recoil, the best method is the push-pull — pushing forward with the firing hand and pulling rearward with the pump hand.
It’s a lot easier to pull on a vertical grip without worrying about your hand slipping.
Since the M-LOK grip mounts directly to the Magpul pump, it’s not going to slide off the pump either.
On Mossberg 500/590s with pistol grips, a vert grip adds a lot of control to the gun. It makes it easier to aim and helps prevent getting an eye full of shotgun.
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What do you think of Magpul’s products? Rate them below!
4. XS Big Dot Front Sight
Night sights can make a big difference in low-light shooting performance. If you’re like me and still rely on the boomstick for home defense, you want to see your sights.
The XS Big Dot front sight is a combination day and night sight that replaces your teeny tiny bead. It’s a massive, high-visibility front sight that’s easy to see regardless of the time of day.
This sight stands high enough to co-witness with my chosen optic and optic rail.
At night it glows bright, and you’ll have no issue getting that rock-solid front sight focus.
The XS Big Dot is a must-have, even if you rock an optic.
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5. Ergo Tactical Stock Adapter
The Mossberg 500’s aftermarket is quite large, but it’s nowhere near as large as the AR-15.
Some of the best stocks and pistol grips I’ve ever used came from ARs, and the ability to adapt them to my favorite pump shotgun was a godsend.
The Ergo Stock Adapter is just that.
This small, affordable part allows me to easily add my chosen AR-15 pistol grip, buffer tube, and stock to my Mossberg 500 and 590.
It attaches in about a minute, giving you instant access to a multitude of system options, including the ability to add a brace to a Mossberg Shockwave.
It’s also affordable, which is always nice.
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6. Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling
When it comes to sling selection for any weapon, I’m pretty damned biased. I like my Vickers Blue Force Gear slings.
I own a standard issue, an AK limited edition, a Vickers One sling, and even one of the rare Vickers Medic slings.
The two-point Vicker Tactical sling from Blue Force Gear is my all-time favorite. What makes it interesting is the rapid adjustment tab. A quick pull rearward or forward of this tab tightens and loosens the sling.
This allows it to be tightened down when climbing, crawling, or running and then, bam, instantly loosened for shooting and maneuvering.
The quick adjustment tab allows for easy adjustment and control over your weapon.
While traditionally found on a carbine, there’s nothing stopping it from being an excellent Mossberg 500 sling.
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7. Opsol Mini Clip
The OPSol Mini Clip is one of the coolest little gadgets you can add to a Mossberg 500 series shotgun.
It’s a drop-in, drop-out upgrade that allows you to reliably use those Aguila mini shells.
Those mini shells don’t always run super reliably in shotguns, but this adapter makes them run like a dream in the Mossberg 500. In a standard 5-shot tube, you can load nine rounds of the Aguila mini shells.
This is the best $15 I’ve ever spent on a shotgun — especially for those shooting Mossberg Shockwaves.
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8. Hornady RAPiD Safe Shotgun Safe
Okay, so this isn’t an upgrade, but the Hornady RAPiD Safe is my personal choice for securing my self-defense shotgun.
You have three different options for opening this safe. The first is your traditional key and lock option, which is great in case the power goes out and the batteries die.
The second method is through a four or six-digit combination.
The third is my favorite…the RFID keys. These look like little round chips but come outfitted with adhesive to mount to almost anything.
There is also an included wristband that has a built-in RFID chip. So, you can wear the wristband while sleeping, and if something goes bump in the night, you have the key ready.
Though cool, it does offer limited security to your gun and shouldn’t be used for long-term storage.
One other downside is you can’t mount an optic and store your shotgun. While the trigger is exposed, the design of the safe makes it so the weapon must be stored with the action opened.
This means it’s nice and safe.
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Check out more of our favorite safes for long guns and pistols in Best Gun Safes.
9. Aridus Industries CROM
If you are running and gunning with a Mossberg 500/590 series shotgun with a set of ghost ring iron sights, I’ll point you to the Aridus Industries CROM mount.
CROM stands for Co-witness Ready Optic Mount. This replaces your rear ghost ring and makes mounting an optic easy.
The CROM utilizes a Trijicon RMR footprint, so you can Trijicon optics or a great many alternatives that have settled on the Trijicon footprint.
Behind the optic sits a ghost ring or, by choice, a Rob Haught-style open rear sight. Either way, you can mount a co-witness applicable sight with a set of iron sights.
It’s a great minimalist mount and perfect for those with ghost ring sights, and it lets you get a rock-solid cheek weld before pulling the trigger.
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10. KE Arms Optic Mount
Oh, you don’t have ghost rings…but you have a bead front sight? AND you want a low-profile optics mount?
Well, I gotcha covered, guys and gals. The KE Arms Optic Mount is a cheaper option that eliminates the inclusion of a built-in rear sight.
The KE Arms Optic mount keeps things super low and simple.
It bolts onto your pre-tapped Mossberg receiver and provides several different patterns for mounting a variety of optics — including the Aimpoint Micro series, Trijicon RMR, and the Deltapoint.
It’s a simple solution to a problem that eliminates the need for and the height of a Picatinny rail.
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11. Tactaload Flash 5 Stock
Stashing extra ammo on your gun is a must, and one new way is the Flash 5.
The Flash 5 is a Mossberg stock with a built-in magazine storage option that allows you to store five rounds of 12-gauge that range in size from 2.75 inches to 3.5 inches.
Its storage setup is essentially a magazine with a spring, follower, and spring-loaded nob to keep your shotgun shells in the stock.
Pull the shell from the stock, and the spring-loaded nub retracts and allows you to draw a shell for a quick reload. The Flash 5 offers numerous advantages over the standard side-saddle.
- Ambidextrous design
- Faster tube reloads
- Shells are entirely secure and protected from the elements.
As a stock, it’s also great and gives you an adjustable length-of-pull similar to the Magpul SGA stock.
It’s super comfy, provides a great cheek weld, and is tough as nails.
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12. Streamlight TL Racker
Mounting a light to a pump-action shotgun isn’t easy.
A manual action can make arranging lights, pressure switches, and other accessories difficult. However, Streamlight provides an affordable, bright, and capable option for shotgunners.
The TL Racker replaces your pump with a system that integrates a light into the design.
Two ambidextrous buttons make using it easy, and it provides 1,000 lumens of light with the press of a button.
Its bright white light makes it easy to identify a threat and tosses a blinding white light into the eyes of a threat.
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13. Holosun 507C
I think the little Holosun 507C-X2 might be the best shotgun optic on the market.
Why? Well, it packs a multi-reticle system that utilizes three different reticles.
One includes a 32 MOA circle, and that circle is the very best for shotguns. With the right load, you can pattern your load to that circle at certain ranges.
I use the 507C-X2 with my Federal FliteControl load, and I’ve patterned it at 5, 10, and 15 yards.
I know that within those ranges, no pellets will escape from the 32 MOA circle.
This ensures I have total accountability of my buckshot pellets and know exactly where the shot will land. It’s quite handy for precision-oriented shots.
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14. Vang Comp Shotgun Cards
A side saddle is going to be your bread and butter if you need extra ammo for your shotgun. The most common types of side saddles are the ones that attach via Velcro and use elastic loops to hold anywhere from 4 to 7 shells.
This setup from Vang Comp includes an entire detachable ammunition kit that provides a high-quality hook and loop base and ammo carrier for easy mounting.
What makes these side saddles stand out is that they do everything right. The retention is tight and positive, the back of the carrier is rigid, and the material is UV-resistant.
Unlike most other elastic shotgun cards, these don’t bend inward, and they maintain their flat shape. This increases retention and ergonomics for quick and intuitive reloads.
They only come in six-round capacities, which limits your options a bit, but that is a minor complaint. Additionally, you can purchase extra Vang Comp cards to reload your side saddle if you choose.
Elastic shotgun cards wear out; that’s just what they do. However, the Vang Comp models are well-made and will tend to stay live for a helluva lot longer than competitors.
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15. Aridus SMRT Follower
Aridus makes some of the best gear ever if you are a shotgun nerd, and they offer a little bit of everything from side saddles to optics mounts.
Their latest release is the Aridus SMRT follower. A shotgun’s follower is the unappreciated hero in a shotgun’s reliability. Without a good follower, you may risk future failure from your magazine tube.
The SMRT follower is engineered to give you complete reliability. This is especially important if your stock magazine tube features an extension. Extensions can be fickle with followers and cause reliability issues.
Additionally, the SMRT follower features a high-visibility green bottom that it’s easy to see, and is tactile also tactile, so you know when your tube is completely empty whether you can visually inspect it or not.
This simple upgrade allows you to ensure your Mossberg 500 or 590 feeds reliably for years to come. It’s a $40 upgrade that’s well worth the investment.
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16. NDZ Performance Tactical Safety
Mossberg killed it with their tang-style safety. It’s one of the most intuitive systems ever designed. It’s positioned perfectly for a field stock and makes switching the safety on and off a no-brainer.
The NDZ Performance Tactical Safety takes the already excellent Mossberg safety and brings it to the next level. This massive, thumb-catching, safety sliding switch is huge! It holds nothing back and ensures you can get the weapon in the status you want it in with just a flick forward.
The Tactical Safety is a drop-in installation device that takes just a little effort to get in place. Once the safety is in place, it’s the most beastly option you have available to you.
The all-metal design ensures durability and reliability without breaking the bank. It’s a simple, affordable drop-in improvement to the 500/590 series that you won’t regret.
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Final Thoughts
The Mossberg 500 platform is well-proven, dependable, and as evidenced above, almost endlessly upgradeable.
You can tune and customize a Mossberg 500 almost as much as you can an AR-15. So what are you waiting for? Build the Mossberg of your dreams!
These are my favorite upgrades, but I want to know yours. For more general upgrades like lights…check out our Best Home Defense Shotgun Upgrades.
53 Leave a Reply
Outstanding review! I bought a Mossberg 590 many years ago for use in home defense. I've added many upgrades to it as they became available. My old eyes need all the help they can get so I added the Streamlight TL Rracker and the Crimson Trace Saddle with a green laser. I highly recommend both products. Thanks for the info on the NDZ Tactical Safety. I'll get one immediately. I look forward to your next rewiew.
I disagree with a lot of the choices in here.
3. Magpul Vertical Grip? Nah. Magpul's M-LOK Handstop
5. Ergo Stock Adaptor? Nah. (Its angle is HORRIBLE.) Mesa Tactical's LEO Gen II
6. Vickers Sling? Nah. Magpul's MS3 Sling
11. Tactaload Stock? Nah. Doublestar's SOCOM stock *and* Vang Comp's DSAC
12. Streamlight TL-Racker? Nah. Magpul's stock with Streamlight's TLR-RM1 mounted to CDM Gear's CHS Rail at 6 o'clock
13. Holosun? Nah. Trijicon's RMR
Stuff not here that should be.
* Shoten Armory's Extended slide release
* Vang Comp's Big Speed Safety *or* CDM Gear's Delta Wave Safety
* High Vis Delrin Follower
Travis, how are you handling your sling and flashlight mount? Do you have one piece that holds both?
As a longtime very satisfied 500 owner, I appreciated this article ...a lot. My Mossy already has a couple aftermarket additions, an Opsol and a foldover stock/pistol grip. I'm now looking forward to adding several of the author's accessories.
What kind of fat slob of a coward hunts a bear? It serves 0 purpose other than trophy hunting. So brave, hunting a bear with a gun. Small balls syndrome.
Tell that to my two daughters, both of whom hunt and carry concealed. Small balls syndrome indeed, you must be talking about yourself when it comes to that department.
bear taste good
There are also people who actually live in bear country..... and you better have the right gun and shell if needed.
kyle...there are multiple reasons to hunt bear...but since you're such a couragous keyboard warrior...i'll just let you remain in your angry state of ignorance...you seem to enjoy it
Aww Kyle the bad man shot your teddy bear did he? Summer berry fed bear tastes yummy!
Look in the mirror. You are the only fat slob of a coward posting. They are great eating, and the bonis is that awesome rug.
Why the insult? Black bear meat makes excellent sausage and mince. And if you want to find YOUR balls hunt grizzley bears... more challenging than whitetail, tough guy...!
Wha Da Fuq?
I like a new product out there for the Mossbergs, the Tactaload Flash 5 stock that stores and feeds 5 shells inside the stock. Quick access, protects the shells from gunk, and adds rounds without a side saddle or external mount. They also advertise them for the Remington 870.
So the center mass (or any other laser from Laserlyte) is no longer available. Any recommendation for a substitute?
Crimson Trace LaserSaddle Laser Sight Mossberg 500 & 590 Series Shotguns & Shockwave Matte
Product Family #: 102062036
I'm trying to find the best shot that will take slug shells. What is most recommended?
You know where I can find install manual or video I have the gen 3 and a 500
I want a fore end for a Mossberg 500 with the tactical strap already attached. Any recommendations?
Me too
RAPTOR F1
Hey, can you recommend a light for the 590 A1 and what about shell holder for the sling anf those that mount or fit on the weapon itself?
I prefer the Mossberg Compact Cruiser. I would like to see a review of this AOW, The stamp is only $5, and it took 10 months to get it, but it is the perfect bedside security device!
Really wish you had given better options for the buttstock. Just listing one pistol grip is a bit lazy. Most people don't want just the pistol grip, as most people don't want to use the crappy shockwave.
To the writer, can you tell me when you added the bleachers grip did it keep it over 26 inches therefore making it legal. Non nfa item?
More detail on how you had to modify the Magpul MOE Shotgun Forend? Also, the link to the Hogue adapter? Thanks.
Hate to break it to ya mr. (I take the NFA seriously) but if you put a magpul ar stock on your shockwave you have created an illegal unregistered nfa weapon.
Precisely why he only mentioned adding a brace to the shockwave. Actually reading the article helps.
Don't count on a brace being legal on a shockwave.
I am not saying it isn't -- but I will say that it is doubtful.
The ATF recently said that the length of a brace does NOT count towards the OAL on AR pistols and similar "firearms" -- on an AR pistol, only the buffer tube length counts, not the added length of the brace (regardless of extended or collapsed position). The "logic" was that a brace is an ACCESSORY not an essential part of the firearm so it doesn't count towards OAL.
I have not seen anything addressing the idea of using a brace on a non-NFA shotgun based "firearm" but I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they would apply the same "logic"
For real? How? New to firearms
Now, if I could just find some of these things for my 20 ga Shockwave.
Many of these aftermarket adds are useful but there is a game changer here that’s missing from the list. The Bullpup Unlimited, Bullpup aftermarket stock.. Turn that 500 or 870 Remington into an even more serviceable firearm with even greater potential.
Take a look!
Does it work for the 590?
Don’t waste your time with the Knoxx, it’s as robust as a plastic cup. Mine had some gear shift up against it in the back of the Jeep, the guide rails broke. I never knew the plactic rails were the only thing holding the grip on. That piece should be made of aluminum or other metal.
I am also a M500 fanboy. I have two, a 20" Tac Gun with rifle sights and an 18" HD Gun with the XS big Bead and a Streamlight mounted on the underside of the Magpul Fore end.
Both guns have Magpul furniture and are equipped with the larger Remington Recoil Pads. The Tac Gun has had the Vang Comp Treatment to the barrel and it makes all the difference in the world. The gun patterns 00 Buck into 3" at 15 yards and 7" at 25 yds, not to mention the smoother recoil and no tendency to raise the muzzle during recoil. This makes the gun a joy to shoot lots of ammo thru like in a class scenario.
Both guns also have a Brownell's Steel Safety with the raised center which makes for more reliable safety deployment either on or off.
Both guns have Velcro Side saddles from Brown Coat Tactical as well as side mounted slings using Magpul parts with MY own 1.5" wide nylon slings. I don't keep the Sling on the HD Gun for obvious reasons.
Mossbergs run so much easier than 870's and have less issues., and that's why I use them.
Would post pics of both guns if allowed.
Randy
I won a Mossberg 500 Chainsaw 12ga several years ago at a Friends of NRA banquet. Left it in the box until last week when I saw this article. Ordered the Magpul M-Lok forend and the SGA stock. My barrel is that weird breacher barrel and it’s stamped 500. I put the forend on with the 500 anti-roll piece at the castle nut. The forend would not work smoothly and jammed up a lot. Finally took it off and put on the one for the 590. Works correctly and smoothly. Cleaned and oiled/greased appropriately (gun has been sitting for 5 years). Any ideas why the 590 anti-roll piece worked? I can’t stand this barrel and would prefer one without the ugly breacher brake. Anyone know if I can put a differen barrel on? TIA
Your Mossberg Chainsaw is actually closer to a 590a1 pattern shotgun than a 500-pattern. Any Mossberg 590a1 barrels built for a 5-shot mag tube will work. Be careful, though, because new 590a1 barrels are built to a longer, 6-shot mag tube and will not fit on your shotgun. These particular barrels will work (I've included factory part numbers for clarification) 16025P standard heavy-wall barrel, 16017P choaked heavy-wall barrel, 18925P Ghost Ring Sight heavy-wall barrel [you will want the rear GRS for this one as well]. Hope this helps. If you need more help, Mossberg customer service is actually not half-bad and can assist you with ordering spare barrels.
I have a 590 12 gauge. Will the Magpul forend and m-lok vertical grip fit? Some say yes. Some say no. I don't know and don't want to waste my money
What is the Hogue adapter you talk about in option 2 of the Magpul MOE forend solution to having a shorter action tube? I see they make the larger action tube but also make a larger castle nut which is much cheaper than buying the action tube but am not sure if it will work. I'd rather not dremel out my new forend to make this work.
Travis,
Just wanted to say that I read this entire page. It really helped me decide on the best way to set up my 590. I am using the Blackhawk Gen 2 stock, but was struggling with a forend solution. I shoot Long guns on my left side, and pistols on my right, but have an old injury that prevents me from getting a solid grip on the forend of my 590. After reading this, it looks like the Magpul forend and MLok Foregrip is going to solve my issue.
Great in-depth read sir!
I have the shockwave. I switched out the safety for one that is more "upright" I kept the birds head grip and went with the "tape" that gives me a postitive grip. I went with the rapid safe myself. The only drawback is what can be mounted on the receiver. As I am a fan of side saddles I went with the cloth ones attached with Velcro. I have two of them velcoed to the door of the rapid safe. I can grab one and slap it on the gun in a milasecond. I do have the opsol mini clip (for practice only as I am a big believer in 00 buck or slugs). At this juncture I am looking around for sighting options.
Look up the local fire-arm regulations and fedral possesion laws, BEFORE you go "modifying" any fire arm.
Unless you just plan on keeping it in the gun cabinet or under the bed, to show your buddies what a bad-ass you think you are., when they come over for a BBQ.
Adding a "breacher", or full stock to the Shokwave, will make "shouldered" weapon.
For that to be leagal, the barrel must be more than 18".
The Shock wave is only legal, in and of itself, as layed out in federal perameters as a "speacialty fire-arm", NOT a short barrel shotgun, NOT a pistol grip shotgun, not a pistol, nor does it require a federal tax stamp. Fore grip fine. accessory rail on top for light / laser / sight / ammo, fine.
The designed length of pull / barrel length / and specific grip, in conjunction make it legal to own. AGAIN, per ORIGINAL MANUFACTURERS DESIGN FROM FACTORY.
Look it up.
You do realize, if you modify it from "factory configuration", it is no longer a legal fire-arm, right?
For the 14" barrel configuration to be legal, it must have the FACTORY INSTALLED Raptor bird-head grip.
Travis points out in the article that he switched out the barrel before switching the grip/stock - to quote him:
"To my ATF agents and forum lawyers, I just attached a Mossberg 18.5 inch barrel I had on the gun before installing the grip. I don’t even joke about NFA violations."
This gives it the OAL required for it to be a legal firearm.
Will a standard 18.5 inch barrel fit on the shockwave? I have been trying to find an answer to this all day. My impression was that the shockwave has a 5 shot tube that is slightly shorter in length than the standard 5 shot tube Mossberg makes, therefore the "lug" ring at the front of the barrel that slips over the tube will not be in the same position. Can anyone verify this?
Sorry, I don't know. If you can't find an answer you might just want to call Mossberg directly, anytime I've had a firearm question that I couldn't answer with Google I just call the company and ask - very positive experience so far with Winchester, Ruger, and Sako.
You’re correct, the 18.5 inch on the 500 has a +1 tube over the shockwave creating a longer space between the lug; which also prevents you from chopping the 500 under 16”.
I do know that an 18.5 inch barrel from a 500 will NOT fit on a Shockwave. They mount differently.
Negative, as long as it retains the OAL of 26 inches it;s legal. I do have an ATF letter clarifying this.
You can now add a brace to the shockwave and still be legal. Brownells sells them (SB Tactical) for 160. I believe you get paperwork as well from the company when you purchase the brace confirming its completely legal.
https://www.pewpewtactical.com/go/brownells/sb-tactical-mossberg-590-sbm4-shockwave-stabilizing-brace/
So im trying to find out what the final result of the breachers grip on the shockwave was. Is it legal to install with the 14" barrell? Thanks great article.
So the best forend grip for the mossberg is the one that comes standard on Remington's Tac-14?