Few guns conjure up as much folklore as the shotgun. From myth to reality, they are the stuff of legend. However, to those serious about personal protection, the boom stick reigns supreme. Shotguns, like the Mossberg 590A1 Short Barrel Shotgun, are a solid choice for home protection for a variety of reasons. The first and foremost reason is stopping power. This term is tossed around, but with a shotgun, it has real meaning. The chance of first or second-round fight-stopping shots with shotgun ammunition is a reality.
Mossberg 590A1 Short Barrel Shotgun: Fight Stopper Supreme
The baseline for stopping power is a round’s ability to penetrate a target a minimum of 12 inches. This is the general standard used by the FBI. Using #1 buckshot, a shotgun can deliver 16 pellets at high velocity into an intruder. These pellets have a surface area of 1.13 square inches and are equivalent to shooting someone 12 times simultaneously with a .32 ACP or .380 ACP round.
One Gun to Rule Them All
The challenge most shotguns face in home defense applications is size. They are “long guns” and, as such, can be hard to use without a ton of training. Mossberg has what I consider to be the ultimate solution: the Mossberg 590A1 Short Barrel Shotgun. More technically known as the 590A1 Class III Pump-Action Shotgun, it is only 33 ¾ inches long, it is much easier to wield in small spaces.
The Mossberg 590A1 Short Barrel Shotgun is an NFA gun, which means paperwork and an ATF tax Stamp. However, it is worth the time and money to get. The gun is a short-barrel version of their military gun and is exceptional.
As you probably guessed, it is well-made. It has a heavy-wall barrel, a metal trigger guard, and a safety. The receiver is tapped and drilled to support optics, should you choose. It comes stock with Ghost Ring sights and a +4 shell holder stock.
Other features include dual extractors, steel-to-steel lockup, top-mounted ambidextrous safety, twin action bars, and an anti-jam elevator.
Pump it Up
Another reason the 590A1 short-barrel shotgun is a good choice for home defense is its simplicity of function. With even simple training, a shooter can easily and quickly use a shotgun to confront an intruder in a home. As a long gun, aiming and staying on target is easier than a handgun.
While out-of-the-box shotguns can adequately serve home defense, a few modifications can elevate their effectiveness. One item I advocate on any home defense firearm is a light. You need to be able to confirm your target before unleashing lead down the hall. The tactical flashlight world is now huge, and everyone makes something for everything.
The shotgun is a classic firearm that still serves a solid role today. The Mossberg 590A1, short barrel shotgun, accessorized well and mixed with training, can be the 12-gauge insurance policy you seek. As with all things, with knowledge comes power. This is even truer with the shotgun; with knowledge comes serious power.
For more information, please visit Mossberg.com.
Mossberg 590A1 Short Barrel Shotgun Specs
| Gauge | 12 Gauge |
| Action Type | Pump-Action |
| Chamber Size | 3” |
| Barrel Length | 14″ |
| Barrel Type | Heavy-Walled |
| Choke | Cylinder Bore |
| Capacity | 5+1 |
| Barrel Finish | Parkerized |
| Length | 33.75″ |
| LOP | 13.87″ |
| Sights | Ghost Ring |
| Stock | Synthetic (Black) with Shell Storage (4) |
| Weight | 6.75 |
| MSRP | $883.00 |
