Pump-action Mossberg 590A1 shotguns have served military and LE personnel for years, providing reliability and tons of close-range power. Aimpro Tactical knows this well—and it specializes in revitalizing and upgrading Mossberg shotguns. Enter the Tactical Ultimate 590A1—an optics-ready beast that author N.E. MacDougald was lucky to get his hands on in the upcoming November 2013 issue of Tactical Weapons.

Aimpro does a lot more than just adding a top rail to the receiver and a heatshield over the barrel. The original 590A1 is completely taken down, cleaned, refinished with Aimpro’s ExtremeCoat finish, and all the internal parts are polished and function-checked. According to MacDougald, “The result is a smooth action and excellent downrange performance with slugs and buckshot—something Aimpro has become well known for in tactical shotgun circles.”

Next come the Mesa Tactical buttstock, a Falcon Industries tri-rail forend, a SOG Graphite vertical foregrip, a CAA cheekpiece and a LimbSaver recoil pad and much more. To find out how this new 12 gauge performed at the range, check out the November 2013 issue of Tactical Weapons, available on newsstands and digitally September 24, 2013. To subscribe, go to /tactical-weapons/.