Mossberg 590S Compact Optic-Ready Review: A Top Home Defense Shotgun

While the debate will never end regarding what type of firearm is “best” for home defense, I prefer to have a variety of options, just in case. That said, I’ve had my eye on a new home defense (HD) shotgun for a while. 

HD shotguns don’t need to be super fancy, but they do need to offer a sizeable capacity, be reliable, and be compact enough to be easily maneuvered within tight spaces. It’s safe to say that the Mossberg 590S Compact Optic-Ready easily checks each one of those boxes.

That’s a beautiful setup, if I do say so myself.

Not only does it check those boxes, but it delivers a ton of additional features that I believe make it one of the best home defense shotguns for the money. Now that I’ve had it for some time, run it through its paces, and upgraded it to precisely what I wanted, it’s time for a review!

Continue reading to discover why I believe this shotgun should be on your short list if you’re in the market.

Features

From a quick glance, the shotgun looks like your run-of-the-mill 18.5-inch 12 gauge. However, after taking a closer look, you’ll find two standout features: it has an optic cut (in a Shield RMSc footprint) and it can cycle from 1.75 to 3-inch shells without the need for a mini shell adaptor.

In case you forget what shells it can cycle.

Not only can it cycle the various length shells reliably, but it can do so interchangeably. You can alternate lengths if you wish, or run all the same. With the mini shells, you’ll be able to have a capacity of up to 9+1!

This shotgun is NOT picky with its ammo.

You’ve probably already noticed by now that I have a Holosun SCS Carry mounted on my 590S. It’s one of the direct-mount options available, which means no optic plate was needed. Optic plates can be a point of failure and can potentially cause an optic to wiggle loose if not secured properly, so the fact that it can be directly mounted is a huge bonus.

A top-mounted ambidextrous safety is the only way to go!

Going along with the home defense role I have in mind for it, I wanted the compact stock to maximize maneuverability. However, I realized during my range time that it was a bit too short for me (personal preference, but great for many others I’ve spoken to), even with the limited adjustability. I wound up swapping it out for a Magpul stock, which I’ll provide more detail on shortly.

Adjustability is king.

While those two features make it stand out, there are many standard features that are also much appreciated. One that I personally really like is the top-mounted ambidextrous safety. It’s well-placed for easy manipulation, and the pressure needed to toggle it is just right (after the initial stiffness subsided). 

And similar to other Mossberg pump-action shotguns, you’ll find twin action bars, dual extractors, and a positive steel-to-steel lockup. 

Specifications

Range Time

I’ve taken the 590S to the range four times so far, firing an average of 40 rounds through it on each trip. From buckshot to birdshot and mini shells to 3-inch shells, it’s never skipped a beat. Even alternating shell lengths didn’t matter; it simply handled business.

The ammo type or length did not matter; the 590S Compact enjoyed them all.

I kept almost all of my shooting within defensive distances. I had no problems keeping my shot patterns tight, and most importantly, they were consistent and repeatable. You need to have confidence in where your shots will land and the corresponding spread patterns.

Range time with buckshot proved successful.

Upgrades

Don’t get me wrong, the 590S is ready to go out of the box. But, depending on your intended uses or preferences, it can be upgraded quickly and easily. Thankfully, there are numerous aftermarket accessories and parts available to choose from. 

My new Magpul furniture vs. the stock furniture.

As I mentioned earlier, the length of the pull wound up being too short for my liking; however, I had ordered it knowing it would be short. For most people, not 6’6” with extremely long arms, it’s probably just right! I decided to go with a Magpul SGA stock and matched it with an MOE M-LOK Forend. The stock offers added length, sling loops, and improved grip texture, while the forend provides a more secure grip and features M-LOK slots along with hand stops. I plan to add a light to the forend soon, but so far, I really like both pieces of furniture.

At the distances you’ll likely be shooting your shotgun, an optic isn’t necessary, but it certainly helps you get on target quicker. I had a Holosun SCS Carry lying around and found that it’s a direct-mount optic for the shotgun, so I quickly mounted it and see myself sticking with it for the time being.

Various-sized shells all stayed put during shooting.

And even though the 590S boasts an impressive capacity, you can never truly have enough rounds on hand, right? I went ahead and added an Esstac shotgun card that holds six shells. Regardless of the shell length or my rate of fire, they all remained secure in the laminate loops. Thanks to the Velcro backing, you can easily rip off the card when it’s empty and slap on a new, fully loaded one.

All in all, I recommend each of these accessories if you find yourself in the market for some.

Pros & Cons

Pros: 

• No mini shell adaptor is needed to cycle 1.75” to 3” shells
• Adjustable length of pull 
• Comes with an optic cut from the factory
• Strong aftermarket support
• Top-mounted ambidextrous safety

Cons:

• Safety was very stiff out of the box, but it did balance out after a couple of range trips

Final Thoughts

I’m extremely happy with how the 590S Compact has performed and the features that it brings to the table. With the ability to directly mount a red dot, cycle various length shells interchangeably without the need for an adaptor, and the fact that there is a solid amount of aftermarket support, I feel you can’t go wrong with this shotgun. 

Whether you’re looking for a fun range toy or a home defense gun, the 590S Compact Optic-Ready should have no problem filling the role. 

As always, stay safe, train hard, and have fun.

Ryan Domke

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