PMCI - June 2019

posture. The ladies patterned the shotguns at the 5,10,15,25-
yard lines using birdshot, buckshot and slug rounds.
This gave the ladies a better understand of how usefully the
shotgun is in a close-quarters environment. This patterning
exercise provided them with an idea of what the shot looked
like at the various ranges and dispelled some of the spray and
pray attitudes that they came into the day thinking. In the
interests of time we also used the patterning drill to get the
ladies comfortable with the idea of continuously feeding the
shotgun to keep it running. The idea was not to just load it up
and fire till dry.
We encouraged the ladies to only load the rounds needed
for the series of shots needed to complete the drills and to
reload whenever possible. We taught them to combat load the
shotgun and to be selective in the ammo choices needed to
accomplish the specific task at hand. Once the patterning and
combat loading lessons were learned. We put it all together
with a short decision making and movement drill. Starting at
a makeshift doorway, the ladies engaged at steel gong with
slugs at 40 yards and once a hit was accomplished, easily
accomplished using the ghost ring sighting system on our
sample 590A1. Then after selectively loading buckshot in
their shotguns the ladies would then move down a simulated
hallway, engaging targets at 15 and 10 yards. Once they
achieved hits on those targets and reloading with birdshot the
ladies would turn a “corner” and unloading on a final target at
5 yards. It was an amazing event, we started with ladies that
had for the most part never fired a shotgun before in their lives
and in the course of a few hours they left as empowered and
competent shotgun shooters. Several vowing that their next
purchases would be 12-gauge pump-action shotguns. I know
we made some lifelong Mossberg owners that day.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed my time with this particular version of Mossberg’s
590A1. It’s fixed stock with rubber base plate facilitated a quick
and constant presentation and the ghost ring sights delivered
some of the best accuracy I have seen with a combat shotgun.
Finally, consider the fact that the 590A1 is continuation on
the tried and true Mossberg 590 Combat shotgun platform with
its heavy wall construction combined with an ambidextrous
safety, dual extractors, positive steel-to-steel lockup, twin
action bars, and a smooth operating anti-jam elevator much
like it’s preceding model. You know this version will also be
a firearm that can be easily trusted over time. It’s because of
these factors that the 590A1 has earned a spot in my gun safe
from now on. If your anything like me and love the versatility
and ruggedness of the combat shotgun and are
looking for an updated and devastating addition
to your defensive arsenal, look no further than
the Mossberg 590A1 family of shotguns.
Check out what Mossberg has to offer at their
website https://www.mossberg.com/ They just
might have what you’re looking for.
FIREARMS: MOSSBERG 590A1
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