Gun of the Week: Mossberg 590R Chisel

by
posted on June 12, 2026
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **

Mossberg's 590 is based on one of the most popular pump-action shotguns ever made: the Mossberg 500. For those who are seeking a shotgun that's a bit more heavy-duty and are willing to pay for the associated cost, the company's 590 line offers plenty of options, and one of the latest is the striking 590R Chisel. Watch our "Gun of the Week" episode above to see more details about this cutting-edge shotgun.

"What's the 'R' stand for, you ask? It has a rotary safety," American Rifleman Executive Editor Jay Grazio said. "If you're a fan of the AR-15-style rifle, you'll recognize that immediately. You'll also see the pistol grip. We have a collapsible stock. This one also folds. It's from Chisel Machining, and that's one of the options you can choose with the 590."

Other upgraded features found on the 590R Chisel include a top Picatinny rail for mounting optics (a set of Magpul MBUS 3 flip-up sights are included with the gun), as well as a flat-face trigger, interchangeable recoil pad, integrated heat shield, Cerakote-finished receiver and a enlarged and beveled loading port.

"At the heart, though, it's still a 590. There's twin action bars, steel-to-steel lockup," Grazio said. "It's just a super, super solid 12 gauge shotgun with a 3-inch chamber."

This 12-gauge shotgun is outfitted with an 18.5-inch barrel and has an under-barrel tube magazine capable of holding up to six 2 3/4-inch shotshells. Unloaded, the shotgun weighs 7 pounds, 9 ounces. The shotgun is also equipped with Mossberg's Accu-Choke system, and it comes from the factory with a cylinder-bore choke installed.

"Traditionally, with folding stocks, collapsible stocks, that sort of thing, folks are concerned about, 'What's the recoil going to be like?'" Grazio said. "I can tell you this recoil pad does a heck of a job. I shot one of these Gunsite when they launched it, and I at the time, unknown to me, had a torn rotator cuff and it was not unduly painful. So if I can do that, if you're 100 percent, this is going to be super easy. Super fun shotgun to shoot."

For more information on the Mossberg 590R Chisel and other models of the 590, visit the Mossberg website here.

Latest

Galactic Pistol Alliance 1
Galactic Pistol Alliance 1

The Galactic Pistol Alliance: An Entry Point For New Competition Shooters

Galactic Pistol Alliance jettisons rule confusion and offers a much more relaxed model for newcomers to competition shooting, all while keeping cool shooting stages and an emphasis on safety.

NRA Supporter & Gold Expert Mike Fuljenz Wins Newsletter Award

Longtime NRA Supporter Mike Fuljenz, founder of Universal Coin & Bullion, was awarded the 2026 Best Investment Newsletter award by the Numismatic Literary Guild. 

Keepin’ It Simple: Chiappa Wildlands 92 Field & Core Models

Chiappa USA is returning the Wildland series of lever-action rifles to its roots with the 92 Field and Core, designs that keep it simple while still offering modern features.

The Armed Citizen® Oct. 5, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Gunsite Marks 50 Years With Alumni Shoot in Paulden

More than 400 competitors gathered at the Arizona academy founded by Lt. Col. Jeff Cooper, as elected officials urged turnout ahead of the midterms.

I Have This Old Gun: Standard Arms Model G

There is an adage that goes something to the effect of, “just because one can do something doesn’t mean it necessarily should be done.” This thought may aptly be applied to the short-lived Standard Arms Model G rifle.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.