I am a total shotgun newbie. My experience with shotguns is limited to a handful of afternoons shooting trap and occaisionally shooting off the 00 buck loads I keep to protect my household.
About a year ago I was at the gun store with a couple of bucks in my pocket. I wanted a new pump for home protection and perhaps one day entering a few 3 gun competitions. A friend of mine suggested the 590a1, so thats what I asked for and what is written on the reciept. Unfortunately, a year later now that Ive spent some time with it I think its a 590 not the A1 variant. Im not bashing my gun store. The guys there have taken care of me time and time again and I am sure if I said something they would still make it right even a year later.
My questions are...
1. How can I tell? Mine only says 590 on the reciever. It does have ghost ring sights, an extended magazine, a bayonet lug, speed feed stock, if that helps to identify it.
2. Whats the difference? And does it matter?
3. Can anything be done to either tame the recoil with 00 buck or toughen up my shoulder? 7.62 x 54r doesnt bother me nearly as much as 00 buck seems too. Maybe its just me but my 870 doesnt seem to have the same recoil as this beast.
Thanks,
EricN
