The Mossberg 590 Night Stick is a pump-action shotgun chambered in 12 GA, built around a 14.375-inch barrel that keeps the overall length to 26.5 inches. At 6.8 lbs it's heavier than the size suggests, but the weight helps soak up recoil from full-power 12 GA loads. The corn cob forend with strap and walnut pistol grip give solid purchase during fast cycling. A front bead sight handles target acquisition at the close ranges where this gun is designed to operate. 
 

Key Specifications: 

• Action: Pump Action 
• Caliber: 12 GA 
• Barrel Length: 14.375 inches 
• Overall Length: 26.5 inches 
• Capacity: 5 rounds (plus one in the chamber) 
• Weight: 6.8 lbs (128 oz) 
• Finish Color: Blued / Walnut 
   

Detailed Features: 

 
The top tang safety is ambidextrous and easy to reach without shifting grip. The blued finish is traditional in look and gives reasonable corrosion resistance for an indoor-use home defense gun. The pistol grip configuration eliminates the stock entirely, which is what keeps the overall length under 27 inches. Capacity at 5+1 is sufficient for most defensive scenarios, though it is worth noting the tradeoff versus a standard-stocked shotgun with more tube length. 
 

Usage Scenarios: 

• Home Defense: The short overall length navigates hallways and doorways without the leverage issues of a full-length shotgun. 
• Close-Range Range Use: Pump-action simplicity makes it a reliable training platform for new and experienced shooters alike.

Owners of the Mossberg 590 Night Stick tend to agree on its core strengths: the short overall length makes it genuinely easy to handle in tight spaces, and the 590 pump action is well regarded for reliability. Most people who buy it specifically for home defense report confidence in its dependability under pressure. The 12 GA round's stopping power is not a point of debate.

Recoil is a consistent criticism. Without a stock to distribute the force, the compact design concentrates kickback more than a full-length shotgun, which some shooters find punishing during extended range sessions. Capacity at 5+1 is adequate but comes up as a limitation for buyers comparing it to higher-tube-count options. Ergonomics are divisive. The pistol grip works well for some body types and less well for others, and the compact frame limits where accessories like lights or slings can be attached. Overall the discussion is practical: people know what they're buying and the tradeoffs are clear.

Low-recoil shells are remarkably soft, and even heavier loads remain manageable for me.