There are guns with solid repudiations that earn them both a place in gun owner’s safes and military arsenals, and then there are guns that have created life-long memories for shooters. The Mossberg 500 is both.
Just a few months ago now, I published an article on the first Mossberg 500 I got to shoot and take out for extended testing. Somehow, I had managed to miss out on this shotgun for my entire life, and that was an issue that needed correcting. Unsurprisingly, the feedback we received was a virtual wave of support for the classic pump-action scattergun, and the comment section was flooded with people sharing their own fond memories of the gun.
Fans of the 500 line took to sharing their own opinions and experiences with the guns in a slew of comments like “I have owned one for more than fifty years! It still works great!” or “The 500 is a workhorse! You don’t need to spend $1500 on a shotgun,” and “A whole of lot bang for the bucks. tuff and cheap enough you don't baby it. Scratches and wear just make it prettier.”
So, how did this fairly humble-looking shotgun gain such a strong and vocal following? I think it comes down to a few things that helped it stand out from the crowd.
Budget-Friendly Prices
I’ll be brief on this point, but it’s worth making. The Mossberg 500 has a lot of offshoots ranging from the tactical lineup of Mossberg 590s, which includes the 590A1 adopted by much of the U.S. military, to hunting and sporting variants.
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But one of the things that really makes the gun stand out is the affordable price point that backs up a proven, robust design. The gun may be iconic, but it’s hardly out of reach for shooters working on a budget. Sure, you could go all-in with a military-grade 590A1, but Mossberg has ensured there are plenty of practical options for workaday shooters at a fraction of the price.
Reputation & Reliability
The Mossberg 500 – specifically, the beefy 590A1 – was the first pump-action shotgun to pass the military’s rather brutal, even excessive, mil-spec qualification tests that included firing 3,000 rounds of full-power buckshot. Granted, not all 500s have the same features as the military variant, which includes a heavier barrel and aluminum trigger group. But aside from these specific requests from the military, every Mossberg 500 still boasts the same simple and reliable operating system.
Even before the military tapped the gun for service, which began in 1987, plenty of shotgunners had already developed faith in the platform. Originally designed in 1961 with an eye on the hunting market, law enforcement was quick to take to the shotgun because it met two important criteria – affordability and reliability. The gun doesn’t generally host many bells and whistles, instead staying true to the form and function of a practical and easy-to-maintain pump-action gun.
I found this to be true of the test gun I spent several months putting through its paces. Maintenance was a synch, and I was completely unconcerned leaving the gun uncleaned after range visits for extended periods of time. I also had zero issues cycling shells whether it was during long sporting clays outings on the hottest days of summer or snowy, 20-degree range visits. Cycling the action was positive and reliable with the twin action bars, and I rather like the tang safety design for a hunting, sporting, or self-defense gun.
Versatility
From hunting and sporting to home defense and tactical applications, there is a Mossberg 500 out there for just about any task. I personally tested a Hunting All Purpose Field Model that was a Certified Used gun from the Guns.com Vault and really more of your run-of-the-mill pumps. I would hardly call it the most handsome shotgun I’ve ever had in my safe, but you could feel the functionality of the gun.
It swung and shouldered well. If I had a complaint, it would be that it only hosted a 3-inch chamber, but that is still plenty for most uses. There are simply too many models to cover all the possible specs and finishes here, but I have listed the ones for my test model, which is fairly typical for a hunting/sporting version.
Capacity: 5+1
Chamber: 3-inch shells
Barrel: Ventilated rib
Barrel Length: 28 inches
Length: 47.5 inches
Length of Pull: 13.9 inches
Barrel Finish: Blued
Weight: 7.5 pounds
Choke: Swappable Accu-Set
Mossberg 500s can be had with a blued or matte finish, and you can opt to have wood or synthetic furniture. Sights also vary, with tactical peep, ventilated rib and bead, or optical sighting options all on the list. I choose to simply use the rib and bead for my testing, but even my very basic test model was drilled and tapped to host a rail for optics. If so desired, you could even swap out the barrel to change the overall setup of the gun.
If you were looking for something incredibly compact, Mossberg’s 590 Shockwaves certainly fit that bill, and there are even newer versions of the 500 line designed specifically to give you a higher capacity and reliably cycle mini-shells. You can choose from 12 and 20 gauge or .410 bore. Some offshoots even offer the ability to use a box magazine instead of a tube. From personal experience, I’ve even seen some customized, compact versions specifically used for breaching doors while remaining small enough to simply carry as an additional piece of gear alongside a primary firearm.
The Mossberg 500 offers options for nearly any shooter and – without beating a dead horse – are a budget-friendly price point. Whether you are a tactical operator or a pheasant hunter, there is a 500 for you, and most fit more than one purpose.
Final Thoughts: Memories Made
It’s pretty unlikely that any of your shooting buddies are going to ooh and aah if you show up with a Mossberg 500. So, if you are looking to really turn heads, then the 500s are probably not the right guns for you. At somewhere in the vicinity of 11,000,000 guns made to date, these are anything but rarities.
I think that, in particular, goes to one of the reasons the Mossberg 500 is so loved. It works and works well. It’s also affordable, which is great. But at the end of the day, those factors and the steady production of guns has ensured that millions of 500s made it into the hands of shooters to build lasting memories.
Whether it was a first deer hunt or a journey to the sporting clays range, many gun owners can recall personal experiences with a 500. Beyond that, the continued popularity of the gun suggests those experiences were both positive and built a legacy of trust. In that, Mossberg 500s have consistently been practical go-to guns for shooters across decades and generations, which helps explain not just the popularity but the general love expressed for the gun.
