Mossberg

The Mossberg 500 Series: America’s Best-Selling Pump Shotgun

The Mossberg 500 has been in continuous production since 1961 and has sold more units than any other pump shotgun in history. Its dual extractors, ambidextrous tang safety, and interchangeable barrel system make it the most versatile platform in the category — a single receiver can run a 28” field barrel for upland birds, an 18.5” cylinder bore for home defense, and a rifled slug barrel for deer season. The 500 is available in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410, in configurations from youth-stocked field guns to tactical models. It’s the right answer for any buyer who wants one shotgun that does everything.

Mossberg 590 and 590A1: The Tactical Standard

The Mossberg 590 builds on the 500 platform with a heavier barrel, metal trigger guard and safety, and an extended magazine tube for increased capacity. The 590A1 takes it further — it’s the only pump shotgun to pass the U.S. military’s MIL-SPEC 3443 torture test, which requires 3,000 rounds of proof loads with zero failures. Ghost ring sights, Picatinny rail, and bayonet lug configurations are available. For home defense buyers who want maximum durability and don’t want to wonder whether their shotgun will cycle under stress, the 590A1 is the benchmark. The 590S variant accepts 1¾” mini shells in addition to standard 2¾” and 3” loads, increasing capacity significantly.

Mossberg 940 Pro: Competition-Ready Out of the Box

The 940 Pro series is Mossberg’s answer to serious competitive shooters and demanding hunters who want a semi-automatic shotgun that cycles anything without tuning. The gas-operated action is self-regulating, handling light target loads and heavy 3” magnums without adjustment. The 940 Pro Tactical — 18.5” barrel, fiber optic sights, optics-ready receiver — has become one of the most popular home defense semi-autos on the market. The 940 Pro field guns offer ported barrels and extended choke systems for hunters who want to go straight from the box to the blind. At its price point, the 940 Pro competes directly with guns costing significantly more.

Mossberg Shockwave: The Unique Non-NFA Firearm

The Mossberg Shockwave is technically classified as a “firearm” rather than a shotgun under federal law — its 14.375” barrel and overall length over 26” with a bird’s head grip place it outside both shotgun and short-barreled shotgun definitions, requiring no NFA tax stamp. The result is an extremely compact 12 gauge or .410 platform that can be owned and transferred like a standard firearm in most states. It’s popular for truck guns, storage in tight spaces, and buyers who want maximum compactness without NFA paperwork. Note that some states have additional restrictions — check your local laws before purchasing.

Mossberg Gauges and Configurations: Choosing the Right Model

Most Mossberg platforms are available across multiple gauges. The 500 and 590 series come in 12 gauge, 20 gauge, and .410, with youth-length configurations in the smaller gauges. For hunting, the 500 Field and 505 Youth are the practical choices. For home defense, the 500 Persuader, 590, and 590A1 in 12 gauge are the core recommendations. For competition, the 940 Pro in 12 gauge is the flagship. Mossberg’s barrel interchangeability across the 500 platform means you can start with one configuration and expand as your needs change without buying a second receiver.

Mossberg Accessories and Upgrades

The 500 and 590 platforms have the deepest aftermarket of any pump shotgun — stocks, forends, magazine extensions, sidesaddles, sling mounts, and lighting systems are widely available from Mesa Tactical, Magpul, and others. Mossberg’s own flex stock system allows tool-free length-of-pull adjustment on compatible models. For the 940 Pro, Mossberg offers an optics-ready receiver that accepts most common red dot footprints directly. Browse our 12 gauge shotguns, 20 gauge shotguns, and .410 shotguns to find the right Mossberg configuration for your needs.