Mossberg 500
The Mossberg 500 has been in continuous production since 1960 and has sold over 10 million units, making it one of the two most popular pump-action shotguns in American history alongside the Remington 870. What sets the 500 apart is its ambidextrous tang-mounted safety, its aluminum receiver that shaves weight compared to steel-receiver competitors, and the most extensive barrel and configuration swap system of any pump shotgun ever made. One receiver can be configured for waterfowl, upland hunting, home defense, and 3-gun competition — sometimes the same day.
Read our full Mossberg 500 Buying Guide ↓
The Tang Safety: Why Mossberg Shooters Swear by It
The Mossberg 500’s most distinctive feature is its thumb-operated safety located on the top rear of the receiver. Unlike the crossbolt safeties used on most competitors, the tang safety is equally accessible to right and left-handed shooters without any modification. It also allows the shooter to engage and disengage the safety with the thumb of the shooting hand while maintaining a full firing grip — a meaningful advantage in fast-moving defensive or hunting situations. Once you’ve shot a Mossberg, the tang safety becomes something you actively miss on other platforms.
500 Model Configurations: Field, Tactical, and Combo
Mossberg produces the 500 in more configurations than any other shotgun on the market. The 500 Field is the hunting-focused variant with a vent-rib barrel and bead sight. The 500 Tactical has an 18.5” cylinder-bore barrel, bead or ghost ring sights, and often a pistol grip or adjustable stock for home defense use. The 500 Combo packages ship with two barrels — typically a 28” field barrel and an 18.5” tactical barrel — giving buyers both configurations in one purchase. The Mossberg 590 is the heavy-duty tactical variant with a heavier barrel and larger capacity for those who want maximum durability.
12 Gauge vs. 20 Gauge 500
The 500 is available in both 12 and 20 gauge, and the 20 gauge version is particularly popular for youth hunters and smaller-framed shooters. The 20 gauge 500 is a lighter, more manageable gun that handles waterfowl and upland birds effectively while being significantly easier to shoot for extended sessions. The 12 gauge remains the dominant choice for home defense and versatility — it accepts the widest range of ammunition from light target loads to 3” magnum buckshot and rifled slugs. Mossberg also produces the 500 in .410 bore for youth and small-game applications.
Barrel Swapping: The 500’s Superpower
The Mossberg 500’s barrel system is one of its greatest practical advantages. Barrels swap without tools — remove the magazine cap, pull the barrel forward off the magazine tube, drop in the new barrel, replace the cap. The entire process takes under 30 seconds. All 500 barrels are interchangeable within the same gauge and magazine tube length, which means a single receiver can be repurposed for virtually any shotgun application. Mossberg and numerous aftermarket manufacturers offer an enormous range of barrel options including rifled slug barrels, ported competition barrels, and breacher muzzle barrels.
Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870
The Mossberg 500 vs. Remington 870 debate is the longest-running argument in American shotgunning, and the honest answer is that both are excellent guns. The 870 has a steel receiver and twin action bars; the 500 has an aluminum receiver and dual extractors. The 870’s crossbolt safety is familiar to most shooters; the 500’s tang safety is genuinely more ergonomic. The 500’s barrel swap system is faster and more versatile. Both have proven themselves across millions of rounds of hunting, military, and law enforcement use. Personal preference and ergonomics should drive the decision — both will outlast their owner with proper maintenance.
Related Pages at Impact Guns
Compare with the Remington 870 for the other side of the pump-action debate. See the full Mossberg brand page including the 940 Pro semi-auto. Browse by gauge with our 12 gauge shotguns and 20 gauge shotguns pages.